Queensland your good to go! So, pack the car and gather the family, it's time to hit the road and escape to the sunny Southern Great Barrier Reef region of Bundaberg! With so much to see and do, we've narrowed down the must-do list to 10 iconic experiences the family will love these holidays.
Discover new flavours!
With 14 flavour-filled drinks to choose from, visiting the home of Bundaberg Brewed Drinks famous Ginger Beer is a must-do! Gather the troops and head towards the Bundaberg Brewed Drinks Barrel for a self-guided tour that will have the whole family uncovering tips and tricks to making iconic and tasty brews. After learning the art to mixing and bottling, it's time to taste-test! From sampling pineapple coconut, traditional lemonade, pink grapefruit and more you're taste buds are sure to tingle. Before heading home, don't forget to grab a customisable 6-pack with all your favourite flavours (both old and new), and take home to enjoy throughout the rest of your stay in region.
Tick whales off your bucket-list on a day trip with Australia Whale Experience, and spend the day with the family watching these magnificent giants perform their dance and play in the open waters, just a stone throw away from our coastline.
Explore the Southern Great Barrier Reef
Explore one of the greatest wonders of the world and create family memories that will last until the end of time. Just a jump, hop and skip away from our shores sits two southernmost coral cays that make up the Southern Great Barrier Reef. Explore the effervescent waters of Lady Musgrave Island or Lady Elliot Island on a day trip and tick this bucket list experience off while holidaying in our backyard. Spend your time snorkelling alongside curious turtles, tropical fish and other marine life, enjoy looking below the surface in the comfort of a glass-bottom boat and see if you can spot the Great 8 of the Great Barrier Reef. With scenic island tours and time without any no phone reception - enjoy some quality with the family without any distractions.
Top Tip: Explore Lady Musgrave Island with Lady Musgrave Experience and depart by boat from Bundaberg Port Marina before arriving in Lady Musgrave Islands coral lagoon, or spend a night (or two) on Lady Elliot Island with Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort, and take a short 25 min flight from Bundaberg airport to reach this tropical paradise. With new glamping tents and family rooms available, why not extend your stay and relax in paradise?
Travel back in time at Hinkler Hall of Aviation
Did you know Bundaberg is home to the great aviation pioneer Bert Hinkler? As the first Australian to fly solo from England to Australia, discover the adventures, triumphs and challenges Bert Hinkler faced and travel back in time as you wonder through Hinkler Hall of Aviation where flight simulators await and replica aircrafts surround the space. Travel back in time and piece together what life would have been like as a pioneer living in Bundaberg, as you journey through Hinkler House before finishing your tour and wandering through the botanical gardens.
Top Tip: Enjoy the walking trails of the botanical gardens after uncovering the history of Bert Hinkler, and let the kids enjoy the playgrounds amongst the luscious gardens.
Discover our Beautiful Beaches
Pack yourself a picnic and let the kids run wild at one of our beautiful beaches that dot our pristine coastline. From snorkelling in the sheltered waters of The Basin to enjoying the secluded sandy shore of Elliott Heads, Woodgate Beach and Moore Park Beach, you'll be sure to find the perfect spot to settle down and sit back and relax while the kids soak up the salty air.
Our pick: Discover the lifestyle capitol of the Southern Great Barrier Reef, Bargara and enjoy a day out on the sand with local shops and cafe's just a short walk away. Grab some fresh hot fish and chips from Bradlee's before taking a seat at one of the sheltered picnic tables lining the esplanade. While you sit back and enjoy the scenery, let the kids have some fun at the Turtle Park and Playground where their eye's will light up at the sight of the large green and yellow turtle!
Bike The Turtle Trail
Spend some time outside with the family and explore our region with a scenic bike ride along the iconic turtle trail. Starting along the shaded pathways in Bargara, this trail will have you exploring our local flora before arriving at Mon Repos Turtle Centre, home to the largest turtle rookery on the Australian East Coast. Take a short detour and explore the interactive centre, as you learn about the incredible life journey a sea turtle makes, before returning along the path back to Bargara or extending your ride towards Burnett Heads.
Top tip: pack yourself some bottles of water and a snack for the ride, especially if you decide to do some extra exploring in Burnett Heads.
Get up close and personal with the friendly animals of Snakes Downunder Reptile Park and Zoo. Home to more than 60 different species, tick hand-feeding a kangaroo, making friends with the cuddly koalas, encountering cheeky meerkats, crocodiles plus more off your to-do list these holidays!
Insane Caffeine
Whether it's before or after your Snakes Downunder experience, be sure to have a coffee and bite to eat at Insane Caffeine, located just up the road in Childers. While you'll be in awe of their quirky artworks and unique setting, your taste buds will also tingle with their delicious breakfast and lunch eats
Our pick: If you're stopping by for lunch, try their crispy buttermilk chicken burger or pulled chicken enchiladas. For the kids we suggest the spiced pumpkin soup or choose from their counter display.
Strawberry delights at Tinaberries
If you're looking for something sweet, tick Tinaberries of your must-do list and let the kids enjoy some backyard Jenga and giant connect four while your taste buds tingle over their home-made farm-fresh strawberry, passionfruit and mango ice cream. If you're travelling between June and October, grab yourself a punnets worth of their juicy strawberries to enjoy at the hotel for breakfast or pick your own during Septembers picking season.
Got a sweet tooth? You won't want to go past chocolate haven and local gem Cha Cha Chocolate. From hand-made caramel fudge, exquisite chocolate delights, novelty sweets and treats of every kind, this is one shop that has been made for those that are young at heart as well as your mini me's.