7 of the best pubs and bars in Bundaberg to grab a drink

By Liz Whitehead
hero media
Bundaberg is practically synonymous with alcohol. Don’t pass through without stopping for a drink!

Bundaberg is the rum capital of Australia, home to the famous Bundaberg Rum distillery that produces a range of spirits and liquors that have been studded with awards and prizes. However, Rum isn’t the only thing the town produces. There’s top-notch Gin from Kalki Moon Distilling, great local wineries and delicious craft beer over at Ballistic Bargara.

In a town that is practically synonymous with alcohol, sampling a drink in Bundaberg is an absolute must. With some of the country’s finest alcohol in close proximity, there are lots of local products to stock in Bundaberg’s pubs and bars. Whether you prefer kicking back with a beer, nursing a spirit or sipping on a glass of wine, one of these bars will have the perfect drink for you. Check out our favourite Bundaberg pubs and bars to grab a drink.

1. The Spotted Dog Tavern @ Railway Hotel

It seems like just about every Aussie town has a ‘Railway Hotel’. But don’t be fooled— this local favourite is no generic pub. You can grab a drink at multiple bars across the venue, whether you prefer chilling at the sports bar or hanging out at the well-appointed cocktail bar.

There’s a refreshing range of beers and ciders on tap, as well as a well-stocked range of wines and spirits. We’ve written about the Spotted Dog in our round-up of the best restaurants in Bundaberg, so you know you’ll be in the company of great food should you feel peckish.

The cherry on top is that dogs are welcome here. So if you’re travelling with a four-legged family member, you can bring them along, too.

Cocktail lounge at Spotted Dog Tavern, Bundaberg

Pick from the array of wines and spirits on offer at The Spotted Dog Tavern.

2. Ballistic Bargara – The Brewhouse

Sample some craft beers down at The Brewhouse. This popular spot encapsulates Bundaberg’s quintessential laid-back energy, with friendly bar staff that will be more than happy to help you pick out the perfect drink (whether that’s ‘Thirsty Turtle’ ‘Rusty Roo’ or another one of their exciting releases).

If you can’t decide, you can always opt for a tasting paddle to sample the flavours. There are also great pizzas to nibble on, and if you’re in luck, there’s live music to set the vibe.

 

 

Local craft beers at Ballistic Bargara

Sink a cold pint of Ballistic Bargara’s local brews.

3. Bundaberg Distillery Bar

Smack-bang in the middle of sugarcane country, it’s little wonder why Bundaberg produces some of the best Rum in the country. If you’re a Rum aficionado, chances are you’ll be making a beeline for the Bundaberg Rum Distillery.

If you’re interested in the ins and outs of the distillery process, you can take a tour of the factory. Or, if you’d prefer to simply sample the goods, head to the bar area where you can try a range of Bundaberg rums. Knowledgeable bar staff will be happy to advise you and chat with you about all things rum.

Bundaberg Rum Distillery

Have a drink at the iconic Bundaberg distillery. (Image: Andrew S/Flickr)

 

4. Bert’s

Bert’s is a relatively new addition to Bundaberg’s restaurant scene, injecting plenty of style and elegance into the CBD. Walking into this beautiful Art-Deco-themed bar and restaurant will make you feel like you’ve taken a step back in time. The establishment is beautifully appointed, complete with vintage-style furnishings.

The drink menu oozes opulence, with an exquisite range of cocktails presented beautifully in antique-inspired glasses. The food offerings here are just as fantastic, making Bert’s a great option for grabbing a drink and a bite to eat at an upscale location.

Cocktails at Bert's in Bundaberg

Order up a cocktail at Bundaberg’s Art Deco-inspired bar and restaurant Bert’s.

5. The Library Bar

Initially, The Library Bar was set up as a trendy coffee shop for locals to enjoy a great brew and a book. But since, the establishment has expanded to include a whisky and cocktail bar with a theme set around books. (There’s even a book-swap library!). With a great drinks menu, a warm vibe and a well-stocked spirits shelf, The Library Bar is a place you definitely want to bookmark for a time when you’re in the mood for a drink.

