View source for Bundaberg

{{Other uses}}
{{Use Australian English|date=July 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox Australian place
| type                = city
| name                = Bundaberg
| state               = qld
| image   = {{Photomontage
| photo1a = Australia bundaberg aerial.jpg{{!}}Bundaberg and the Burnett river
| photo2a = Bundaberg, le bureau de poste.jpg{{!}}Bundaberg post office and war memorial
| photo2b = Hinkler House Bundaberg Botanic Gardens Mt Perry Rd Bundaberg P1130187.jpg{{!}}Hinkler House in the Bundaberg Botanic Gardens
| photo3a = Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery (31109970937).jpg{{!}}Bundaberg Art Gallery
| photo3b = Bundaberg School of Arts.jpg{{!}}Historic architecture along Bourbong street
| photo4a = The Big Barrel.jpg{{!}}Bundaberg Rum Distillery 
| photo4b = South Sea Islander Wall (2009).jpg{{!}}South Sea Islander Wall
| spacing = 2 | border = 0 | color = #F2F2F2 | size = 270}}
| caption =  (From left to right)<br>Aerial view of [[Bundaberg Central, Queensland|Bundaberg]] and the [[Burnett River]],<br> [[Bundaberg Post Office]] and [[Bundaberg War Memorial]],<br> Hinkler House in the Bundaberg Botanic Gardens,<br> Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery,<br> [[Bundaberg School of Arts|Historic architecture]] along Bourbong street,<br> [[Bundaberg Rum|Bundaberg Rum Distillery]],<br>[[South Sea Islanders|South Sea Islander wall]]
| coordinates         = {{coord|-24.8661|152.3494|type:city_region:AU-QLD|display=inline,title|name=Bundaberg (town centre)}}
| pop                 = 73,747 (Significant Urban Area) 
| pop_year            = {{CensusAU|2021}}
| pop_footnotes       = <ref name=ABSSUA2021/>
| poprank             = 25th
| elevation           = 15
| established         = 1870
| postcode            = 4670
| timezone            = [[AEST]]
| utc                 = +10:00
| dist1               = 112 <!-- road distances as per template instructions -->
| dir1                = NNW
| location1           = [[Maryborough, Queensland|Maryborough]]
| dist2               = 186
| dir2                = SE
| location2           = [[Gladstone, Queensland|Gladstone]]
| dist3               = 287
| dir3                = SE
| location3           = [[Rockhampton]]
| dist4               = 366
| dir4                = N
| location4           = [[Brisbane]]
| lga                 = Bundaberg Region
| stategov            = [[Electoral district of Bundaberg|Bundaberg]]
| stategov2           = [[Electoral district of Burnett|Burnett]]
| fedgov              = [[Division of Hinkler|Hinkler]]
| county              = [[County of Cook, Queensland|Cook]]
| maxtemp             = 26.5
| maxtemp_footnotes   = 
| mintemp             = 16.3
| mintemp_footnotes   = 
| rainfall            = 1142.6
| rainfall_footnotes  = 
}}

'''Bundaberg''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|ʌ|n|d|ə|b|ɜːr|ɡ}}) is the major [[regional]] city in the [[Wide Bay-Burnett]] region of the state of [[Queensland]], [[Australia]]. It is the [[List of cities in Australia by population|ninth largest city]] in the state.<ref name="qpnt">{{cite QPN|5190|Bundaberg|population centre in the Bundaberg Region|access-date=25 March 2021}}</ref> The Bundaberg [[central business district]] is situated along the southern bank of the [[Burnett River]] about {{convert|20|km|0|abbr=on}} from its mouth at [[Burnett Heads, Queensland|Burnett Heads]], where it flows into the [[Coral Sea]].<ref name=bonzle>{{cite web|url=http://www.bonzle.com/c/a?a=p&p=210993&cmd=sp|title=Map of Burnett River, QLD|access-date=14 November 2015|work=Bonzle Digital Atlas of Australia|archive-date=15 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191215031948/http://www.bonzle.com/c/a?a=p&p=210993&cmd=sp|url-status=live}}</ref> The city is sited on a rich [[floodplain|coastal plain]], supporting one of the nation's most productive agricultural regions. The area of Bundaberg is the home of the [[Taribelang|Taribelang-Bunda]], [[Goreng Goreng]], Gurang, and Bailai peoples.<ref>{{Cite web |title=First Nations Bailai, Gurang, Gooreng Gooreng, Taribelang Bunda People Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC {{!}} PBC |url=https://nativetitle.org.au/find/pbc/8650 |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=nativetitle.org.au |archive-date=17 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117143020/https://nativetitle.org.au/find/pbc/8650 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dobbins |first=Claire |title=First Nations Strategy 2022 - 2026 |url=https://www.bundaberg.qld.gov.au/community/first-nations-strategy-2022-2026 |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=Bundaberg Regional Council |language=en |archive-date=17 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117143038/https://www.bundaberg.qld.gov.au/community/first-nations-strategy-2022-2026 |url-status=live }}</ref> The common nickname for Bundaberg is "Bundy", although its history as a major sugar producing region means it is often referenced as the "Rum City" or "Sugar City". The residents of the city are referred to colloquially as 'Bundabergians'. In the {{CensusAU|2021}}, the Bundaberg [[urban area]] had a population of 73,747 people.<ref name="ABSSUA2021" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=2017-10-09 |title=Main Features - Different Definitions of Urban |url=https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/by%20Subject/1270.0.55.004~July%202016~Main%20Features~Different%20Definitions%20of%20Urban~6 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027232555/https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/by%20Subject/1270.0.55.004~July%202016~Main%20Features~Different%20Definitions%20of%20Urban~6 |archive-date=27 October 2020 |access-date=2021-03-25 |website=[[Australian Bureau of Statistics]] |language=en-AU}}</ref>

