Calling all food and drink lovers! This 4-day itinerary is all about YOU and treating your taste buds to a whole new world of flavour with our regions world-class drinks and unique paddock-to-plate experiences.
Welcome to where great taste begins, in Bundaberg on the Southern Great Barrier Reef, located just a 4hrs drive, train ride, or hour flight from Brisbane. Here, your glass is always full to the brim with iconic drinks and tasty new tipples, and from the moment you arrive you'll find abundant local produce at every turn. Known for our iconic flavours, Bundaberg Rum and Bundaberg Ginger Beer, uncover one of Australia's most prolific food bowls eating and drinking your way through artisan cellar-doors and piling your plate high with delicious eats made from local indedients delivered from the farm just down the road.
The Bundaberg regions food and drink scene is real and raw, meaning stretchy pants are a must and your tastebuds are guarenteed to tingle. Journey from one tantalising location to another meeting our passionate producers, local café owners, chefs, and award-winning distillers, brewers, wine makers, cider makers and master blenders. Feeling tempted yet? To entice you some more, here's your full guide to feasting your way around our backyard.
WHERE TO STAY
With so much to see, do, eat and drink, kick-start your mouth-watering escape and hit the road early to enjoy the scenery along the way before arriving and checking into your accommodation for the next 4 or more days. With a range of hotel, motel, camping and glamping accommodation across the region, your options for where to rest your head are endless. If you're seeking a coastal getaway where the beach is just a short walk from your door, choose to stay along our regions pristine Coral Coast and soak up the regions lifestyle capital, Bargara or venture a little further along the coastline to Burnett Heads or Elliott Heads where river meets reef. If you're seeking a home-away-from-home where local cafes, historical buildings and boutique shops are all within reach, Bundaberg's bustling CBD has you covered and offers convenience at its best with local attractions just a short drive away.
Local Tip: If you're a culture vulture, our hinterland escapes at Childers and Gin Gin offer a great location to feed your inner historian. Seeking a quiet coastal escape? Woodgate Beach and Moore Park Beach are local hidden gems and offer 15km+ stretch of pristine sandy beach, plenty of space for you to settle down, dip your toes in the sand and read that book you've been meaning to.
DAY 1: ICONIC BUNDABERG
8-10AM Breakfast on Bourbong
After a mornings stroll along the Esplanade in Bargara or Boardwalk along the mighty Burnett River, make your way to your first feasting stop of the day, at Indulge Cafe. This quaint cafe nestled along Bundaberg's Bourbong Street, serves a menu packed with local flavour and like many of our passionate chefs and cafe owners around the region, understanding the people behind the produce is something this local cafe has been priding themselves of since opening. From sweet breakfast delights like Indulge's signature macadamia granola with poached pear, fresh blueberries and vanilla bean yogurt, to something more savoury like potato and leek croquette with thick bacon steak, two poached eggs, a goats cheese fondue and lemon zested rocket, you're sure to find a dish that not only satisfies but connects you to some of our regions seasonal produce.
10:30AM Quench your thirst
Known as the Great Australian Brew, discover the home of Bundaberg Ginger Beer and uncover the proud local Bundaberg family who started it all and still run to this day. Brewed with a passion for the town they call home for more than 50years, the Flemings family have been creating and carefully crafting premium soft drinks since the 1960s living by the moto 'brewed to be better' which has contributed to their world-wide success. Using homegrown ingredients supplied from Bundy's very own backyard, come sample the range and discover the secret to brewing quality drinks with a self-guided tour and tasting at The Barrel.
11:30AM Australia's Favourite Spirit
It's unmistakable yellow lable, white bear and bold flavour are just a few things that make up this much loved spirit and Bundaberg Icon. As Australia's largest craft distillery and recognised as an Australian Great for Best Distillery Experience following their Hall of Fame entance in 2021 at the Australian Tourism Awards, no matter if you're a rum lover or new to tasting the liquid gold, the Bundaberg Rum Distillery Experience is one not to be missed. Venture behind the scenes following a Bundaberg Rum Expert and learn the secret to blending award-winning rum, from the rich sugarcane grown from the region to the bottle. For the connesseuirs of rum, try a Blend Your Own experience and book ahead to secure a spot at the table, blending premium rum profiles, and blending your own bottle of liquid gold to take home.
