Your guide to enjoying the ultimate Christmas with friends and family under the warm Southern Great Barrier Reef Sun 👇

Christmas in the Bundaberg Region is a season of sunshine, celebration, and unforgettable experiences that blend coastal charm, foodie delights, and unique encounters all into one. Whether you're planning a getaway with family or friends, here’s how to immerse yourself in the festive spirit of the Southern Great Barrier Reef.

 

CHRISTMAS MARKETS & TWILIGHT TIDINGS

Keep an eye out for Bundaberg’s Christmas markets, carol nights, and festive light displays that are in full force across the town. Local artisans offer handmade gifts, festive treats, and holiday cheer that will make your Christmas in Bundaberg truly memorable. Here's just a few we've added to the must-do list:

• FRI 13 DEC | Growers and Makers Christmas Market | 5PM - 7:30PM 
  Gather the troops for a unique twilight market experience nestled among the lush surrounds of The Garden Mill Cafe in Bargara. From live music, gourmet pizzas & antipasto picnic boxes plus a range of stalls featuring local artisans, this Bargara christmas special is best to be enjoyed with friends and family.
• SUN 15 DEC | Moore Park Beach Christmas Carols & Markets | 4PM - 8PM
  Rein in the Christmas spirit with an afternoon spent seaside at the Moore Park Beach Christmas Festival. This pristine beachfront town will be decked with local markets, carols and made complete with a visit from Santa along with a vibrant firework display to end your evening of family fun. 
  
  Check out the full Christmas Program here for your bumper guide to what's on across the region! 
  
  

A HOLIDAY CHEERS, THE BUNDABERG WAY

• Kalki Moon Distillery 
  Swirl, sip and savour award-winning gin and flavour-filled liquours perfect for that Christmas gift at Kalki Moon Distilling Company. Meet the makers themselves at this family owned and run cellar-door and venuture behind the scenes on a guided tour gaining insight into their unique botanical blends and signature rum profiles. Two complimentary tastings are available to guests after the tour and with so many delicious blends to choose from, their tasting paddle is a great option for those wanting to capture the full depth of this family owned distillery.
• Bundaberg Brewed Drinks Barrel
  This Christmas, make memories with the family at the Bundaberg Brewed Drinks Barrel, where festive fun and fizzy delights await! Step into the iconic barrel-shaped building and dive into the world of Bundaberg’s famously brewed beverages. Sip on the limited-edition Christmas Spice Ginger Beer, a seasonal favorite bursting with the warming flavors of cinnamon and cloves—perfect for getting into the holiday spirit. As a keepsake or fun gift idea, ask to have your picture taken and personalise your very own brewed drink bottle to take home! 
  
• Bundaberg Rum Blend Your Own 
  While in town treat yourself (or that person who has everything) to a one-of-a-kind gift at the Bundaberg Rum Visitor Experience. The Blend Your Own Rum Experience lets you step into the role of Master Blender, crafting a unique bottle of rum tailored to your taste. With expert guidance, you'll mix rich, aged blends to create a personalized masterpiece, complete with your custom label. Perfect as a thoughtful gift or a special holiday indulgence, this hands-on experience is as memorable as the spirit itself!
  Try Bundaberg Rum's limited edition XMAS Pudding and Campfire Rum either over ice or ice-cream for a true Bundymas. 

TWINKLE TOWN

• Santa's CBD Showcase
  Explore the heritage-laced streets of Bundaberg's CBD and admire the boutique shopfronts rolling out the red carpet this Christmas with incredible displays to spark your festive spirit. With a love for local and a flair for creativity, these businesses have transformed their windows into a wonderland of twinkling lights, festive decor, and holiday magic. Stroll through the city, soak up the cheerful atmosphere, and support local artisans while ticking off your Christmas shopping list. It’s the perfect way to celebrate the season and champion Bundaberg’s vibrant community!

UNWRAP A WORLD FULL OF UNDERWATER ADVENTURE

• Southern Great Barrier Reef: Lady Musgrave Island & Lady Elliot Island
  Add a dash of vitamin sea to your Christmas stocking and tick snorkelling alongside turtles off your list in 2024 with a day trip (or overnight stay) on Lady Elliot Island and Lady Musgrave Island. Renowned for being home to giant marine life and curious turtles year round, Christmas on the Southern Great Barrier Reef is a magical experience, where snorkeling alongside giant marine life (think Manta Rays, giant clams, and more!) feels like a gift from nature itself. 
• Discover our reef within reach
  Dive into an underwater paradise just steps from the shore! Start at The Basin, a calm, protected swimming spot perfect for beginners, where basalt rock walls shelter vibrant fish-filled waters - perfect for a first snorkel with the family. Ready for more? For those more confident divers, Head to Barolin Rocks in Woongarra Marine Park, where dazzling corals, turtles, and rays await your snorkel just off the shore and is a gem for those more experienced divers. Or choose to relax in natural rockpool spas at Elliott Heads, where 2km of hidden rockpools and the stunning Insta-famous Mermaid Lagoon awaits with each claiming home to various marine life. With natural beauty this close, the reef of your dreams is right within reach!
  
