Maryborough to Bundaberg Six Night Drive

Maryborough to Bundaberg Six Night Drive Maryborough to Bundaberg The scenic drive from Maryborough to Bundaberg includes an array of exciting activi...
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Maryborough to Bundaberg Six Night Drive Maryborough to Bundaberg

The scenic drive from Maryborough to Bundaberg includes an array of exciting activities, with the drive also winding through Hervey Bay and Childers.

Maryborough to Bundaberg Maryborough to Bundaberg The scenic drive from Maryborough to Bundaberg includes an array of exciting activities, with the drive also winding through Hervey Bay and Childers. This six night drive tour include action packed adventure, historical elements, and close encounters with the gentle giants of the sea. Brennan and Geraghty’s Store Museum Brennan and Geraghty’s Store, at 64 Lennox Street, was acquired by the National Trust of Queensland in 1975. The store was opened in 1871 and was operated by generations of the same family for 101 years before later being restored and opened as a museum. Displays include a range of stock, packaging and advertising signs from the area and store’s long history. Heritage Guided Walk Tour (800m) Join a guided tour from City Hall to the historic Portside on Wharf Street and be shown the historical sites of Maryborough by volunteers in period costume. Guides are trained and full of local knowledge and stories from the city’s colourful past. Tours run Monday to Saturday at 9am, dependent on weather. 2

Mary Poppins Statue (350m) Located on the corner of Kent and Richmond streets a statue of Mary Poppins stands proudly as recognition of Maryborough’s link with the famous nanny. PL Travers was born Helen Lyndon Goff in Maryborough in 1899. Maryborough’s statue of Mary Poppins and the Proud Marys display is located in the Maryborough City Hall Visitor Information Centre. Portside Centre (270m) Relive the early years in Maryborough with a visit to the historic port area, located at 101 Wharf Street. The port may be long dormant, but its history and gloriously preserved buildings remain - along with a sense of time suspended. The Portside Centre provides a professional, colourful and entertaining representation of Maryborough’s history as a major port and one of Queensland’s oldest cities. Interactive displays include listening posts with first settler stories, time capsules and a multimedia Pepper’s ghost display revisiting the time when sly grog running was rife and opium was a legal import. Ghostly Tours and Tales of Maryborough (700m) At the Ghostly Tours and Tales Of Maryborough, be entertained and spooked as characters in period costume recount with great wit and charm true stories of love, betrayal, tragedy and unspeakable crimes mixed with some juicy period gossip.

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Tours are held on the Saturday evening of the last weekend of the month. Departure and return from Maryborough Post Office, Bazaar Street at 6pm. Passengers are required to assemble 15 minutes prior to departure time. Bookings are essential. The tour is fully escorted coach transport, a rare opportunity to see inside glorious heritage-listed buildings, a spooky guided lamplight tour of the old Maryborough cemetery, a chilling visit to Maryborough’s pioneer cemetery. Includes dinner and dessert. Maryborough Accommodation Comfort Inn Blue Shades Motel (2km) At Blue Shades there is a variety of rooms to suit your taste and budget. There are 35 rooms in total including standard, business and executive rooms. All rooms have 32inch LCD televisions and Austar offers three sports channels, three movie channels, max tv and more. Extreme pride is taken by the team at The Blue Shades to ensure you have the highest standard of comfort and cleanliness. The quality onsite restaurant operates Monday to Thursday nights and offers room service dinner also. Breakfast is available seven days. There is a friendly pub across the road from the motel that has meals Monday to Saturday nights. Blue Shades is located at 35-39 Ferry Street, Maryborough.

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Maryborough Riverboat Cruises (2km) In the morning, join Maryborough Riverboat Cruises on board ‘The Mary’ for a relaxing smooth water cruise along the Mary River and the Port of Maryborough. Enjoy a cup of tea whilst you cruise past stately heritage homes and historic buildings. Observe the sea eagles, pelicans, spoonbills and other wildlife along the river. During the cruise an informed commentary will entertain you with stories from the past. A barbecue lunch is available for which bookings are essential. Tours depart from the Maryborough Public Wharf. Original Maryborough Town Site (4km) Pioneer graves create a sense of history at the Original Maryborough site, known as the Wide Bay Village. First settled by Aldridge and the Palmer Brothers in 1848, it was largely abandoned by the mid 1850s in favour of the deeper port downstream, the city’s current location. Located on the banks of the Mary River, about four kilometres from the city centre, the 30 hectare site has interpretive signage, walkways and trails along the creek frontage, picnic and barbecue facilities and toilets. Pioneer Country Park (4km) Pioneer Country Park is an important historical site. A section of the eastern boundary was once part of Eaton Vale Station, the first European occupation in the district. It was also the location for the region’s first large scale sugar 5

