You know those feel good, heart warming, stay a bit longer, play a bit harder kind of events?

From foodie feasts heroing the salt of the earth farmers feeding the nation and pouring their all into producing the perfect crop, to fist pumping music festivals, where you make lifelong friends in the crowd and sing almost as loud as the headliners.​ Passionate locals bringing regional communities together for family fun days to transformational experiences, connecting with culture, in spectacular bucket list surrounds, leaving a better person kind of events.

Ready to RSVP?

For those with littles ones wanting an egg-cellent time 
1 - 30 April 2023

Hop on over to the Bundaberg Botanic Gardens and celebrate the magic of Easter over 30 wonderous days! The ultimate hunt for hidden bunnies and larger than life easter eggs that have been lovingly designed by local artists and community groups.

Let the little ones skip and giggle down winding trails and through whimsical gardens, with egg-citing games and puzzles to solve along the way. Keep your eyes peeled for not only the abundant wildlife that fill the Botanic Gardens, but the illusive golden egg for your crack at winning a super-sized prize!

As far as community connectors go, no bunny compares to Wide Bay Kids! and this event is their Easter gift to you, bringing together locals and visitors alike, and sharing some serious don’t worry be hoppy vibes. Just a little insight into the creative, passionate and welcoming good eggs that call our region home.

So download the map and hop to it!

For those that want to squeeze the most out of a weekend
Friday 28 April - Sunday 30 April

Zesty locals with hearts of gold and that quintessential Queenslander banter (and that’s just the mullet competition). The Gayndah Orange Festival has been a juicy event in the North Burnett since 1957.

My Kitchen Rules legends Dan and Steph will take to the stage for a number of live cooking demos on
for the main Festival day, where the streets come to life with entertainment, market stalls, live music and night parade! Rounding the weekend up with a family funday and the famous orange throwing competition, orange you glad you read this?!

Squeeze the most out of your weekend and discover the a-peeling charm of the hinterland with a roadtrip through winding country roads, stretching your legs (and scoffing a sausage roll) in the welcoming tiny towns, and experiencing the North Burnetts wonderful (and wacky) must-do’s.

Sound like a plan? (Vitamin) C you there!

For those that missed out on Luke Combs tickets
Saturday 29 April - Sunday 30 April

Does a bootscootin’ yee-haa-in’ two day country music festival with headline acts such as Adam Brand and Lee Kernagan taking to the stage sound like a dead set ringer for a good time? Well then, Akubra’s at the ready, soak up the sunshine and dance late into the night at Lighthouse Country.

Festival Director Gavin Hales, is a bundy boy through and through, so its no wonder him and his team work hard to ensure their festivals give something back to the town the call home. From working with local volunteer group Sea Turtle Alliance, to having the regions most refreshing bevs flowing, so you get a little taste of the products our people are so proud of.

Make the most of your may long weekend.

For those that want to work up a sweat
Sunday 30 April 2023

If your holiday prep includes training to swim, bike and run in the sun, then this might just be the event for you. Whilst traditionally in Bundy, we like to swap the run for world-class rum, the Bargara Triathlon is an exception.

Working hard, and playing harder has never been easier with the Southern Great Barrier Reef ready and waiting as you cross the finish line. Whether you’re biking or beachin’, swimming or sipping, it’s the perfect reason to stay a bit longer and explore this eco-certified paradise. Relax in the mermaid pools at Elliott Heads, recharge with a mid-morning snooze at Kellys Beach, refuel with a feast of local produce, with your plates piled high with goodness at The Windmill Café Bargara, rejuvenate with a deep tissue massage at Sacred Sounds and reward yourself with a farm fresh strawberry ice cream at Tinaberries.

For those that savour the smell of old books – Childers Heritage Weekend
Saturday 13 May - Sunday 14 May 2023

Soak up the best of the region’s hinterland with detailed heritage and insightful history in Childers, as part of the nation-wide Australian Heritage Festival.

Join local historians on discovery walking tours, wander through the historical complex, cast your eyes over military memorabilia, and immerse yourself in interesting museum displays and local craft showcases, celebrating the rich cultural roots of this charming storybook town. (Oh and wash all that down with a delicious Devonshire tea at the old Apple Tree Creek School). 

This quintessential Queensland town isn’t just about the years gone by, these days the town also pours a pretty good tipple, with a number of wineries to sip and swirl your way through. A glass or two over dinner, under the stars and fairy lights at The Rusty Gate Winery is always a picture perfect way to finish up your day in Childers.

