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Bundaberg Botanical Gardens In this picturesque setting stand many buildings from Bundaberg’s past. Hinkler House Memorial Museum, inside Bert Hinkler’s relocated Southampton home, is a tribute to him and to aviation history. Fairymead House Sugar Museum, a restored plantation home, recalls the town's early years of sugar production, and the nearby Historical Museum chronicles the general history of the area. To see more of the grounds, take the restored Sugarcane Railway around the lakes, which runs every Sun (also Wed on school holidays); Mt Perry Rd.

Bundaberg Rum Distillery: learn about the distillation process first-hand; tours daily; Avenue St. Schmeider’s Cooperage and Craft Centre: demonstrations of barrel making and glass-blowing, and sales of local crafts and handmade crystal jewellery; Alexandra St. Arts Centre: 3 galleries devoted to local and visiting art exhibitions; cnr Barolin and Quay sts. Baldwin Swamp Conservation Park: stroll along boardwalks and pathways through waterlily lagoons, abundant birdlife and native fauna; Steindl St. Tropical Wines: taste unique wines made from local fruit; Mt Perry Rd. Alexandra Park and Zoo: historic band rotunda, spacious picnic lawns, cactus garden, zoo (free admission); riverbank, Quay St. Whaling Wall: a 7-storey-high whale mural by Robert Wyland; Bourbong St. Heritage city walk: self-guide walking tour of 12 significant sites and buildings; starts at School of Arts Building, Bourbong St. Bundaberg Barrel: giant barrel building houses Bundaberg Brewed Drinks. With interactive tours, holographic 3D adventure and free sampling; Bargara Rd.

Mon Repos Conservation Park This park contains the largest and most accessible mainland loggerhead turtle rookery in eastern Australia. Between Nov and Mar these giant sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs. Hatchlings leave their nests for the sea from mid-Jan to late Mar. Access to the park is restricted during these times – guided night tours depart from the park information centre for viewing turtles up-close. When turtles are not hatching, snorkelling and exploring rockpools are popular activities. (07) 4159 1652; 15 km NE.

Burrum Coast National Park Split into 2 sections, this national park offers a variety of landscapes and activities. The northern Kinkuna section is relatively undeveloped. The vegetation along the beach is rugged and spectacular, and birdwatching in the wallum heath is a highlight. Access is via Palm Beach Road; 14 km SW; 4WD and sand-driving experience are necessary. The southern Woodgate section is more people-friendly, featuring boardwalks and established tracks that allow visitors to see abundant wildlife from every vantage. Access is via Woodgate, a small town with a magnificent ocean beach; (07) 4131 1600; 57 km S.

Lady Elliot Island A small coral cay with 19 major dive sites, bird rookeries, turtle-nesting site and whale-watching opportunities. Low-key resort (maximum 140 people), ranging from budget to island suites. Air access to Lady Elliot from Hinkler Airport. Contact visitor centre for details; 92 km NE.

Hummock Lookout: panoramic view of Bundaberg, cane fields and coast; 7 km NE. Meadowvale Nature Park: rainforest and walkway to Splitters Creek; 10 km W. Sharon Nature Park: rainforest, native fauna and walkway to Burnett River; 12 km SW. Bargara: coastal town with a popular surf beach and year-round fishing on man-made reef. Turtles often nest at nearby Neilson Park, Kelly’s and Rifle Range beaches; 13 km NE. Fishing spots: area renowned for its wide variety of fishing. Excellent spots at Burnett Heads (15 km NE), Elliott Heads (18 km SE) and Moore Park (21 km NW). Mystery craters: 35 small craters in sandstone slab. Their origin causes much debate, but confirmed to be over 25 million years old; 25 km SW. Littabella National Park: lagoons and billabongs surrounded by tea tree forest. Many sand tracks for the 4WD enthusiast can be found at nearby Norval Park Beach; (07) 4131 1600; 38 km NW. Lady Musgrave island: excellent spot for snorkelling, fishing and camping. Sea access from Bundaberg Port; 107 km N.

