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CHILDERS: stop a while at Childers, our National Trust town, a picturesque village on the Bruce Highway about 352 kilometres north of Brisbane.
Overlooking a chequeboard of red and green fields, Childers is the ideal spot for travellers to stop, take a breather on the tree lined main street and explore the region’s historic past.
Each year in July, Childers celebrates with its Multicultural Food, Wine and Performing Arts Festival. Now in its eighth successful year, the Festival showcases a very different picture of a town that originally grew up around a winding main street which had once been a timbergetter’s track. |
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The thick vine forest that fed the timber industry has long gone, replaced by rolling hills of sugar cane, small crops and tree crops.
Childers long history has lead to it being known as the National Trust Town. Tourist information on the area can be obtained from the new tourist information centre on the ground floor of the Palace Memorial Tourist Information Centre. |
The Town Crier welcomes visitors to the Wild Scotchman Festival. |
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GIN GIN: centre of the Kolan Shire, is a half hour west of Bundaberg, on Highway One.
The area was first settled in 1847. Later, Gingin Station was established, owned by Thomas McIllwraith, a former Premier of Queensland.
The town of Gin Gin is sited on part of the old property.
The town is believed to be the forth oldest in Queensland and has, for its size, been called home by more than one historic figure. Premiers Forster and Palmer also knew Gin Gin well, and the well-known Queensland explorers, the Landsborough brothers, made their home there.
But today the district is better known for it’s most infamous visitor, the Wild Scotchman (James McPherson), Queensland's only authentic bushranger who was finally captured at Monduran Station.
Each year in March the town of Gin Gin holds a re-enactment of James Aplin McPherson’s capture - The Wild Scotchman Festival - where everyone is invited to enjoy Gin Gin’s wide streets and beautiful gardens, witness the downfall of a wild colonial boy, and experience the diversity of its rural community.
Small business flourishes side by side with primary product such as wines and wine grapes, cattle, emus and ostriches, sugarcane and tree crops.
Steeped in history the Shire is rich in natural attractions, such as pristine watercourses, magnificent mountain views and peaceful bushland; these, coupled with genuine rural hospitality make Gin Gin an ideal place to spend a few restful days. |
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GOODNIGHT SCRUB: South along the Bruce Highway is the romantically named Goodnight Scrub, a natural hoop pine forest and softwood scrub with distinctive bottle trees dominating the rolling landscape.
Red-tailed black cockatoo, one of 160 local species, feed on the ripening pine cones.
A wildlife paradise, even the shy Platypus has been known to make an appearance.
Historic Kalliwa Hut is a reminder of the forestry days. Old logging roads provide scenic drives and there are numerous spots by the Burnett River for camping or picnics.
BOOLBOONDA TUNNEL: In 1883 railway workers constructed the longest unsupported tunnel in the Southern Hemisphere.
Now you can take a drive through the masterpeice of engineering that is the Boolboonda Tunnel.
The tunnel, with its cool darkness and rock walls, has become home to a colony of Bent Wing bats.
For more information call into the Gin Gin Visitor’s Information Centre, Bruce Highway, or phone (07) 4157 3060
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WOODGATE BEACH: Only half and hour from Childers is Woodgate Beach, a friendly community of about 600 people who are willing to share their little bit of paradise; 16 km of white-sand, stinger-free beach lined with casuarina and bordering the Woodgate National Park.
The town’s boardwalks lead along the Esplanade or through the National Park. Look out for sun bathing kangaroos on the beach, or for birdwatchers a hide can be found in the Melaleuca Circuit.
So why not stop, take the time to commune with nature at Woodgate Beach. It’s a great way to complete, or begin, a Bundaberg region holiday.
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