Fun speakesy bar with hidden bookshelves in Bundaberg

Sip your favourite cocktail while you read at The Library Bar.

6. The Melbourne

While you’re in the Rum capital of Australia, you might as well go all out and sample a few different types of Rum. The Melbourne has incredibly well-stocked liquor shelves– and with over 200 different rums to choose from, you’ll be spoilt for choice. But if you have trouble making up your mind, don’t hesitate to ask the stellar staff for some suggestions. At the Melbourne, you’re bound to find great Bundaberg hospitality, a great selection of drunks and classic Aussie pub grub.

Menu at The Melbourne in Bundaberg

Treat yourself to a delicious meal with some bubbly at The Melbourne.

7. The Old Bundy Tavern

The Old Bundy Tavern is one of Australia’s most historic pubs that has been quenching the thirst of visitors for more than a century. Like most country pubs, the Old Bundy Tavern retains a strong character and an even stronger community. Retaining its original charm and some Federation-era architectural details, it is the perfect place to head for a taste of rural Australiana and an ice-cold brew.

Bundy Tavern

The Bundy Tavern was established over 100 years ago. (Image: Jan Smith/Flickr)

Headed to Bundaberg? We’ve also created a guide to accommodation in Bundaberg, rounded up the best things to do, and listed the best beaches to visit nearby.
Elizabeth Whitehead is a writer obsessed with all things culture; doesn't matter if it's pop culture or cultures of the world. She graduated with a degree in History from the University of Sydney (after dropping out from Maths). Her bylines span AFAR, Lonely Planet, ELLE, Harper's BAZAAR and Refinery 29. Her work for Australian Traveller was shortlisted for single article of the year at the Mumbrella Publishing Awards 2024. She is very lucky in thrifting, very unlucky in UNO.
See all articles
lady musgrave island
Bundaberg

7 top tours to try in Bundaberg

Famed for its stretches of crystal-clear coast, award-winning distilleries and abundant produce, Bundaberg serves as an excellent base to discover what subtropical Queensland has to offer, and there are a number of amazing tours to help you do so.

Read more
a lady snorkelling on the reef off Lady Musgrave Island looking at a turtle and colourful fish life
Bundaberg

10 incredible things to do in Bundaberg

Bundaberg is brimming with things to do, whether you want to kick back at a distillery or pass through the Southern gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.

Read more
Deck views Rock Spray Bundaberg
Bundaberg

A Bundaberg accommodation guide to suit every style of travel

Linger a little longer in Bundaberg, with one of these accommodation options to suit your travel style.

Read more
These 5 beautiful beaches in Bundaberg are calling your name
Bundaberg

These 5 beautiful beaches in Bundaberg are calling your name

Check out why the coast near Bundaberg has a reputation for some of the most beautiful beaches in Australia.

Read more

This new beachside resort comes with a front-row turtle show

    By
    hero media
    Continue
    One night encountering nesting turtles at Mon Repos Beach is all it takes to transform holidaymakers into awestruck witnesses of marine conservation in action. 

    A new ecotourism benchmark, NRMA Parks and Resorts’ Turtle Sands fits neatly behind the dunes – front row to the wonder of nesting and, weeks later, hatching loggerhead, flatback and green turtles.  

    turtle swimming

    Mon Repos supports the largest concentration of nesting marine turtles on the eastern Australian mainland. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland/Mad Dog Productions)

    This stretch of the Southern Great Barrier Reef has long been a holiday playground.

    Mon Repos Conversation Park

    Mon Repos Conservation Park (Image: Tourism Australia)

    And now this former caravan park has been transformed, leading the way in wildlife-friendly design with environmental sustainability and accessibility at its core. 

