Agnes water is Queenslands most northern surfing beach. The main beach is patrolled by life savers and is excellent for beginner surfers and a safe swimming beach.  Their are other surf breaks but we don’t want to spoil the fun of finding them for yourself.

The township of Agnes Water has a hub of shops where most items can be purchased.

Air
Brisbane International and Domestic Airport (http://www.bne.com.au/) is located about 17km northwest of the city. It is serviced by many international airlines with five domestic carriers, Qantas (http://www.qantas.com.au/), Jet Star (http://www.jetstar.com/) the budget arm of Qantas, Virgin Blue (http://www.virginblue.com.au/), Macair (http://www.macair.com.au/) and Sunshine Express (http://www.sunshineexpress.com.au/). All regularly arrive and depart for all major centres throughout Australia.

To/From the Airport

Train
Transport to the City or to the airport is easiest via Airtrain (http://www.airtrain.com.au/) which takes about 20 minutes to reach Brisbane’s Roma Street Transit Centre. The Airtrain arrives and departs from both the domestic and international terminals every 15 minutes (6am-8pm Mon-Fri and 6am-7:30pm Sat & Sun). It is also a link between the international and domestic terminal. The train also provides a service to the Gold Coast, adding about 1 hour to the trip. For up to date pricing visit their website.

Bus
Brisbane City – Coachtrans operates services between Brisbane Airport and Brisbane Transit Centre and to the door of all CBD Hotels. Meeting all major flights 7 days a week. Prices from $9.00 per person to the Transit Centre and $11.00 per person to the hotel door. Phone: Coachtrans +617 3238 4700 or visit www.coachtrans.com.au for up to date costings.

Gold Coast – Coachtrans operates door-to-door services direct to the Gold Coast via the Gateway Bridge to all hotels from Sanctuary Cove to Coolangatta. Meeting all major flights and operating 7 days a week. Phone: Coachtrans +617 3238 4700 or www.coachtrans.com.au

Sunshine Coast – Sun-air bus service offers daily services operating every hour from 5.50am to 8.50pm. For online bookings and pricing information go to www.sunair.com.au or phone +617 5477 0888.

Taxis
Located in front of the Domestic Terminal on level 2 of the international terminal, a fare to Brisbane Central Business District (CBD) from the airport is from about $33 depending on the route taken, traffic conditions and more, plus there is a $2 fee for departing taxis from the airport . You can get fare information from online Taxi Booking calculators with Black and White Cabs (http://www.blackandwhitecabs.com.au/) and Yellow Cabs (http://www.yellowcab.com.au/).

Getting Out

The Roma Street Station is the hub of transit in Brisbane. Long distance trains and busses leave leave from here.

Trains in Queensland are run by QR (Queensland Rail) (http://www.traveltrain.com.au/). The Tilt Train operates from Brisbane to Rockhampton and is fast. It can reach speeds of up to 200kmh however due to an unfortunate accident the train has been restricted in its speed. The Spirit of the Outback heads west from Rockhampton out to Longreach while the Sunlander travels from Brisbane to Cairns. Schedules and fares can be viewed on their website.

Greyhound Australia (http://www.greyhound.com.au/) has a bus network to get you to 1100 destinations throughout Australia. They have a backpacker concession card for members of YHA/HI, VIP, Roam Free and Nomads, which reduce the adult fare by 10%. There are other specials that are advertised on the site depending on where you leave from or how far you want to travel.

Oz Experience (http://www.ozexperience.com/) is a hop on hop off tour transport network for backpackers. It has numerous packages to central and east coast destinations as well as tour bookings that are best explored on their own site.

Wicked Campers (http://www.wickedcampers.com.au/) hire van type vehicles which provide you with wheels and accommodation.

Turtle and Whale Watching

Only 14km from Bundaberg is Mon Repos Beach - the largest and most accessible turtle rookery in mainland Australia. Loggerhead, green, leatherback and flatback turtles come ashore from November to
lay their eggs. The tiny hatchlings may be seen popping out of their sandy nests from early January until mid-March.

Mon Repos is an environmental park designed to protect the turtles, ensure their ongoing use of the area and provide opportunities for turtle watching. Access to the beach is limited during the season and rangers conduct guided walks each night. This magical experience is a delight for both young and old!

Every year from July to mid-October, humpback whales pass close to Bundaberg’s coastline en route to the northern end of Fraser Island. Whale watching cruises operate from Port Bundaberg during the season and whales can also be seen from Lady Elliot Island.