Lake Monduran 52 km

Lake Monduran is near Gin Gin, a four-hour drive north of Brisbane on the Bruce Highway. Although it appears narrow, it has a surface area of 53 sq km and a holding capacity of 585 900 ML of water, which is about 1.6... Find out more

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Lake Lenthall 63 km

Anyone who has read about the barramundi boom in Queensland’s impoundments will know about lakes like Awoonga, Faust and Callide. But there are many, less- known waters that also offer excellent fishing, and one of... Find out more

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Hervey Bay 74 km

Hervey Bay and Fraser Island are inseparably linked to each other and to fishing. Variety and quality of species is a true measure of a fishing destination and here you can catch longtails (northern bluefin tuna),... Find out more

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Fraser Island 101 km

The world’s biggest sand island, Fraser Island is 123 km long and has become Australia’s most famous beach-fishing venue, albeit one that also offers rock- and offshore fishing. The list of inshore species... Find out more

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Lake Awoonga 138 km

The jewel in the crown of the Bass to Barra Trail, Lake Awoonga is Queensland’s premier barramundi impoundment. Clean waters, the result of a largely undisturbed watershed, contain barramundi, mangrove jack,... Find out more

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Cania Dam 140 km

Located close to Monto, Cania Dam holds yellowbelly, silver perch and Australian bass to 3 kg. Cania’s big drawcard though is the saratoga. Initially stocked with only 200 individuals, the saratoga have bred to a... Find out more

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Wuruma Dam 142 km

Situated 35 km north of Eidsvold, this 18 sq km little-known water contains Australian bass, barramundi, saratoga, silver perch, yellowbelly and sleepy cod. A Stocked Impoundment Permit is required. There is a large... Find out more

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Lake Boondooma 165 km

Situated on the Boyne River to the west of Bjelke Petersen Dam, this lake is about 15 km from Proston. Since its construction in 1983, a variety of species have been stocked here. Australian bass, silver perch and... Find out more

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Bjelke Petersen Dam 167 km

Lake Barambah is a 22 sq km water about 15 km south-east of Murgon. It is regarded as one of the state’s best waters for big bass, but also has yellowbelly, silver perch and saratoga. It is relatively shallow for a... Find out more

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Lake Callide 182 km

Built on upper Callide Creek, a Dawson River tributary 20 km east of Biloela (pronounced bilo-wela), this lake supplies cooling waters for the nearby coal-burning power station that’s part of the Boyne Island... Find out more

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Dolphin tours around Hervey Bay 71 km

All year-round Blue Dolphin Marine Tours runs eco-tours to see the two species of dolphin in the area – the bottlenose, and the rare Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin. You have a 95 per cent chance of seeing the... Find out more

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Hiking on Fraser Island 110 km

Fraser Island, with its 1653 square kilometres encompassing 200-metre-high sand dunes, 80 beautiful lakes and pockets of rainforest, is a delight for those prepared to put on a pack. Hikers can camp beside some of the... Find out more

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Cycling the Sunshine Coast and hinterland 216 km

Join a half-day or longer guided bike tour with Bicycle Tours of Queensland, particularly the popular Sunshine Coast ride or Maleny to Glass House Mountains. A back-up bus is included if it all gets too much.... Find out more

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Caving - Rockhampton 249 km

Escape the sunshine for a while with an hourlong, eco-certified tour of Capricorn Caves, 23 kilometres north of Rockhampton. These caves feature intricately sculpted formations and the tour includes an optional... Find out more

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Noosa Springs Resort 187 km

Laid out across 50 hectares of bushland on the shore of beautiful Lake Weyba, Noosa Springs takes you on a gently rolling journey between rainforest pockets, along the edges of lakes and through bloodwood forest,... Find out more

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Hyatt Regency Coolum Resort 201 km

Resort courses are sometimes labelled, perhaps unfairly, as all being similar to one another: wide fairways, big undulating greens, large bunker schemes, the obligatory drinks cart. Some might even say a round of golf... Find out more

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Twin Waters Golf Club 209 km

By the end of the 1980s, Queensland’s Sunshine Coast had a handful of good member clubs. In the ’90s, as the region became home to Australia’s fastest growing population, more golf courses and more... Find out more

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Pelican Waters Golf Club 231 km

It took 54 years for his dream to be realised, but when Pelican Waters Golf Club finally opened for play in 2000, not even the visionary behind the original idea could have imagined it would turn out as good as it... Find out more

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Sunshine Coast Brewery 211 km

Queensland’s longest-running microbrewery has been operating from an industrial estate on the outskirts of Maroochydore since 1998. It was established by Jim Robinson and Queensland craft-beer pioneer Graham Howard... Find out more

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Kinkuna camping area (bush camping) 30 km

