You’d be wrong to think of Bundaberg as the place women reluctantly go to keep their significant other happy by visiting the one-and-only Bundaberg Distillery. It turns out there are a few other highlights of a trip to Australia’s rum capital.

Gypsea Cafe

Approximately 2 hours from Hervey Bay (the kick-off point for a Fraser Island adventure), we found this little cafe in Burnett Heads. Perhaps another reason to drive 12 hours from Sydney? Probably not, but the food was darn tasty.

It’s safe to say we were really impressed by this little beach-side joint, just outside the town of Bundaberg.

A tour through the Bundaberg Rum Distillery

After we re-fuelled at Gypsea Cafe, we went for our pre-booked Bundaberg Rum Distillery guided tour. On a tour you’ll taste the molasses, get a heap of facts about the process behind the making of each bottle of rum, and finally get to sample a few nips of rum (as part of your entry fee).

Much to my surprise – I’m not one for tours – I enjoyed myself. And I don’t even drink rum.

Picking the right Bundaberg pub

We chose to grab an evening feast at the Spotted Dog Tavern, and were pretty happy with our choice, too. With live entertainment a few nights a week, a menu that’ll make you drool, and nice waiters, no doubt a feed at this pub will be a good choice.

Where to stay

We chose to stay at the Alexandra Lodge, which ended up being a good, clean, joint – close enough to walk to town in the evening.