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 Friday, 16 May 2008 |
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History, heritage and `Bundy beverages’ |
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Written by Jessica Reid for TQ
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Tuesday, 21 August 2007 |
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Discover Queensland’s oldest town in a region spilling with secret gems of
history and heritage. JESSICA REID takes a weekend to unearth the State’s
interesting past and meet the friendly locals in Gayndah, Childers and
Bundaberg.
Situated two hours south-west of Bundaberg, driving into Gayndah is almost like
stepping into a sepia-toned photograph. With its gracious timber buildings, wide
verandas and tin rooves, you can sense the old-style country hospitality before
you even step out of the car.
Settled in 1849, Gayndah boasts the prestigious title of Queensland’s oldest
town and was even once the hot contender against Brisbane to be the State’s
capital.
Is it any wonder then that this small country town has one of the finest
historical museums in Queensland that I have ever seen? The Gayndah Historical
Museum is spread throughout several buildings, the central one a Georgian brick
cottage built on the site in 1864. Others include two old homesteads and the
Barambah Creek School, a stunning Lungfish static and live display and one of
the most extensive machinery and working steam collections in Australia.
The fascinating collection of memorabilia is extensive and covers many aspects
of early life in and around Gayndah. Read articles on ‘the duties of a wife’ as
you browse through old Women’s Weekly’s, walk past a wall of Prickly Pear
Stabbers, read up on your history at a World War I tribute, and marvel at the
myriad of primitive household appliances that are in incredible abundance
throughout the museum.
The town boasts the only operating ‘flying fox’ change dispenser in Australia at
Mellor’s Drapery, and is also well known for its citrus farming. Driving into
Gayndah you can’t miss their ‘Big Orange’ tourist icon and from the top of
Archer’s Lookout, you’ll also get a fantastic view of the vast citrus
plantations throughout the area.
Heading back toward Bundaberg you’ll drive through Childers, a treasure trove of
quaint shops and attractions housed in magnificent buildings with the ornate
facades and wide awnings of early Queensland architecture.
Here’s another town where you have to look that bit deeper to discover something
truly special; something not everyone knows about.
Be sure to visit the memorial to the 15 young people who died in the tragic
Palace Backpackers fire in 2000. The moving tribute features an amazing glass
memorial wall full of poignant images and personal memories of the region’s
tragic past.
For a bite to eat, head to Churchill Street for ‘the best ever pumpkin soup’ at
Laurel Tree Country Cottages, or for a hearty breakfast visit Café Kape Centro.
A popular attraction in Childers well worth a visit is Snakes Downunder. Hold a
baby crocodile or python then watch Ian Jenkins as he demonstrates his amazing
crocodile and snake handling skills while showing and feeding some of the
world's most venomous snakes, along with some of the more docile, friendlier
types.
Just down the road from Snakes Downunder in the midst of the canefields is
another hidden surprise: the home and ice-cream making complex of Teena and
Anthony Mammino. This enterprising couple has developed mouthwatering ice-creams
using a traditional family recipe, and making the most of locally grown
macadamia nuts.
Back on the road to Bundaberg, drive through sprawling fields of sugar-cane for
about 20 minutes and you’ll stumble across the Cordalba Commercial Hotel. Pop in
for a beer with the locals and enjoy the genuine hospitality of a traditional
country pub.
When you arrive in Bundaberg, or ‘Bundy’ as it is affectionately known by
locals, one of the first places to visit is the Bundaberg Rum Distillery.
Formed in 1888, Bundaberg Rum is much more than just a spirit, it is a brand
intertwined with the region’s heritage, and has recently added a multi million
dollar Bundaberg Rum Interpretive Centre – the Bundaberg Bondstore. Take a tour
of the distillery and then taste test the full range in the Bundy Bar
Another great place to discover the region’s history and heritage is the
Bundaberg Botanical Gardens. Without a doubt, Bundaberg’s favourite son is Bert
Hinkler, one of the world’s greatest pioneer aviators. Experience his incredible
life and adventures at his museum in Bundaberg’s beautiful Botanic Gardens.
The museum is housed in Hinkler’s Southampton home that he designed and lived in
from 1926 until his death in 1933. Now fully restored, the aviation museum is
open daily from 10.00am to 4.00pm.
For more information on any of these places visit www.bundabergregion.info
Getting there:
Qantaslink flies direct to Bundaberg from Brisbane daily. Qantas, Virgin
Blue and Jetstar can connect from any major Australian city. Take the Tilt Train
to Bundaberg enjoying the six-hour journey in complete comfort, or catch a
comfortable Greyhound-Australia coach.
www.qantas.com.au
www.jetstar.como.au
www.virginblue.com.au
www.traveltrain.com.au
www.greyhound.com.au
Accommodation and travel ideas:
www.bundabergregion.info
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 21 August 2007 )
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