This year, give the gift of travel and spend time with friends and family exploring or rediscovering the place we call home.
Partnering with Triple M Bundaberg 93.1FM, follow local radio hosts JB and Jules as they hit the road, ticking some of Bundy’s must dos off the list, with this epic 6-day staycation!
Day 1: Relax and Unwind
2PM: Check-in to lakeside views and rolling green hills at Lake Redbrook Holiday Retreat, Childers
Nestled on 165 acres just north of the picturesque hinterland town of Childers, Lake Redbrook Holiday Retreat is the perfect escape for those wanting to cast a line, hire a kayak and soak up some fresh country air. Surrounded by rolling green hills of the region’s abundant sugarcane and macadamia farms, enjoy relaxing among the tranquil surrounds, either from the comfort of your campsite or in one of their self-contained cabins that overlook the calming waters of Lake Redbrook. With plenty of space and adventure on the water to be had, this is an ideal getaway for all!
Dinner, the JB & Jules way
With locally sourced meat bought from The Childers Butchery just 10km down the road, enjoy the start of your Staycation with a good ol' fashioned BBQ and keep things simple, enjoying quality time spent among your new home-away-from-home.
Day 2: Culture and Colourful Characters
Pack up camp and hit the road for an action packed day!
8:AM: Travel back in time to the early 1920's with your morning caffeine fix
Before your day of jam-packed activities and adventure truly begins, hop in the car and make the short drive into storybook town Childers, where you'll find the exquisite heritage listed Paragon Theatre and Espresso Bar. With the smell of freshly roasted coffee beans drawing you near, let yourself be transported back to the early 1920's in this beautifully preserved and treasured icon. Locally owned and operated, meet Merissa, the person behind the incredible restoration project and uncover her love for bringing this grandeur theatre back to life as visitors and local's alike reminisce on times spent watching old classics with their boo.
For breaky, take a bite to eat from their Espresso Bar's delightful range of locally made eats that showcase the regions fresh seasonal produce! Once you've devoured your food, take a short stroll down the main street and admire some of the towns heritage buildings before making your way to stop number 2 on the itinerary.
10AM: Flock to Apple Tree Creek
Come make some colourful feathered friends at Flying High Bird Park and discover the cheeky characters that call this park home. Spanning for more than an acre, be in awe of the variety of free-flying Australian Parrots and birds of all kinds that happily squawk a friendly 'welcome' upon arrival. Venture throughout the themed aviary and admire the effervescent colours as they fly high above, a truly unique and immersive experience not to be missed.
12PM: Prepare yourself for an Insane Lunch
You're sure to have built up an appetite after your mornings activities, so make your way back to Childers and take a seat at quirky local cafe, Insane Caffeine for a delicious lunch to fill your belly before hitting the road and venturing towards Bundaberg. From their roast pumpkin, pear and blue cheese salad to crispy buttermilk chicken burger, you're mouth will water over the diverse menu and tantalizing goodies that are showcased across the menu, you're sure to find something to please even the fussiest of eaters.
Try: The scrumptious Tropical Chicken Melt with smoked chicken, pesto, capers, sundried tomato, pineapple and grilled cheese drizzled with balsamic glaze.
1:30PM: Road trip your way and check in to your Day 2 accommodation at Splitters Farm
A 45min drive from Childers, once the crew has finished lunch make the trip towards Splitters Farm to check in to your unique farm-stay experience. With the option to choose to glamp the night away in one of 8 Deluxe Safari Tents fully equipped with all those necessary luxuries, or camp the night on their powered or unpowered sites, enjoy this Staycation any way that you like. After you've fully settled in, get ready for one last stop before grabbing dinner and tucking in for the night.
3:30PM: A cruise down the heart of Bundaberg
Think you know Bundaberg? Sit back and relax with a cruise down the mighty Burnett River in the comfort of a fully restored classic river ferry with a Bundy Belle river cruise and get a new perspective of the town we call home. Keep entertained as your experienced skipper offers a unique perspective to the history and culture of Bundaberg while appreciating the river and its surrounds.
Dinner: Grab a mixture of your favourite BBQ eats to cook-up back at the Splitters Farm camp kitchen
Day 3: Roosters, Rum & Roses
8AM: The Splitters Farm Experience
Venture from one paddock to another meeting and greeting the cute and cuddly animals of Splitters Farm, that you may not have had the chance to see the day before when checking in. From goats, ducks, roosters, chickens, cows, horses and more, you'll find animals great and small in this sanctuary for rescued farm animals.
