Location: Hills St, Bundaberg East

The birthplace to the world famous Bundaberg Rum, the iconic Bundaberg Rum Distillery should be at the top of the list on any Bundaberg-centric itinerary. With a visit to the distillery, you’ll be able to peak into the world of rum distilling with a behind-the-scenes tour of the factory.

From the moment you set foot inside the distillery, you’ll be welcomed with open arms by the friendly staff and tour leaders. This unique experience will show you where all the magic happens, how the rum is made and even giving you the chance to blend your own signature rum.

The perfect experience for rum-lovers and those intrigued by the entire process, this is a definite bucket-list item and a one-of-a-kind experience in the region.

There are numerous tours to choose from including The Bundaberg Rum Distillery Experience, The Bundaberg Rum Museum Experience and the Blend Your Own Rum Experience.

The Bundaberg Rum Distillery Experience is suitable for kids and is a 1-hour tour of the distillery to learn how the liquids are fermented and distilled and how the rum is aged for two years before being bottled up and sold.

From the moment you set inside the distillery, you’ll be welcomed with open arms by the friendly staff and tour leaders. This unique experience will show you where all the magic happens and even gives you the chance to blend your own signature rum.

Running every hour 7 days a week, the tour also includes two tastings from the rum range at the end of the tour.

The Bundaberg Rum Museum Experience is another tour suitable for the young ones and gives you a detailed look into an old Bondstore – a place where the rum matures – to learn about the history of the brand and its rum. A self-guided tour, adults are given two tastings of rum at the end of the experience that’s open 7 days a week from 9:30 am.

Lastly, the Blend Your Own Rum Experience is only available for adults, for obvious reasons. This will allow you to learn a technique that has been perfected in the Bundaberg Rum Distillery. You’ll spend an hour with some of the Distillery’s experts who will teach you all you need to know about blending your very own rum.

The best part about this tour is that you’ll leave at the end of the day with two uniquely blended and labelled bottles of rum for either keepsake purposes or drinking purposes. This experience is only available on select dates, so be sure to check the website for up to date availability.

The two main tours run on a daily basis, vary in price and are suitable for adults and children alike (with the exception of the Blend Your Own Rum Experience), you can book your spot online through the Bundaberg Rum Distillery website.

The Bundaberg Rum Distillery is an icon in the Bundaberg region and it’s no question as to why it topped our list. Before you leave, make sure you snap a photo with the giant rum bottle in front of the distillery.

Location: 141 Mon Repos Road, Mon Repos

A popular site for nesting turtles in the Bundaberg region, the Mon Repos Conservation Centre is a must-visit attraction for animal-lovers. Giving you the chance to get up close to rehabilitating turtles at the Mon Repos Turtle Centre to watching mother turtles nesting on the beach, this is the ultimate turtle experience.

Working to save injured turtles from the wild and nesting and hatchling loggerhead turtles, the staff at Mon Repos are always on hand to teach you about the animals and their habits and what we can do to help save them.

If you’re visiting the centre during the months of November and March, you’ll be given the chance to join Rangers on a guided tour of the nesting and hatching turtles. The nesting tours take place from November to January while the hatching tours happen from January to March.

This is a unique opportunity for children and adults alike to learn more about these turtles and of course the circle of life. Where else in the world can you witness this natural phenomena up close without an exorbitant price attached.

The young ones always love the tours of the nesting and hatching turtles as this is a wild habit you don’t often see on your own in the wild.

The turtle centre is open to the public on a daily basis during turtle season and on weekdays out of season. Visiting the centre is free, however, the turtle encounter is at a cost.

One of the most pristine parts of the Great Barrier Reef can be found on a day cruise to Lady Musgrave Island from Bundaberg. The coral cay marks the beginning of the reef with a protected lagoon home to thousands of sea critters and colourful reefs.

Location: Kellys Beach, Bargara

If you’re looking for somewhere to cool off or the perfect picnic spot then look no further then the Basin Rock Pool.

A hot spot for the locals and in the know tourists, the rock pool is a sheltered bay at the end of Kellys Beach.

Pack your swimming costume and beach towel as you’ll want to run right into the calm waters during the outgoing tide.

With picnic benches close to the water, you can bring your own lunch and make a day of it. It’s a beautiful spot to swim and relax all while admiring the beautiful views.

Popular for snorkelling and swimming swimmers can explore beneath the surface comfortably in this semi-protected pool.

