Our Rich Heritage
Bundaberg was surveyed in 1868 on the bank of the Burnett River by surveyor John Charlton Thompson. He named Bundaberg based on Bunda after the Aboriginal people, adding berg as derived from the Anglo-Saxons and the Germans. The land is native to the local Aboriginal people.
Known for its large sugarcane plantations in the 1880s, the workers were mainly enslaved people from the South Sea Islanders. Today you will find large masses of rock walls built by the islanders, still adorning cane fields and the local beaches.
Due to the ideal climate, Bundaberg is also well-known for its agricultural industry and farming opportunities. But it was the major flooding between 1942 to 1954 that destroyed the Burnett river bank, paving the way for a Port at the river mouth. While devastating, these floods then brought a whole new opportunity to Bundaberg via the construction of the Port, which benefited sugar cane production, bringing more industries and exports to the region.
The main feature apart from the Bundaberg Rum Distillery is the Hummock, a dormant volcano that erupted over 900,000 years ago. Locals and tourists drive up to the Hummock, park their cars and are delighted with a 360-degree bird’s eye view of the Bundaberg region.
Because Bundaberg is close to the Great Barrier Reef, with islands only hours away, such as Lady Elliot Island and Lady Musgrave, ocean life, diving and snorkelling, where crystal clear waters are year-round, draws global attention.
Best called “Bundy” to locals, the town is a laid-back and welcoming place to live and visit. The surrounding regions provide numerous experiences, including wineries, museums and art spaces, perfect for day trips. Destinations such as Childers are 30 minutes away, and Gin Gin is 40 minutes by car. Then for a seascape, Agnes Waters and the Town 1770 are a 1.5-hour car trip away.
Bundaberg is the hub many call their home, where Brisbane is 4 hours down the road. All these reasons and more are why people who often visit Bundaberg return and live here.
Ask us about day trips to our region, where you’re sure to fall in love with all Bundaberg has to offer.