Local Tip: Wake up early in the morning and make your way towards Splitters Creek. As the sun rises, see if you can spy the Platipi along the creeks edge as they forage for food!
11AM: Bundaberg Botanical Gardens
From one natural encounter to another, soak up the magnificent Bundaberg Botanical Gardens and wander the flower laced pathways uncovering hidden gems such as the rare fruit tree orchard, Hinkler Hall of Aviation and Fairymead House Sugar Museum. Rediscover the pioneering days of the regions sugarcane boom at Fairymead House and catch a glimpse of the adventurous life Bert Hinkler lived at the Hinkler Hall of Aviation with a self-guided tour.
12PM: Ready your forks for lunch at the Spotted Dog at Railway
With more than 30 years experience under his belt, come meet one of Bundy's favourite and resilient publican's renowned among locals as 'Pato'. Passionate about the region and providing visitors with meals jam packed with flavour, pull up a seat and enjoy a scrumptious lunch or dinner.
Try: Pato's Signature succulent beef cheeks that have been slow cooked for 8hrs with rosemary and red wine served on a bed of sweet potato mash with a side of green beans and mushroom sauce.
2PM: Immerse yourself on a Bundaberg Rum Visitor Experience
It's our most iconic spirit and a must do for any visitor and local alike - rum drinker or not. Whether it be your first time or third, rediscover the home where this award-winning spirit is made on a Bundaberg Rum Visitor Experience. Journey throughout the Distillery Museum uncovering the history of past master blenders with a self-guided tour, before following a Bundaberg Rum expert into the heart of the fully working distillery. Learn the process to distilling rum and liqueurs before sampling some of the range at the Tasting Bar.
Dinner date at Bert's Restaurant
After learning about the man himself, make your way to Bert's Restaurant and Bar for a mood-lit dinning experience that has been inspired by the courage and pioneering spirit of Bert Hinkler. Feel at ease with friendly table service and a menu that offers you the chance to share with your companion. Be sure to try their signature cocktails!
Day 4: Touring Tipple Town
Check out of your Splitters Farm accommodation
10AM: Tour the home of Australia's favourite brew at The Bundaberg Brewed Drinks Barrel
Discover the history behind the success of this 50 year family business and uncover the secret to crafting more than 14 flavour-filled drinks at The Bundaberg Brewed Drinks Barrel. Enjoy a self-guided tour learning the bottling process before taste testing the range and taking home a pack of your 6 favourite flavours to enjoy back at your accommodation.
12PM: Sea food and eat it
Caught locally and delivered straight from the trawler to your plate, enjoy a unique catch to kitchen dinning experience at Grunske's Seafood Market and Restaurant. From river prawns to locally caught bugs, choose to enjoy it fresh or grilled while basking in sweeping river views of the Burnett River. Not a seafood eater? Fear not! There is something for everyone with non-seafood options such as their mouth-watering Asian Beef Salad featuring marinated beef strips that melt in your mouth, tossed through an Asian style salad with cashew, crispy noodles, ginger and a lime and coriander dressing.
1PM: Cellar Door Tour
Come meet the makers behind an artisan distillery, brewery and cider house on a Bundy Cellar Door tour with Bundaberg Shuttle Buses! Meet cider and tropical wine makers Zoe and Josh of Ohana Winery and Cheeky Tiki Cider, and let their passion for using real fruits shine through with a tour of their cellar door. From Pineapple wine to chilli and lime ciders, you can try a bit of everything with a tasting paddle. Venture through the heart of Ballistic Bargara, your one stop shop for all things craft beer and pale ales on a guided tour of The Brewhouse and see first hand where they make their popular Reef craft beer range that not only gives back to beer drinkers but to important research and restoration of the Southern Great Barrier Reef. And, if your type of fruit salad is Gin tossed with some tonic and lime, then Kalki Moon Distilling and Brewing Co. is the place for you. Learn how to distill, bottle and label award-winning gin by the family responsible for this botanical spirit on a tour behind the scenes. With tastings available after the tour, enjoy soaking up this family-owned and operated distillery before purchasing a bottle from the cellar door to share around the table back home.
4PM: Check-in to your Lighthouse Hotel-Motel accommodation & then dinner at the Lighthouse Bistro.
A short walk from where the river meets reef, check-in to your room at the Lighthouse Hotel-Motel in Burnett Heads and settle in for an evening spent in this coastal town. Be welcomed by the teams warm and friendly service and if you're visiting between Friday-Sunday, enjoy the venues live entertainment and outside alfresco dinning area before tucking into your dinner for the evening.
