(Image coutesy of Taste of Australia with Hayden Quinn)

From catch to kitchen, discover fresh seafood at it’s very best. 

Emerging from a dip in the big blue, you feel fresh, salty and super hungry from a splash in one of the Bundaberg region’s many delightful beaches (think Elliott Heads, Mon Repos, Neilson Park, Coonarr). Your tummy is rumbling and the sea is calling - what better to hunt down for your next meal than a salty, sea inspired feast? 

The Bundaberg region has long been renowned for its extremely fresh seafood, with trawlers heading out daily and returning to the port or direct to market (in Grunskes and Red Shed case) to deliver fresh, locally caught yumminess right to your plate. 

Chase the salt and the sea with these seafood delectables, everything from juicy scallops, locally caught reef fish, crab sourced just off the coast and freshly smoked goods that melt in your mouth. There are options here to take away, dine in or craft something special of your own with fresh seafood as the hero. 

GRUNSKES BY THE RIVER SEAFOOD MARKET, TAKEAWAY & RESTAURANT | 11e Scotland St, East Bundaberg

Proudly supporting the local fishing industry and with trawlers of their own, Grunskes (as us local like to call it) has long been famous for the best, biggest range and freshest seafood in the region. Their hot and cold seafood platter is definitely the winner here if you are dining in (open Wednesday to Sunday for lunch, Friday and Saturday night for dinner) with fresh prawns, bugs, scallops, oysters and more all featured. If you are after a take away platter from the seafood market that is open 7 days, there are lots of options too like a prawn and bug platter, ocean trio (prawn, bug, oysters) and more to tempt your seafood picnic - just be sure to order one day in advance. You can also pick up your own seafood to craft into something special at home. Highly recommend local prawns, smoked mackerel (handcrafted by Grunskes owner Paul Grunske) and Blue Salmon (comparable to Barramundi). 

The dozen or half dozen scallops with garlic butter are the sweetest, juciest and most succulent treats you will eat. Grunskes menu is bursting with fresh, local produce so ask the staff what is on offer. 

The Grunskes spot is truly special, right on the Burnett River where you can watch boats, bird life and the world go by. There is a grassy knoll you can pop  a picnic blanket on and peel your own prawns by the river side. Get amongst this fresh seafood feast! 

THE SEAFOOD SMOKERY | 145 Buss St, Burnett Heads 

As seen on Taste of Australia with Hayden Quinn, with a shopfront at Burnett Heads where they smoke only the freshest and ethically wild caught fish, long term locals and cousins Lincoln and Luke have handcrafted a special mix of timbers for mouthwatering smoked seafood goods, including local macadamia wood to create something special. Think smoked fish fillets like and rolled “hams” of smoked mackerel , to the smoked pate this is a must try. The shopfront is worth a visit, where you can meet and chat direct with the producer themselves and take home some of their delicious and innovative flavours to create your own recipe at home. Lincoln is super passionate about local seafood and locally crafted products. 

Their fresh fish and smoked products can be found on the menu at local restaurants and cafes like Water St Kitchen who feature their product in their breakfast, lunch and dinner menus. Think Kedgeree - rice, peas, labne with smoked mackerel, mackerel fillets with kipflers, smoked tomato and goats cheese, smoked mackerel ham, vodka cured salmon and mackerel ravioli. Indulge Cafe  who are open for breakfast and lunch feature the Seafood Smokery product in their miso fish burger with the smoked mackerel house made pickles and miso paste - amazing! If you are chasing something fishy at Bargara, The Windmill Bargara make a pretty stand out smoked mackerel omelette on their all day breakfast menu.  

Get your hands dirty and try Hayden Quinns local Seafood Smokery inspired Smoked Mackerel & Bacon Fishcakes w/ Macadamia Slaw recipe.

A SEAFOOD FEASTIVAL FOR ALL

Prepare to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty, Oceanfest Bundaberg is BACK and it just mght be the saltiest event yet. If you're a lover of seafood then this event is one not to be missed, held on August 27th 2022, this year promises plenty of the regions freshest quality local seafood, award-winning tipples and handpicked produce gathered together all in one place. 

Fish and Chips to take away? Yes, please! 

Ah, the good ol fish and chips! Where would we be without our favourite fish and chippy? Many of our local fish and chip shops sell fresh, local fish and here we have compiled some of our favourites out of the bunch. Most are conveniently located nearby some of the regions beaches, so you won’t have to wait too long between ocean dips and seafood feasts. 

• Driftwood Cafe & Kiosk at Elliott Heads: You like it salty? These guys are generous with the salt. Nothing nicer than grabbing a freshly paper wrapped parcel of chips and fish and enjoying the view whilst chowing down.
• Bradlee’s on the front at Bargara: These guys not only do amazing fish and chips but a range of burgers and pizzas for the non-seafood lovers too. 
• See St seafood: Always fresh, timely and delicious. Calamari is ace. 
• Fishermans Inn Fish & Chips: Freshest fish and chips. Potato scallops fans won't be dissapointed, these get a big thumbs up!