7 top tours to try in Bundaberg

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Famed for its stretches of crystal-clear coast, award-winning distilleries and abundant produce, Bundaberg serves as an excellent base to discover what subtropical Queensland has to offer, and there are a number of amazing tours to help you do so.

From exquisite rum to sparkling reefs, sometimes there’s no better souvenir to bring home than a new skillset, or some new-found knowledge. Luckily, Bundaberg offers lots to learn.

Whether you’re interested in the distillation process, local wildlife, or the process behind farm-to-table produce, there are plenty of tours that will keep you entertained and teach you a thing or two in the process. These are the best Bundaberg tours to show you what the region has to offer.

1. Bundaberg Rum Distillery Tour

A tour of the Bundaberg Rum Distillery  is all but compulsory when you’re in town. The distillery is denoted by a mammoth-sized bottle of Bundy Rum at the entrance, perfect for a quick photo op before heading in.

Once inside, you can join a tour where you’ll take a peek behind the curtain and learn how vats of sweet, sticky molasses get transformed into bottles of liquid gold.

a woman blending her own glass of rum at Bundaberg Rum Distillery
Get a chance to blend your own rum. (Image: Bundaberg Rum)

After you’ve meandered through the museum and received a rundown of the factory’s inner workings, finish your tour with a trip to the distillery bar. Here, you can sample a range of Bundaberg’s famous rum products (the Salted Caramel liqueur is a must-try). Pick up your favourites from the gift shop, where you can also browse a range of limited edition and exclusive rums.

If you fancy yourself a bit of a rum aficionado, opt for the Blend Your Own Rum experience. You’ll spend an hour with your Rum Guides, learning how to create your own personalised blend, and receive two bottles of your concoction to take home with you. Cheers to that.

Bundaberg Rum Distillery
The Big Rum Bottle at the entrance of the Bundaberg distillery. (Image: Andrew S/Flickr)

2. Bundaberg Barrel Tasting and Tour

If the Bundaberg sun has got you feeling parched, there’s no better place to head than the Bundaberg Barrel. Bundaberg Brewed Drinks  are famous for its thirst-quenching craft sodas, especially its Ginger Beer (that pairs great with a shot of Bundaberg Rum).

view outside The Bundaberg Barrel
Have a look inside The Bundaberg Barrel.

Take a peek behind the scenes and experience the fabulous array of refreshing flavours with a tasting and a tour. There’s also a smellography wall (that seems like something out of Willy Wonka’s factory) where guests can play ‘guess the flavour’. Once you’re done sampling the delicious soft drinks, you’ll select six of your favourites to take away.

welcome signage inside The Bundaberg Barrel
Wander around its expansive interior.

3. Kalki Moon Distillery Tour

Bundaberg is the place to be if you’re in the mood to grab a drink. Kalki Moon  is an artisan brewery and distillery producing rum, gin and other liquors. It makes the most of the region’s abundant produce, crafting gins that are rich with Aussie botanical flavours like lemon and cinnamon myrtle.

guests talking while drinking booze at Kalki Moon Distillery, Bundaberg
Stop by for a drink at Kalki Moon Distillery.

You’ll find the distillery nestled among the sugarcane, five kilometres from Bundaberg’s town centre. On a tour, you’ll be guided through the stages of the distillation process and be able to sample a drink of your choice.

If you’re thirsty for more, stop by the cellar door to sip on a cocktail, or hit up the gift shop to shop your favourites.

a well-curated display of gins and liquours at Kalki Moon Distillery, Bundaberg
Kalki Moon Distillery has a great selection of gins, cocktails, and crafted beers.

4. Macadamia Orchard Tour

With its green fields lined with picturesque macadamia trees – it’s no surprise that Bundaberg’s Macadamia Orchard  is a popular spot for weddings. However, you don’t have to tie the knot to soak up the romance of the luscious surroundings.

Take a self-guided stroll through the trees, where you can pick your own nuts during the harvest months (February to August) and crack them at the orchard’s cracking station. Investigate the rich history of Bundaberg’s agriculture at the visitor experience centre, and meander through the gift shop that sells everything from macadamia hand cream to bowls made from macadamia shells.

A tour includes a guide to show you through the orchard, during which they’ll impart a wealth of knowledge about how macadamias make it from seed to table. Lastly, you’ll enjoy a guided tasting of a macadamia-inspired chef-curated platter.

Be sure to stop by The Orchard Table, an on-site restaurant where the chefs are showcasing the magic of macadamias through their nut-inspired menu. You’ll definitely want to leave room for the macadamia gelato.

orchard table's seasonal menu made from the freshest local ingredients
Indulge in the seasonal menu specially curated for you at the Orchard Table.