    All about the accommodation offering 

    baby turtle at Mon Repos

    A hatchling makes its way across the sand. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland/Acinta Shackleton)

    When we arrived, we let out a sigh of relief as we spotted a bank of EV chargers. Our new Omoda E5 loaner needs a top-up, and charging spots on the road from Brisbane have been scarce, unreliable or out of action. It’s the first of many sustainability features that set the resort apart. We’ve officially left the everyday and much less eco-friendly world behind. 

    Turtle Sands Beach House

    Inside Turtle Sands’ ultra-comfortable Beach House. (Image: Tim Bond)

    A 100kwh solar system allows Turtle Sands to be almost off-grid but with enough grunt to power energy-efficient, motion-sensor air conditioning and lighting. At check-in, we take the Turtle Protection Promise, pledging to minimise impact and to only walk on the beach between 6am and 6pm. 

    Accommodation includes powered caravan sites, accessible studio rooms, glamping tents, three-bedroom villas and the Beach House – a reimagined 1917 schoolhouse. We’re among the first to put the latter through its paces.  

    Designed for two with an ultra-comfortable king bed, the full kitchen makes self-catering a snap. Like the outdoor kitchen, we don’t get to give it a test run because Bundaberg’s restaurants are too good to miss. Cleverly, the mud room entrance doubles as a butler’s pantry with a pod coffee machine and wardrobe. 

    Beach House's tub

    End the day with a soak in the Beach House’s tub. (Image: Tim Bond)

    I get first dibs on the tempting tub in the oversized and luxurious bathroom. A ceiling fan makes an excellent backup or alternative to the air-con in the combined living and bedroom space that opens through floor-to-ceiling glass to a party-sized deck. It’s the ideal spot for an early morning cuppa to listen to the ocean continually reacquainting itself with the sand. 

    Why NRMA Turtle Sands is the ultimate family holiday 

    Turtle Sands turtle-shaped pool

    NRMA Parks and Resorts’ new Turtle Sands with its turtle-shaped pool.

    Late afternoon, Turtle Sands transforms. Around the pool, families toast to the good life with unfiltered happiness. Plastic glasses gently thud stubby holder-dressed beers. Everyone, it seems, has left their everyday world behind. “Marco!” echoes from one end of the turtle-shaped pool, met with thunderous “Polo!” responses.  

    The Garden Mill Cafe fish tacos

    The Garden Mill Cafe in nearby Bargara. (Image: Tim Bond)

    Sprawling teenagers scroll phones while still-dripping kids dart about smelling of sunscreen. Sizzling sausages mingle with the aroma of fresh pizza from the food truck. The sheer joy is infectious. This is more than a holiday – it’s a celebration of family and nature. 

    With only a million-star sky and sliver of silver moon to light the way, our Omoda E5 seems at home as we return later from dinner at the outstanding Water St Kitchen. Turtle Sands is dark except for motion-sensor lights. Still, except for the occasional blood-curdling scream of eastern curlews, it’s another moment to breathe in the briny air and just be. 

    Turtle encounters with a difference 

    hatchlings on Turtle Encounter tour

    Spot hatchlings on a Turtle Encounter Tour. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland/Jacinta Shackleton)

    Evening unfolds quietly at the world-renowned Mon Repos Turtle Centre near Bundaberg. Rangers carefully guide 60 of us along the moonless beach, after locating the night’s first nesting female loggerhead turtle.  

    Guided by an extraordinary internal compass, she has returned to the exact beach where she hatched three decades ago – a remarkable and puzzling navigational feat. Every sandy plod we take is calculated to ensure we don’t disrupt the turtle’s delicate egg-laying ritual. 

    Mon Repos beach

    Enjoy the beach year-round.

    We have dubbed her Roxanne (inspired more by The Police than Cyrano de Bergerac). She has instinctually and methodically powered her furiously flicking flippers to sculpt a sanctuary for her 114 ping-pong-ball-sized coloured eggs.  

    Our rangers closely monitor Roxanne, recording her measurements and marking the nest’s location. As the kids grow restless, Roxanne may or may not be flicking sand their way.