21 Amazing Things to do With Kids in Bundaberg and Nearby

We recently spent more than two months in the Bundaberg region. We traveled to Bundaberg three or four times each week for gymnastics classes and homeschool meet-ups, and during those visits, we explored the best spots in the area for family-friendly fun.

Many of the following attractions are free and cover gorgeous outdoor and nature spots. We hope you enjoy visiting them as much as we did! Read on to discover our top picks for things to do with kids in Bundaberg and nearby.

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The Bundaberg Barrel

The Bundaberg Barrel is a fun place to take the kids to learn about the soft drinks this region is famous for.

Take a free self-guided tour to discover the drinks-making process and learn about all the different flavours. Try the sniff tests and see if you can guess the flavours correctly!

Our favourite part was designing stickers to print and take home. You can personalize your own ginger beer bottles or stick them on whatever you like ($8 for a set).

The museum part of the Bundaberg Barrel is small and won’t take long to see, but it’s worth a visit. You can also choose to participate in one of the regular taste testing sessions. They cost $20 for adults, which includes a 6-pack to take home, and $7 for kids (no 6-pack included).

Of course, there’s also a shop with the full range of flavours available for purchase. We recommend a visit if you’re wondering what to do in Bundaberg for kids.

Book your Bundaberg Barrel tasting session here!

Baldwin Swamp Environment Park

The Baldwin Swamp Environment Park is a fab place to take the kids in Bundaberg. It features lovely walking trails and lots of birdlife around the ponds.

It’s also home to the Lake Ellen Heritage Hub playground, which has a play train, gym equipment, scooter and bike parks, picnic tables, and BBQs.

Take a day trip to Lady Musgrave Island

Did you know you can visit the Southern Great Barrier Reef from Bundaberg? Visiting Lady Musgrave Island is an unforgettable experience that the whole family will love. Although we didn’t get to go this time, it’s on our list for sure!

The boat ride takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes one way. Tours will take you there and back in a day with plenty of time to enjoy snorkeling or diving around this pristine coral cay. This 10-hour all-ages tour to Lady Musgrave Island includes snorkeling and will probably be the highlight of your trip to Bundaberg!

Boreham Park

Boreham Park is an excellent playground in Bundaberg (Avenell Heights). It’s a huge, leafy green space with loads of play equipment for all ages.

Special features include the water play area, paved pathways for scooters, blades, etc, and a bike park for kids to practice their skills.

Bundaberg Botanic Gardens

If you’re wondering what to do in Bundaberg with kids, a visit to the botanical gardens is a must!

Spend a few hours wandering the paths, checking out the incredibly diverse birdlife, and relaxing at the cafe. There’s also a fantastic, fully enclosed playground.

If you visit on a Wednesday or Sunday, don’t miss a ride on the sugarcane railway. It’s just $7 for adults and $3 for kids, and you’ll get a lovely scenic loop of the gardens.

The Bundaberg Botanic Gardens is also home to three museums, so you won’t run out of things to do! Check out the one that interests you most, or get a discounted ticket for all three.

Your options are the Bundaberg & District Historical Museum, the Hinkler Hall of Aviation, and the Fairymead House Sugar Museum.

Bundy Bowl and Leisure Complex

The Bundy Bowl and Leisure Complex offers a range of entertainment options for kids, making it an excellent choice for indoor activities in Bundaberg.

It’s reasonably priced, although there are many temptations, so you might want to decide on your budget before going there.

You can choose from bowling, dodgems, laser tag, mini golf, the indoor play spaces, escape rooms, arcades, and more! They also have a cafe serving standard fast food and drinks.

Barolin Nature Reserve

Barolin Nature Reserve is a lovely spot to walk with your family (or take a solo stroll!) near Bundaberg. Access the track from the Turtle Trail between Nielson Park and Mon Repos.

An out-and-back trail (2km one way) takes you to Bargara Road. Or, do a 4km loop like I did. It’s well signposted, and an easy, flat walk.

The Melaleuca Circuit is a similar-length walk, accessible from the same starting point. So there are plenty of choices for places to wander and enjoy nature in this area!

These trails are much quieter than the paved Turtle Trail (the 7.7km path between Kelly’s Beach and Burnett Heads). I walked on a Saturday morning and didn’t see a single other person in the nature reserve!

Bundaberg Rum Distillery

You can’t come to Bundaberg without visiting its famous rum distillery! My family dropped me off so I could enjoy the 1-hour tour, including the samples at the end😆. Although I don’t drink rum, I decided to try some as part of the full experience.

The 1-hour guided tour is super interesting, whether you drink rum or not. It’s suitable for all ages, and you can also opt for a museum-only visit if you prefer.

Tours run every hour on the hour. Plan to arrive 30 minutes before the start time to enjoy the self-guided museum experience first.

The history of this world-famous local drink is fascinating, as is the process of making it from only three local ingredients. The tour guides are fantastic storytellers, so you’ll be engaged from start to finish.

Those who want something extra special can book the make-your-own-rum tour. During this premium tour, you’ll make your own batch of rum with a personalized name and recipe. You take two bottles home and can reorder them any time!

I highly recommend visiting the Bundaberg Rum Distillery for an in-depth look into the local industry and a fantastic, immersive experience.