  Note: As always, be sure to check all weather conditions prior to planning your trip and always partner up with a mate to share the experience with.

FARM FRESH FESTIVITIES

• Macadamias Australia, Orchard Café
  Treat your tastebuds to farm-fresh delights this Christmas at Macadamias Australia’s Orchard Café. Indulge in macadamia-infused cakes, creamy tarts, and holiday-inspired sweets, or pick up gourmet gifts from their store. From decadent chocolate-covered macadamias to handcrafted hampers, it’s the perfect stop for stocking stuffers and seasonal treats with a local twist.
• Splitters Farm
  This one is for the animal and country lover out there. Activate the farmer within and add Splitters Farm on your list for a tranquil escape and unique farm-stay experience. Offering day tours, camping and glamping experiences for all, come spend a few days meeting and greeting animals great and small while soaking up our regions spectacular bushland backyard. As a working and rescue animal farm, Splitters will have you falling in love with cheeky characters and the simple beauty of nature.
• Tinaberries
  Escape to a slice of paradise at Tinaberries, where their lush garden surrounds and relaxed rustic farm-gate set the scene for unforgettable moments with family and friends. While strawberries may not be in season (you'll have to come back in September), the farm’s signature fresh-fruit ice creams are a year-round delight, each scoop bursting with the flavors of seasonal local ingredients like strawberry, mango, macadamia and dragonfruit - all hand made on site! Once you've decided on your favourite, grab your scoop and let the kids run free while you soak up the charm of this quintessential Bundaberg experience

CONNECTION THIS CHRISTMAS

• Taribelang Bunda Cultural Tours
  This Christmas, connect with Bundaberg’s rich cultural roots on a Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow tour with Taribelang Bunda Cultural Tours. An immersive experience, journey through time as your Taribelang Bunda guide shares transformative stories and a deep spiritual connection with the land and sea we call home. Learn rich history, sample bush flavours, and discover the enduring significance of Bundaberg’s landscape, a truly meaningful way to connect, reflect, and celebrate this festive season.
  
  
• Mon Repos Turtle Centre
  Deepen your connection to nature at the Mon Repos Turtle Centre. Through interactive displays and hands-on activities, discover why Bundaberg is renowned for being the town the turtles call home. Learn about the vital role Mon Repos and passionate QPWS Rangers play in protecting endangered marine turtles, including the largest loggerhead nesting population in the South Pacific and how you can contribute to caring for these ancient mariners and their ocean home. Visit during turtle season (November to March) and you can witness the magic of turtles nesting or hatchlings emerging under the stars, on a ranger-guided Mon Repos Nightly Turtle Encounter and experience first-hand conservation.
  
  Note: Tickets for the 2024 Mon Repos Turtle Encounter have sold out for December 2024 and January 2025, with some limited availability for February to March tours. If you would like to book a ticket please visit here or call our Visitor Services Team on 1300 722 099, to enquire about dates.

 
SWAPPING SNOW FOR SAND & SEAFOOD!

• Discover beautiful beaches
  If you’re seeking 16km of sandy coastline to stretch out along, where sandy feet are customary and fish and chips are as fresh and hot as they come, Woodgate Beach is the spot for you. Just a 40min drive from Bundaberg, this seaside town offers the perfect summer getaway. Choose to pack the paddle board and cruise down Theodolite creek soaking up tranquil surrounds and calm sweeping waters, or dip your toes in the sand along Woodgate Beach itself and embrace the region's laid-back holiday charm. For more beachside fun, head to Moore Park Beach or Bargara, where family-friendly stretches of sand and shaded picnic spots make the perfect setting for a classic beach cricket showdown and shared laughter.
• Grunskes Seafood Market, Restaurant and Takeaway
  No Aussie Christmas is complete without a feast of fresh seafood, and Grunskes Seafood Market is the ultimate spot to stock up or sit down to enjoy the region’s finest. From prawns to bugs, their restaurant and takeaway options let you savour the catch of the day while soaking in stunning riverfront views. Whether you're planning a seafood feast at home or treating the family to a laid-back lunch (or dinner) by the river, Grunskes delivers a fresh taste of Bundaberg straight to your plate.