The Southern Great Barrier Reef

There’s no need to travel all the way to Cairns to enjoy the beauty of Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef. Bundaberg is the ideal in eco-tourism, offering an affordable way to experience Australia’s greatest natural gift.

Bundaberg is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. The most spectacular parts of the southern reef can be found around Lady Elliot and Lady Musgrave Islands. The mainland coastline is just 13km from Bundaberg and offers ample diving and snorkelling opportunities, as well as beachfront accommodation. The reef can be seen on fine, calm days by snorkelling just a metre or two from the shore.

Lady Musgrave and Lady Elliot Islands

The two ‘ladies of the reef’ are easily accessible from Bundaberg. These islands are true coral cays, home to thousands of marine species. Jewel-bright starfish, sea urchins, clams and corals can

be discovered at low tide.

Thousands of sea birds nest in rookeries on the two islands. Many birds have been attracted to these havens and Lady Elliot Island now has its own small colony of rare red-tailed tropic birds. Lady Elliot is the only coral island on the reef with an airstrip and is only a 25-minute scenic flight from Bundaberg.

Lady Musgrave Island is a two and a half-hour cruise from Port Bundaberg and is the only coral island on the Great Barrier Reef with a navigable lagoon. A day trip allows plenty of time on the island to view the reef and marine life. The surrounding waters here are filled with over 200 species of corals and 1,200 varieties of brilliantly coloured fish. Access is also available from the Town of 1770.

Stunning Beaches and National Parks

If it’s lazy days on the sand you’re after then Bargara and Woodgate offer some of the state’s most picturesque beaches.

Bargara Beach is a seaside township just 12km east of Bundaberg and has safe, moderate surf. To the south of Bargara Beach or just around the headland, is Kelly’s Beach. Kelly’s has a

safe swimming area called the Basin which is perfect for children.

The Kelly’s Beach area has quality beachfront accommodation and a waterway designed to encourage bird life. Ducks, swans and other bird life are part of this nature lover’s paradise. Adjacent to Kelly’s is a great golf course for all those dedicated to pursuing golfing excellence. South of Kelly’s you will also find Innes Park and Elliott Heads beaches where there’s plenty of sand and sea for all the family to explore.

The Hummock, an extinct volcano core halfway between Bundaberg and Bargara, is the district’s highest point and offers 360-degree views of the area and coastline.

The golden sands of Woodgate Beach stretch for almost 20km. Woodgate is around 40km south of Bundaberg and is the first surf beach north of the Sunshine Coast. The area accommodates a National Park backing on to the surf. The many walking tracks found here are a great way to discover the

local flora and fauna. Prolific numbers of birds including emus, together with kangaroos, wallabies and reptiles inhabit the area.

If it’s fishing that takes your fancy then Woodgate is the spot for you; however, the entire region offers good fishing opportunities with reef, beach, deep sea, rocks, estuary, river and fresh water locations.

The Town of 1770, so named after the visit of Lieutenant James Cook, is just over 120km north of Bundaberg. The area’s white beaches and crystal clear waters have changed little since the day Cook landed in May 1770. The area is known for its beautiful beaches and is often described as an undeveloped version of Noosa.

Other Attractions

Without a doubt Bundaberg’s favourite son is Bert Hinkler. As one of the world’s great pioneer aviators, he has been honoured with his own museum in Bundaberg’s Botanic Gardens. The museum is housed in Hinkler’s Southhampton home that he designed and lived in from 1926 until his death in 1933.

The Town of 1770 is not only home to stunning breaches, fishing in the area is terrific in either Round Hill Creek or out on the offshore reefs. Great Barrier Reef and fishing cruises are available from The Town of 1770, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, departing at 8am and arriving back at 5pm. While you’re in 1770, take a ride on the LARC, an amphibious craft designed to drive on sand and cruise across creeks. This is an environmental tour not to be missed!

Rum and Tropical Wine

While in the region make sure you visit the Bundaberg Rum Distillery, where the famous Bundaberg rum is made. It is Australia’s best selling spirit and the distillery has a visitors centre and guided tours. If rum’s not your drop then the region also has a tropical winery. This is wine with a difference - made from tropical fruit!

Driving Holidays

For those who love the self-drive holiday, Bundaberg presents many wonderful sightseeing opportunities.

