If 10 days of immersive events celebrating where great care begins, nature’s breathtaking wonders, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant regional art sounds like your go-to weekender, don’t miss this year’s showstopping Milbi Festival!
Taking place from Friday 27th October to Sunday 5th November, Milbi Festival 2023 promises to be an enriching festival sharing the region's deep connection of people, culture, and breathtaking natural surrounds. With an illuminating program held across two-jampacked weekends, we’ve put together our top picks to help you make the most of Milbi Festival this year.
CHECK-IN: Thursday 2 November
WHERE TO STAY
With a number of events spanning Bundaberg, Bargara and the Coral Coast, choosing the right accommodation for your stay in region has never been easier. From accommodation offering convenience at your fingertips in Bundaberg’s bustling CBD, Eco Accommodation at Kelly’s Beach Resort, and accommodation with seaside views along Bargara Esplanade. All these and more are conveniently located within reach of local cafes, eateries and boutique shops.
TOP TIP: Arrive mid-morning and Stop into the region's local cafes, eateries and restaurants who celebrate our abundant producers, growers, fishers, distillers and brewers daily.
For nourishing bowls full of goodness and breakfast stacks to fuel the soul, try Windmill Café or sister café, The Garden Mill in Bargara. For a boozy brunch that will have your mouth-watering at the thought of their very delicious potatoes, crispy pork belly or sweet potato croquettes, try Water St Kitchen.
Looking for a night-time bite? Try Bert’s Restaurant for a menu blending local ingredients with worldly cuisines.
EXPLORE THE HATCH ART TRAIL | All Day!
Dive into the Bundaberg Region’s arts, culture and natural beauty on the Hatch Art Trail and discover more than 20 larger than life artistically created Milbi eggs, hidden amongst the Mon Repos Turtle Centre. Inspired by the regions breathtaking natural wonders, rich culture and curious turtles, these Milbi eggs have been created by the regions talented local artists that are a sight to behold. A fun, free and inclusive event to be enjoyed by all, come follow the trail and let your creative spirit soar!
Where: Mon Repos Turtle Centre
Price: FREE
Follow the trail: https://bundabergregionalcouncil.shorthandstories.com/milbifestival/
TOP TIP: Looking for more kid-friendly things to do while in town? The Bundaberg Brewed Drinks Barrel is a must! Both for the young and young at heart, discover the home of Bundaberg Ginger Beer. From the legendary bottle top to the sweet refreshing tastes of fresh ginger with every sip, here you can explore the recipe to success of this true-blue Aussie brew, and proud family-owned business for more than 50years.
If you want to learn some more tales from another Bundaberg icon? Head to the Bundaberg Botanic Gardens and explore the tales of aviation pioneer Bert Hinkler at the Hinkler Hall of Aviation. From flight simulators to interactive displays and a passionate team who are happy to guide you on a tour of the centre, this experience is set to take your imagination to new heights!
Friday 3 November
LADY ELLIOT ISLAND: MARINE BIOLOGIST FOR A DAY | 2 – 4 November, 8am-5pm daily
Guided by a certified Master Reef Guide, explore the breathtaking Lady Elliot Island, and discover what it means to be an eco-warrior on the reef. Just a 25-minute scenic flight from Bundaberg will have you landing on this Lady of the reef. Spend your day documenting curious marine life, meet the resident local dolphin and manta rays, before gaining a new perspective during a guided glass-bottom boat and snorkel tour, all whilst contributing vital data to help protect the Great Barrier Reef's future.
Depart: Bundaberg Airport
Where: Lady Elliot Island – just a 25min flight away
Price: $620 Adult | $480 Child (3 - 12 years)
Book: https://ladyelliot.com.au/marine-biologist-for-a-day/
TOP TIP: This one is for the seafood lovers! Soak up sweeping river views from the deck at Grunske’s Seafood Market, Takeaway & Restaurant. This local seafood market showcases tastes of the region's freshly caught catch-to-kitchen feasts and paddock-to-plate eats. With a menu inspired by local produce this family-owned and run seafood market, takeaway and restaurant is a seafood lover's dream.
Saturday 4 November
TARIBELNAG BUNDA CULTURAL TOUR | 9:30am – 1:30pm
Venture on a journey through time learning the stories, traditions, and history of Taribelang Bunda (Bunda meaning people), on this culturally awakening half-day tour experience. Guided by Taribelang hosts, immerse yourself in the rich history of Bundaberg told through the eyes of Taribelang Bunda, as you visit sites of significance. Taste native flavours over a small morning tea and experience a genuine connection to the land as the opportunity for open conversation is had with your guides.