The district surveyor, [[John Thompson Charlton]] designed the city layout in 1868, which planned for uniform square blocks with wide main streets, and named it ‘Bundaberg’.<ref>{{cite book |last= Gay Nolan |first= Janette |author-link= |date= February 1977 |title= A History of Bundaberg, 1840-1920 |location= UQ |publisher= University of Queensland |page= Chapter 5, Page 20|isbn=}}</ref> An early influence on the development of Bundaberg came with the [[Land selection in Queensland|1868 Land Act]], which was a famous [[Queensland]] [[via media]], that aimed to create a class of [[Yeoman|Australian yeoman]].<ref>{{cite book |last= Gay Nolan |first= Janette |author-link= |date= February 1977 |title= A History of Bundaberg, 1840-1920 |location= UQ |publisher= University of Queensland |page= Chapter 3, Page 69|isbn=}}</ref> [[List of sugar mills in Queensland|Large sugarcane plantations]] were established throughout the 1880s, with industries of sugar mills, refineries, and rum distilleries that delivered prosperity to Bundaberg.<ref>{{cite book |last= Gay Nolan |first= Janette |author-link= |date= February 1977 |title= A History of Bundaberg, 1840-1920 |location= UQ |publisher= University of Queensland |page= Chapter 6, Page 148|isbn=}}</ref> These plantations used [[South Sea Islanders]] as [[Indentured servitude|indentured labourers]], many of whom were [[Blackbirding|blackbirded]], a practice considered a form of [[slavery]].<ref>{{cite book |last= Gay Nolan |first= Janette |author-link= |date= February 1977 |title= A History of Bundaberg, 1840-1920 |location= UQ |publisher= University of Queensland |page= Chapter 9, Page 1|isbn=}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Kroeger |first1=Brooke |title=Undercover Reporting: The Truth About Deception |date=Aug 31, 2012 |publisher=Northwestern University Press |page=33 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ys61DGpIc9EC&pg=PA33 |access-date=9 January 2020 |isbn=9780810163515 |archive-date=27 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727111804/https://books.google.com/books?id=ys61DGpIc9EC&pg=PA33 |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Pacific Island Labourers Act 1901|trade was outlawed]] in 1904, with most [[South Sea Islanders]] deported by 1906.<ref name="AHRC">Tracey Flanagan, Meredith Wilkie, and Susanna Iuliano. [http://www.hreoc.gov.au/racial_discrimination/forum/Erace/south_sea.html "Australian South Sea Islanders: A Century of Race Discrimination under Australian Law"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110314080249/http://www.hreoc.gov.au/racial_discrimination/forum/Erace/south_sea.html |date=14 March 2011 }}, Australian Human Rights Commission.</ref> Major floods in 1942 and 1954 damaged the river, ending Bundaberg's role as a [[Inland port|river port]] and led to a new port at the mouth of the Burnett river.<ref>{{cite book |last= Gay Nolan |first= Janette |author-link= |date= February 1977 |title= A History of Bundaberg, 1840-1920 |location= UQ |publisher= University of Queensland |page= Chapter 12, Page 292|isbn=}}</ref> In the [[Post-war|post-war era]], Bundaberg continued to grow with its wealth tied to its sugar industry.<ref>{{cite book |last= Gay Nolan |first= Janette |author-link= |date= February 1977 |title= A History of Bundaberg, 1840-1920 |location= UQ |publisher= University of Queensland |page= Chapter 12, Page 300|isbn=}}</ref> In 2013, Bundaberg experienced record flooding from [[Cyclone Oswald]], which was the worst disaster in the city's history.<ref name="tiaf">{{Cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-30/thousands-displaced-as-flood-threat-continues/4490194 |title=Thousands isolated as flood threat continues |access-date=30 January 2013 |date=30 January 2013 |work=ABC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130130011217/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-30/thousands-displaced-as-flood-threat-continues/4490194 |archive-date=30 January 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The economy of Bundaberg is based primarily on [[agriculture]], [[forestry]], [[fishing]] and tourism, with a [[gross regional product]] at about $5.62 billion as of June 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gross Regional Product {{!}} Bundaberg {{!}} economy.id |url=https://economy.id.com.au/bundaberg/gross-regional-product |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=economy.id.com.au |archive-date=14 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214194056/https://economy.id.com.au/bundaberg/gross-regional-product |url-status=live }}</ref> Bundaberg also has a major distillery and brewery industry that exports to international markets.<ref>{{cite web|title = Bundaberg Rum Visitor Experience|url = https://www.queensland.com/us/en/things-to-do/attractions/p-56b25d4caeeeaaf773cef364-bundaberg-rum-visitor-experience|access-date = 14 December 2021|publisher = ABC News|archive-date = 14 December 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211214130941/https://www.queensland.com/us/en/things-to-do/attractions/p-56b25d4caeeeaaf773cef364-bundaberg-rum-visitor-experience|url-status = live}}</ref> The city is served by the [[Port of Bundaberg]] and the [[Bundaberg Airport]].

