Things to do in Bundaberg, Queensland

The best things to do in Bundaberg include the Bundaberg Rum Distillery tour and the Australian Sugar Cane Railway in the Bundaberg Botanic Gardens. Also try a Bundy Belle cruise on the Burnett River and the Hinkler Hall of Aviation.

Bundaberg is one of several medium-sized cities that dot the Queensland coast. To most visitors, Bundaberg is a potential stop on the Hervey Bay to Rockhampton leg of the long drive between Fraser Island and the Whitsundays. To most Australians, however, it’s the place where Bundaberg Rum is made.

Bundaberg streetscape — Bundaberg is one of the largest cities in Central Queensland. Photo courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland.

Things to do in Bundaberg: Distilleries

Bundaberg Rum is Australia’s home-grown run of choice, and it is made at the Bundaberg Rum Distillery in Bundaberg East. If you’re really into your rum, there’s a blend your own rum experience, costing $237.50. For everyone else, there’s the Bundaberg Rum Distillery tours, which cost $28.50 and can be booked online.

There are also smaller distillers and drinks makers in Bundaberg. Kalki Moon Distilling and Ohana Winery are also open to visitors. The Ohana Winery makes ciders and tropical wines, while Kalki Moon focuses on gins, vodkas and liqueurs.

6 Bundaberg experiences to make the most of your free time

(Highly recommended ✅) Tour – with tastings – at the Bundaberg rum distillery.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Day trip to Lady Musgrave Island on the Great Barrier Reef.
Fly out to Lady Elliot Island for a day on the reef.
See migrating humpbacks – on a four hour whale watching cruise with lunch.
Brewery tasting tour – including the famous Bundaberg ginger beer.
Farm life experience at Splitters Farm.

What to do in Bundaberg, QLD: Botanic Gardens and Alexandra Park

There are more things to do in Bundaberg than just drinking, though. The Bundaberg Botanic Gardens fall into category of nice enough to hang out in for a few hours, but they also host the Australian Sugar Cane Railway. Steam trains chug along this narrow gauge railway around the gardens.

Other pleasant places to hang out include the Olympic-sized, outdoor Anzac Park Pool, plus Alexandra Park. This park is next to the Burnett River and includes the tiny Alexandra Park Zoo. Australia has far better zoos and wildlife parks, but the Alexandra Park Zoo should do for killing time with the kids.

If it’s the river, you’re interested in, try a Burnett River cruise on the Bundy Belle. This historic river ferry is now kitted out for pleasure cruises, and the two-and-a-half hour day cruises come with commentary about the city and the region.

Things to do in Bundaberg, Queensland: Museums

Bundaberg has a handful of museums and galleries, none of which are anything approaching essential. The Fairymead House Sugar Museum has perhaps the most interesting topic – the sugar cane industry. It’s inside the historic Fairymead House, but has bizarre opening hours – from 10.30am to noon, Monday to Friday.

Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery is pretty solid as regional art galleries go, while the Hinkler Hall of Aviation pays tribute to local hero Bert Hinkler. Hinkler was the first person to fly solo from the UK to Australia, way back in 1928. The Hinkler Hall of Aviation delves into his pioneering adventures.

Attractions near Bundaberg

Bundaberg is on the crocodile-free Burnett River, but not quite on the coast. If you want to stay at the beach, Bargara Beach to the east is the best bet. There’s cheap accommodation available at the Bargara Beach Caravan Park.

Just north of Bargara is Mon Repos, a famous turtle nesting site, and Burnett Heads at the mouth of the river. Other oceanside alternatives to Bundaberg include Coral Cove and Elliot Heads south of Bargara, plus Moore Park Beach north of the Burnett River.

On the road out towards Elliot Heads, you can go strawberry-picking and ice cream-tasting at Tinaberries.

Monduran State Forest near Bundaberg, Queensland

Near Gin Gin, inland next to the Bruce Highway and Monduran State Forest, Lake Monduran is another picturesque alternative. It’s particularly camper-friendly.

The other option is the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef. Transfers to Lady Musgrave HQ, a pontoon with underwater accommodation, leave from Bundaberg.

There are some pretty expensive flights from Brisbane to Bundaberg Airport available, but most visitors will drive to Bundaberg. Bundaberg is only 110km north of Hervey Bay, the main access point to Fraser Island. If you’re enjoying a leisurely trip up the coast and have plenty of time to make several stops, that’s fine. But if you’re wanting to get from Hervey Bay to Airlie Beach as quickly as possible, it’s probably too close. Take a look at Tannum Sands, Rockhampton or Mackay instead.

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