An Insider's Guide To Bluey's Hometown

Immerse your family in the cultural phenomenon using our list of hot spots that inspire the show.

Hearing plenty of noise about some animated kids’ show? It’s time to wise up. The children’s TV series Bluey is the focus of Tourism and Events Queensland’s largest tourism campaign in a decade, inviting families to discover the home state of the show’s central character and her family.

And while the precise whereabouts of the Heeler family’s Brisbane home is yet to be revealed, there are plenty of spectacular Queensland locations that have very obviously inspired the episodes. Read on to create your own magical Sunshine State moments.

Brisbane and surrounds

South Bank, Brisbane

No trip to the Queensland capital is complete without wandering through South Bank, where the man-made Streets Beach provides inner-city reprieve from the heat and Queensland Museum shines a fascinating light on the city’s rich history.

Bluey and Bingo in Brisbane — Play the Bluey way in Brisbane.

Grab a sweet treat, just like siblings, Bluey and Bingo, did with their dad, Bandit, in the Bluey episode Ice Cream, as you savour sights including the Grand Arbour’s vibrant Bougainvillea flower display, the Wheel of Brisbane and the Aquativity water park.

a woman walking in front of The Wheel of Brisbane, South Bank Parklands — Ride Brisbane’s very own London Eye. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Brisbane suburbs

So many of the city’s vibrant suburbs, stretching out from the Brisbane River at every angle, have inspired Bluey across three highly acclaimed seasons.

Bluey and Bingo along the Grand Arbour’s vibrant Bougainvillea flower display — Visit Southbank’s Grand Arbourt to see the vibrant Bougainvillea flower display.

The Gap’s beautifully shaded Wittonga Park looks very similar to the grassy field in both Cricket and Shadowlands, Paddington’s The Java Lounge looks a lot like the café hangout in Favourite Thing, Toowong Cemetery is reminiscent of Show And Tell’s Statue World, Ashgrove Library looks like the spot in Promises and JC Slaughter Falls in Mount Coot-tha is widely believed to be the lush natural bushland setting in The Creek.

Bluey and Bingo along Howard Smith Wharves, Brisbane — Brisbane’s Story Bridge regularly appears in Bluey.

Furthermore, New Farm Park , the city’s largest park located right on the river and next to Brisbane Powerhouse , resembles the serene picnic spot in Spy Game while Mount Coot-tha Summit Lookout almost definitely inspired The Sign’s beautiful lookout.

purple blooms at the New Farm Park, Brisbane — The New Farm Park is famed for its stunning lawns and rose garden. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

The Sunshine Coast

Sunshine Coast beaches

The Heelers love exploring the state’s abundance of sand and surf (it is Queensland, after all) and the Sunshine Coast, in particular, gets a significant amount of airtime. Grab the clan’s cozzies and make a full day of doing very little at Currimundi Beach, just like the Heeler family do in Stickbird and Relax. The beach is a standout for the stunning natural lake it’s connected to.

the Currimundi Beach in Sunshine Coast — Make a day of it at the dog-friendly Currimundi Beach. (Image: Maythee Voran)

There’s also Noosa’s Noosaville, which seems to make an appearance in Piggyback, particularly the stores along Gympie Terrace. Make like the Heelers and stroll the waterfront stretch to marvel at its remarkably soothing waters or get stuck into a bit of relaxed fishing, just like the friendly locals.

a couple sitting by the bench at Noosaville Gympie Terrace — Sit and relax by the Noosa River. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Sunshine Coast hinterland

If it’s the tranquillity of Bluey’s school, perched on a mountain and surrounded by lush greenery, you’re seeking, head to one of the two rumoured locations that inspire the show.

people heading towards the Glass House Mountains Lookout — The Glass House Mountains National Park is noted for its distinctive craggy peaks. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Punch Glass House Mountains State School into Google Maps to tick off another Bluey hot spot within the Sunshine Coast hinterland, before dedicating the rest of the day to the Glasshouse Mountains’ magnificent hiking trails.

a hiker standing on top of Glasshouse Mountains — Reach the summit of Mt Ngungun for panoramic views of the region. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Panoramic views of the entire region, extending to Bribie and Moreton Islands, the Maroochy River and beyond, are guaranteed to dazzle.

Cairns and Fitzroy Island

Cairns

During the 80s flashback episode Fairytale, Bandit and his family are seen holidaying in an idyllic coastal location which looks an awful lot like Cairns.

The city’s squishy brown mudflats, located right off Cairns Esplanade and juxtaposed against fluffy green grass popping out from beneath the boardwalk, are an absolute must-see.

an aerial view of the mudflats in Cairns Esplanade — Walk across to the mudflats right off Cairns Esplanade. (Image: JinaIhm)

Our tip? Soak up the city’s relaxed subtropical lifestyle before venturing out to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef.

Fitzroy Island

Hands down one of Queensland’s most underrated island destinations, Fitzroy Island is also believed to have inspired scenes from Fairytale.

Featuring a designated camping ground and standalone bungalows set within the entirely unspoilt Fitzroy Island National Park, the Fitzroy Island Resort (which also houses hotel rooms) provides a glorious island experience much like the one had by Bandit.

an aerial view of the Fitzroy Island Resort — Check into the idyllic Fitzroy Island Resort. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

The Gold Coast

It’s widely reported to be the chilled-out coastal home of Bluey’s grandparents, who look as though they’re living in a beachfront apartment in Burleigh Heads, so dedicate serious time to unwind on the Gold Coast.

the Tallebudgera Creek in Burleigh Head National Park — Tallebudgera Creek is an idyllic spot for kayaking on the Gold Coast. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Whether you’re ticking off the city’s world-famous theme parks, soaking up some of its postcard-perfect beaches or indulging in its epic café and restaurant culture, living the good life on the Gold Coast with your favourite people is practically unavoidable.

a group of people enjoying a ride at Dreamworld, Gold Coast — Brave the epic thrill rides at Dreamworld. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase.