2PM Late Lunch with a View
Showcasing reef-to-river catches caught daily and delivered straight to your plate, it doesn't get much fresher than Grunske's Seafood Restaurant and Takeway. With sweeping views of the Burnett River to accompany you, enjoy a casual dinning experience where you can roll up your sleeves and get peeling fresh river prawns. Offering a wide range of food across their menu, seafood isn't all that this restaurant offers. Catering to showcase the best produce in season as well, you'll find food from the paddock as well.
3PM-6PM Time to Explore
Casting your mind back to the mornings experience, you'll no doubt have wondered about the local boutique shop fronts that neighboured your breakfast spot. With some afternoon time to spare before dinner, take an afternoon stroll through the Bundaberg CBD, and pop-into local favourites, Cha Cha Chocolate, Avenell Brothers and the Book Boutique before venturing by car towards Nana’s Pantry where more delectable treats both sweet and savoury await. A hidden gem among the walls of Nana's Pantry is their signature home-made gelato flavours like macadamia and ginger, pistachio, biscoff, lemon meringue and many more which will have your taste buds tingling and a pinch of nostagia coming back to you.
7:00PM Dinner
Locals flock to it and visitors wish they had it in their neighbourhood, Water Street Kitchen is a culinary gem unlike any other. What could easily be mistaken for just another cafe hidden among suburbia, opens up to an endless flavour-filled, mouth-watering experience with local seasonal combinations weaved together by passionate owners Alex and Jen, who head up an equally passionate team dedicated to serving exquisite food and drink. The service, ambience and drinks list which features their amazing cocktails, mocktails and internationally renowned wines, are standouts of this cosy cafe by day and fine dining by night establishment. You'll find dishes such as Zucchini flowers, handpicked by Alex himself, stuffed with ricotta on a bed of rich ragu and topped with finely shaven parmisan among the entree list and local spanish mackerel, kipflers, smoked tomato, goats cheese, black olive and dill among the main with a number of sides to choose from as well. Trust us, the hardest thing you'll find is chosing which dish and drink to taste!
DAY 2: PADDOCK-TO-PLATE & BARREL-TO-GLASS
Start your morning with a hearty, nutritious breakfast with fresh juice and barista made coffee to boot at The Windmill Cafe. Try their vibrant dragon fruit bowls that are insta-worthy, made from real dragon fuit and topped with the regions best seasonal fruits that jampacked with natural goodness. For those seeking something more savoury the Breakfast Bowl is packed with local goodies or try the Windmill Breakfast Stack which features a locally crafted worcestershire sauce like no other.
Plate to farm gate - take a trip with some loose change to some of these locations and sample some of the best, freshest produce straight from the farm. Grab a strawberry ice-cream and punnets of the juiciest red jewels at Tinaberries, lettuce, ginger and herbs at Lettuce Patch, gourmet goodies and delectable tomatoes at One Little Farm and local coffee and other baked goods at Alloway Farm Market. Or, if you want to hunt down a trail of your own, pick a foodie hotspot off our farm gate map.
By now, lunch is calling so head to Ballistic Bargara (open Wednesday to Saturday) for a tasting paddle of locally brewed beer (there are four or five out of the 18 that head brewer Andrew is in charge of) or you can sample some of Ballistics’ finest like the Idaho Gem IPA or the Watermelon Gose. Kush is in charge of delicious pizzas, corn poppers, sliders, nibbles and more. You will have a belly full of pizza and beer and feel 100% satisfied.
You might still have some room for dessert so pop by Cha Cha Chocolate in Bourbong St and enter a magical land of chocolates, sweets and confectionery. This is a one of a kind shop that is a must visit, even if you don’t have a sweet tooth. Take home some of Melanice’s handmade fudge (you will not regret it) and some chocolate freeze dried strawberries or select something from the handmade chocolate cabinet.
Kalki Moon is the next Bundaberg drinks icon to sample on your trip, with a gin tour and tasting held at 11am and 1pm daily. It’s $10 and includes a tour by head distiller Rick and a tasting at the gin bar. Even if you don’t love gin, there are other options (liquiers, vodka and soon to be released rum) and their mixers are all the Bundaberg Brewed range.
H20 Restaurant and Bar is located at the bottom of the Burnett Riverside Hotel is riverside dining at its finest with a menu of local produce, good cocktails and great service. Book in and try the crab pasta or the fish of the day or one of their lamb or steak dishes, all using local seasonal produce, pocket storehouse sourdough and macadamia crumb.