cane plantation and the main park area was once part of an extensive Chinese Market Garden. Set on 14.5 hectares of reserve land on the banks of the Mary River, Pioneer Country Park has several walking trails, many with river frontage. A walk and cycle path that winds along the banks of the river was establish as part of Council’s Walk and Cycle Strategy. Maryborough Accommodation (950m) Spend another night at the Comfort Inn Blue Shades Motel. Hervey Bay Go Kart Track (30.9km) The track is located at 245 Scrubhill Road and is self drive from nine to 90 years. Tandem karts are available so Mum or Dad can take the younger ones for a ride. This is an activity the whole family can enjoy.

There is a viewing platform for observation and photo opportunities and drinks, chips and a barbecue is available so you can stay all day long if you wish. During the warmer months their 120 metre waterslide opens on weekends and Queensland school holidays from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. WetSide Water Education Park (5.9km) WetSide is located on the foreshore at the corner of Main Street and the Esplanade, Pialba. The water park was built by Wide Bay Water Corporation for residents and tourists to learn about water and its sustainable use. The park is free and has water spouts, slides, tip buckets and an under 5 section. For $5 visitors can try their

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hand at riding a wave on the Flip Side Boardrider, or just have a relaxing snack at the Whale Tale Cafe. Hervey Bay Botanic Gardens (7km) Spanning 26 hectares at Elizabeth Street, Urangan, the Botanic Gardens display a variety of plants from the Wide Bay and Great Sandy Strait regions. Features include the Orchid House with around 20,000 orchids, bush chapels, shelters and barbeques. Hervey Bay Accommodation Comfort Inn and Suites Arlia Sands (3km) Enjoy the cool ocean breeze as you settle into your comfortably appointed room at the Comfort Inn and Suites Arlia Sands, located at 13-15 Ann Street, Hervey Bay.

The stylish one and two bedroom apartments are just a short stroll from Shelly Beach and its golden shores. The hotel also has premium apartments catering for families and large groups. All rooms feature a well equipped kitchen, AUSTAR, CD/DVD player, and a large and private balcony. Relax by the heated swimming pool, stroll through the landscaped gardens, or fire up the BBQ. Mikat Whale Cruises (4.4km) Mikat Whale Cruises takes place on The Mikat, a 20 metre ocean going catamaran that will handle the generally calm waters of Hervey Bay with ease, comfort, stability and safety. The experienced crew has been operating whale watching cruises in

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Hervey Bay since 1987. Mikat offers two superb viewing decks - great for photographs and videos. Mikat is fully licensed and includes a free buffet lunch. Weather permitting they use an underwater camera and hydrophone to keep you up to date with all the action. Daily DVD of your cruise is also available for purchase. Cruises depart from the Sandy Strait Marina which is located along Buccaneer Drive in Urangan. Reefworld Aquarium (1.4km) Located on the beach at Dayman Park, Urangan, this small Aquarium is an all natural aquarium using sand filtered sea water and natural sunlight. Wander around the tanks of fish and corals, touch a green sea turtle and marine creatures in the touch tank, swim with sharks or feed the giant 80 kilo blue groper. The Waterfront Restaurant offers a diverse menu with stunning views over the water. Hervey Bay Accommodation (4km) Spend another night at the Comfort Inn and Suites Arlia Sands. Bakers Military Memorabilia Museum (73.9km) Located in Ashby Lane, this museum has been said to have ‘unquestionably one of the best displays of military memorabilia outside the Canberra war memorial’. The collection includes countless items associated with various emergency services including police, ambulance, and nurses. 8

