Welcome to Bundaberg – where the dirt’s rich, the flavours are real, and the locals know exactly where your food comes from (because they grew it). Set just four hours north of Brisbane and perched on the southernmost edge of the Great Barrier Reef, Bundaberg is one of Australia’s most fertile food bowls – producing a staggering 25% of the nation’s fresh fruit and vegetables. Here, the paddock-to-plate philosophy is second nature, farm gates swing open with a genuine welcome, and you’re invited to get a little hands-on with the region’s finest.
This is a road trip for those who like their food fresh, their stories real, and don’t mind getting a little red dirt on their boots in pursuit of flavour.
DAY 1: A TASTE OF BUNDABERG ICONS
Arrive in Bundaberg and ease into local life
As you cruise into region, the scenery shifts to tell a story of abundance, welcoming you with fields of sugarcane, rows upon rows of macadamias and avocado orchards, and produce stalls dotted along the road.
Start your journey with a visit to a name every Aussie knows: Bundaberg Brewed Drinks. Dive into the craft behind Australia’s favourite brew, and this family-owned operation that has stayed true to its tried, tested and time-honoured recipes. Made with real local ingredients and brewed locally for over 50 years, it’s one of 13 flavours you can try on a guided tasting.
Fill your belly at Water Street Kitchen.
This unassuming weatherboard home just outside the CBD hides one of Bundaberg’s best-kept culinary secrets. Expect refined dishes spotlighting local produce – think gnocchi with pumpkin grown just kilometres away or macadamia-crumbed reef fish. It’s seasonal dining done simply, beautifully.
Discover the home of Australia's favourite spirit - Bundaberg Rum Distillery
No visit to Bundaberg is complete without stepping behind the doors of this world-renowned distillery. Join a guided tour to learn how local sugarcane becomes Australia’s most iconic spirit on a Bundaberg Rum Visitor Experience. For a deeper experience, book the Blend Your Own Rum session and walk away with two personalised bottles of your very own signature blend.
Visit the Home of Macadamias Australia
Just ten minutes from the distillery lies the family-run Macadamias Australia, where 200,000 trees span the horizon. Wander through a section of the original family orchard with a guided tour, before tasting roasted, raw, and flavoured varieties. With a tranquil ambience that will have you lingering longer, take a seat at The Orchard Table café more tree-to-table goodness. Psst. Their signature macadamia and honey ice cream is a must.
Evening: Check in & unwind
Stay central in Bundaberg or venture to nearby Bargara for ocean views and coastal charm. From Bargara’s newest turtle see and stay resort, Turtle Sands, the quite and soothing surrounds of Kellys Beach Resort or self-contained esplanade views of C Bargara, there’s plenty of choices.
DAY 2: FROM FARM GATE TO COCKTAIL HOUR
Breakfast: The Windmill Café Bargara
Start the day in a breezy garden café, housed inside a heritage windmill. Their breakfast menu showcases local eggs, seasonal produce, and artisan sourdough – with house-made macadamia milk for your morning coffee, if you like things a little different.
Strawberry sweetness at Tinaberries
This vibrant working farm lets you pick your own strawberries (in season), explore sunflower trails and enjoy real fruit ice cream under shady trees. A fun, relaxed stop that brings you face to face with the land – and lets you taste just how sweet Bundaberg can be.
Picnic with local produce
Visit One Little Farm for a build-your-own picnic hamper. This charming florist-farm-café hybrid is brimming with Bundy-grown produce, Queensland cheeses, preserves and freshly baked bread. Pair you basket with local kombucha or juice and head for a seaside or riverside picnic spot – Elliott Heads offers tranquil coastal views for company, or make your way to The Hummock for panoramic views where rich red soil meets reef.
Raise a glass at Kalki Moon Distilling
Crafted by a former Bundaberg Rum distiller, Kalki Moon is a family run small-batch distillery with a focused on blending award-winning gin, vodka, liqueurs and premium craft rum. Meet the distillers themselves with a visit to their cellar door, where you’ll be warmly welcomed with the option of a behind the scenes tour and tastings on site. For the boy’s out there with a love for golf and gin, their new Luna Lounge is your go to for the perfect afternoon with golfing simulators that’ll have you perfecting that swing in no time.
Dine at Berts Restaurant
After a day of earthy, hands-on adventures, slip into something a little more refined at Bert’s Restaurant & Bar. With a nod to 1920s glamour and a love for local flavours, Bert’s brings Bundaberg’s best to the table—think fresh seafood, seasonal produce, and expertly mixed cocktails featuring local spirits.
Whether you’re sharing plates with friends or settling in for a special dinner, this is where coastal class meets country charm. Just a short stroll from the Moncrieff Theatre, it’s the perfect spot to raise a glass to the region’s rich, delicious heart.
DAY 3: A SCENIC FAREWELL – THROUGH FIELDS AND FLAVOURS
An Artisan Gem – The Pocket Storehouse
Bundaberg’s artisan sourdough bakery is only open limited days, but if your timing’s right – go early and go hungry. Their flaky croissants, pillowy crumpets and loaves made from organic ingredients are worth queuing for.
Scenic country drive & farmgate finds
Hit the road south through Bargara onto Alloway and Bundaberg – where Bundaberg’s agricultural heart and rich landscape change from leafy orchards to neat rows of capsicum, zucchini, sweet potato and avocados – all growing in rich fertile soil year round. Pull over at Alloway Farm Market for farm-fresh fruit straight from the paddocks.
Lunch at The Garden Mill
Head to The Garden Mill, set among lush gardens, shaded dining and a paddock-to-plate inspired menu. The Garden Mill is one of those hidden gems that feels like you’ve stumbled into a friend’s backyard – if your friend happened to be a brilliant cook with a love for lush gardens, good coffee and beyond cute animals.
WHY BUNDABERG SHOULD BE ON EVERY FOOD LOVER’S MAP
Bundaberg isn’t flashy. It doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not. But for foodies chasing substance, connection and flavour-driven experiences, it offers a rare kind of richness - one where the grower’s story is as satisfying as the produce itself.
Whether you’re sipping spirits made from sugarcane grown metres away, tasting sun-warmed fruit straight from the source, or sitting across the table from someone whose family has farmed the same land for generations, Bundaberg delivers an honest and unforgettable taste of Australia.