With picnic benches close to the water, you can bring your own lunch and make a day of it. It’s a beautiful spot to swim and relax all while admiring the beautiful views.

Location: 3 Mick Lutvey Street, Gayndah

Though not technically in Bundaberg, Gayndah’s Big Orange is well worth the short road trip inland. One of Australia’s iconic ‘big’ tourist attractions, The Big Orange is as the name suggests, a giant orange.

The welcoming sign as you visit Gayndah, the Big Orange is a representation of the region’s status as being the citrus capital of Queensland. Doubling as an information centre, you can stop off at The Big Orange to gather all the information you need on things to do around the region.

The Bundaberg Botanic Gardens features a magnificent lake, a steam train, children's playground, relaxing boardwalks and plenty of shaded areas for a picnic.

There’s a cafe on-site at the attraction so you’ll be able to grab a bite to eat and a drink during your stopover. If you’re visiting between April and October you’ll be able to sample fresh orange juice on site from the local farm.

An attraction both kids and adults will love, there’s no better place to stop for a bite to eat on your road trip around Queensland. The attraction is easily reached in just under 2 hours’ drive south-west of Bundaberg.

Location: Mount Perry Road & Young Street, Bundaberg

A truly impressive celebration of the life of one of Australia’s most significant figures in aviation and a true asset to Bundaberg in general, the Hinkler Hall of Aviation brings the story and accomplishments of acclaimed aviator Bert Hinkler to life in wonderful fashion.

Housed in a modern, slick building comprised of glass and steel which stands in direct contrast to many of its historic contents, the museum is located within the Bundaberg Botanic Gardens and can be combined with the gardens, a steam train ride and museum visits for a few hours worth of natural and historic entertainment.

The attraction is home to a diverse mixture of historic artefacts and memorabilia from Hinkler’s life and era, as well as a blend of modern multimedia exhibits and even a flight simulator at which visitors can try their hand.

Bringing to life the adventures of Bert Hinkler, Australia’s famous pioneer, the museum tells the story of his life and achievements through interactive displays.

There’s a high degree of interactivity to the displays here that help “make learning fun” for kids attending, highlighted by the chance to sit inside a replica model of Hinkler’s historic aircraft.

The knowledge and enthusiasm of the staff at the museum goes a long way to making a visit here more enjoyable (text removed). Located adjacent to the modernity of the museum, visitors can find Hinkler’s original house replete with era-specific furnishings largely untouched from his day.

Bert Hinkler is largely unappreciated despite his international fame achieved during the years when aviators thrilled the world. His achievements as a pilot and flight innovator are a compelling and colourful part of Australia’s aviation history.

From the small fragment of his homemade glider recovered from the ocean in the wake of the ill-fated space shuttle Challenger mission to the large replicas of his original aircraft, every detail of Hinkler’s extraordinary life is captured within the Hinkler Hall of Aviation. Representing great value for money given both the quality and quantity of infotainment on offer, it's well worth a visit for all ages.

Location:15-17 Marina Drive, Port Bundaberg

If you’re craving a good serving of fish and chips then the Bundaberg Port Marina is where you should be heading. With a number of eateries nearby you can grab your lunch or dinner and pick a spot on the marina to watch the boats come in and out of the docks.

Some of the food establishments include the Baltimore Seafood and Takeaway Shop, The Port Marina Cafe and Ocean Pacific Seafoods.

A popular weekend and afternoon spot, the marina is the main entry point for Fraser Island, the neighbouring World Heritage-Listed island paradise.

A popular weekend and afternoon spot, the marina is the main entry point for Fraser Island, the neighbouring World Heritage-Listed island paradise as well as a launch point for the nearby Lady Musgrave Island. This makes exploring the surrounding islands and all of their offerings all the more accessible with no additional travel needed.

Location: 59 Esplanade, Bargara

Looking over Bargara Beach, the Bargara Esplanade Turtle Playground is one of the most popular free things to do for families in the Bundaberg region.

With a turtle themed playground for the young ones to enjoy and local cafes and restaurants serving up some delicious food and on-site picnic tables, this is the ideal place for an afternoon on the waterfront.

With a turtle themed playground for the young ones to enjoy and local cafes and restaurants serving up some delicious food and on-site picnic tables, this is the ideal place for an afternoon on the waterfront.

So pack yourself a picnic and get the kids ready for a great day as the Bargara Esplanade Turtle Playground allows the kids to be entertained while the parents sit back and take in the beautiful views of the beach.