Where: TAC Office, Perry Street, North Bundaberg
Price: $69 per person
Book Here
TOP TIP: After your Taribelang Bunda Cultural Tour, head to Macadamias Australia Visitor Experience and discover the history of this native nut and story behind a generational farming family who have a deep passion and care for the land. Weave your way through the historical tales of the Steinhardt family, owners of Macadamias Australia before being inspired by their legacy on an Orchard Tour. Learn all there is to know about the region's fertile lands, cultural ties, and love for quality, then sample the range of their nutty combinations where your new favourite snack is sure to be found. With the sound of the wind rustling the trees, sit back, relax and quench your thirst with a delicious Macadamia infused Latte at the The Orchard Table café located onsite.
SUNSET SOUNDS | 5pm-9pm
Immerse yourself in a mesmerizing riverside soirée featuring Aussie music sensation Pete Murray at Sunset Sounds. Experience the magic on the banks of the Burnett River at Riverfeast, with sweeping river views complemented by indie-electro-pop band Caravãna Sun, enchanting vocals from JaZZella and Chris Ah Gee, delectable food vendors, and a stocked drinks station for you to quench your thirst. Don't miss this Milbi Festival highlight!
Where: RiverFeast - 1A Scotland St
Price: $49 per person – book your ticket here.
Book: https://aubundaberg.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/113581
TOP TIP: Looking to keep the cruisy vibes of Sunset Sounds flowing? Pair your holiday with an iconic must-do Bundy experience like Bundaberg Rum Blend Your Own, because let's face it, did you even visit Bundaberg if you didn’t go to Bundaberg Rum!? Learning from the masters themselves, venture behind the scenes and into the heart of this fully working distillery and the beating heart of our Rum City. Learn the art of blending world-class Rum using exclusive top shelf barrelled rum to bottle your very own signature blend – which you are blessed with two to take home. You’ll also hear about all the things this Australian distillery is doing to take great care of the backyard it shares its name with, staying true to their core of taking care of their mates and our backyard responsibly.
Sunday 5 November
MILBI @ MON REPOS | 9am-4pm
Join us for an unforgettable celebration! Embrace the magic of the turtle season's official launch and the grand finale of Milbi Festival. Experience vibrant First Nations performances, delightful refreshments and captivating entertainment that shares the deep-rooted connection of the Milbi to our First Nations People. Learn of the incredible role that the Mon Repos Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service rangers play and their contribution to conservation for more than 50yrs, and how we can all make small change to help protect Milbi and our awe-inspiring marine life.
Where: Mon Repos Turtle Centre
Price: FREE
TOP TIP: Bundaberg Turtle Season launches 5th November with the region's premier turtle encounter experience also coming alive at night. From November to March, nesting mother turtles and baby hatchlings paint the shore of Mon Repos with turtle tracks each year. Guided by QPWS Rangers, come witness a miracle on a Mon Repos Nightly Turtle Encounter. With limited spaces available, don’t miss securing yourself a spot here.
REEFSIDE SOUNDS | 7am-5:30pm
A blend of nature, culture, live music, and delicious eats on the Great Barrier Reef. Come dive into the essence of Milbi Festival from Lady Musgrave Island on LMHQ. Savor gourmet fare while indie-folk tunes by JC & The Tree serenade you, all amid the stunning backdrop of the Southern Great Barrier Reef. From exploring this underwater playground, snorkelling with turtles and vibrant marine life to learning about how to preserve, protect and leave as a reef custodian – this experience will have you cruising away with a deeper connection to this diverse ecosystem.
Tickets include return transfers to Lady Musgrave HQ, buffet lunch, snorkelling equipment hire, live music, Master Reef Guide presentation, cultural performance and talk and grazing tables for morning and afternoon tea.
Depart: Bundaberg Port Marina, Burnett Heads
Destination: Lady Musgrave Island, Southern Great Barrier Reef
Price: GA $285 per person | VIP $385 per person (inclusions outlined on booking page)
Book: https://ladymusgraveexperience.com.au/bookings/
TOP TIP: Blessed to have the Southern Great Barrier Reef just a hop, skip and jump from the mainland, the Bundaberg region is surrounded by thriving reefs within reach waiting to be explored. Stay a bit longer and relax while exploring the number of beaches that dot the shoreline from Woodgate Beach in the south to Moore Park in the north and Elliott Heads and Burnett Heads in between.
After a day on the reef let yourself reminisce and fill your belly with some hot fish and chips from Bradlees or See Street Seafood and Takeaway in Bargara.
Looking for more culture, art, and all things Milbi?
Check out the full program here! and choose to extend your stay for as long as you like!