The Bundaberg region has always been the home of rum even lovingly referred to as ‘rumcity’ but more than rum is created here. Handcrafted, small batch and here for the sampling are such wonders as local gin, liqueurs, cider, wine, soft drinks. You can test out these top tipples, either at cellar doors, at cafes and restaurants, on a tour or in the comfort of your digs as take away. Shoot to the end for some snazzy cocktail recipes.
Kalki Moon, 22 Commercial Street, Bundaberg
A truly beautiful cellar door experience, the vast array of barrels, distilling vats and low lighting centred around the Kalki Moon bar is an experience in itself. Aside from the nice decor, head distiller Rick Prosser knows how to brew a good blend. With an outstanding range of gins such as Classic Gin, Premium Gin, Navy Strength Gin, Pink Gin Liqueur, the Kalki Moon family is introducing it’s rum series with the Cane Plant white rum and Chocolate and Macadamia Rum Liqueur recently released. Book in for a tour or just pop by to pick up supplies. Kalki Moon is also distributed widely throughout bottle shops in Queensland and Australia.
The details: Open Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm, Saturday 10am to 4pm, & Sunday 10am to 3pm. Tours occur daily at 11am and 1pm generally by head distiller Rick.
Ballistic Bargara, 10 Tantitha Street, Bundaberg Central
Formerly Bargara Brewing Company, Ballistic beers (Brisbane based) have recently moved in and are working with local Jack Millbank to keep brewing local beer Thirsty Turtle and Rusty Roo Red Ale alongside a suite of the Ballistic Beer brews. You can get tasting paddles and enjoy bar snacks at The Brewhouse while sitting back and sipping a brew - try the Thirsty Turtle, Ray XPA or Rusty Roo Red Ale.
The details: The Brewhouse, open Wednesday and Thursday 11:30am to 10pm, Friday and Saturday 11:30am to 10pm.
Bundaberg Brewed Drinks, 147 Bargara Road, Bundaberg
You can travel the world and find a Bundaberg Brewed Drinks in the drinks fridge - it’s amazing where this family owned, locally grown company has expanded to. The Bundaberg Barrel is open for tours, which include tasting notes and more information on where Bundaberg Brewed Drinks has been and where it’s going. You can either do a self guided gallery tour (complete with smell-o-vision) or book a guided one where you can taste and hear from the staff about the delicious flavours and take home your own mixed six pack of favourites. All of the ginger beer uses locally grown sugar and ginger and is craft brewed over three days for maximum flavour and we think you can taste the Bundy Brewed difference.
The details: Bundaberg Brewed Drinks Barrel, Monday to Saturday 9am to 4:30pm, Sunday 10am to 3pm.
Bundaberg Rum Distillery, Hills St, Bundaberg East
Welcome to the home of Bundy, the recently renovated and reopened Bundaberg Rum Distillery runs regular tours, has a huge shop and lots to explore while here. If you take a tour it comes complete by visiting the molasses well where 5 million litres of molasses is stored from the neighbours at Millaquin sugar mill. The tour takes in all of the sights and smells of what makes Bundy Rum so unique and ends with a trip to the tasting bar where you can sample any of the top shelf rums and liqueurs. A bit of a must-do for visitors, whether you are a fan of rum or not.
The details : Retail store Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am to 4pm. Tours run every hour from 10 to 3 and 10 to 2 on weekends, book here.
384 North Brewing, 2/13 Brickworks Cct, Svensson Heights
Small batch, hand crafted beer brewing from as small as 20 litres to 120 litres with a primary focus on pale ale and IPA. Tasting paddles available and brews current on tap include Galaxy Eclipse Pale Ale, Belgian Hazy IPA, Sunny Dayz Hazy IPA, Ripe NEIPA, Outback Red IPA, See Street XPA, Roadhouse APA and Northside Session IPA. 384 North is the beer baby of Anthony and Natasha Sftennia who are the owners of Casablanca on See, so you can get freshly house-made pasta, pizza or tapas with your cold brew.
The details: The Brewery is open Monday to Thursday 12pm - 5pm and Friday to Saturday 12pm - 7pm
After sampling and discovering you new favourite flavours, why not try these delicious recipes with your bounty of newly purchased beverages?