It’s hard to separate the town of Bundaberg (Bundy) in Queensland from the Rum which is produced here (Bundy), but you get the feeling the locals wouldn’t want it any other way.

They have every right to be proud of this Aussie made spirit which is a favourite drop for many in Australia and around the world. To get a feel for Bundaberg (the city), I’d suggest you make your first stop at the Bundaberg Distillery where you can take a guided tour of the facility and learn the history of the drink and why the town is so spirited (and it’s not just because of the rum).

1 Bundaberg Distillery

You can book a tour online or at the distillery and included in the price of $30 per adult, you have entry to the museum which shows the how and why behind the beginning of the distillery. There is a huge wall of Bundy spirits with the many variations over the years, and of course you can see and take a selfie with the one and only Bundy Bear.

The question is answered at that point as to why this Aussie rum has a polar bear as its logo. The creator of the distinctive square shaped Bundy bottle was Sam McMahon and when a logo was needed for the rum he also was responsible for that. With the name McMahon meaning ‘son of a bear’ and his favourite bear was a polar bear, that became the logo for the brand.  A polar bear also fitted with the idea of softening the image of rum, to broaden its appeal to a wider audience.

It has certainly worked with the bottle shape, the distinctive yellow label and of course Bundy R. Bear being instantly recognizable for the brand.

After you’ve given yourself around 30 minutes to look through the museum, you’ll be picked up by your tour leaders who will take you on a journey through the rum making process. As you walk through the plant you are provided a comedic commentary and banter which keeps what could be a dull factory tour, lively and entertaining.  

At the end of the tour which lasts around an hour, you are also treated to two samples of your choice from the Bundy Rum range, which includes some mighty tasty liqueurs which you can have on the rocks or with a mixer.

While we’re on the subject of Bundaberg drinks, make sure to also visit The Barrel, home to Bundaberg Brewed Drinks. Here you can sample and buy the other famous Bundaberg drinks, a range of soft drinks from Ginger Beer, Lemonade, sarsaparilla and fruit flavoured varieties.

2 Beaches and Coastal Communities

We stayed at the Breeze Holiday Park Bargara, around 12 kilometres from Bundaberg central, which is situated right across the road from Nielson Beach and the esplanade walking path, which leads into the heart of Bargara. Nielson Beach is a Surf Lifesaver patrolled beach and locals and visitors make good use of the facilities in this area, which include a skate park, a court for ball sports, the sandy beach and the café at the surf club.

Other beaches to visit in the area include Innes Park, Coral Cove and Elliot Heads all of which have great parks, playgrounds for kids, sculptures and public art to keep an eye out for and of course, terrific sandy beaches for families to set up the beach shelter and enjoy.

3 Turtles and Whales

Both of these marine creatures are heavily featured in the Bargara and other beachside areas with good reason.  Bargara is home to the Mon Repos Turtle Centre, which is a Government facility established to conduct marine turtle research , protection and education.

Each year between mid October and the end of April the beach on this stretch of the coast is closed from 6pm to 6am to protect the Loggerhead turtles which lay their eggs in nests they dig in the sand here. Although the centre is open year round, it’s probably best to visit during the breeding season when you can join a guided tour to watch nesting turtles and hatchlings as they make their way to the water. These operate 7 nights a week from November through to March.

Along this part of the Coral Coast you can also see migrating whales during the months of July to October, and a number of lookouts can be found for the best vantage points.

4 Brews and Farm Fresh Food

The Bundaberg area has rich volcanic soil and it’s known as the tomato and macadamia nut capital of Australia. Everywhere you drive you are surrounded by farmland growing zucchini, squash, cucumbers, sweet potato, ginger, figs, strawberries and more throughout the year. Sugar Cane is another abundant crop with the molasses being a key ingredient at the Bundaberg rum distillery.

For strawberry lovers, there are a couple of farmgate businesses to visit and buy freshly grown strawberries, jams and sauces or you can pick your own when you visit between June to October.

If you’re more partial to a beer than spirits, visit Ballistic Bargara in Bundaberg for a terrific range of brews and a delicious pizza you can enjoy in comfortable surroundings in the heart of town. There are 18 brews on tap and the brewery is open from Wednesdays to Saturdays 11.30am until 9 or 10pm.

5 Art

Get your steps up for the day by looking for some arty surprises in Bundaberg, all just a short walk from each other.  Team Snipz is behind a few of the street art pieces including Cinderella in a laneway off Targo Street and another in Post Office Lane.

Then there is the Art Gallery itself which has a colourful façade on two sides and then if you go around the back to the car park area you’ll find another splash of colour created by Simon Degroot.

In Tanitha Street are the colourful creations of Mark ART creative enterprises and the most amazing wings can also be found on Bourbong Street, they were painted by Ensoku and can surely brighten anyone’s day.

For a laugh, why not join the Simpsons and cross Bundaberg’s version of Abbey Lane, in a mural next to the wings.

Have fun in Bundy!

Glenys