Explore Australia

Historical Society Museum: displays memorabilia of pioneering past in 'The Residence' – a former police sergeant's house. The old sugarcane locomotive The Bunyip forms part of the historic railway display; open 8.30am–3.30pm Mon–Fri, 8.30am–12pm Sat, other times by appt; Mulgrave St. Courthouse Gallery: fine-arts gallery in refurbished old courthouse; Mulgrave St.

Goodnight Scrub National Park A dense remnant hoop pine rainforest in the Burnett Valley, this park is home to over 60 species of butterfly. Have a bush picnic at historic Kalliwa Hut, used during the logging days of the park. Drive up to One Tree Hill (4WD only) for a spectacular panoramic view over the area, on a clear day, all the way to Bundaberg. Turn-off is 10 km south of Gin Gin; (07) 4131 1600.Lake Monduran: an excellent spot for watersports and fishing (permit from kiosk). Catch a barramundi or Australian bass, or walk the 6 km of tracks in the bush surrounds; 24 km NW. Boolboonda Tunnel: longest non-supported tunnel in the Southern Hemisphere. It forms part of a scenic tourist drive; brochure available from visitor centre; 27 km W. Mount Perry: small mining town, home to mountain-bike racing in June; 55 km SW.

Lake Monduran 19 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 74 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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Wuruma Dam 101 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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Hervey Bay 102 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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Cania Dam 106 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 121 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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Lake Boondooma 134 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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Fraser Island 138 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 149 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 151 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 98 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 132 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 215 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 232 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 194 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 207 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 213 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 234 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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Capricorn Resort (Championship course) 247 km

The late 1980s and early ’90s were days of a course building boom in Queensland, on the Gold Coast especially. But one developer, the Japan-based Iwasaki Group, chose a relatively isolated location near Yeppoon,... Find out more

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Sunshine Coast Brewery 214 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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Lake Monduran Holiday Park 17 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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Mouth of Baffle Creek camping area 54 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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Kinkuna camping area (bush camping) 58 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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Mitchell Creek camping area 60 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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Old Forestry Camp camping area 62 km

The site of a former Forestry barracks, you can bush camp along the ridge among the bunya pines. There are no facilities besides a picnic platform, so campers must be totally self-sufficient. Scenic drives through the... Find out more

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Bush camping 69 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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Burrum Point camping area 70 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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Kalpowar camping and day-use area 71 km

This campground beside Crane Creek has plenty of grassy sites for camping beside your car, and also accommodates those with caravans and trailers. To get there from Monto, travel 37 km north-east on the... Find out more

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Wreck Rock camping area 75 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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Wongi camping area 76 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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Lake Monduran Holiday Park 17 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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BIG4 Cane Village Holiday Park 38 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 42 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 54 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 63 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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Burrum River Caravan Park 73 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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Seventeen Seventy Camping Ground 92 km

It is hard to resist the excellent, absolute beachfront location of this council-owned park. Here in a subtropical hideaway it is almost possible to tie the dinghy up to the caravan. The popular park has good basic... Find out more

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Wallace Caravan Park 95 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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Fraser Lodge Holiday Park 98 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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Emeraldene Inn and Eco-Lodge, Hervey Bay 93 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 117 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 187 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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Gin Gin Rest Area 2 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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Wallum Rest Area 29 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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Sharon Rest Area 31 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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Apple Tree Creek Rest Area 38 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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Granite Creek Rest Area 51 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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Wongi Camp Area 77 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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Bororen Park Area 95 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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Petrie Rest Area 101 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 103 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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Boyne River Rest Area 126 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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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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Calliope River Rest Area 140 km

21 km N of Benaraby (L) or 30 km S of Mount Larcom (R) Large area located well off the highway on the banks of the river. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S23 57.675 E151 09.142... 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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