Book your Bundaberg Rum Behind the Scenes Distillery Tour and Museum Experience here.

The Hummock Lookout

The Hummock Lookout is a lovely spot to watch the sunset near Bundaberg. The turn off is on the road between Bundaberg and Bargara, so it’s only about 10 minutes drive from town. It has picnic tables and benches so you can relax and enjoy the sweeping views.

Next to the lookout, the Heathwood Recreation Reserve is a nice place to hang out if you can arrive early. It features a playground and a short boardwalk through nature, which also leads to a lookout (although it’s not as impressive as the main lookout area).

Queens Park

If you’re wondering what to do with kids in Bundaberg, take them for some nature time at Queen’s Park. You won’t find a playground there, but instead plenty of trees to climb and green space for the kids to explore.

The park boasts a picturesque location on the Burnett River. It’s a lovely spot to take a picnic and spend a few hours or more.

Bargara Esplanade Turtle Park

The Bargara Esplanade Turtle Park is a fab place to hang out with your littles near Bundaberg.

The playground is best for younger kids, but the location is prime for the whole family to enjoy. It’s on the waterfront with paved pathways, a small beach area to play on, trees to climb, and gorgeous coastal views.

Don’t miss the ice cream shop as an added bonus!

Mon Repos Conservation Park

The Mon Repos Conservation Park is a must-visit for anyone interested in wildlife and nature. The park supports the largest concentration of nesting marine turtles on the Eastern Australian Mainland. And it’s home to the most significant loggerhead turtle population in the South Pacific region.

Head to the Mon Repos Turtle Centre to learn all about these wonderful creatures. There are a few small exhibits you can look at for free while you grab a bite to eat in the cafe.

We highly recommend the Turtle Tales Immersive Experience. We paid $24 for one adult and one child, and there were so many hands-on exhibits to enjoy.

The space is relatively small, but it packs a lot in. We easily spent 60-90 minutes soaking it all in, with lots to read and watch (and plenty of buttons to push and screens and objects for little ones to touch).

Walla Street Skate park

If your kids have wheels, Walla Street Skate Park is an ideal place to burn off some energy. It’s pretty close to the Baldwin Swamp Environment Park, so you could easily visit one after the other.

Bundaberg Railway Museum

If you’re looking for things to do in Bundaberg with kids, take them for a look at the Bundaberg Railway Museum.

It’s a small, yet interactive space where you can climb aboard old trains and even try your hand at train signaling (old-school style!)

The museum also has plenty of memorabilia from the railway industry, and the staff are helpful if you have questions.

Smiths Crossing

Smiths Crossing is a fab option if you’re after a quiet nature spot near Bundaberg. It’s just 20 minutes drive from town and feels a world away.

There’s no playground here; just a river, trees, a picnic bench, and toilets. The kids enjoyed swimming in the river, and it’s also an ideal place to take your paddleboards or kayaks.

Christsen Park

Christsen Park is another excellent playground in Bargara. It has the perfect waterfront location and is right next to The Basin, a tidal lagoon at the north end of Kelly’s Beach.

The Basin is a favourite swimming spot for kids and those who like super calm water. So head to Christsen Park if you want to combine park and beach play in a gorgeous place.

Schuhkraft Park Playground

The Schuhkraft Park Playground is another fab location for kids in Bargara. It has a neat nature-style obstacle course that our kids loved racing around with their friends!

The playground is in Nielson Park, where you can also enjoy a picnic on the grass, swimming and beach play, fitness equipment, and basketball courts. It’s also an ideal spot to access coastal paths, such as the Turtle Trail.

Innes Park

Innes Park is another gorgeous coastal area to take the kids near Bundaberg. They can enjoy the skate park, playground, and tree climbing. It’s such a lovely, quiet spot for active relaxation and time in nature.

Barolin Rocks

Barolin Rocks is one of my favourite coastal locations near Bundaberg. Just south of Innes Park, this fantastic dive and snorkeling site is also a great place for the whole family to explore.

Scramble over rocks, scoot or walk along the coastal pathway, and swim/bathe in the idyllic rock pools. Go at low tide to soak in the rock pools, and then enjoy snorkeling as the tide rises.

The grass area above the rocks is ideal for a picnic, complete with stunning vistas. We were lucky enough to see humpback whales splashing about, far out at sea—just magic!

South Head Park Playground

The South Head Park Playground at Burnett Heads is a wonderful place to take the kids near Bundaberg.

This park has a beautiful coastal location with a skate park, several play areas, and endless green space. We recommend taking a picnic and staying a while!

Did you know you can also take a whale-watching tour from Burnett Heads? This 4-hour family-friendly whale-watching tour is rated 4.8 stars from 36 reviews. It departs from Burnett Heads and includes lunch.

Moore Park Beach

Moore Park Beach is another fantastic spot for the whole family. It’s a little further from town than Bargara, but it’s worth visiting!

The playground is fantastic and boasts a perfect waterfront location, allowing you to swim or play on the beach. You’ll also find a skate park there, making it an ideal place to bring a picnic and spend some time.

Things to do in Bundaberg with Kids | In Conclusion

As you now know, there are many options for things to do in Bundaberg and nearby with kids. If you’re traveling around this region, you may also want to check out this post about the best things to do in Hervey Bay with kids. Have a fantastic trip!

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