Prepare yourselves for the holiday of a lifetime that will have you falling in love with our iconic backyard. Let rich red volcanic soil and abundant farmland greet you as you enter the town the turtles call home. With the Southern Great Barrier Reef just a stone throw away, the Bundaberg region has a plethora of iconic sights and activities that every traveller needs to tick off their bucket list. 

Check-in

After your scenic journey into the region you'll want to stretch your legs and settle into your 1-bedroom beach-side oasis at the C Bargara. Located just a short 200m walk from quirky cafes and boutique shops, relax to the sounds and views of the beach lining this coastal town from your balcony. After settling in, spend a little time falling in love with this piece of paradise with a leisurely stroll down the many pathways following Bargara's coast line.  

Looking for something different? Stay in the Bundaberg Region and choose from a range of accommodation options with romantic getaways, city convenience, hinterland escapes, camping, glamping, and more available here!

 

Day 1

Explore the Reef 

Did you know, Bundaberg is the gateway to the Southern Great Barrier Reef? Home to pristine waters, giant marine life and turtles, spend your day exploring the depths of the reef with a day trip to southern coral cay Lady Musgrave Island. Hop on board Lady Musgrave Experience's luxury catamaran and depart from Bundaberg Port Marina before arriving in a thriving effervescent lagoon. With so much to see both above and below the surface, grab your snorkel and some fins before diving into an underwater playground and snorkel alongside turtles, manta ray, tropical fish and giant marine life. If you can pull yourself out of the water, marvel at intricate coral patterns in the comfort of a glass-bottom boat where I-spy is sure to be played as you try to spot nemo among the anemone. Enjoy a scenic island tour with a reef expert and learn about the thriving birdlife that call the island home. Travel between November-January and you might get the chance to see turtle tracks on your walk, left behind from nesting Mumma turtles, or see hatchlings make a dash to the sea from late-January to late-March! 

 

Fill your belly

You're sure to feel a little tuckered out after your day of snorkelling on the Southern Great Barrier Reef. Head towards Burnett Heads or Bargara to grab yourself a quick bite to eat before heading back to your accommodation to reminisce about your days activities.

 

Day 2

Boutique Breakfast

With a day of adventure ahead, fill your belly with mouth-watering eats from the award-winning Windmill Cafe Bargara. Nestled a block from the beach, you'll find this boutique cafe set within the walls of a quirky Dutch windmill surrounded by serene gardens, the perfect setting to sit back and enjoy a locally sourced breakfast. Need your daily coffee fix? The Windmill team will happily serve you their delicious coffee made from filtered rain water or branch out and try something new with local aromatic chai, before diving into a tantalising Dragonfruit Acai Bowl or crunchy Southern Fried Chicken Benedict breakfast. 

Visit Australia’s Most Iconic Distillery

When you think of Bundaberg, your first thought is likely to be of Bundaberg Rum and no trip to Bundy is complete without a tour through this iconic Distillery. Immerse yourself on a behind-the-scenes tour and uncover the history of master blenders, before following a Bundaberg Rum expert on a journey deep into the heart of the fully operating distillery. Soak up the sights and smells before finishing your journey at the Tasting Bar where Bundaberg Rum's finest blends can be sampled.

 

Seafood Delight

Calling all seafood lovers! Stop into Grunske's By The River Seafood Market and Takeaway for fresh seafood delivered straight from the trawler to your plate. Let your taste buds tingle over a hot and cold Seafood Platter for 2 featuring prawns, pacific oysters, bugs, smoked salmon, crab, crumbed scallops, fish and more! With the choice of Asian Beef Salad, Vegetarian pizza, and steak, there's something for everyone to feast on.

 

Quench Your Thirst

Discover the home of Bundaberg Ginger Beer at the Bundaberg Brewed Drinks Barrel. With more than 14 flavour-filled drink expertly crafted, sample the range and customise your own six pack to enjoy with family and friends back home. You can't go past personalising your favourite drink with your photo and name to keep as a special memento for your trip to this iconic factory.

Witness a Miracle

Each year, visitors travel to Bundaberg to witness a miracle during the Bundaberg Turtle Season. From November to January mother turtles haul themselves up sandy dunes to nest their clutches of eggs on Lady Elliot Island, Lady Musgrave Island and Mon Repos Beach. Some 6-8 weeks after nesting, visit between late-January to late-March and see tiny baby turtles make a mad dash towards the sea, where only 1 in 1000 will survive the odds and live to maturity, and return some 30years later. You can spot nesting mother turtles with an overnight stay on Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort or see tiny hatchlings with a day trip to our southern coral cays or at the Mon Repos Nightly Turtle Encounter. This season, to ensure the safety of all staff, visitors and the community are upheld, turtle encounter tour numbers have been reduced inline with Queensland Parks Wildlife COVID-Safe plan. To avoid disappointment, be sure to book ahead and secure your tickets! 

UPDATE: Mon Repos Nightly Turtle Encounter Tickets have been reduced inline with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services COVID-Safe plan. Tickets are available for March 2021 and can be booked here. For more information on what to expect this turtle season click here.

 

Day 3

Tantalize Your Taste Buds

Let your mouth-water with delicious combinations of gourmet flavours from Water Street Kitchen to curb your lunchtime appetite. From crispy panko chicken katsu to smoked mackerel salad and divine potato, herb & mustard croquettes, leave with your belly full and taste buds tingling. Don't forget to treat yourself to some sweets treats afterwards - we recommend trying the ginger panna cotta that simply melts in your mouth. 

Discover Beautiful Beaches

Spend your last day soaking up our regions beautiful beaches stretching from Moore Park Beach in the north to Woodgate Beach in the south and everything in between. Escape to kite surfer haven Elliott Heads and stop into local favourite Tinaberries for some farm-fresh ice-cream unlike any other. Roll the picnic rug out at Kellys beach or set-up lunch under the shaded tables along the Bargara Esplanade for a relaxing day spent by the beach.