“Why are you celebrating Halloween? We’re not Americans.”

The same debate pops up every year around the same time as the Halloween decorations do. Someone else will chime in about the Gaelic origins of Halloween; that is, the festival originated in Scotland and Irish in pagan times at Samhain.

Samhain is the first day of November and a marker of the beginning of Winter. While earlier Gaelic people followed the Wheel of the Year around equinoxes and solstices, modern Scottish settlers wanted to celebrate at the same time as back home. With Christianity came “All Hallow’s Eve”, later shortened to “Halloween” (a Scots term).

So, no, Halloween in Bundy isn’t an imported fad from America. It arrived here with the Scottish settlers who helped build the town.

Ever wondered what lies beyond the usual tourist trail? Along the Pacific Coast Way, between Bundaberg and Gladstone, you'll find a treasure trove of stunning, serene, and surprisingly under the radar places waiting to be explored.

Dive into the vibrant world of dietary-friendly cafes and eateries in Bundaberg, where going green is a delectable journey that caters to all tastes. Discover a spectrum of options that deliver a burst of flavor without compromising on nourishment and satisfaction. From nourishing nibbles to meat-free wonders, comfort classics, and clean-eating treasures, Bundaberg has you covered.

Yee Gee, or hello in Taribelang language - this was one of the many traditional language learnings I took away from my time on the Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow tour run by Taribelang Bunda Cultural Tours, which is a meaningful and wonderful way to explore more of the Bundaberg region through the lens of our First Nations custodians. 

Bundaberg is gorgeous in winter, mild days, plenty of sunshine and lots to do and explore that doesn’t cost a penny! Take this top 10 road less travelled list and tick off these adventures as part of your visit.