Stay
Childers
Childers
Childers is a storybook town positioned on the Bruce Highway whose streets and buildings still whisper reminders of the past. Be welcomed by rich red dirt farms, rolling hills and sweeping tree-lined streets.
Take a trip down memory lane and explore the historical hotspots of Childers. Laced with beautiful, masonry buildings, you’ll truly feel as though you’ve stepped back in time.
Rich with its multicultural heritage, Childers’ wineries pay homage to the areas’ past with traditional Sicilian-made wine. Be sure to enjoy a glass of locally-made wine as you watch the sun go down.
Bundaberg
Bundaberg is a vibrant modern city at the heart of a region taking in coastal and country towns that are home to some 95,000 people. Established in 1867, 'Bundy' as the locals affectionately know the city, is a great place to invest, offering a range of things to see and do. Meeting our famous turtles, exploring the Southern Great Barrier Reef, one of the world's most special places just a stone's throw off our shores, and sampling our regional cuisine, which stars locally grown fruit and vegetables and freshly caught seafood, are high on most wish lists. The great news is you'll find much more to delight and inspire in Bundaberg!
You will find a vibrant and creative city centre - be sure to take in an exhibition at the Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery, a movie or show at the Moncrieff Entertainment Centre and sample the thriving restaurant and cafe scene.
Finding quiet natural places close to the city is part of the charm of Bundaberg. You will see many species of birds and wildlife on the walking trails and boardwalks that meander through the tea trees, vine scrub and Eucalypt forests of Baldwin Swamp Environmental Park. The wter lilly-festooned lagoons where the city's favourite son, pioneer aviator - Bert Hinkler studied ibis in flight, are the centrepieces of the Bundaberg Botanic Gardens. The gardens also feature shaded picnic areas, themed Chinese and Japanese gardens, boardwalks and playground.
Getting Here
Road I Rail I Air I Island Connections
Download the Official Bundaberg Tourism Visitor Map
An easy four and a bit hour drive or quick 45 minute flight from Brisbane, Bundaberg is well situated to begin your journey into the Southern Great Barrier Reef.
Don't like flying and not a fan of driving? Sit back and relax as you take in the scenic countryside, all while enjoying the rustic, old-school charm of rail travel with QLD Rail.
Once you land or arrive in Bundaberg, we recommend hiring your vehicle from Budget Car and Truck Rental located on Johanna Boulevard. Alternatively, if you're in need of transfers to and from your accommodation, you can also reach out to Bundaberg Shuttle Services.
By Road
| Location | Distance | Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| Bundaberg to Brisbane | 362 kms | 4 hours 18mins |
| Bundaberg to Cairns | 1354 kms | 15 hours 18mins |
| Bundaberg to Gladstone | 187 kms | 2 hours 14mins |
| Bundaberg to Hervey Bay | 109 kms | 1 hour 24mins |
| Bundaberg to Rockhampton | 288 kms | 3 hours 20 mins |
| Bundaberg to Whitsundays: Airlie Beach | 768 kms | 8 hours 41 mins |
Useful links on road conditions
Rail
Queensland Rail (Phone 13 16 17), offers daily departures from Bundaberg. These services go both north and south.
Air
Bundaberg Regional Airport is located to the south-west of Bundaberg, just 15 minutes from the CBD.
Qantas offers daily services between Brisbane and Bundaberg, with national and international connections from Brisbane.
Link Airways offer regular services between Brisbane and Bundabearg, with connections to Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney and regional destinations in New South Wales, Queensland and Tasmania.
Bonza will commence direct flights between Bundaberg and Melbourne in 2023.
Island Connections
Lady Elliot Island: A mere 25-minute scenic flight from the Bundaberg Airport and you are landing on the first island of the Great Barrier Reef. The waters around Lady Elliot Island teem with marine life. A coral cay, Lady Elliot Island is world renown as home of the Manta Ray, with research identifying over 7000 individual manta rays in the surrounding waters. (That makes for pretty good odds of spotting one as you are flying to/from the island, or while you are snorkelling, diving or in the glass bottom boat). Visitors can enjoy a day trip to this Southern Great Barrier Reef gem, or stay as long as you like in the islands' 41 room eco-resort.
Lady Musgrave Island: A day cruise away from Bundaberg Port Marina and Town of 1770/Agnes Water, Lady Musgrave Island is unique as it is the only coral island on the Southern Great Barrier Reef with a navigable lagoon. The island and lagoon is a pristine coral cay with 1,192 hectares of spectacular fringing reef ready to be explored.
Gin Gin
Gin Gin
A peaceful drive north of Bundaberg is Gin Gin, nestled on the Bruce Highway. Lovely gardens divide the wide streets and historic buildings are a reminder of Queensland’s pioneering past. Visitors can explore the natural rural countryside and fields of sugarcane with vineyards and olive groves emerging as new horticultural industries.
Take a bite out of one of the famous pies at ‘The Travellers Rest Stop’. Check out the local museum and learn about the past, and the gallery featuring exhibits by local artists. Have a bush picnic at the historic Kalliwa Hut in Goodnight Scrub National Park, home to over 60 species of butterfly. Take a 4WD up to One Tree Hill (and no you won’t find Chad Michael Murray there) for panoramic views of the area. Try a spot of fishing at Lake Monduran or get your heart racing with some water skiing and tubing. Drive or walk through the Boolboonda Tunnel, the longest non-supported tunnel in the Southern Hemisphere. Want to do more? Why not head to the small mining town of Mt Perry, home to mountain-bike racing in June. Gin Gin’s main street is peaceful and picturesque but drive a little further, explore a little more and there is adventure to be had.
Woodgate Beach
Visit Woodgate Beach
Imagine untouched sand, an expansive view and the friendliest locals you’ll ever meet. 45 minutes south of Bundaberg and 30 minutes east of Childers, Woodgate Beach is a secluded paradise.
A 16km stretch of protected beach offering calm clear waters, oceanview properties, and ample space to set up your chair to watch the waves softly lap the shore. The seclusion and safety of the town make it an ideal place for family vacations with an array of accommodation options from caravan parks 20m from the beach to ocean view holiday rental properties. Spend your afternoon with fresh caught reef fish and chips on the beach and watch the sun go down. Woodgate Beach is a holiday destination that will have you coming back year after year.