The museum houses an impressive 30,000 items from more than 140 countries. Palace Backpackers Memorial (150m) The Palace Backpackers Memorial stands as a tribute to the victims of the devastating fire that gutted the building in 2000. Today, locals and visitors can pay their respects at the Palace Building which includes a glass memorial wall and a portrait of the victims. The Memorial is located at 72 Churchill Street. The Whaling Wall (51km) Upon arriving in Bundaberg be sure to go see the impressive six storey high Whaling Wall. The mural depicting marine life is in the town centre on Bourbong Street and has become a popular landmark and a great photographic opportunity. Bundaberg Botanic Gardens (2.6km) The Botanic Gardens on Mt Perry Road offer a wide variety of attractions surrounded by beautiful themed gardens and lakes. The sprawling gardens feature 10,000 trees and shrubs, and 114 species of birds spread across an impressive 27 hectares. Within the precinct is the Hinkler Hall of Aviation which celebrates pioneer solo aviator Bert Hinkler and the innovation and adventurous spirit of early aviators through various multimedia exhibits, flight simulator and five aircraft set in the Historical Hinkler House. Stop in at

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Cafe 1928 which serves coffee, snacks and delicious light meals. The open plan cafe is an ideal place to take some time out and enjoy the view over the gardens. Bundaberg Accommodation Econo Lodge Park Lane (2.9km) Econo Lodge Park Lane is conveniently located in the heart of Bundaberg’s CBD, ensuring easy access to restaurants, cafes, shops and attractions. Enjoy the scenic surroundings from its Bourbong Street location nestled on the banks of the Burnett River. Choose from 27 clean and tidy rooms including well-appointed standard, deluxe, or executive rooms, and two bedroom family units. Rooms feature air conditioning, king or queen beds,

internet, AUSTAR, and tea and coffee making facilities. Relax by the side of the saltwater pool and spa, or get some fresh air at the nearby park that has a children’s playground. You don’t have to venture far for awardwinning food. The Econo Lodge onsite restaurant uses fresh local produce to create mouth watering modern Australian dishes. Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery (900m) The gallery, at 1 Barolin Street, in a large multi-purpose visual arts facility showcasing a range of exhibitions from local, national and international artists along with a gift shop and workshop areas.

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Mon Repos Conservation Park (14.8km) Mon Repos is famous as the largest and most accessible turtle rookery in mainland Australia. The best time to view nesting turtles is from November to January and turtle hatchlings can be seen from January to March. Turtle encounters during this season are very popular and it is best to book ahead. Mon Repos is a lovely spot to visit at any time of the year and there is plenty to do while you enjoy this picturesque spot. The Mon repos Information centre has displays telling the story of the turtle’s amazing survival and the conservation efforts of the community. You may also like to follow the 4.5 kilometre Mon Repos walking track past sand dunes, the turtle rookery and abundant bird life.

Port Bundaberg – 8.7km Before heading back towards Bundaberg to cross the river take a drive past Port Bundaberg where the Burnett River flows out to sea. The Port with its wharves and imposing sugar terminal is also home to the Bundaberg Sailing Club along with boat ramps and car and trailer parking. Bundaberg Accommodation (17.2km) Spend another night at the Econo Lodge Park Lane. Bundaberg Rum Distillery (3.9km) In 1888, the first barrel of Bundaberg Rum literally rolled out of the production line. 110 years later, Bundaberg Rum, through its trials and tribulations, has gained recognition as one of Australia’s famous Aussie spirits. Visiting the Bundaberg Rum

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Distillery in Avenue Street is an experience that is enjoyed most by adults. On the tour you will see, smell and taste your way through the rum production progress. You’ll enjoy a video presentation, extensive tour, historical displays and opportunity to purchase merchandise and some unique souvenirs. Adult guests aged 18 years and over (LPA+) are also invited to two samples in the Bundy Tasting Bar at the conclusion of the tour. The Bundaberg Barrel (1.7km) From the unique spilled ginger beer flooring to bubbles in the entrance door of the tour, the barrel showcases Bundaberg Brewed Drink’s most famous product Bundaberg Ginger Beer. The interactive tour tells visitors of its origins, ingredients, bottling and packaging through a unique range of activities and touch screens. Doug and Vince’s ‘Promised Land’ holographic three dimensional adventure is not to be missed as is the free sampling of products. Bundaberg Brewed Drinks makes a range of beverages and visitors to the Barrel are often surprised at the number of deliciously different flavours. Images courtesy of Tourism Queensland unless otherwise stated.

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