Highway 1 takes you from Brisbane to Bundaberg along the coast. This scenic route provides visitors with the chance to enjoy beautiful beaches and picturesque seaside towns. There are numerous drive routes just off the highway with access to coral cays and stunning beaches.

Highway 17 is an alternative route between Brisbane and Bundaberg through country Queensland. The hinterland offers many great holiday and sight-seeing opportunities for tourists interested in discovering the region’s rural attractions. There are also many wonderful farm stays for visitors after a very different holiday experience.

Gold Coast Travel Guide. It is FREE!

The hub of Surfers Paradise is Cavill Mall and Orchid Avenues. This is where you can eat, relax, play and drink from sunset to sun up if you have the stamina.

The main beach of Surfers is at the end of Cavill Mall, denoted with a well landscaped foreshore area. The clean sand and crystal water is inviting at any time of year. This section of beach is perfect to set up for the day and watch the sculptured physiques, tiny swim suits and tanned bodies. In the afternoon however the beach is thrust into shadow early from the high rise developments that are just off the main beach area.

Hugging the coast for about 15km, Mission Beach takes in a handful of villages from Garners Beach in the north to Kennedy Bay in the south. Along the stretch is sleepy Bingil Bay, Mission Beach proper, Wongaling Beach and South Mission Beach. You’ll find a range of low key, low rise accommodation, shopping and restaurants, access to rainforests, beautiful beaches, and the Family group of islands. And the only traffic jams will be caused by cassowaries crossing. The rainforests surrounding Mission are famous for being one of the few areas the large endangered native birds are still found. Prominent signs warn of the possibility of encountering them and be warned, they dash out of the greenery with little dalliance.

Noosa National Park

Noosa National Park is one of Australia’s most popular nature reserves. The park comprises 477 hectares of native forests and high cliffs opening onto panoramic landscapes. Noosa National Park cradles the picture-perfect and ever-popular Main Beach whose pristine waters are swimmable every day of the year. Laguna Lookout, at the summit of Noosa National Park looks out on to the tranquil blue waters of Laguna Bay sparkling away into the distance. The park is a well known flora and fauna sanctuary with koala sightings a common treat for visitors.

Dining & Shopping

Noosa’s famous ‘Eat Street’ – Hastings Street – with its lively mix of fashionable boutiques, restaurants and beachfront accommodation expresses the essence of the distinctive Noosa style. Dining at any one of the dozens of restaurants, cafes and eateries throughout Noosa is an experience to remember. For water views, try the many fine restaurants in Noosa Sound or at Tewantin’s marina. Fast becoming Hastings Street rivals for restaurant choice are the Noosa River stretch along Gympie Terrace, Noosaville, just off the riverside strip is Thomas Street or beautiful Sunshine Beach, a hub of multicultural dining. The freshest of local ingredients are harvested from the sea and local pastures, then combined to create popular, classic Noosa fare. This inventive regional ‘cuisine of the sun’ is distinctly modern and influenced by Mediterranean and Asian flavours. Noosa also has the country’s largest range of resort wear, beach wear and specialised local arts and crafts. Many delightful hours can be wiled away searching for that special gift or personal shopping indulgence.

Markets

A ‘must do’ day-trip to the hinterland reveals other treasures like little townships filled with charm and character and fabulous country pubs as well as lovely arts and crafts. Visit the Eumundi Markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays; they are renowned throughout the state for high quality handmade goods and fresh produce. Also not to be missed are the markets held every Sunday at Noosa Harbour, or the unique array of locally made treasures at the Peregian Beachside Markets held every second Sunday.

This city of 150,000 people is a charming blend of old and new with modern facilities that include entertainment, pubs, clubs, restaurants and accommodation to suit all tastes.

Because it is located in the dry tropics, Townsville consistently records more than 300  sunny days each year – perfect weather to enjoy a diversity of experiences from a skydive with a beach landing, to snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef.

Attractions here include Billabong Sanctuary, where you can hold a koala or wombat and watch crocodiles feeding, Reef HQ marine life aquarium and the Museum of Tropical Queensland to name a few. Townsville’s beachfront promenade, The Strand, is lined with  restaurants, cafes, accommodation and recreational facilities. On Sundays, the Cotters Market in Flinders Mall is North Queensland’s largest arts and craft market where you can buy everything from hand-made pottery and jewellery to fresh fruits and Islander crafts.