Explore Australia

Pharmaceutical Museum: collection of memorabilia including leather-bound prescription books and Aboriginal wares; open 8.45am–4.30pm Mon–Fri, 8.30am–12pm Sat; Churchill St. Historical complex: area of historic buildings including school, cottage and locomotive; Taylor St. Baker's Military and Memorabilia Museum: 16 000 items on display covering all the major wars, including uniforms and communications equipment; closed Sun (open by appt); Ashby La. Childers Art Gallery: Churchill St. Snakes Downunder: informative exhibits on native snakes; open 9am–3pm, closed Wed; Lucketts Rd. Historic Childers: self-guide town walk past historic buildings; highlight is the Old Butcher's Shop (1896) in Churchill St.

Flying High Bird Habitat The native vegetation here is home to 600 bird species. Follow the boardwalk tracks to see the many Australian parrots and finches. Cnr Bruce Hwy and Old Creek Rd, Apple Creek; 5 km N.Buxton and Walkers Point: unspoiled fishing villages to the east. Woodgate: coastal town to the north-east with 16 km beach. Access to Burrum Coast National Park is from here; see Bundaberg. Goodnight Scrub National Park: 27 km W; see Gin Gin.

Lake Lenthall 32 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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Lake Monduran 61 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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Hervey Bay 64 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 106 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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Bjelke Petersen Dam 125 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 Boondooma 128 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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Wuruma Dam 131 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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Cania Dam 146 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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Lake Awoonga 162 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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Mooloolaba 182 km

It’s 6am on the Mooloolaba waterfront behind Kawana Waters Hotel. The temperature is mild enough to be wearing shorts and a shirt. All is quiet amid the moored boats except for the eager anglers sitting around the... Find out more

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Dolphin tours around Hervey Bay 60 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 91 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 178 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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Noosa Springs Resort 154 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 167 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 174 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 195 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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Pacific Harbour Golf & Country Club 217 km

Challenging the best players without alienating casual and beginner golfers is the fine line every course designer treads in coming up with a new creation. One designer who does it better than most is Ross Watson. His... Find out more

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North Lakes Resort Golf Club 232 km

Good course designers have tricks up their sleeves when it comes to spurring golfers to rise to the challenge. They can visually intimidate you with large schemes of bunkers or water hazards encroaching on the best... Find out more

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Sunshine Coast Brewery 176 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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Wongi camping area 34 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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Burrum Point camping area 37 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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Bush camping 47 km

Bush camping is permitted at Mt Walsh for self-sufficient campers; no facilities are provided. It is recommended that walkers bring along a topographic map and compass. ... Find out more

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Lake Monduran Holiday Park 59 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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Bush camping 70 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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Ungowa camping area 77 km

Expect plenty of open, shady spots for tents and defined camper trailer sites at Ungowa, 12 km south-west of Central Station on the south-west coast. Access is 4WD or boat. Bring insct repellent as mosquitoes and... Find out more

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Lake McKenzie camping area 81 km

This is a basic clearing with no facilities situated along the Fraser Island Great Walk track. The maximum stay is 2 nights and groups should be no bigger than 8. It is a little more than 6 km north of Central Station.... Find out more

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Poona Creek camping area 82 km

This very basic clearing for self-sufficient campers has signposted access along Tinnanbar Rd. Campers must bring their own untreated wood for campfires, as gathering wood in the forest is not permitted. Use the fire... Find out more

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Garry’s Anchorage camping area 83 km

Unfenced campsites and picnic tables in a very quiet, remote location are 19 km south of Ungowa on the island’s south-west coast. Access is 4WD or boat. ... Find out more

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Burrum River Caravan Park 32 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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Woodgate Beach Tourist Park 32 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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Glenlodge Caravan Village 38 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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BIG4 Cane Village Holiday Park 39 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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Bargara Beach Caravan Park 51 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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Wallace Caravan Park 53 km

This is a good quality park close to the city centre and on the banks of the Mary River. Access is easy from the southern approaches – just across the bridge. It is good value here and there is space for larger... Find out more

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Lake Monduran Holiday Park 59 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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Fraser Lodge Holiday Park 60 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 61 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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Gateway Motor Inn

Backpackers flock to Childers in fruit-picking season, so this is a good choice if you’re looking for guaranteed peace, quiet and comfort, being a kilometre from the heart of town. With very little late-night... Find out more

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Emeraldene Inn and Eco-Lodge, Hervey Bay 55 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 78 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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Glass House Mountains Eco-Lodge 198 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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Wilson Island 217 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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Apple Tree Creek Rest Area 5 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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Wallum Rest Area 20 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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Wongi Camp Area 35 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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Sharon Rest Area 39 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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Gin Gin Rest Area 44 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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Petrie Rest Area 61 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 63 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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Gunalda Rest Area 88 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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Granite Creek Rest Area 92 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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Chatsworth Rest Area 107 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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Six Mile Creek Rest Area 118 km

162 km N of Brisbane (L) or 6 km S of Gympie (R) Large grassed area just off the highway. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S26 13.901 E152 41.849... Find out more

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Bororen Park Area 136 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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