Bundaberg has a rich history and culture, along with its [[humid subtropical climate]] it is known for its [[Bourbong Street Weeping Figs|weeping fig trees]], [[South Sea Islander Wall|dry stone walls]], and historic plantations, including the [[Fairymead Sugar Plantation|Fairymead Plantation]] and the [[Sunnyside Sugar Plantation]], the latter of which is the site of a [[mass grave]].<ref>{{cite web|title = Sugar, slaves and stone walls|url = https://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2009/07/27/2637559.htm|access-date = 13 December 2021|publisher = ABC News|archive-date = 13 December 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211213135507/https://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2009/07/27/2637559.htm|url-status = live}}</ref> Other sites of [[South Sea Islanders|South Sea Islander]] cultural significance include [[Sir Anthony's Rest]] atop the [[Bundaberg Hummock]] and the [[South Sea Islander Church]]. Major cultural institutions include the [[Hinkler Hall of Aviation]] and the Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery. The city's culinary culture is highlighted by its annual '[[Burnett Bridge|Banquet on the Bridge]]',<ref>{{cite web|title = Enjoy dinner and drinks on the Burnett Bridge| date=29 March 2021 |url = https://bundabergtoday.com.au/news/2021/03/29/enjoy-dinner-and-drinks-on-the-burnett-bridge/|access-date = 13 December 2021|publisher = Bundaberg Today|archive-date = 13 December 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211213142258/https://bundabergtoday.com.au/news/2021/03/29/enjoy-dinner-and-drinks-on-the-burnett-bridge/|url-status = live}}</ref> and an iconic [[rum]] and [[gin]] culture with [[Bundaberg Rum]] originating in the city.

Bundaberg is a popular tourism destination, the city's hinterland includes the historic towns of [[Childers, Queensland|Childers]] and [[Gin Gin, Queensland|Gin Gin]], [[Fred Haigh Dam|Lake Monduran]], [[Cania Gorge National Park]] and the [[Promisedland, Queensland|Promisedland]] mountain bike trails. Bundaberg's coastal areas include [[Bargara, Queensland|Bargara]] and [[Mon Repos, Queensland|Mon Repos]], [[Deepwater National Park]], and the southernmost reaches of the [[Great Barrier Reef]] alongside the islands of [[Lady Musgrave Island|Lady Musgrave]] and [[Lady Elliot Island|Lady Elliot]].

