Looking to escape the wintery blues? With amazing fresh produce ripe and ready for the picking and our temperate climate, this time of year you'll want to spend most of your time outdoors, where the sun is shining and our region's events are sparking up our lives like little fireworks wherever you look. Check out this bursting events calendar and come and celebrate with us this winter.
Oceanfest
If the freshest seafood is what floats your boat then don’t miss the saltiest and tastiest event celebrating everything from our wonderful ocean. Prawns, calamari, smoked seafood, crab washed down with some local beer, wine, spirits or cider.
When: Saturday 28 August 10 to 5pm
Where: Bundaberg Port Marina
More info: https://www.oceanfestbundaberg.com.au/whats-on/
Welcome to Country Festival
If you're up for a bit of an overnight camping road trip and want to celebrate our first nations people, the Welcome to Country festival can be found by going through Childers and Gayndah to Manar Park. Three days of Australian music, arts, culture and lifestyle set amongst the Aussie bush - an experience not to forget.
When: Friday 13 to Sunday 15 August
Where: Manar Park, Boondooma
More information here.
Spring in the Vale
Held on the Kenmay Droughtmasters family farm, this is a camping, arts, food and music festival for the whole family. Bands like Aylah, Barefoot, Big Blue Eyes and more this is a boutique festival with an affordable price tag just north of the Bundaberg region.
When: Saturday 28 August (and overnight camping available)
Where: Kenmay (Mount Tom)
Visit here for more information.
Australian Chamber Orchestra in concert
Join the Australian Chamber Orchestra Collective, starting with the world premiere of Australian composer Paul Stanhope’s Giving Ground and culminating in the ultimate finale – Vivaldi’s ever popular The Four Seasons.
Where: Moncrieff Entertainment Centre
When: Saturday 7 August 7:30 - 9:30pm
City to Coast Community Bike Ride
Whether you don the lycra or just enjoy a leisurely ride around the block in your sweat pants this event is for you. The City to Coast Community Bike Ride is a leisurely 20km taking in the gorgeous sights of the Bundaberg region. This ride is designed for everyone - if you can ride a bike you can complete this ride. The ride is fully supported with police and route marshals, bike mechanic support, drink and fruit stop along the way. Riders will also enjoy a free sausage sizzle at the finish.
When: Sunday 8 August registration begins at 7:30, ride kicks off at 9am
Where: Riverside Parklands Bundaberg to South Head Parkland Burnett Heads
To get involved, click here.
Jen does Joni at Oodies Cafe
Sunday 8 August 5:30pm, BYO booze, Jen Mize does Joni Mitchell. ‘Jen Does Joni’ is an immersive musical experience that gives the ultimate backstage pass to the stories and songs of Joni Mitchell. You can almost smell the paint on Joni’s brushes, taste the wine at the Mermaid Café and feel the California breeze through Laurel Canyon as Mize masterfully guides you through the life and art of this true icon.
When: Sunday 8 August, 5:30pm
Pulse Electrical Clearwater Classic Weekend
Brace the core and get paddling - the 4670 Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) club will host this weekend event with a mid-afternoon tech race (BOP) on Saturday 7th August at Elliot Heads, followed by a morning flatwater distance, (short course - 5Km & long course - 10Km) race.
When: Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 August
Where: Elliott Heads, Bundaberg
More info here.
Kevin “Bloody” Wilson at Brothers Sports Club (R 18+)
Helping prevent global boring Kevin Bloody Wilson is an absolute original, iconic Australian comedian, for most it’s a full on event and opportunity to tick off from your bucket list this unique and iconic Aussie comedian (with lots of swearies thrown in for good measure).
When: Friday 13 August 6pm
Cost: $66
Book here.
Sneak peak at some of the regions upcoming Events...
Destination Food & Artisan Food Tour
The peak food conference in Queensland, held in our bountiful region, this event will bring together industry leaders and colleagues, creating a space to network, share ideas and be inspired to take marketing and development of culinary experiences to the next level. Speakers such as Joost Bakker, Susanna George (Urban List), Jayne Gallagher (Honey & Fox), Diana Dredge (Tourism CoLab) and many more.
Taste Bundaberg Farm and Food Tour: Sunday 12 October 10:30 - 4pm
Tickets: $85
Destination Food: October 13
Where: Bundaberg Multiplex Centre
Tickets: $499 (full conference ticket and further info available here).
Bundaberg Art Prize (11 -26 September)
The must-enter and see event on the Bundaberg arts calendar, the Bundaberg Art Prize has a $10,000 first prize and various other entry sections. Lots of amazing local and interstate artists on show in pop up locations throughout the Bundaberg CBD - keep an eye out for the flags.
When: Saturday 11 September opening night, exhibition continues to 26 September
Where: Various locations around Bundaberg region
More info: https://www.bundabergartprize.com.au/
Strawberry Sunday
We bring together the region's strawberry fanatics, farmers, lovers, adorers and bakers to give you a family funday of strawberry-licious delights and fun!
When: Sunday 12 September 11am to 7pm
Where: Riverfeast, 1a Scotland St, Bundaberg East
PBR Bull Mania
Bursting with bull bucking action, the PBR tour hits Burnett Heads for the weekend. Action packed entertainment for the whole family.
Where: Burnett Heads Fields
When: Saturday 4 September 4 - 10pm
Book tickets here.
Woodgate Beach Hotel Fishing Classic
Over $45,000 worth of prizes are up for grabs in multiple fishing categories - beach, estuary, bluewater, overall biggest weight.
Where: Woodgate Beach
When: Friday 17 to Sunday 19 September
More info: https://m.facebook.com/events/121216436523928
Baffle Creek Family Fishing Festival
The recreational fishers amongst us will take to the fantastic waters around Baffle Creek as often as they choose during the week-long event, vying for great prizes!
Where: Baffle Creek
When: September 20 - 25, 2021
More info: https://www.gladstone.qld.gov.au/events/event/96/baffle-creek-family-fishing-festival
Childers Festival
This is the event that stops the Bruce Highway. Packed with events celebrating multiculturalism and the arts in all of their forms through food, opera, street pop ups, music, dancing and much more, you won't want to miss out!
When: Keep an eye out for next years dates!
Where: Childers (Bruce Highway and surrounding streets)