Take your pick from 40 sandy sites behind the beach foredunes in the Kinkuna section. There are no facilities but open fires are allowed (except when fire bans apply). Note: the Woodgate–Palm Beach road through... Find out more

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Burrum Point camping area 43 km

Whether you prefer swimming at the beach or boating on a river, you’re blessed with the choice of both at Burrum Coast National Park. The sandy camping area is just a short walk from the beach at Burrum Point, and... Find out more

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Mouth of Baffle Creek camping area 50 km

Visitors to this park can camp behind the dunes, 2 km south of the beach access point. There are no facilities and it is recommended for self-sufficient campers only. Beware of marine stingers Oct–May. ... Find out more

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Lake Monduran Holiday Park 50 km

A fantastic spot for big barramundi fishing, Lake Monduran is 20 km north-west of Gin Gin and 4.5 km east of the Bruce Hwy. The campground, on Claude Wharton Dr, has free wireless internet, laundry facilities, a kiosk,... Find out more

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Mitchell Creek camping area 57 km

Fantastic for fishing and wildlife watching, the campground is accessed by 4WD along Rules Beach; check tides and entry points before proceeding to the beach. There are no facilities so you’ll need to bring water,... Find out more

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Wongi camping area 66 km

Chill down with a dip in the beautiful waterholes at Wongi, but note that fishing is not allowed and jumping or diving is not recommended. There is conventional vehicle access and plenty of space for caravans, motorhomes... Find out more

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Wreck Rock camping area 72 km

This small campsite behind the frontal dunes at the south-eastern end of Deepwater National Park has 14 sites for a maximum of 6 people each. It provides excellent beachfront camping with sand and woodchip surfaces and... Find out more

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Middle Rock camping area 75 km

At the north-eastern side of Deepwater National Park, this sand and woodchip bush camp has undefined sites behind the foredunes and is accessible only by 4WD. There are no facilities provided and you need to take a fuel... Find out more

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Bush camping 79 km

With no facilities, this bush campground is on the south-east side of the island, about 5 minutes south of the gas shed. You’ll need to bring your own water, gas/fuel stove and rubbish bags. Note that mobile phone... Find out more

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Workmans Beach camping area 82 km

Just a short stroll to the unpatrolled surf beach, this campground is 1 km from the Agnes township and across the road from a skatepark. There are cold-water beach showers and free gas barbecues. Signposted access is off... Find out more

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BIG4 Cane Village Holiday Park 4 km

This is a very good quality park on the western approach to the city, in a convenient location for an overnight stay and excellent for a longer visit. The Sugarland shopping centre is close by. Bookings are required in... Find out more

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Glenlodge Caravan Village 5 km

This owner-operated park is 6 km south of the town centre and easily accessible, ideal for an overnight stay or as a base for a few days exploring the region. It has very good amenities. Bookings are required in peak... Find out more

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Bargara Beach Caravan Park 13 km

This large, quality beachside tourist park is in a popular holiday destination. Snorkelling, diving and fishing are popular in the surrounding waters. Bargara is a small coastal community not far from Bundaberg. The Mon... Find out more

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Woodgate Beach Tourist Park 35 km

In the centre of a small beachfront community and just across the road from a wonderful beach, this is a convenient and popular park with a relaxing coffee shop. Bookings are required in peak periods and a minimum-length... Find out more

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Lake Monduran Holiday Park 50 km

Lake Monduran is a stocked impoundment, very popular with anglers; a fishing permit, available at the kiosk, is required. The park has good facilities and is a great place for an overnight stay, easily accessible from... Find out more

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Burrum River Caravan Park 56 km

In a quiet location on the banks of the Burrum River, on the south side of Howard, and less than 1 km from the Bruce Highway this is an ideal park for a quiet rest away from the traffic and the beach bustle. There are... Find out more

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Fraser Lodge Holiday Park 71 km

Explore Hervey Bay, go whale-watching or relax and enjoy the pool, barbecues, and the ducks in the lake or have a game of tennis at this great park. Set in a quiet street, it is just a short walk to the beach and close... Find out more

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Happy Wanderer Village Caravan Park 71 km

With more ensuite sites than anything else, this is a large quality park with plenty of shade and excellent facilities to make your Hervey Bay holiday something to remember. It is not far to the waters edge and the boat... Find out more

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Harbour View Caravan Park 74 km

Hervey Bay is a major tourist destination and this owner-operated waterfront park is close to the large marina complex where the whale-watching cruises depart during the season. This is a good park with basic facilities,... Find out more

