We've headed 3. 5hours north for a few days to enjoy the lovely sub-tropical coastal escapes of the North Burnett Region. It is here the Burnett River wends its way through lush cane fields and prolific vegetable crops, which thrive on the rich volcanic soil, to meet the sea at the southern most point of the Great Barrier Reef. The coral cays of Lady Elliot Island and Lady Musgrave Island are easily accessible from Bundaberg.
Today we woke to an amazing sunrise which heralded a fabulous winter's day. From Bargara we headed off through the mauve headed cane fields - all in flower, to do some exploring in Bundaberg.
Today's agenda were the hugely popular Shalom Sunday markets (in the grounds of Shalom College) - local fruit and veges, arts and craft, plants and flowers, and second hands good; the Hinkler Hall of Aviation; the Botanical Gardens and a stroll around the CBD with its charming historical buildings and tasteful streetscaping - what a wide main street!
Bundaberg or Bundy as it is called locally, was named in 1867, the name coming from the linking of "Bunda" the name of an aboriginal elder and "berg" being a variation of an old saxon word for town (burg). It's a modern city which has kept its historical charm and services a district of 112,000.
The Burnett River flows through Bundaberg dividing it in two. A rail and road bridge span the river and its wide river bed. The river bed and banks are still scarred by the terrible flooding of two years ago. Interestingly, upstream the platypus calls the Burnett home, as does the unique lungfish (ceratodus).
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| Where we are - the North Burnett region in blue |
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| A stunning sunrise and breakfast - what better way to start the day! |
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| An interesting stall at the Shalom Markets - very educational regarding information about they types of bamboo |
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The Museum is in the grounds of the lovely Botanical Gardens.
It celebrates the life and achievements of the solo aviator Bert Hinkler.
The wing shaped building houses five display aircraft, the "Globe Theatre", flight simulators.
memorabilia and artefacts. |
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| One of Bert Hinkler's home made gliders that he flew at Mon Repos Beach |
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Historic Hinkler House -" Mon Repos"
An interesting project to honour Bert Hinkler................... |
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The sprawling 27 hectares of Botanic Gardens is home to over 10,000 trees and shrubs
and 114 species of very happy birds who grace the lakes at the centre of the gardens.
What an enjoyable walk................great bird watching in a lovely environment! |
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| The Bottle Tree |
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| The Chinese Garden |
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| The Japanese Garden |
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Fairymead House built in 1890 was originally part of the Fairymead Mill and Sugar Plantation
and home to the Young family of Bundaberg.
It showcases the history of the sugar industry in Bundaberg, the importance of the Young family, and tells
the story of the Kanaka Islanders who worked tirelessly in the sugar fields. |
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| Wanted a feed :) |
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| Provides a comprehensive cultural and social history collection of Bundaberg and District |
The charming Bundaberg CBD............. the old and the new sit well together................
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| The School of Arts Building |
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| The Post Office and War Memorial |
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| The Grand Hotel in the city centre overlooks a contempoary sculpture which graces the roundabout |
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| The beautiful historical facades retain the character of an earlier era in a modern setting |
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| Interesting |
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| Lovely churches |
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| St Joseph's Catholic Church |
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| The wide main street and the welcoming streetscaping |
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| Volcanic action millions of years ago produced the foundation for the beautiful area that we enjoy today |
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| Amazing 360 degree views of the surrounding cane fields, vegetable crops, the coastal towns and the sea. |
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| Bargara |
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| The sea of mauve of the flowering sugar cane provided a stunning foreground to the blue, blue ocean |
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| Vegetables thrive in the rich volcanic soil |
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| The flowering sugar cane |
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| Bargara flanked by the beautiful blue sea and lush fields |
Tomorrow we are going to tackle one of the Coral Coast Pathways for some hiking! Kelly's Beach, Bargara to Burnett Heads and the Port of Bundaberg. A 12-15klm round trip - think we'll enjoy a picnic on the way!
