Bundaberg is
one of the agricultural regions of Australia and it’s located in Queensland of
East Australia. The weather here is similar to subtropical; it’s hot during
summers but mild during winters. As a result of its location, Bundaberg becomes
a stop off point for some travelers before visit to the world famous destination
- Great Barrier Reef. Sugar cane fields are largely found in this region and zucchinis,
tomatoes, capsicums, sweet potatoes are some of the commercial vegetables farmed
abundantly here.
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| Bundaberg CBD |
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| Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery (BRAG) at Barolin St |
After I left
Sydney, I came to Bundaberg and stayed for exactly a month. There’re more Asian
in this city compared to Griffith in NSW that I stayed before. As what I
personally experienced, I found that it’s actually harder for me to find casual
jobs here and the accommodation especially working hostels are extremely
expensive, some of them without proper facilities and condition too. I still remember
that I stayed in a working hostel and paid almost $200 each week for a bed in
an extremely small dormitory room. Frankly speaking, it was the highest rent I
paid for the hostels so far in Australia. Furthermore, I wasn’t guaranteed with
the works. Sometimes I was scheduled to work in the field or work in the pack
shed if lucky enough. Most of the jobs for backpackers here involve agriculture
and they very depend on season. So if you come to find a job at improper
timing, your money will be sucked much sooner.
On the other
hand, Bundaberg has its uniqueness. There’re many recreation areas like parks, gardens and riverside for
relaxing. Some houses in this town are structured differently; they
built higher with ventilation on the ground just like Malay kampung house. I
guess this difference is related to the hot weather here.
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| Burnett River |
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| Burnet Bridge |
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| Burnett riverside is a great recreation spot |
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| Oriental garden as part of the Botanic Garden |
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| House in Bundaberg look like kampung house |
Before I
came to Bundaberg, I had already heard from my friends about the famous $6 steak
at Central Hotel (18 Targo Street) in this town. I tried it once with some other
backpackers on one Sunday. Well, I would say it’s really cheap but the taste is
so so. However, it’s a favourite hub for backpackers.
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| The bundy's famous $6 steak |
Bundaberg is
also the place to produce ginger beer and rum beverages. The famous Bundaberg Rum is produced from molasses,
which are the byproduct of sugar cane. Therefore, you may want to try them yourself
or buy as souvenirs for friends or family if you come to this town.
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| Ginger beer made in Bundaberg |
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| Bundaberg Rum icon at Bunderberg Rum Distillery |
I and a
friend passed a craft shop named Bundy Kegs/Schmeider’s Cooperage on one
afternoon walk. There’re nice things to see in the shop and extended art
gallery without admission charge. This place sells some unique local souvenirs,
artworks and barrels. We met a German glass blower was doing his work. We saw his
presentation and attracted to buy some of his beautiful artworks back to
hostel.
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| Glass blowing art gallery |
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| Some of the artworks... |
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| ...and more |
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| The glassblower was demonstrating in front of us |
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| Home decorations made by him |
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| some of the glass blowing jewelries |
Schmeider’s Cooperage
Address: 5
Alexandra St, Bundaberg, Queensland.
Phone: 4151
8233
Opening
hours: 9am – 5pm Mon to Fri, 9am – 3pm Sat