Day 5: Reef Within Reach and Fresh Local Eats
Check-out of Lighthouse Hotel
8AM: Wholesome breakfast among lush garden surrounds, a block from the beach!
Nestled a block from Bargara beach and within a beautiful serene blue dutch windmill, welcome to the start of Day 5 of your Staycation. Recognised as Queensland's best restaurant and catering service at the 2021 and 2019 Tourism and Events Queensland awards, the Windmill Cafe Bargara offers a tranquil escape with wholesome meals that are inspired and made with the regions seasonal produce delivered straight from the farmers just down the road. We recommend trying their famous Dragon Bowls or the delicious Windmill Stack for breakfast or lunch. The Windmill also cater to dietary needs so be sure to ask their friendly staff for their recommendations as well!
10:30AM: Macadamias Australia
Did you know that our region is responsible for producing 25% of the nations fresh fruit and veg? While we may drive past the regions abundant patchwork of farmlands boasting everything from the letters A-Z, come experience a unique tree to table offering at the new Macadamias Australia Visitor Centre. Journey through the center on a self-guided tour and gain a deeper understanding of the processes and incredible sustainability works this family owned and operated macadamia farm has embedded. Uncover the secret behind their success for growing and harvesting high quality macadamia nuts and taste test the range of chocolate coated, honey roasted and lemon myrtle flavoured macadamias.
11:30AM: Lunch at the Orchard Table Cafe
After sampling part of the range and purchasing a bag of your favourites, devour macadamia and local sweet potato crafted dishes for lunch at Macadamias Australia's onsite cafe, The Orchard Table. You'll find their innovation doesn't stop at growing with their menu boasting unique macadamia dishes and fresh local produce. Be sure to treat yourself to the gelato, we promise you won't regret it!
1PM: Snorkel with Reef Connect
Considered as Bundaberg's equivalent to White Haven beach, hop in the car and make your way towards Elliott Heads Beach where pristine white sand and vibrant blue waters await and where your guided snorkeling tour with Reef Connect begins. With your snorkel in hand and flippers at the ready, step right off the shore and dip your head under the water where a pristine reef within reach awaits. Passionate about the reef and inspiring change, learn the intricate details of the reef and this magnificent eco-system and how you can help make a difference during your guided tour.
3PM: Check in to BIG4 Breeze Holiday Park Bargara
Within reach of Bargara's pristine coastline and accessible beaches, BIG4 Breeze Holiday Park Bargara is the perfect location for your summertime staycay. Providing self-contained cabins, powered and unpowered sites with Neilson's beach just meters from the park, sit back and relax as the waves meet the shore. Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the shaded pathways that line the Bargara Esplanade and make your way towards boutique shops, restaurants and cafes. If you're feeling adventurous, lace up your walking shoes and explore the Turtle Track leading you through lush bushlands and onto Mon Repos Conservation Park, or further towards Burnett Heads!
Dinner along Bargara Esplanade
We're giving you the freedom to choose how you spend the last night of your Staycation, but with so many options to be had, we're happy to point you towards a few within reach of your Bargara accommodation. For some classic pub grub, stop into the Bargara Hotel or Bargara Lakes Tavern where both their menu's and plates are jam packed with good-ol pub food. Featuring options like loaded chicken schnitzels, pizza's and house grills, you won't be left disappointed. Along Bargara Esplanade you'll also find some takeaway options. If you would like to enjoy dinner back at your cabin or camp site, JB & Jules recommend grabbing some hot fish and chips from Bradlees Fish and Chips.
Day 6: Discover Where The Reef Begins
7AM - 5:00PM: Day trip to the Southern Great Barrier Reef
If you're yet to ticket this bucket list experience off your must do list, here is your calling! Departing from Bundaberg Port Marina, hop aboard Lady Musgrave Experience's luxury catamaran Reef Empress and enjoy a relaxing 2-hour boat ride towards southern coral cay Lady Musgrave Island, your destination for the day. Upon arriving in the calm clear blue waters of Lady Musgrave Lagoon, spend your day snorkeling among vibrant reef fish, intricate coral patterns, curious turtles and giant manta rays as they swim below, with Nemo often spotted not too far away in the anemone. Enjoy the comforts of a glass-bottom boat tour where you can listen to reef experts as they explain the critical details of the reef just off the shores of our backyard. Let the guides take you on a journey through the Pisonia forest covered island that is home to the nesting and breeding of native seabirds and shorebirds. With small morning tea and lunch provided throughout your day, you'll leave with your belly full and plenty of memories to share when you get home.