The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar. Stretching 120 kilometres, unique lakes, mangrove systems, rainforest, 75 Miles of beach, historic shipwrecks, small townships and even one of Queensland’s best bakeries are all hidden within its bounds.

But first, one of the island’s most iconic sights: the pure silica sand and crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie.

Laying eyes on it for the first time, I’m finally able to confirm that the photos don’t lie. The sand is pure white, without the merest hint of yellow. The water fades from a light halo of aqua around the edges to a deeper, royal blue, the deeper it gets (not that it’s particularly deep, six metres at most). The surface remains surprisingly undisturbed, like a mirror.

Arriving with our guide before 10 am means that no one else is around when we get here. Which means we have the pleasure of breaking the smooth surface with our own ripples as we enter. As a self-confessed wimp with chilly water temperatures, my fears are quickly assuaged. Even in the morning, the water stays around 23 degrees – perfect for lazing about all day. But we have more sights to see.

Exploring K’gari

ariel of in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island — Relax in the warm waters of Lake McKenzie. (Image: Ayeisha Sheldon)

This was the Personalised 4WD tour offered by Kingfisher Bay Resort, and my absolute top pick of experiences. Over the course of the day, we had the freedom to create our own bespoke itinerary (plus a provided picnic lunch along the way), with an expert guide who had plenty of stories and local expertise to give context to what we were looking at. From the history of the SS Maheno shipwreck, which survived the First World War only to be washed ashore by a cyclone in 1935, to a detailed description of how an island made of sand could sustain such diverse flora.

If it’s your first time to K’gari, the Beauty Spots Tour is another great option. Departing daily from Kingfisher Bay Resort (you’ll start to notice a trend, as many of the tours do start and end here), an air-conditioned, 4WD bus takes guests to the island’s most iconic locations, including the best places to swim, like Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek. The latter offers a gentle current, perfect for riding with a blow-up tyre out towards the ocean.

The next day, for a look at a completely different side of K’gari, I joined one of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s Immersive Ranger-guided tours to kayak through the mangroves of Dundonga Creek. This long, snake-like stretch of creek winds its way inland from the ocean outlet we entered by, at times too narrow for three kayaks to be side-by-side. Small insects buzz from leaf to leaf, while birds call overhead. Occasional bubbles indicate we’ve passed some fish that call this place home.

kayak tour through the mangroves at k'gari island — Learn about the island’s mangroves from your Ranger. (Image: Reuben Nutt/ TEQ)

If kayaking isn’t for you – or if, like me, you simply want more – other ranger-led experiences include nature walks and a dedicated Junior Eco Ranger Program for kids ages five to 12 (these run every weekend, and daily over the peak December holidays). Just ask for a timetable of upcoming tours when you check in.

While during whale season, Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters operates tours from the hotel’s jetty to get up close to the famous Humpback Highway of Hervey Bay, from 7 November to 31 May, attention turns to the Aqua Oasis Cruise . Departing from the resort every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for resort guests, adventure along the island’s remote western coast, pointing out wildlife like dolphins, turtles, flying fish and eagles along the way.

The cruise drops anchor so guests can jump into the water using the boat’s equipment – from SUP boards to inflatable slides and jumping platforms. Then refuel with a provided lunch, of course.

Unwind at sunset

two people drinking cocktails at sunset bar, kingfisher bay resort — Unwind at the Sunset Bar. (Image: Sean Scott)

As much as days on K’gari can be filled with adventure, to me, the afternoons and evenings there are for unwinding. Sunsets on K’gari are absolutely unbelievable, with Kingfisher Bay on the west side being the best spot to catch the colours.

The Sunset Bar , located at the start of the resort’s jetty and overlooking the beach, is the ultimate location for sundowners. Let chill beats wash over you as you sip on cool wines, beers and cocktails in a relaxed, friendly vibe. Personally, a cheese board was also absolutely called for. As the sun sinks, the sand, sea and horizon turn a vibrant shade of orange, with the jetty casting a dramatic shadow across the water.

When the show is over, head back to the hotel for dinner at the Asian-fusion Dune restaurant, or the pub-style Sand + Wood. But if your appetite is still whetted for more lights and colours, the evening isn’t over yet.

Settle into the Illumina stage for Return to Sky, an immersive light and sound show leading viewers on a captivating journey through K’gari’s stories and landscapes.

Indulge and disconnect

woman setting up massage room at kingfisher bay resort Island Day Spa — Find bliss at Island Day Spa. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Of course, there is a type of traveller who knows that balance is important, day or night. While Kingfisher Bay Resort offers more than one pool for guests to spend all day lounging by (they’ll even serve you food and drinks while you do it), you’ll find me at the Island Day Spa.

The masseuses could match the magic hands of any big city spa, and I felt the warm welcome as I walked into the light, breezy reception. Choose from a range of botanical facials, beauty treatments and soothing massages using traditional techniques (obviously, I couldn’t go past a relaxing massage). All products used contain organic, native botanical ingredients with nutrient-rich plant extracts to soothe skin and mind. To really indulge, try out one of the packages, couples treatment or even a pre-wedding day offering.

Getting there

kingfisher bay resort 4wd tour driving passed ss maheno on k'gari island — The world of K’gari awaits. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Getting to K’gari is shockingly easy. Find daily flights into Hervey Bay from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a shuttle bus between the airport, their headquarters in Hervey Bay and the ferry to take you to K’gari.

Here’s where to take the kids in Bluey’s hometown