Witness turtles laying their eggs, and make your own Australian rum in Bundaberg
- Maya del Aire
- Jan 5, 2019
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 20, 2019
This is day one of your long weekend in Sunshine Coast itinerary. This itinerary includes very popular and hidden gems of Sunshine Coast. I have done this trip from Brisbane, however if you happen to be around this area you can modify it according to your planned route. Through this itinerary, day 1, I invite you to experience what nature of Queensland can offer, which includes watching 1.5 m long turtle nesting her eggs, making friends with koalas, tasting unique Australian Bundaberg Rum made only in Bundaberg and much more. The itinerary includes all relevant information that you need to have a smooth vacation, so just get ready and follow my lead.
Click below to check out the rest of your ultimate Sunshine Coast itinerary
Day 1 Witness turtles laying their eggs and make your own Australian rum
Points of Interest:
Maroochydore
Maloolooba beach
Bundaberg Rum Distillery
Mon Repos Conservation Park
Coffee at Maroochydore
09:30-10:00
Stop for a coffee at the beach in Maroochydore at Pocket Espresso coffee bar, for a quick break and enjoy view of the ocean. The bar offers great food options for breakfast and lunch; however, I would suggest you save yourself for your next stop.
Opening hours: Monday – Wednesday 06:00- 14:30, Thursday to Sunday 06:00- late
Address: 6 Seaview Terrace, Moffat Beach QLD 4551, Australia
https://thepocketespressobar.com.au/
#maroochydore #maroochydorecoffee #maroochydoreoceanview #maroochydoredinning #sunshinecoastbestcoffee #coffeewithaviewsunshinecoast
Mooloolaba beach
10:30-11:00
Stop for a quick walk by beautiful beach if you like. Rated recently as Top Ten trip Advisor's most beautiful beaches, this long strand is hosts many surfers every single day of the week. The glamorous esplanade features numerous juice bars, coffee shops, restaurants favorite for foodies and little shops for every taste.
Mooloolaba beach offers a lot of activities that you can enjoy, such as surfing, snorkeling, hop on a cruise or swimming with a seal in a wharf and aquarium SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast.
Bundaberg Rum Distillery
13:30- 15:00 3hrs20min away from Mooloolaba beach by Bruce Hwy/A1
Bundaberg is a little town known for its famous rum distillery, and it is also the place where you can experience a unique rum tour. They are offering you to experience rum in three ways , first one called Museum experience that let you wander around museum through six 75000 liter oak vats, showcasing rich history of Bundaberg and its rum. Second option is a guided tour that gives detailed explanation about how the rum is made and its history. The tour ends with rum tasting of two types of rum that you prefer. This is the option that I went for. The disappointing part is that you can’t take pictures during the tour; however, museum is a free area where you can wander around and take pictures.
The third option gives you a unique opportunity to craft your own rum with two expert guides and
ship it to your home.
Travel tip and trick***
I would suggest you to book the tour in advance and through an original website, as some other websites may offer higher price for the same experience.
Every tour departs on the hour and lasts for one hour.
Opening hours: 10:00-15:00 Monday-Friday, till 14:00 on Saturday & Sunday
Address: Hills St, Bundaberg East QLD 4670, Australia
#bundabergaustralia #mustdobundaberg #bundabergrumdistillery #bundabergrumexperience #bundabergrumtour #visitbundaberg #visitsunshinecoast #visitqueensland
Lunch with a view
If you finish your tour before 14:00, have a lunch at Café 1928, the skyscanner rating 5 out of 5. This little place is open only until 15:00, located inside the botanical garden it guarantees unique outdoor dining experience. If you happen to arrive after 14:00, no worries, there is another option with fresh seafood throughout the whole year, restaurant called Grunske’s with the overview of the river and fish boats.
Café 1928
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 09:00-15:00, Sunday 09:00-16:00
Address: 6 Mount Perry Rd, Bundaberg Central QLD 4670, Australia
http://www.bundabergcafe.com.au/
Grunske’s
Opening hours: Monday to Wednesday 10:00-16:00, Thursday to Friday 10:00-20:00, Saturday and Sunday 08:00-17:00
Address: 11E Petersen St, Bundaberg Central QLD 4670, Australia
https://www.grunskesbytheriver.com.au/
#cafe1928 #grunskesbundaberg #wheretoeatbundaberg #seafoodbundaberg #bundabergfoodie #bundabergcoffee
Mon Repos National Park
18:00- till you see turtles
Mon Repos is a long path of the beach which is also a house for number of different species of marine turtles. Every year from November till February, Mon Repos becomes the largest concentration area of nesting marine turtles. If you are lucky, you may see one of the their special, the endangered Loggerhead turtles whose conservation is supported by the turtle center itself. From January until late March you may see hundreds of little hatchlings emerging from eggs and running straight to the water.
I was there in November and was lucky to spot almost 1.5 m long Loggerhead turtle nesting 115 eggs. The experience was extraordinary.
Tips and tricks***
The timing of the tour and booking can be done online, however guides will explain that as these are wild animals, they will not know and promise when you will see these lovely creatures. Waiting can take from 15 min up to 4 hours, so just be patient and follow the guides’ instructions. There will be a moment when you will be able to take photos, until then be patient. These are wild animals and before their nesting begins, they can be disturbed even by a small light. Respect these animals as you will witness something that you can’t see every day, and enjoy every moment of it.
There s a little food truck for your convenience in case you will need a snack or a drink.
Address: 141 Mon Repos Rd, Mon Repos QLD 4670, Australia
More info: https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/mon-repos/about.html
Comments