==Geography==
The city is about {{convert|385|km}} north of the state capital, [[Brisbane]]. It is {{convert|15|km}} inland from the [[Coral Sea]] coast and situated on the [[Burnett River]].

== Etymology ==

===City name===
The name was coined by surveyor [[John Charlton Thompson]] and his assistant Alfred Dale Edwards. ''Bunda'' was derived from the name of one of the kinship groups of the local [[Taribelang]] people, and appended with the suffix "berg". Two sources of the suffix have been proposed. It is a Saxon suffix which means "hill".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article218207226 |title=EARLY BUNDABERG |newspaper=[[Daily Mail (Brisbane)|Daily Mail]] |issue=6679 |location=Queensland, Australia |date=23 July 1923 |access-date=9 December 2018 |page=8 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=25 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325050820/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/218207226 |url-status=live }}</ref> It is also a German word which translates as "mountain", and refers to the [[Bundaberg Hummock|Sloping Hummoch]], the singular hill rising above the relatively flat region surrounding the Burnett River on which the city is situated.

Colloquially, the city is widely known throughout Australia as "Bundy". Residents are referred to by the demonym '''Bundabergian''', which is also a corresponding adjective.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}

===Bourbong Street===
Bourbong Street is the main street of the city. and there is some controversy in regards to its spelling and meaning. Bourbong was alternatively spelled Bourbon or Boorbong, which was a local Aboriginal title given to a large waterhole in the area.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article39384989 |title=Correspondence |newspaper=[[Cairns Post]] |volume=XXIV |issue=641 |location=Queensland, Australia |date=18 January 1910 |access-date=9 December 2018 |page=7 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=25 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325050842/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/39384989 |url-status=live }}</ref> The main street was historically also gazetted in the [[Bundaberg Mail]] as "Bourbon" street, but by 1941 there is no reference to "Bourbon" street. Robert Strathdee's farming selection in the vicinity of the watering holes was recorded on early survey maps as 'Boorbung'.<ref>Rackemann (1992), ''Bundaberg'', p. 48</ref>

A pioneer pastoralist of the region, [[Nicholas Tooth]], wrote that "Bourbong" was derived from the local Aboriginal phrase "bier rabong", meaning "plenty dead". Tooth, who took up land in the area in the early 1860s, found that Aboriginal people resolutely avoided the "bier rabong" vicinity. He later found the skeletal remains there of around twenty Aboriginal people who were apparently massacred in a raid by the [[Native Police]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3595688 |title=MEETINGS. |newspaper=[[The Brisbane Courier]] |volume=LI |issue=11,556 |location=Queensland, Australia |date=28 January 1895 |access-date=9 December 2018 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=25 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325050821/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3595688 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==History==
[[File:BurnettRiver 1.jpg|thumb|Burnett River]]

===Early history===
The [[Traditional owner]] [[Aboriginal Australians|Aboriginal]] groups in the region are the [[Taribelang]], [[Goreng Goreng|Gooreng Gooreng]], [https://www.education.net.au/education/GURANG-LAND-COUNCIL-(ABORIGINAL-CORPORATION)-/1695/ Gurang], and Bailai peoples. They are the original inhabitants of the region.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Haydon|first=Cam|title=Aboriginal heritage|url=https://www.discoverbundaberg.com.au/aboriginal-heritage|access-date=2021-01-04|website=Discover Bundaberg|language=en|archive-date=15 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210315191637/https://www.discoverbundaberg.com.au/aboriginal-heritage|url-status=live}}</ref> A determination of [[Native title in Australia|Native Title]] was made for all four cultural groups by the [[National Native Title Tribunal]], pursuant to the ''[[Native Title Act 1993]],'' on 28 November 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |title=National Native Title Register Details |url=http://www.nntt.gov.au/searchRegApps/NativeTitleRegisters/Pages/NNTR_details.aspx?NNTT_Fileno=QCD2017/010 |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=www.nntt.gov.au |archive-date=3 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231103035420/http://www.nntt.gov.au/searchRegApps/NativeTitleRegisters/Pages/NNTR_details.aspx?NNTT_Fileno=QCD2017/010 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was determined that "native title exists in the entire determination area" of Bundaberg, [[Gladstone Region|Gladstone]], and the [[North Burnett Region|North Burnett]].

