Rural charm, warm welcomes and country hospitality, take some time out and explore Mundubbera and the North Burnett. The name ‘Mundubbera’ is an Aboriginal word, meaning ‘meeting place of the waters’ and where better to meet up, than at the inaugural Mundubbera Blueberry Festival! 2 Days of feasting and dancing to showcase the delicious local produce the North Burnett is known for. With October marking the peak of blueberry harvest, the small town of Mundubbera is ready and waiting, with arms wide open to welcome locals and visitors to the area.
Thursday 20th October – Childers to Mundubbera
First stop off on your journey to Mundubbera is the national trust town of Childers. Stretch your legs and take a wander down the historical main street, laced with numerous heritage-listed buildings and unique museums and boutiques to explore. Pick up a coffee from the Paragon Theatre, grab a classic pub feed at the haunted Childers Grand Hotel or stop by Hill of Promise Winery and pick up a bottle or two for when you arrive at your destination.
As you get back on the road and weave your way through the open roads of the North Burnett, you’ll soon be driving through Biggenden and Ban Ban Springs. Learn the story of Biggenden’s settling and pioneering families at The Pioneers Walk and Hall of Fame at Beiers Park, and take a breather underneath the huge Bottle Tree.
Your final pit stop on your road trip to Mundubbera is Queensland’s Oldest Town, Gayndah! First settled in 1849 this little town sits on the banks of the Burnett River, head to Claude Wharton Weir and cast a line to catch a fish to grill for tonight’s supper. Before heading off, stop by one of the many roadside citrus stalls and pick up some freshly squeezed juice for a dose of vitamin C and snap a selfie with The Big Orange for your scrapbook.
If your home’s attached to your towbar, you can pull into The Big Mandarin Caravan Park, Mundubbera Three Rivers Tourist Park or The Showgrounds to camp. If you’re looking for accommodation, you can check into the Billabong Motor Inn, Mundubbera Motel or Jerakala Farmstay to rest your head. Get a good nights sleep, as you have a berry jam packed few days ahead of you!
Friday 21st October – Explore Mundubbera & a Gastronomical Delight by Night
Hit snooze and have a sleep in, we’ve only got a few things to tick off our bucket list today. Once you’ve done your morning stretches (or like us, just slowly resurrect over a cup of coffee) make your way to the Mundubbera Bakery and Café, and pick up a few goodies for your rucksack as your off on a mini adventure. Just 40km south of Mundubbera is the bird watchers paradise of Auburn River National Park. With contrasting landscape of the snaking river against the water sculptured granite, this is a magnificent spot for a picnic. Take a stroll along the top of the gorge, through open rainforest and take in the views of the winding river, or try the Riverbed and Rockpools walk, slightly challenging, but worth it as it guides you through the dry rainforest, eucalyptus forest and to your own personal fresh water pool to cool off in at the end.
Once you’ve made your way back to Mundubbera from your mini adventure, you’ve got time for a quick power nap, and to get showered and refreshed ready for your first Blueberry Festival event. At 6.30pm you will be transported from the bus stop opposite the sports ground in Bauer Street to a secret location. Here, renowned and loved Mundubbera Chef, Kelly Voss and her team will be hero-ing local produce, and creating signature dishes, guaranteed to make you undo the top button of your pants. Enjoy a drink on arrival, and make friends with locals and visitors alike before feasting on some of the best produce on offer in the North Burnett. A Gastronomical Delight by Night of feasting on gourmet goodness and dancing the night away under the starry sky – yes please!
Saturday 22nd October – Berry Big Day Out & Big Blueberry Jam Sesh
Rise and shine, its blueberry time! Mundubbera Blueberry Festival’s Berry Big Day Out kicks off at 9am in the beautiful Bicentennial Park on the banks of the mighty Burnett River. An artisan market and family fun day, with stalls of local producers, artists, crafters, community groups and foodies. MC’d by Australian culinary author Kim McCosker of 4 Ingredients fame, with entertainment from local talent and the winners of the North Burnett Talent Quest, this really is an event for everyone! (Did someone say blueberry muffin eating competition? WHERE DO WE SIGN UP?!)
The party is only just getting started in Mundubbera, as the sun sets, Archer Park comes alive with the Big Blueberry Jam Sesh! Live music from the likes of Russell Morris, Jem Cassar Daley, Creedence Clearwater Revival and a sprinkling of home-grown talent too. Grab a drink and hit the dancefloor for an unforgettable night.
Sunday 23rd October - Mundubbera to Bundaberg
It’s time to bid farewell to Mundubbera, and make your way through a few more towns that call the North Burnett home. First up is the self-proclaimed beef capital of the North Burnett, Eidsvold. Emerging as a bustling gold mining town in the 1880s, the town is now a rich tapestry of Australian heritage and bush culture, with a wealth of Indigenous culture, wildlife and stunning natural beauty. Also home to the Reginald Murray Williams Australian Bush Learning Centre, uncover tales of time gone by, bush skills and poetry and Indigenous artifacts. At night the centre comes alive with the Son et Lumiere, sharing the story of Reginald Murray Williams from local story tellers and captivating stories of life out bush through a stunning outdoor light and sound show.
As you head off towards the coastline, you’ll soon arrive at Mount Perry, so pull into the pub for a feed or save yourself for an award winning pie in Gin Gin. Boolboonda Tunnel is a bucket list item in the area. This abandoned heritage listed railway tunnel is 192m long, making it the longest non-supported tunnel in the Southern Hemisphere. Originally constructed to service the Mount Perry copper mines, the tunnel is now home sweet home for a colony of bent wing bats.
Remember those pies we mentioned earlier? Well I hope you wore your stretchy pants for this meal. Winners of ‘Australia’s Best Pie and Pastie’, the family-owned and operated Gin Gin Bakery serve up delicious baked goods and hot coffee. (The chicken pie is always our winner).
Back on the road, you’re on your way to Bundaberg now. Make your way to the coastline, camp just a stone’s throw from the beach at BIG4 Breeze Holiday Parks Bargara, take in ocean views from your apartment balcony at The Point Resort or stroll amongst the gardens at Kellys Beach Resort. To give you inspiration for the rest of your days in Bundaberg, be sure to check out these things to do and itineraries for an unforgettable summer.