BUNDABERG VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE

Discover Where Great Begins

Discover where great begins at the Bundaberg Visitor Information Centre.

Nestled beside the Southern Great Barrier Reef, Bundaberg is a delightful fusion of country and coast. A patchwork of fertile green fields give way to the turquoise waters of the Coral Sea, where beach meets reef, and pristine islands bask in sun-drenched splendour. It’s the town the turtles call home, and you’ll feel welcome too, with friendly locals extending warm country hospitality. Here plates (and cups) overflow with the abundant flavours of the freshest local produce. Our farmers, fishers, brewers and distillers serve up a smorgasbord of taste sensations, beckoning you to a sensory feast. It’s also a place where great care begins – care of the reef, the environment, and you as a traveller. With a host of accessible experiences on offer, Bundaberg warmly welcomes everyone to experience its captivating charm.

The accredited Bundaberg Visitor Information Centre is the perfect place to begin your exploration of all that’s on offer. Our passionate team of ambassadors are friendly, approachable, and always happy to help. They love sharing their expert local knowledge and equipping you with insights to make the most of your time in town. We have a wide range of travel brochures, maps, itineraries and guides available, providing a wealth of inspiration for an unforgettable holiday. Our local experts can tailor an itinerary to your unique needs, and can even assist with tour and accommodation bookings, taking the stress and guesswork out of planning the perfect escape. While you’re here, take time to browse our thoughtful collection of handmade products and souvenirs, for that treasured keepsake or gorgeous gift for loved ones back home.

So, swing by for a chat and step out with confidence knowing you’re set to discover the very best of Bundaberg and the Southern Great Barrier Reef.

A Sensory Centre for All

The Bundaberg Visitor Information Centre delivers an immersive, multi-sensory setting to discover all this vibrant region has to offer.

Our centre is located between the award-winning Bundaberg Rum Distillery and the Millequin Sugar Mill – a sweet spot to experience a true taste of our beautiful region. Especially during cane cutting season, the sweet scent of cane country wafts in the air. The productive hustle and bustle of the mill can be heard, and perhaps the sound of a cane train delivering a freshly cut batch of sugarcane from nearby fields.

Our vibrant yellow and rich brown coloured information centre reflects the region’s fertile soils and iconic drink brands. As you approach, you’ll pass lush gardens centred outside the entrance. On the front wall, to the right of the entrance, is a large map of the region - from Woodgate Beach in the South to Moore Park Beach in the North, Childers and Gin Gin in the hinterland and Bundaberg and the Bargara Coral Coast in-between.

On entering the centre you’ll be greeted by our enthusiastic team of local holiday specialists who are here to assist. They possess a wealth of local knowledge and will offer their expertise to inspire, guide and empower you to experience the very best of Bundaberg and beyond.

Stepping Inside

As you step inside, you’ll enter a light and bright space exuding a calm and happy ambience, perfect for holiday planning. The walls are adorned in breathtaking images of curious turtles, the majestic Southern Great Barrier Reef, and a swag of local characters. The fresh, subtle scent of locally made products wafts from the gift shop, immersing your senses in the region’s rich offerings.

Prior to its repurposing in 2019, this building was the former home of the Bundaberg Rum Visitor Experience and Museum, which attracted many visitors eager to gain treasured insights into the history behind master blenders, and learn the secrets of distilling our home-grown, world-class rum.

Today, our centre offers an extensive collection of free brochures, highlighting the many attractions, tours, nature trails and accommodation options available within the region and beyond. These are displayed around the walls, with dedicated accessibility stickers highlighting some of the more accessible experiences in the region. Our helpful team are also on-hand to provide assistance, offer recommendations, and answer any questions you may have.

Before you leave, stop by the onsite gift shop to pick up something special to commemorate your time in town. From beautiful Bargara Beach scented diffusers and local lemon myrtle soaps to soft cotton shirts and delicious local produce, there’s something here for everyone. Kid-friendly turtle hatching toys and locally illustrated children’s books are sure to delight the tiniest travellers!

Historical Insights

The pages of Bundaberg’s history are etched by its pioneering spirit, and coloured by the characters that have called this town home.

Well before Europeans arrived, the Taribelang people lived on Country for more than 60,000 years. Take a journey through time and connect with ancient Indigenous culture and history with Taribelang Bunda Cultural Tours. Developed with the local elders, this immersive and multi-sensory half-day experience promotes a genuine connection to the land and its people, while visiting sites of significance across the region.

This charming country town also boasts a rich pioneering past. To the left of the visitor centre sits an old pale blue Queenslander known as Spring Hill House. These four walls hold a lot of history, serving as the former home of Bundaberg pioneer George Noakes and his family, followed by two other owners with close association with the Bundaberg Brewing Company and local sugar industry.