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Reef Gateway Motor Inn

There is much to see on short drives in and around Bundaberg, and this centrally located property, part of the Best Western chain, is a good base from which to explore. Start the day with a swim in the pool and end it at... Find out more

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Grand Mercure Bargara Apartments

The Mercure name guarantees good value and quality, and when this property opened in 2008 it put Bargara in the international travel league thanks to the company’s worldwide connections. All apartments have large... Find out more

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Kacy’s Bargara Beach Motel

You would choose this motel just for its location, right across from the seaside Esplanade where locals walk their dogs and stop for a chat under shady trees. It is also in the middle of the town’s small but lively... Find out more

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Kelly’s Beach Resort

The accommodation here is villa-style and self-contained, but the charm lies in the resort’s gardens, two pools, tennis court, sauna and spa, and the fact it’s only one block, a short walk, to the beach.... Find out more

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Emeraldene Inn and Eco-Lodge, Hervey Bay 68 km

The 14 hotel-style rooms here, including two disabled rooms, have solar hot water and an envirocycle treatment system so that all sewage and greywater is treated and reused on site. The lodge has a solid environmental... Find out more

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Kingfisher Bay Resort, Fraser Island 91 km

With 1000 beds, and a choice of pools, restaurants and bars, this is the largest accommodation place mentioned in this book, but it has a longstanding reputation as being a positive role model for large ecotourism... Find out more

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Wilson Island 178 km

Only six couples are allowed at a time on this tiny 2-hectare coral cay, staying in minimal-impact luxury tents with wooden floors. All power is provided by solar power and batteries, and the eco-accredited resort uses... Find out more

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Glass House Mountains Eco-Lodge 235 km

The simple, down-market rooms here include the use of old train carriages for a communal kitchen and group area. An old church has also been recycled, and all greywater and blackwater is used on site to irrigate the... Find out more

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Sharon Rest Area 11 km

35 km E of Gin Gin (R) or 16 km W of Bundaberg (L) Small area just off the road to Bundaberg. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S24 53.001 E152 14.582... Find out more

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Wallum Rest Area 24 km

26 km N of Childers (L) or 28 km SW of Bundaberg (R) Large area just off the road to Bundaberg. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S25 03.584 E152 13.869... Find out more

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Apple Tree Creek Rest Area 41 km

6 km N of Childers (L) or 51 km S of Gin Gin (R) Large area just off the highway on the south side of the village. Good shade and facilities. GPS: S25 13.141 E152 14.292... Find out more

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Gin Gin Rest Area 42 km

2 km N of Gin Gin (R) or 97 km S of Miriam Vale (L) Large area just off the highway. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S24 58.456 E151 56.760... Find out more

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Wongi Camp Area 66 km

T/O 36 km N of Tiaro (L) or 42 km S of Childers (R) Large secluded campground located 10 kilometres west of the highway in a native bush setting in Wongi State Forest. Good facilities and shade. NOTE: Unsealed... Find out more

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Granite Creek Rest Area 74 km

63 km N of Gin Gin (R) or 36 km S of Miriam Vale (L) Large area just off the highway around some large trees. Good shade and facilities. GPS: S24 36.923 E151 40.098... Find out more

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Petrie Rest Area 97 km

T/O 1 km N of Tiaro (L) or 81 km S of Childers (R) Small secluded area 1 kilometre west of the highway in a pleasant setting on the riverbank. Good shade and facilities. GPS: S25 42.905 E152 34.533... Find out more

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Tiaro Camp Area 98 km

Middle of town Small area just east of the highway via Inman Street. Limited shade. Toilets at adjacent town park. GPS: S25 43.722 E152 35.059... Find out more

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Bororen Park Area 111 km

Middle of town Parking area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. GPS: S24 14.579 E151 29.756  ... Find out more

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Gunalda Rest Area 126 km

29 km N of Gympie (R) or 32 km S of Tiaro (L) Large area just off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S25 59.184 E152 34.259... Find out more

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Boyne River Rest Area 139 km

31 km N of Bororen (L) or 1 km S of Benaraby (R) Large area just off the highway on the banks of the Boyne River. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S24 00.650 E151 20.433... Find out more

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Chatsworth Rest Area 145 km

6 km N of Gympie (L) or 55 km S of Tiaro (R) Large grassed area just off the highway. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S26 09.01 E152 37.47  ... Find out more

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