5. Tastings at Ohana Cider House & Tropical Winery

Sample a taste of Tropicana at Ohana Cider House & Winery . Here, the distillery makes the most of Bundaberg’s abundant produce, sourcing local fruits to create ‘cheeky tiki’ cider flavours such as pineapple and passionfruit.

a person holding a bottle of Cherry Tiki Dry Apple Cider behind the apple orchard at Ohana Cider House & Tropical Winery
Cherry Tiki Dry Apple Cider is a classic favourite at Ohana Cider House & Tropical Winery.

If you’re more of a wine drinker, try some sweet Moscato wines made with strawberries and mangos. Tasting paddles are available, with Kenilworth cheddar cheese platters also on offer, should you find yourself feeling peckish.

two people tasting some wines at Ohana Cider House & Tropical Winery
Head to the Cider House & Tropical Winery for some wine tasting. (Image: Paul Beutel/Bundaberg Tourism)

6. Mon Repos Turtle Encounter

If you’re visiting Bundaberg between November and March, you’re in luck. Turtle season comes into full swing during the summer months, and spotting one of these fascinating creatures in the wild is one of the best things to do in Bundaberg.

Not only is Bundaberg in proximity to some of the region’s best beaches, but the nearby shores of Mon Repos are home to the largest concentration of turtles on the East Coast.

Witness turtles nesting in the sand. Come hatching season, you can spot baby turtles crawling down to the ocean. (Image: Getty/vkp-australia)

The laying season is in November – when you can join a ranger-guided turtle encounter  to watch the female turtles lay their eggs on the beach. Come January, the tours will take you to see the baby turtles hatching and scuttling toward the ocean in the evening. Simply magical.

the entrance path at Mon Repos Turtle Centre
Take a stroll along Mon Repos Turtle Centre. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

7. Lady Musgrave Island

Bundaberg is known as the Southern gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. If you want to spend a day surrounded by crystal blue waters and magical coral reefs, consider a day trip to Lady Musgrave Island.

 

lady musgrave island

Tours depart via boat from Bundaberg port marina (a 15-minute drive from the town centre). The tour includes snorkelling, scuba diving and glass-bottomed boat excursions, so you can witness the beautiful and vibrant underwater world of the reef.

You’ll more than likely spot some turtles, as well as reef sharks and a kaleidoscope of tropical fish. Here, you can discover why the Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven natural wonders of the world – all a stone’s throw from Bundaberg.

couple snorkelling on the reef off Lady Musgrave Island, while taking a photo of a turtle
Have an up-close encounter with turtles on Lady Musgrave Island. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)
Headed to Bundaberg? We’ve also created a guide to accommodation in Bundaberg and the best restaurants and cafes in town.
Elizabeth Whitehead
Elizabeth Whitehead is a writer obsessed with all things culture; doesn't matter if it's pop culture or cultures of the world. She graduated with a degree in History from the University of Sydney (after dropping out from Maths). Her bylines span AFAR, Lonely Planet, ELLE, Harper's BAZAAR and Refinery 29. Her work for Australian Traveller was shortlisted for single article of the year at the Mumbrella Publishing Awards 2024. She is very lucky in thrifting, very unlucky in UNO.
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8 experiences that make Moreton Bay the best getaway

From the moment you arrive in Moreton Bay, stunning natural vistas, fresh and tasty dining, history and more invite you to stay and play.

Untouched national park, mirror-like lagoons and endless stretches of beaches all make Moreton Bay experiences feel like you’ve stumbled across a secret Queenslanders collectively vowed not to tell. Yet it’s easily accessible. Explore further and discover hinterland farms, ancient rainforest, fresh seafood and more: there’s something on offer for every pace, interest and generation.

Just 20 minutes from Brisbane Airport, it’s hard to believe how underrated this Queensland getaway is. Here’s your ultimate guide to rediscover play with unmissable experiences in Moreton Bay.

1. G’Day Adventure Tours, Bribie Island

G’Day Adventure Tours’ Sea to Table Experience
Explore Bribie Island with G’Day Adventure Tours.

G’Day Adventure Tours’ Sea to Table Experience should be your first agenda item in Moreton Bay. Take a 4WD journey through the sandy tracks of Bribie Island’s beaches to the still, glassy waters of the island’s lagoons. Glide over perfect replicas of paperbarks and fluffy blue clouds mirrored in the lagoon waters in your kayak. Listen as native birdsong echoes around you.

Then, it’s on to Fort Bribie. During the Second World War, these concrete bunkers – now slowly being enveloped by the dunes – were the last line of defence for Moreton Bay.

