A Bundaberg accommodation guide to suit every style of travel

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

Dubbed ‘sugar country’ for the swathes of sugarcane that flank the roads, there are plenty of things about Bundaberg that are totally sweet. The sun-drenched town is known as the gateway to the southern end of The Great Barrier Reef, with kilometres of pristine beaches that snake the coast. Bundaberg is also famed for its abundance of rum and delicious local brewed drinks. Bundy offers plenty of reasons to stick around, so we’ve rounded up some of the best accommodation options in Bundaberg to suit your style of travel.

Bundaberg hotels

Turtle sands

The newly launched Turtle Sands Resort offers visitors the chance to get up close with turtles. Located just a 15 minute drive from Bundaberg, Mon Repos has the highest concentration of turtles on the East Coast of Australia. Visitors often flock here to take a tour and witness baby turtles hatching on the beach. Turtle Sands offers the chance for visitors to stay in the heart of the action, with one of nature’s most beautiful miracles taking place just a few steps from your lodgings.

Bird's Eye View of NRMA Turtle Sands
Watch turtles hatch just a few metres from your doorstep.

The resort offers contemporary cabins and a caravan/campsite nestled in a peaceful spot between the dunes. Lodgings are contemporary and stylish, but the real wow-factor takes place only a few metres from your door.

a tiny baby turtle walking at Mon Repos Turtle Centre
Mon Repos Turtle Centre facilitates annual turtle nesting & hatching tours. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Burnett Riverside Hotel

Bed down at the Burnett Riverside Hotel, where you’ll get classic hotel comfort coupled with gorgeous riverside views. Whether you’re travelling for business or leisure, there’s a range of rooms from the comfortable Queen room to the generously sized and luxurious suite.

You’ll be located near the buzz of downtown Bundaberg, with plenty of cafes and restaurants in close proximity. You won’t have to venture far to enjoy a great meal— the hotel’s onsite H20 restaurant and bar is serving up expertly-crafted dishes made from Bundy’s locally grown and caught produce, as well as locally brewed drinks.

Country style bedroom at Burnett Riverside Hotel
This laid-back bedroom has curtains opening up to scenic nature views. (Image: Burnett Riverside Hotel)

Manta Bargara Hotel

The Manta Hotel offers modern, stylish beachfront apartments nestled among lush tropical landscaping. Combining luxury with warmth and cosiness, Manta Hotel retains a slice of home while offering the best of a beachside escape.

There’s a spacious wooden balcony that’s perfect for soaking up the sunshine or enjoying a family meal, and there are plenty of amenities that will ensure you’re well-rested.

Luxurious pool at Manta Bargara Hotel
Plunge into the lush tropical pool at the Manta Bargara Hotel. (Image: Manta Bargara Hotel)

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

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Bundaberg caravan parks and camping

Caravan parks are where the fun is at. Often overlooked, caravan parks are not just for grey-haired nomads parking up in gargantuan RVs. There’s plenty of comfortable accommodation on offer, set in spacious surroundings loaded with amenities. Whether you’re travelling as a family, with friends, or solo— caravan parks can be a great option. Check out some of our favourites below.

Splitters Farm

Relax at Splitters Farm, an animal sanctuary and campground based in blissful bushland surroundings a stone’s throw from Bundaberg. Here, you can park up or pitch up on powered/unpowered sites surrounded by total serenity. If you’re not travelling with a campervan or tent, Splitters has a decked-out vintage ‘glamper’ van and eight decadent two-bedroom safari tent so you can still enjoy the glamping experience.

The cherry on top is the opportunity to interact with over 400 adorable rescue farm animals as part of a self-guided tour of the farm where you’ll get to feed the animals. There’s also a coffee cart on-site so you can get your caffeine fix, as well as wood-fired pizzas most weekends and lessons in damper-making for the kids.

Glamping Van in Splitters Farm, Bundaberg
Sleep in a glamper van and wake up to the sound of nature. (Image: Splitters Farm)

Big 4 Cane Village

At Big 4 Cane Village, you’ll be located in downtown Bundaberg among beautiful gardens. If you’re not camping, there’s a range of comfortable self-contained villas and cabins on offer and plenty of amenities so you can make yourself at home.

There’s a large outdoor cooking area so you can enjoy a BBQ with friends, and swap travel tips with fellow campers. If you need some downtime, there’s a saltwater pool where you can relax and soak up some beautiful Bundaberg sun.