DAY 3: SIP, SWIRL AND TASTE
Road tripping time! Childers is only 45 minutes south of Bundaberg and has many wineries, eateries and gems for you to explore. Grab a take away coffee for the car from either The Journey at Bargara or Espresso Loca in Bundaberg and hit the road.
Breakfast is your first stop at Insane Caffeine. It’s an all day breakfast menu so doesn’t matter what time you get there. Highly recommend the toasties (local smoked chicken and ham with delicious fillings) or the avo smash when in season with dukkah. Great coffee and super cool atmosphere and vibes.
Next, it’s wine time! First stop is Vintner’s Secret Vineyard and cellar door. Here you can taste wines where the grapes have been grown right next door, as well as blended varieties - whites, reds, sparkling and fortified wines are on offer. There are cheese platters to accompany your bottle if desired available from the gift shop and cafe on site.
Hill of Promise is also not too far away and produce a variety of wines right on site, they know exactly what is going in and no additives required! Mary and Terry offer a grape to glass experience with grenache, muscat, sparkling, liqueurs and more on offer. Set beautifully in the Childers hillside it’s a must do.
On your way back into town stop by the newest farm gate in town - Macadamias Australia visitor experience centre and The Orchard Table. What was formerly a small shop on the side of the road is now a tribute to everything wonderful about macadamias, including the process of getting the nut from tree to taste. The Orchard Table has a great menu for coffee, cakes, gelato and lunch options. Sit back and relax amongst the orchard to close out a jam packed day.
Check out Red Thai Chilli for dinner or Bargara Asian Cuisine - both delicious options and easy after your big day on the road or you could visit the Bargara Beach Hotel for a beverage on the deck and a relaxed dinner.
DAY 4: BEACH HOPPING & RAISING A GLASS TO ANOTHER BUNDY LEGEND
Rise and shine, you're off to soak up some vitamin sea along our regions pristine coastline. Choose to grab a quick bite to eat and your morning coffee fix from The Beach Mill before exploring Bargara to Mon Repos Beach (the largest turtle rookery for loggerhead turtles on Australia's East Coast), and further onto Burnett Heads along the much loved Turtle Trail. Whether you prefer to walk, run or ride, it's up to you so lace up the sneakers and set off! The trail in total is 7.7km one way when starting from Kellys Beach to Burnett Heads, but you can opt to begin your trek from Bargara to Mon Repos, shortening the journey to 2km one way.
For those planning to go the long hall to Burnett Heads, stop into boutique seafood gem The Seafood Smokery, located at the Port Marina. Chat to chief smoker and expert fisherman Lincoln about how fresh, locally caught tasty treats like mackerel get turned into something truly special. Be sure to come prepared with a backpack and cooler, becuase we gauruntee you'll want to take home some mackerel ham and pate to enjoy later.
Ohana Winery and Cheeky Tiki Cider is the last of the beverage brands you must visit. Their cider is inspired and uses locally sourced produce and only the finest Stanthorpe apples, so it’s a Queensland craft creation. Zoe and Josh will be behind the tasting bar and a paddle is a great way to try a few before you buy.
Another icon in Bundaberg not to be missed is Hinkler Hall of Aviation. Nestled among the tranquil Botanic Gardens, let your inner historian and adventurer unleash and learn the inspiring tales of Bundaberg born and Australian aviation pioneer, Bert Hinkler.
Oodies Cafe is an amazing feast for the eyes with loads of local art work and hand curated plants and other sweet bits and bobs by sister duo Jenny and Suzy. Their all day breakfast and lunch options are great, highly recommend the beans or the savoury mince jaffle.
Head to Elliott Heads foreshore, Bundaberg's equivalent to Whitehaven and enjoy an afternoon walk soaking up vibrant blues thanks to Elliott River's sweeping river mouth. If you're lucky to catch an afternoon low tide, enjoy a rock pool ramble and explore these insta worthy beauties in all there glory. You might even spy small marine life swimming among the waters.
For dinner and your last night in region, it only seems fitting that you filling your glass and say 'cheers' at Bert's Restaurant. Names after the aviation pioneer himself, Bert's Restaurant uses fresh local ingredients wherever possible and pays tribute to Bert's spirit across their menu with a number of dishes inspired by worldy cuisines that is designed to be shared. Take a seat among the mood-lit setting and relax with the teams friendly table service. For the cocktail lovers, Bert's knows how to shake and stir with their delicious range of signature and classic cocktails and for the whisky lovers, you'll be happily please by their range of top shelf bottles.