End the day with a sun-dappled beach picnic of locally caught Queensland prawns and famous Moreton Bay bugs. As you head home, watch the dolphins playfully dart in and out of the surf.

2. Morgan’s Seafood at Scarborough

Morgan’s Seafood
It doesn’t get fresher than Morgan’s Seafood. (Image: Ezra Patchett)

Right on the Scarborough Boat Harbour, you’ll find Morgan’s Seafood . Between the luxury yachts, you’ll also spot trawlers and fishermen delivering their day’s catch right to Morgan’s. The family-owned and operated spot is one of the best places to try the region’s eponymous Moreton Bay bug. Or, sample more of the area’s direct-from-the-boat seafood fresh at their oyster and sushi bar. If you’re lucky, your visit might coincide with a day they’ve caught tuna.

Picture fish caught that day, prepared and then served to you as fresh sashimi as the sun sets over the unique silhouette of the Glasshouse Mountains.

3. Woorim Beach, Bribie Island

woorim beach bribie island
Hang 10, or relax, on Woorim Beach.

On Bribie’s eastern coastline, you’ll find Woorim Beach : aka the closest surf beach to Brisbane. Find a place on the sand by the patrolled area or wander further south to find a quiet spot and while the day away between the shaded dunes, the pages of your book and the peaceful sound of rolling waves.

Ask any local where to grab lunch, and they’ll direct you to Bribie Island Surf Club Bistro . Tuck into a fresh, local seafood platter, just metres from the beach.

4. D’Aguilar National Park

D’Aguilar National Park
Admire the landscapes of D’Aguilar National Park.

D’Aguilar National Park is a 40,000-hectare slice of greenery that stretches from urban Brisbane right up to Woodford (home of the Woodford Folk Festival). The vast expanse of park is home to ancient rainforests, eucalypt forests and shaded swimming spots hidden within gorges and under waterfalls. The area is significant for the Jinibara and Turrbal people, with ceremonial bora rings and dreaming trails all found within the park.

Carve out some time in your itinerary to explore the park’s many trails. The Maiala day-use area is the perfect starting point for walks for all levels of ability.

5. Arcade Wine Bar

arcade wine bar moreton bay
Sit down to a menu inspired by Italy.

Opposite the Redcliffe Jetty and down a laneway, you’ll find an unassuming wine bar. Venture inside and quickly fall in love with Arcade Wine Bar , one of the region’s most beloved local haunts.

Owners Danilo and Matt have a combined 50 years of sommelier experience, which they have poured into the menu, styling and wine list. More than just a hole-in-the-wall wine bar, Arcade Wine is an enoteca (a wine repository), whose walls are lined with bottles upon bottles of Italian wine varietals from every corner of Italy.

Settle in with a wine and work your way through the menu inspired by Danilo’s native Italy: traditional meatballs, their quick-to-sell-out terrine, or a selection of Italian cheeses, charcuterie and arancini.

6. Wamuran & Loop Rail Trail

Away from the ocean, tucked in the hinterland, is the Wamuran & Loop Rail Trail . Perfect for cyclists or walkers, the trail was built to showcase the history of the Caboolture to Kilcoy rail corridor (last operating in 1964) and makes for the perfect family day out. The trail runs for 10.5km and connects Wamuran and Caboolture via an accessible path.

Pass through former railroad, bridges and shaded bushland as you cut from A to B. Plus, visit in winter for a detour along the way to one of the many pick-your-own strawberry farms.

7. Farm Visits

Beaches, mountains and history make an enticing combination. But Moreton Bay also brings hinterland, family-friendly farms to the table. Trevena Glen is one of the area’s most loved, with bunnies, ponies, sheep, alpacas (and more) available to visit for the kids. For the adults, book a horse-riding session and be treated to a grazing platter as you watch the sun set over the mountains of D’Aguilar National Park.

At White Ridge Farm , find camels, putt-putt, train and tractor rides and all kinds of animals. The entire farm is paved, making it accessible for all.

8. Miss Sprinkles

Miss Sprinkles Gelato moreton bay
Pick your scoop at Miss Sprinkles Gelato.

An ice cream at the beach is one of life’s most perfect pleasures. While in town, stop by Miss Sprinkles for the locals’ pick of homemade gelato on the Scarborough foreshore.

The gelato here is made the authentic Italian way and scooped up just across from the beach. Or, settle in at their kitschy pink wooden tables for traditional gelato in the sunshine.  Aside from the homemade gelato, you’ll also find tarts, pies and even doggie gelato.

To start planning your Moreton Bay trip, or for more information, head to visitmoretonbay.com.au.