Day One
Pack up the kids and hit the road to the sunny Bundaberg region, the gateway to the Southern Great Barrier Reef, just four hours drive North of Brisbane.
Settle in for your family holiday at the beach town of Bargara. Spend you first day exploring the many beaches from Neilson Park in the North to Kellys Beach in the South. For the littlies visit The Basin at Kellys Beach, a calm, rock-walled lagoon perfect for first-timers and to learn how to snorkel before hitting the Southern Great Barrier Reef later in your trip. For those troopers looking to hit the waves visit Neilson Park for an easy surf to get your balance in.
Try: Got the next Kelly Slater or Layne Beachley on your hands? Give them the leg up with a surf lesson from Enviro Reefs Paddle & Surf School right here in Bargara.
Looking for the ease and comfort of self-contained villas or to go a little 'wild' camping? There's something to take every families fancy here in Bargara. Wake up with your toes in the sand, let the kids run wild in kid-haven resorts or relax in apartments with expansive ocean views.
Try: There's so much fun to be had at Kellys Beach Resort with weekly kids' activities including laser skirmish and movies by moonlight, enjoy the beautiful gardens, wildlife and self-contained villas just minutes from the beach. Get adventurous and set up camp metres from Neilson Park beach at Bargara Beach Caravan Park, the perfect spot for kids with a playground, BBQ facilities, turtle bike path and beach just across the road.
It's been a big day so why not let someone else do the cooking tonight at one of our many amazing cafes and restaurants around town showcasing locally-grown and caught produce.
Try: Head a few minutes into Bundaberg for a seafood feast at Grunske's By The River Seafood Restaurant and Market and enjoy an incredibly fresh seafood dish straight from the trawler (p.s. there are kid-friendly options too!)
Day Two
It's time to explore the Southern Great Barrier Reef and here's how to do it...
Snorkel the Southern Great Barrier Reef
Come discover where great begins in the Southern Great Barrier Reef. Explore coral islands, swim with the turtles and keep your eyes peeled for manta rays and whales. See effervescent fish swim by and spot different species of coral across the sea floor. Enjoy calm and protected waters, all-inclusive day tours and overnight getaways you kids will never forget.
Try: Take a day trip to the stunning Lady Musgrave Island with Lady Musgrave Experience, just a short 2-hour boat ride from Bundaberg's Port Marina. Enjoy an all-inclusive day of turtle spotting, snorkelling and marine biologist guided island tours. Fly to paradise from Bundaberg Airport to the first island of the reef, Lady Elliot Island with Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort. Spend your day exploring this coral cay, taking glass bottom boat tours, turtle spotting and soaking in the awe that is the Southern Great Barrier Reef.
Tuckered Out for Tucker Time
It's a big day out on the reef with both tours not finishing until around 5pm so you'll want a quick, easy dinner before hitting the hay.
Try: Grab fish and chips from along the Bargara esplanade on your way home or, if you have the energy, enjoy them beside turtle park as the kids play and the sun sets.
Day Three
Yesterday was a big day so it's time to take it easy, learn something new and uncover the secrets of Bundaberg.
Start your day off on the right foot with great coffee, kid-friendly dishes and budget-friendly prices.
Try: Alowishus Delicious can be found in Earls Court in the Bundaberg main street, the perfect place to start todays explorations. With it's laid back style, friendly and attentive staff, amazing coffee and homemade gelato (yes, we are saying gelato for breakfast!) it's impossible not to love. Why not give the Alowishus Fritters and the pancakes (vanilla bean gelato included) for the littlies (or for the biggies)?
Burn Off the Gelato
Worried about the day ahead with some seriously sugar-happy kids? Get them to a park. Along side the picturesque Burnett River is Alexandra Park. Alexandra Park is every kid dream with several different play areas to suit all ages and even a little, free zoo!
Try: Visit the zoo and tick off some Australian animals from your bucket list.
Aviation extraordinaire Bert Hinkler called Bundaberg home. Come discover his story in the interactive Hinkler Hall Of Aviation. After you've finished discovering something new you can explore the beautiful Botanic Gardens, feed the ducks and ride the steam train (check here for school holiday dates).
Try: It's time to dance off! Test your moves on the Hinkler two-step.
Head back to the beach for the rest of the day grabbing something to eat for lunch on the way. Spend the arvo swimming in the water, enjoying the sun or exploring the Bargara coastline. Watch the sun go down at the Turtle Park, order some takeaway from the esplanade and let the kids play.
Try: Bike the Coastal Pathway from Kellys Beach to Neilson Park (bikes available for hire from Bargara Beach Caravan Park).
Day Four
Our itinerary is coming to an end but there's still so much more to do. Explore another island, visit Childers, Gin Gin or Woodgate Beach, discover how produce is grown on a farm tour or just spend some more time with your toes in the sand. Let's see what's in store for your last morning.
Hands up if you love breakfast! We do too. Our local cafes adorn their menus with healthy, fresh local produce that is so unbelievably good that you'll be going back day after day.
Try: Located a 500m walk from Turtle Park Playground sits the Windmill Café, and trust us, you'll know it when you see it. A beautiful spot with lush gardens, relaxed outdoor dining, helpful staff and a delicious menu worth coming back for. Try their Southern Fired Chicken Benedict (yes, we said southern fried chicken for breakfast) or their incredible Snickers Bowl with peanut butter, cocoa powder, toasted granola, dates, bananas, cocoa nibs, protein ball and a delicious caramel sauce drizzle.
If you haven't picked up some mementos along your way stop into the Bundaberg Visitor Information Centre for cute turtles, trendy locally-made jewellery, and, our favourite, an assortment of delicious locally-produced goods including local honey, ginger, chai, lime salt and more!
Try: As you come through town you HAVE TO stop into Cha Cha Chocolate to get a gift for those who couldn't come with you this time (next time you'll be insisting they make the trip!) and something insanely delicious for the road. This boutique chocolate and confectionary shop uses all the best local produce to create local fudge and goodies, and even stocks some local favourites, macadamias.
Don't forget to tag us @visitbundaberg and #visitbundaberg to allow us to share your amazing experiences with other families looking to make the Bundaberg region their next holiday destination!