Bundy Bear Cabin at Big4 Cane Village Holiday Park
This modern cabin is a perfect spot to spend a weekend away. (Image: Big4 Cane Village Holiday Park)

Big 4 Breeze Holiday Park

If it sounds appealing to base yourself on the beach, park up in Bargara, a coastal town just 15 minutes drive from Bundaberg. The Big 4 Breeze Holiday Park has plenty of comfortable cabins on offer, so you can unwind just footsteps away from the beach.

There’s a children’s playground, an expansive camp kitchen as well as go-karts and a tennis court on-site, so kids will have plenty to do. For holiday-makers travelling with a dog, rest assured that your pooch will be welcome here.

One-bedroom cabin at BIG4 Breeze Holiday Parks
The chic and minimalist interior of a one-bedroom cabin at BIG4 Breeze. (Image: BIG4 Breeze Holiday Park)

Bundaberg motels

There’s nothing like a regional motel to channel a bit of Australiana into your stay. Motels are a great option if you’re looking for good-value, down-to-earth accommodation that’s clean, comfortable and centrally located. Here, we’ve rounded up our top choices for motel accommodation in Bundaberg for a simple escape.

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Pacific Sun Bargara Motel

Nothing shouts ‘Aussie holiday’ quite like a beach-side motel. At the Pacific Sun Bargara, you’ll be just footsteps from the beach, restaurants and shops and a short 15-minute drive from Bundaberg CBD. The Pacific Sun offers comfortable, well-appointed rooms decorated with blue and white accents to evoke the gorgeous ocean surroundings.

You’ll have access to a fully-equipped kitchen so you can settle in and make yourself at home. There’s plenty to explore close by, but if you feel like a night in, there’s room service and plenty of puzzles/board games on offer.

Well-appointed dining and living room inside Pacific Sun Bargara
Experience contemporary comfort inside this charming home. (Image: Pacific Sun Bargara)

Villa Mirasol Motel

At Villa Mirasol, you’ll find spacious rooms with Mexican-inspired decor. There’s a salt-water swimming pool where guests can soak up some of the abundant Bundaberg sun, as well as plenty of amenities like free wi-fi, tea and coffee. If you’re looking for a motel with a personable vibe, then Villa Mirasol is the place to be.

The atmosphere is laid-back but welcoming, and the attentive staff are more than happy to help you with anything from local recommendations to organising your tours and activities at their booking desk.

You’ll be centrally located, right next to the river, with plenty of cafes to explore in close proximity. Villa Mirasol also has an access-friendly room, with a level shower and wheelchair access.

Mexican-inspired inn at Villa Mirasol, Bundaberg
Spend a rejuvenating weekend at Villa Mirasol Motel. (Image: Villa Mirasol Motor Inn)

Kalua Motel

If you’re after a great-value stay, then Kalua Motel is an unpretentious option located a brief 10-minute walk from Bundaberg town centre. Here, spacious ensuite rooms and comfortable beds await you. The rooms are simple, but partial self-catering is possible with a fridge and microwave in each room if you’re looking to save on dining out.

Heading to Bundaberg? We’ve also rounded up some of the best tours and things to do while you’re there.

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Elizabeth Whitehead
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.
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NRMA Turtle Sands in Mon Repos
Bundaberg

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

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

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Exploding supernovas & gold fever: discover the past at this outback Qld town

    Kassia Byrnes Kassia Byrnes
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    Under wide-open outback skies, discover a fossicking gem that’s managed to slip under the radar.

    While the name Clermont may feel new to even the most intrepid traveller, its gilded history stretches back centuries. You’ll find it just off the highway, humming quietly under the hazy veil of Queensland’s outback sun. It’s here, hemmed in by mountains and perched atop soil heavy with the earth’s treasures, that one of Australia’s most accessible outback adventures awaits.

    Thanks to deposits of gold, copper and gemstones – souvenirs left by exploding supernovas and the heave of tectonic plates – Clermont became a centre point of Queensland’s Gold Rush. And now? Australia’s fossicking capital is yours to discover.

    Getting there

    car driving along Capricorn Way in queensland
    Take a drive through Queensland’s Mackay Isaac region. (Image: Sean Scott/ TEQ)

    You’ll find Clermont in Queensland’s Mackay Isaac region. To get here, it’s an easy three-hour drive over sealed roads from Mackay. Or, if you’re heading from the Sapphire Fields of Emerald, the drive will carve out just over an hour from your day.

