Hervey Bay
Tranquil Hervey Bay, at the southern tip of the Great Barrier Reef, draws holidaymakers with sandy beaches and calm waters, just-caught seafood, easy access to UNESCO-listed Fraser Island, and some of the world’s best whale
Bundaberg
Local rum, pristine islands and the
Great Barrier Reef without the crowds
While the reef is a world-famous attraction, it’s the quiet atmosphere and lack of crowds that stand out when you base yourself in Bundaberg. Not far from the city, boats leave for stunning Lady Elliot Island, which is a haven for large numbers of loggerhead turtles. Undeveloped and pristine, Lady Musgrave Island is ideal for lagoon snorkelling and scuba diving.
The waters around these beautiful islands are home to an abundance of marine life, including manta rays, dolphins and migrating whales.
On the mainland, travel past Bundaberg’s signature sugar cane fields to reach Bargara, a relaxed coastal town featuring gorgeous palm-backed beaches – without the usual scores of tourists. Along with the region’s islands, Bargara is a magnet for turtles, both green sea and loggerheads, who nest on the beach during hatching season each year. The Mon Repos Conservation Park protects the turtles, which can be seen scuffling down to the water at night. Sunny days are perfect for a wander along the beachfront esplanade, where you can mix with locals who know the best surf breaks, sheltered swimming spots and walking trails for a peaceful afternoon stroll.
There’s no escaping Bundaberg Rum in this city, but the distillery is not the only way to experience Bundaberg’s best-known export. Head to a local pub and settle back with friends or family while sipping a freshly made rum cocktail or a Bundy and Coke. The kids can try some fizzy, non-alcoholic ginger beer. On Friday evenings, join laid-back locals gathering at the weekly RiverFeast event for delicious street food, craft beer, market stalls and live music by the Burnett River.
Discover also
Hunter Valley
The Hunter Valley embodies many of the ingredients of the good life in Australia – fine wines from iconic vineyards, great farm-to-table cuisine and a wealth of outdoor activities – just a couple of hours from Sydney.
Magnetic Island
Day-trippers cross the Coral Sea from nearby Townsville to hit the pristine beaches and colourful reefs of this miniature paradise, but life on Magnetic Island proceeds undisturbed, deeply settled into its own distinctive rhythm.
Margaret River
On top of its exceptional wines, Margaret River offers a sublime blend of indulgence and adventure, with fine food, towering forests, stunning coastal walks and pounding surf, all just three hours from Perth.
Sydney
Although it is known for major tourist draws like the Harbour Bridge, Opera House and Sydney Harbour, it is a distinctively relaxed way of life that defines the everyday in Sydney.
