Bundaberg - A modern progressive city in Central Queensland

A pleasant 370 km journey north of Brisbane, is the city of Bundaberg. “Bundy” as it is affectionately known is a modern progressive city, on the Burnett River which empties into the sea just 17 kms away.

Bundaberg was founded in 1867, is a popular holiday and tourist spot - not only because of the climate which is described as “the most equable climate in Australia with mild winters and summers cooled by sea breezes”.

The Burnett River is popular for a variety of water sports including fishing, boating, yachting, rowing and water skiing.

The river is used for commercial fisherman, dive and charter boats - with trips to The Great Barrier Reef for diving and fishing most popular.

The city itself is a mix of the beauty of landscaped gardens and streets, old buildings side by side with modern buildings, and a dynamic economy.

Some of the city highlights are the Whaling Wall - an amazing mural featuring marine life, parklands and the Zoo.

Further out of the central city area is Bundaberg Botanic Gardens, which features the Hinkler House Memorial Museum, a Historical Museum and the Fairymead House Sugar Museum.

Some of the other places of interest in Bundaberg are the Schmeider’s Cooperage and Art Centre, and the Bundaberg Rum Distillery, and a Winery where the wines are made from locally grown tropical fruit.

Bunderberg is in the centre of a huge sugar growing area - and the fields of sugar cane stretch for kilometers around the city. In years past the cane fields were fired to destroy the dry cane leaves, and the vermin that hid midst the canefields, but there is less burning these days as the cane can be cut “green”. It is a spectacular sight to see the cane fields on fire in the early evening in the middle of the year.

There’s a lot to do as in any modern city, and a vast array of accommodation, restaurants and other facilities for locals and visitors.

At the Port of Bundaberg is the huge sugar silo’s, from where the sugar is shipped around the world.

The beaches on the coastline have their own special attractions, and Mon Repos the Turtle Rookery is a must, especially during the months of November to March.

Mon Repos - The Sea Turtle Rookery

Just 15 kms from Bundaberg, in central Queensland is the most extra ordinary Sea Turtle Rookery. The turtles have used this area (as well as other areas of north Queensland and The Great Barrier Reef) as a nesting ground for centuries, and it is recognised around the world for the research on turtles that use this area.

There is a Visitors Centre where rangers provide information and guidance to visitors interested in exploring the area and learning about these sea creatures.

There are a number of varieties of sea turtles and Loggerhead, Flatback, Green and Leatherback varieties use this area to nest.

The turtles appear from the sea on dusk - huge beasts pulling themselves slowly up the beach to find a spot in the sand dunes to patiently dig their nest (a deep hole in the sand), over which they balance and lay the eggs. The task must be a huge burden on these animals, it seems to be a slow and perhaps painful and tiring expedition. One by one the eggs drop into the hole, and when she is finished, she flips the sand over the hole until it is totally covered. Then she makes the long trip back to the sea, and never sees her offspring.

Weeks later, the tiny turtles hatch out of their eggs, dig their way out of the sand, and flip their way along the sand to the sea. Sadly many do not survive - as sea creatures including sharks can be waiting off shore, to feast on these new babies.

The turtles come ashore all along the coast here, but those that choose to nest in the rookery, are “supervised” and details collected for research. At night, guided tours are conducted by the Rangers, so that these wonderful sea creatures are treated with dignity and respect.

This surely is one of the great wonders of the world, and if you visit the area between November 1st and March 31st, make sure that you add this trip to your itinerary.

Bribie Island - A relaxing holiday on the Queensland coast

Bribie Island is a great holiday destination, and a great one-day trip from Brisbane. The island has been the most popular of the Moreton Bay islands. Bribie Island is just 64 kms north of Brisbane, and is the only island accessible by road bridge.

The island has a long history, being visited by Matthew Flinders. He named Skirmish Point, where he had a “skirmish” with the local aborigines, and he named Pumicetone Passage, the waterway between Bribie Island and the mainland. He had seen pumicestone there. He also named White Patch where he and to make some repairs to his ship “Norfolk”.

There also is evidence of the long gone aboriginal people who lived on the island with the remains of a fish trap at Sandstone Point. Bunkers from World War 2 still remain, and a walk along the white sandy beach north from Woorim will reveal some fun emplacements that were erected to protect the city of Brisbane for invaders from the north.

The island is relatively unspoiled with most of the island being National Park. There is considerable residential and other development on the southern tip of the island, but vast tracts of bushland still surrounds the townships of Bongaree, Bellara, and Woorim.

The Pumicestone Passage side of the island is lapped by the calm waters of the passage, and is pleasant for picnicking in the many picnic grounds, fishing, boating and swimming. There are many spots ideal for families in the safer waters, complete with the safety of the shade of many trees.

The Pacific Ocean laps the other side of the island, so there is surf, sand and sunshine.

There are hotels and camping grounds on both sides of the island, and an array of shops - and plenty of take-away food places, as well as restaurants.

The attractions include the National Parks, the Marine Park of Pumicetone Passage with around 350 species of birds, and provides sanctuary to dugongs, turtles and dolphins. Cruises operate along the Passage, so that visitors may have a chance to be up close and personal, with some of these wonderful sea creatures.

There’s plenty of things to see and do in Bribie Island, including:

• Bongaree Jetty - fishing or just watching those that do
• Bowls Clubs
• Cinema
• Recreation Centre with indoor bowls, tennis courts, etc
• Whitepatch Art Gallery
• Nature walks
• Cycling along the many cycling paths on the island
• Bushwalking
• Camping
• Fishing
• Birdwatching

There are three special areas of “talking monuments” where you can hear about the history of that area.

• Solander Esplanade, Banksia Beach - you will hear the story of the landing of Matthew Flinders
• Marine Drive, Bellara - you will hear the story of the history of the island.
• Community Arts Centre, Banksia Beach - you will hear the story of the history of the aboriginals on the island.

Do check out Bribie Island, it is beautiful, the climate is sub tropical so is great all year round, and it is unspoiled. Just the spot for a really relaxing holiday on the Queensland coast.

Take along with you insect repellent - at dusk you are likely to be visited my some great Ossie Mossies!