You’ll leave with an appreciation for local culture, a wealth of knowledge on the areas history, and a bottle of red to drink when you get home and reminisce over your trip.

 

For those that want to dive into a deeper connection 
Friday 26 May - Sunday 28 May

Combining coral with culture, the team behind Lady Musgrave Experience and Taribelang Bunda Cultural Tours have come together to create one of the most unique events on the Southern Great Barrier Reef, Djagun Bunda Land, Sea, People, Journey. Set amongst the turquoise blues of Lady Musgrave Island, snorkel alongside majestic marine animals, encounter abundant wildlife on island walks and be captivated by rich Aboriginal storytelling and Dreamtime.

Spend your evening feasting on a tantalisting three-course dinner of native flavour and authentic bush tucker, sleep under the stars in your upper deck glamping bed or wish the fishes sweet dreams from your underwater bunk bed, as you call Lady Musgrave HQ home for the night.

Caring for Country for over 60,000 years, who better to learn how to look after for the land we walk on, and the waters we swim in, than the oldest living culture on earth. Lady Musgrave’s crew and Taribelang Bunda guides radiate respect and meaningfulness, creating beautiful moments of open conversation, and building lifelong connections. A transformational experience, that will bring out your inner eco warrior, and have you planning your return trip to paradise.

For those that just want a good time
Thursday 27 July - Sunday 30 July

Whilst Melbourne may have the event that stops the nation, we have the event that stops the Bruce Highway!

Childers Festival is a celebration of all things uniquely Childers, from the spectacle of Cane Field Fires, to behind the curtains peeks at the heritage listed Paragon Theatre and even Italian long luncheons in the hinterlands wineries. Before it all wraps up with the last hoorah at the Childers Festival Day. People from all walks of life come together to celebrate that beautiful Childers spirit with market stalls filled with artisan creations, vintage treasures and local feeds.

Our hot pick? An afternoon sipping local wines, listening to the sweet symphonies of live opera and Broadway tunes, whilst taking in the stunning surrounds of Lake Redbrook – yes please!

 

For those that like to wear stretchy pants 
Friday 4 August  - Sunday 13 August

If your love language is a plate piled high, or the way to your heart is a home cooked meal, then this festival is sure to get your mouth watering. 10 days of fresh food feasting, dedicated to hero-ing the rockstars putting their heart and souls into feeding the nation, producing 25% of Australia’s fruit and veg.

From the fan favourite Macadamias Australia picnic, an evening of innovation and creation at the Windmill Café Bargara, to the tour-de-divine of dessert trails, there’s something to whet everyone’s appetite. Meet the makers at the Taste Farmers Market, where you come face-to-face with the legends growing, brewing, distilling and creating 365 days of the year. Genuine, down to earth people (seriously, they’re elbow deep in soil most days) who are more than happy to have a yarn and share the local must-do’s.

Taste Bundaberg Festival is the kinda good time that leaves you with your heart just as full as your bellies (and with the dishes you’ll be dreaming of returning for!) Come as you are, leave a bit heavier.

For those that like their rock music with a little bit of reef 
Saturday 14 October

The sort of event that gets your heart pumping just as much as your fists. Where you spend the night singing along to those Aussie rock anthems at the top of your lungs, dance like Peter Garrett and make lifelong friends in the crowd.  

Another stellar festival from the legends of Lighthouse Presents, after a sell out 2022 event, this year Lighthouse Rock promises to be bigger and better than ever.

Where else in the world can you swim with turtles and sing with Jimmy Barnes all in one weekend? Ok well maybe Jimmy won't make an appearance again this year, but keep your eye across their socials for the headliner announcement!

For those that are looking for a turtle-y immersive getaway 
27 October – 5 November

Before the sandy shore of Mon Repos starts to fizz and bubble with the circle of life, the region becomes a hive of excitement and energy for Milbi Festival! I mean, how else would you kickstart Turtle Season than with an immersive 10 days of events celebrating these incredible testudines and our connection to Country.

Cultural experiences, dinners with a dash of bush tucker, events to bring out your inner eco warrior and a showcase of Indigenous storytelling and Dreamtime. Arts, Culture and County combined, in the town the turtles call home (no seriously, we’re home to the largest loggerhead turtle rookery in the Southern Hemisphere!)