Any country town’s tale would not be complete without the addition of a few yarns about legendary locals. Bundaberg is proud to be the birthplace of aviation pioneer Bert Hinkler, who made the first solo flight from Britian to Australia in 1928. In 1912 at the age of 19, Hinkler put his fearless spirit into action, making his first attempt at flight using his mother’s ironing board in a home-made glider launched from the sandy dunes of Mon Repos Beach. From his humble first attempts, Hinkler’s pioneering spirit soared, earning him numerous aviation awards and etching his name in the pages of history. You can learn more about his adventures by visiting the Hinkler Hall of Aviation.

Bundaberg was also home to renowned Australian ‘Queen of Song’, Gladys Moncreiff, who had a long and highly celebrated singing career both here and abroad. The Moncreiff Entertainment Centre on Bourbong Street is renamed in her honour.

Local Highlights

Bundaberg serves up an enticing offering of unique, nature-based experiences and a feast of local flavours.

Visit the Mon Repos Turtle Centre to discover where great care begins, as you explore how we can all work together to make a difference in the lives of these gentle giants.

For those who prefer a more immersive experience with abundant marine life, the Southern Great Barrier Reef beckons just offshore. Swim alongside turtles and explore the soft sand beaches and pristine lagoons of Lady Musgrave Island. You can even visit the home of magnificent manta rays with a trip to Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort.

While producing more than its fair share of taste sensations, Bundaberg is probably best known as the home of Bundaberg Rum. Pay a visit to Australia’s most awarded rum distillery to take part in an expert-guided tour deep into the heart of the distillery’s operations, before sampling some top shelf spirits. Or for those who prefer a non-alcoholic option, why not take a True Blue tour at the iconic Bundaberg Brewed Drinks Barrell - the home of Australia’s favourite ginger beer.

With all this exploring you’ll have worked up an appetite! It’s time to go nuts at Macadamias Australia, with a feast of flavours, textures and tastes to stimulate your senses. This accessible Visitor Experience shares the stories behind this innovative family farm and its sustainable growing practices, with guided and self-guided tours of the original orchard available. Be enticed by the sweet scent wafting from The Chocolate Room, where master chocolatiers work their magic. Then let your tastebuds dance as you sample sweet treats at the Tasting Bar or indulge on local produce at the on-site café, The Orchard Table.

For further information and audio guides covering these and other iconic attractions in the region, feel free to ask our friendly team, download the Vacayit app or check out the Bundaberg listings at vacayit.com/experiences.

Accessibility

Living out our philosophy of ‘Happy to Help’, our friendly and knowledgeable team of information centre ambassadors warmly welcome all visitors to our region and will endeavour to provide additional assistance where needed.

The township of Bundaberg is just a 45-minute flight or four-hour drive north of the Queensland capital city of Brisbane. Car rental and shuttle services are available on arrival. Bundaberg Shuttle Bus offers group transfers and bespoke tour services, but unfortunately are unable to accommodate wheelchair users at this time. Queensland Rail’s north and south-bound Tilt Train and Spirit of Queensland services, as well as major bus lines, also provide connectivity with the Bundaberg CBD. Within the region, the North Burnett Transport Service provides transport connections on weekdays between Bundaberg, Childers and Maryborough. Local bus services operate within the city itself. For trip planning and ticketing information please visit translink.com.au or ask our friendly team. The town also has a couple of local taxi services available, including Bundaberg Cab Company and 13Cabs.

The Bundaberg Visitor Information Centre is in the East Bundaberg Tourism Precinct, at 36 Avenue Street (behind the Bundaberg Rum Distillery). If you’re self-driving, there’s an accessible car park available with easy access to the building’s entrance. If you’re not self-driving, the easiest way to get here is by taxi, which will deliver you directly to the front door. At the time of publishing, the centre’s opening hours were 9am to 4pm Mondays to Saturdays, and 10am to 3pm Sundays and selected public holidays. To confirm current hours or for any enquiries ahead of your visit, contact us directly on 1300 722 099 or email info@bundabergregion.org.

The centre is wheelchair accessible, with wide doorways and an accessible bathroom with braille signage available onsite for your convenience. If you’re travelling with an assistance animal, you’ll find grassy areas suitable for their toileting directly outside the centre, or in the caravan and motorhome parking area to the north of the building.

For more multi-sensory audio guides exploring some of Bundaberg’s most iconic attractions, foodie finds, café culture and cellar doors, please download the Vacayit app or ask our friendly team for details.