Public listings checked 25/10/2026. Dates use each event’s local time. Check organiser details before travelling.
Explore the region
Explore Bundaberg, its coastal communities and nearby hinterland towns. Childers and Gin Gin are separate drives; island experiences need their own transport plans.
Enjoy the views of Bargara Beach while the kids explore the turtly awesome playground. The giant turtle structure creates a range of fun play spaces, perfect for climbing, discovering and a game of hide and seek.
Grab a coffee, ice cream or takeaway meal from one of the nearby cafés and eateries, then settle in at the shaded seating and picnic tables. With its relaxed seaside setting, iit's the perfect place to relax, enjoy the sea breeze, and make some ripper family memories by the beach.
Located on the waterfront at beautiful Burnett Heads, South Head Parklands is the perfect place to stretch the legs and let the kids burn off some energy. There's plenty of open space to run and play, along with a large climbing frame, playground equipment for younger children and a nearby skate park.
While the kids are busy exploring, adults can sit back and soak up the coastal views across the sparkling blue water. It's an easy place to spend a few hours enjoying the great outdoors.
The parklands also mark the starting point of the Turtle Trail, a scenic pathway that stretches all the way to Bargara, making it ideal for a walk, run or bike ride along the coastline.
Known as one of Queensland's best shore dives, this underwater playground offers both free divers and scuba divers the chance to explore colourful soft corals, schools of fish and an abundance of marine life, all just off a picturesque stretch of coastline.
The rocky reef provides the perfect foundation for coral growth, creating a thriving habitat for a variety of marine species. Depending on the season, you may spot nudibranchs, reef fish and impressive displays of both hard and soft corals growing right along the shoreline.
Take some time to explore the beach rock pools before or after your dive and see what marine treasures you can discover. Entry and exit can be a little tricky, but those who make the effort are rewarded with one of the region's most memorable shore diving experiences.
The land along this coastline is the traditional Country of the Taribelang Bunda people.
Inspired by conversations with local descendants, developer Bill Moorhead shared a vision of creating a Yarning Circle at Bargara Headlands Estate, a place where stories, culture and community could come together beside the sea.
Drawing on the rugged beauty of the basalt coastline, enormous local rocks, some weighing more than ten tonnes, were carefully placed to form the circle. With guidance from Elders, the design was refined to reflect both the landscape and its cultural significance.
The result is a space that feels timeless; a natural part of the coastline where people can gather, reflect and connect.
Along the coastline between Bargara and Coral Coast you will find this unique piece of artwork. A collaboration between two local artists with the transformation of a mighty boulder into Whale Rock, which captures the joy of humpbacks that can be spotted on the coastline during the migration season of July - September. Take a stroll along this scenic stretch of coast, soak up the ocean views and stop in to admire the artwork. And if the timing is right, you might even spot a humpback whale putting on a show offshore.
Burkitts Reef is a popular shore diving site just off Bargara, where colourful hard corals, curious critters and the occasional underwater surprise are all part of the experience. Stretching along the headland in depths of two to eight metres, this reef is well worth getting your fins wet for.
Keep an eye out for the reef's famous nudibranchs, along with moray eels, wobbegongs, stingrays, crayfish and olive sea snakes. Schools of angelfish, butterflyfish, wrasse, lionfish and scorpionfish are regulars, while larger visitors such as trevally, barracuda and queenfish often cruise through.
You never quite know what's waiting around the next coral bommie, and that's all part of the fun.
Just 20 minutes from Bundaberg, Coral Cove is a relaxed coastal village nestled between Innes Park and Elliott Heads. With its rocky shoreline, ocean views and laid-back atmosphere, it's an ideal spot to slow down and soak up the coastline.
Coral Cove is also the gateway to Barolin Rocks, one of the Woongarra Marine Park's popular shore dive sites. Reaching depths of up to 18 metres, the site features rocky reefs, colourful hard and soft corals, and an abundance of marine life.
While Coral Cove does not have a permanent lifeguard patrol, the lifeguards do roving patrols seven days a week from 9am to 5pm.
Travelling with your four-legged mate? Dogs are welcome at Coral Cove, provided they remain on a leash at all times.
Head to Woongarra Marine Park on the outskirts of Bundaberg to discover some of Queensland's most spectacular and accessible shore diving. Every dive reveals something new, with encounters including turtles, rays, sea snakes, nudibranchs, moray eels, colourful reef fish, vibrant coral and even wobbegong sharks.
Barolin Rocks is also one of the few dive sites in Queensland where dugongs have been spotted. Perfect for beginners and experienced divers alike, this remarkable site offers unforgettable underwater experiences every time you explore its depths.
Open for diving year-round, Woongarra Marine Park is sure to surprise you. Despite being only metres from the shoreline, its incredible marine life and natural beauty make it a truly breathtaking destination.
Hoffman's Rocks is a colourful underwater playground just south of Bargara in the Woongarra Marine Park. Covered in vibrant hard and soft corals, including impressive gorgonian sea fans, it's a favourite spot for divers looking to explore the region's rich marine life.
Resting turtles, stingrays, gropers and wobbegong sharks are regular visitors, while the many coral formations provide plenty of places for smaller reef creatures to call home.
Be sure to explore the colourful coral outcrops scattered throughout the site. Schools of barracuda, trevally, lionfish and olive sea snakes are often spotted weaving through the reef, along with an impressive variety of nudibranchs.
Keep your eyes peeled, there's always something interesting lurking around the next patch of coral.
Elliott Heads is a 15 minute drive from Bundaberg CBD and is surrounded by rural cane and small crop farms. Head down to the shoreline and dip your toes into the refreshing patrolled surf beach, or drop your boat in for a fish at Riverview.
Head to the beach at low tide to discover crystal clear mermaid pools to relax in.
Elliott Heads is the popular with jet-skiers and kite-surfers as well as local fishermen. Head up the river a little bit to find your own beach paradise but be careful of high tides! Be careful of shifting holes and shoals out on the sand flats.
At the mouth of the Elliott River lies Dr May's Island . Once part of the mainland, it was the site of the May's house and farm. One part of the property was an old bus which was used for casual accommodation for their visitors. In the 1950s, cyclonic seas and stormy weather eventually saw the island becomes permanently separated from the mainland. At low tide remnants of the farm and bus can be spotted under the sand
The sand island is used by migratory birds for nesting and roosting and an enforced closure period runs between September 1 and April 30 and covers areas of the beach island.
On the south side of Dr Mays Island is where you will find Elliot Head’s Rock Pool
Tucked away on the southern side of Elliott Heads Beach, these natural rock pools are a hidden coastal treasure. Filled with thriving marine life and warmed by the Queensland sun, they're the perfect place to explore, splash and soak up the beauty of the Southern Great Barrier Reef.
At high tide, you might not even know they're there. But as the tide recedes, the rock shelf emerges to reveal a fascinating world of rock pools and marine creatures waiting to be discovered.
Closer to shore, you'll find shallow pools with sandy bottoms that are ideal for paddling. Further out, the pools become deeper and require a little extra care when entering and exiting, but reward adventurous explorers with even more marine life to spot.
