If you’re tossing up where to go for the May long weekend in Queensland, consider this your sign to point the car north and settle into Bundaberg, Southern Great Barrier Reef. We’re talking reef days, rum tastings, coastal strolls and enough good feeds to justify loosening the belt a notch.
Here’s how to spend a long weekend in Bundy, no overthinking required.
Dive into the Southern Great Barrier Reef
If you do one thing this long weekend, make it a day trip to the reef.
Jump aboard Lady Musgrave Experience and cruise out to Lady Musgrave Island, a coral cay which looks like it’s been ripped straight out of a postcard. Snorkel with turtles, float over coral gardens and soak up that “I should do this more often” feeling.
Day tours and overnight accommodation can be booked directly with Lady Musgrave Experience here – get in quick!
Macadamias Australia Visitor Experience
Crack into Macadamias Australia Visitor Experience for a behind-the-scenes look at one of the largest crops grown across the region.
This is where you can wander through orchard stories, try your hand at cracking a nut, and, the best part, sample fresh macadamias straight from the source. It’s relaxed, informative, and dangerously snackable.
Got time to spare? Stick around and treat your taste buds at The Orchard Table café. Tucked inside the visitor experience, this little gem dishes up a menu loaded with local produce and all the nutty goodness you’d expect from macadamia country.
Think fresh, seasonal plates, good coffee, and just enough temptation to convince yourself that dessert is non-negotiable.
Open daily from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Macadamias Australia Visitor Experience gives you plenty of time this May long weekend to explore at your own pace. The Orchard Table‘s kitchen is firing from 8:30 am through to 4:00 pm, so whether you’re chasing a brekkie stop, long lunch or an arvo bite, you’re well covered.
Nature & Wildlife Experiences
Need a reset? Bundy’s got plenty of fresh air and zero stress energy.
Start with Mon Repos Conservation Park, one of the region’s most iconic coastal stretches. It’s famous for turtle nesting season (November–March), but outside of that, it still delivers big on ocean views, a scenic coastal walking track, and that “why don’t I come here more often?” feeling.
You can take the Turtle Trail from Bargara and pass through Mon Repos all the way to Burnett Heads – you choose the pace and distance. Think easy walking, and enough scenery to make you slow down without even trying.
Got time? Swing by the Mon Repos Turtle Centre to learn all about turtle conservation. The Turtle Centre opens daily from 9 am to 2 pm, including public holidays (excluding Christmas and Anzac Day).
Distilleries & Drinks (Because You’re in Bundy)
Let’s be honest. It’d be rude not to sip and swirl your way through Bundy’s most iconic drops.
Kick things off at Bundaberg Rum Visitor Experience for the full immersion. Tour the distillery, taste the good stuff, and leave with at least one bottle you absolutely didn’t plan on buying. It happens to the best of us.
Then switch gears at Bundaberg Brewed Drinks Barrel. Wander through the story of this family-run favourite, brewing for more than 50 years. Then sample your way through the full range, fresh, zesty, and unmistakably Bundy.
- Monday, 4th May 2026 opening hours:
- The Bundaberg Barrel: 10am – 3pm
- Bundaberg Rum Visitor Experience & Retail Store: 10am – 4pm
Slow It Down Properly
When you’re ready to drop the pace, head into Bundaberg Botanic Gardens. It’s green, calm, and made for wandering without a plan. Pack a picnic. Find a shady spot. Stay longer than you meant to.
Got time for something a little different? Swing by Splitters Farm. It’s part animal rescue, part country escape, and fully easygoing. Wander the property, meet the locals (the furry kind), and lean into the slower side of Bundy.
Splitters Farm self-guided tours can be booked online with optional add-ons across the long weekend.
Lakes, Views & Big Open Spaces
If you’re up for a short drive, head out to Lake Monduran. It’s big, quiet, and made for boating, fishing, or just sitting still for a while. This is the kind of place where time stops checking in.
And if you’re keen for a proper scenic moment, make your way to Cania Gorge National Park based in the beautiful North Burnett. Think sandstone cliffs, walking tracks, and hikes that earn you your next meal. It’s a day trip from Bundaberg worth every kilometre.
