Bundaberg

Bundaberg is closely linked to the sugar cane industry and is the home of Bundaberg Rum and ginger beer. The town is 10 km from ocean beaches like Bargara and Mon Repos, where turtles return each year to lay eggs. It's a laid-back base for exploring the Southern Great Barrier Reef.

Bundaberg is located on the Bruce Highway between Rockhampton and Hervey Bay. The Tilt Train service connects to Brisbane and Rockhampton, and there are bus services. Bundaberg Airport has flights to Lady Elliot Island.

Duffy's buses run public routes between Bargara and the town centre every hour on weekdays and every couple of hours on Saturday. A car is necessary for getting anywhere outside the city centre. Backpacker hostels often run shuttle minibuses for seasonal workers to local farms.

Turtle nesting season runs from around December to February, with hatchlings emerging in February and December. The best time for turtle watching is at night during this period.

There are several backpackers hostels opposite the bus depot and train station, most offering transport to farms. Motels are west of the railway station, and caravan parks are scattered. Bargara beach has newer apartment-style accommodation closer to the beach.

The Bundaberg Barrel offers free tasting of Bundaberg Ginger Beer and other brewed soft drinks. The Hungry Tum is known for its pink lemonade, and Kacy's at Bargara Beach serves Italian-style mains for around $23. Bundaberg Rum is a must-try.

Visit the Bundaberg Rum Distillery for a tour ($15-25), the Botanic Gardens with a restored steam train, the Hinkler Hall of Aviation, and the quirky Mystery Craters. Swim at Bargara beach, see tropical fish at The Basin, and climb The Hummock for views. Turtle watching at Mon Repos is a highlight (ranger-guided at night).

Working without a valid visa (cash-in-hand) is risky; inspectors occasionally check farms and hostels. Ensure you have a valid work visa and tax file number to avoid 48% tax deduction. Otherwise, Bundaberg is generally safe.

Backpacker dorms cost around $23/night or $148-190/week. A main meal at a restaurant is about $23, kids meals $10. The rum distillery tour costs $15-25. Eating cheaply at takeaway or cooking in hostels can save money.

From Bundaberg, you can visit Childers with its historic buildings, Gin Gin featuring the longest unsupported tunnel in the Southern Hemisphere, and the Barrier Reef islands of Lady Elliot and Lady Musgrave (flights from Bundaberg Airport). Town of 1770 and Agnes Waters are about 2 hours north.

Seasonal farm work picking tomatoes and other produce is available. Check with backpacker hostels. You need a valid work visa and tax file number. Cash-in-hand work may be possible but risk of inspections.

Head to Childers for colonial architecture, Gin Gin for the Boolboonda Tunnel, or take a flight to Lady Elliot or Lady Musgrave Island for reef experiences. Town of 1770 is a historic site about 2 hours north.