    Whether you’re road-tripping through outback Queensland or just tracing your way through all that Australia has to offer, Clermont is remote but easily accessible.

    Best accommodation in Clermont

    Theresa CreekDam in clermont
    Camp by Theresa Creek Dam. (Image: Riptide Creative/ TEQ)

    All accommodation comes with a generous helping of country hospitality here. The choice is yours between modern hotels, parking up the camper or pitching a tent.

    Theresa Creek Dam lies just outside town. Begin each day with crisp country air and bright outback sunrises. Spend the night under the sparkling country stars and your days out on the dam fishing or kayaking. Even if you aren’t camping, be sure to save space in your itinerary for an afternoon on the red dirt shore.

    To stay closer to town, opt for a central hotel to base yourself between exploring and fossicking, like Smart Stayzzz Inn and Clermont Country Motor Inn.

    Things to do in Clermont

    three people on a tour with Golden Prospecting
    Join a tour with Golden Prospecting.

    One does not visit Clermont without trying their hand at fossicking. There are strict rules when it comes to fossicking, so stick to areas dedicated for general permission and make sure you obtain your license beforehand. Try your luck at McMasters, Four Mile, Town Desert, McDonald Flat and Flat Diggings. To increase your odds, sign on for a tour with the expert team at Golden Prospecting. They’ll give you access to exclusive plots and expert advice along the way.

    Once you’ve tried your luck on the gold fields, head to the Clermont Township and Historical Museum. Each exhibit works like an archaeologist’s brush to dust away the layers of Clermont’s history. Like the steam engine that painstakingly relocated the entire town inch by inch to higher ground after it was decimated by flooding in 1916. See the tools that helped build the Blair Athol mine, historic fire engines, shearing sheds and all sorts of relics that make up Clermont’s story.

    The historic Copperfield Chimney offers a change of pace. Legend has it that fossickers found a solid wall of copper here, over three metres high, kick-starting Queensland’s first-ever copper mine.

    Bush Heli Services flying over clermont queensland
    See Clermont from above with Bush Heli Services. (Image: Riptide Creative/ TEQ)

    For hiking, nearby Dysart is the best place to access Peak Range National Park. Here, mountainous horizons stretch across the outback as if plucked from another world. Set off for a scenic drive along the Peak Downs Highway for access to countless geological wonders. Like the slanting rockface of Wolfang Peak. Summit it, and you’ll find yourself looking out across a scene surely conjured up by Banjo Paterson. Dry scrub dancing in the warm breeze, grazing cattle, eucalypts and the gentle creak of windmills. Don’t miss visiting Gemini Peaks, either, for one of the park’s best vistas, and a blanket of wild flowers after rain.

    Then, take to the skies with a scenic helicopter tour with Bush Heli-Services. Shift your perspective and cruise above all the sights from your trip. Spots like Lords Table Mountain and Campbell’s Peak are best viewed from the skies.

    Before you head home, be sure to explore the neighbouring townships. Spend a lazy afternoon in the shade of Nebo Hotel’s wrap-around verandahs. The hotel’s 1900s dance hall has since been replaced with one of the area’s biggest rodeo arenas, so consider timing your trip to line up with a boot scootin’ rodeo. Or, stop by a ghost town. Mount Britton was once a thriving town during the 1880s Gold Rush. It’s been totally abandoned and now lies untouched, a perfect relic of the Gold Rush.

    Best restaurants and cafes in Clermont

    meal at Commercial Hotel
    Stop into the Commercial Hotel Clermont.

    Days spent fossicking, bushwalking and cramming on history call for excellent coffee and hearty country meals. Luckily, Clermont delivers in spades.

    Lotta Lattes Cafe is beloved by locals for a reason. Start your days here for the best caffeine fix in town and an impeccable brunch menu.

    For a real country meal, an icy cold beer and that famed country hospitality, head straight to the town’s iconic hotel: the Commercial Hotel (known endearingly to locals as ‘The Commie’). It’s been a staple in Clermont since 1877. The hotel even survived the flood of 1916 when it was sawn in two and moved to higher ground.

    Naturally, time spent in the outback must include calling into the local bakery. For delicious pies and a tantalising array of sweet treats, make Bluemac Bakehouse your go-to while in town.

    Discover more of The Mackay Isaac region, and start planning your trip at mackayisaac.com.