As such, the Bundaberg Regional Council has reflected this recognition in their "First Nations Strategy 2022-2026", and endeavours to celebrate and embrace the region's "local connections to First Nation Peoples and other cultures".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dobbins |first=Claire |title=First Nations Strategy 2022 - 2026 |url=https://www.bundaberg.qld.gov.au/community/first-nations-strategy-2022-2026 |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=Bundaberg Regional Council |language=en |archive-date=17 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117143038/https://www.bundaberg.qld.gov.au/community/first-nations-strategy-2022-2026 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Initial British colonisation ===
The first [[British people|British]] man to visit the area was [[James Davis (escaped convict)|James Davis]] in the 1830s. He was an escaped convict from the [[Moreton Bay Penal Settlement|Moreton Bay Penal settlement]] who lived with the [[Kabi people]] to the south of the region. He resided mostly around the [[Mary River (Queensland)|Mary River]] and was referred to as ''Durrumboi''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Petrie |first1=C.C. |title=Tom Petrie's Reminiscences of Early Queensland |url=https://archive.org/details/cu31924063745495/page/n5 |website=archive.org |access-date=16 October 2018}}</ref> The Burnett River was surveyed by [[John Charles Burnett]], after whom it was named during his exploration mission of the Wide Bay and Burnett regions in 1847.<ref name="bundaberg.qld.gov.au">{{cite web |url=http://www.bundaberg.qld.gov.au/files/Christ_Church_Bundaberg.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=28 May 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322093047/http://www.bundaberg.qld.gov.au/files/Christ_Church_Bundaberg.pdf |archive-date=22 March 2016 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bundaberg.qld.gov.au/files/Christ_Church_Bundaberg.pdf|title=Christ Church, Bundaberg|publisher=[[Bundaberg Regional Council]]|access-date=28 May 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322093047/http://www.bundaberg.qld.gov.au/files/Christ_Church_Bundaberg.pdf|archive-date=22 March 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

[[British occupation]] of the land in the region began in 1848 when [[squatting (pastoral)|pastoral squatters]] Gregory Blaxland Jnr and [[William Forster (Australian politician)|William Forster]] established a [[sheep station]]. Blaxland was a son of the Blue Mountains explorer, [[Gregory Blaxland]], and Forster was later to become a [[Premier of New South Wales]]. They selected a very large area of land which encompassed most of the western part of the modern day [[Bundaberg Region]] along the [[Burnett River]]. They named this pastoral lease Tirroan.

Blaxland and Forster had previously set up sheep stations near the [[Clarence River (New South Wales)|Clarence River]] and had a notable history of conflict with Aboriginal people.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article193604234 |title=CLARENCE RIVER HISTORICAL SOCIETY |newspaper=[[Daily Examiner]] |volume=28 |issue=8999 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=5 June 1937 |access-date=17 October 2018 |page=8 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=25 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325050820/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/193604234 |url-status=live }}</ref> Sheep stations imposed on native bushland disrupt native food production, typically resulting in widespread hunger and illness amongst native peoples. Conflict continued at Tirroan when two of their shepherds were killed by Aboriginal people in 1849. Forster and Blaxland led a [[punitive expedition]] causing multiple Aboriginal deaths. Further conflict occurred the following year when Blaxland was clubbed to death. Forster and a number of other squatters conducted another reprisal, resulting in a large massacre of Aboriginal people in scrubland toward the coastal part of Tirroan.

In the early 1850s, Forster sold the property to [[Alfred Henry Brown]] who changed the name of the pastoral lease to Gin Gin. At the same time, [[Native Police]] officer, [[Richard Purvis Marshall]], took up the Bingera leasehold in the rainforest scrubland downstream from Tirroan. Three towns in the Bundaberg region, [[Tirroan]], [[South Bingera, Queensland|South Bingera]] and [[Gin Gin, Queensland|Gin Gin]], commemorate these massive initial leaseholds.<ref name="laurie">{{Citation | author1=Laurie, Arthur | title=Early Gin Gin and the Blaxland tragedy | date=1952-01-01 | publisher=Royal Historical Society of Queensland | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/38259403 | access-date=23 April 2020 | archive-date=25 March 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325050830/https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/38259403 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="nolan">{{Citation | author1=Nolan, Janette Gay | title=A history of Bundaberg, 1840-1920 | date=1978-01-01 | publisher=The University of Queensland, School of History, Philosophy, Religion, and Classics | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/31785617 | access-date=23 April 2020 | archive-date=25 March 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325050827/https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/31785617 | url-status=live }}</ref>
{{Wide image|StateLibQld 1 394229 Sketch of Bundaberg, North Queensland, 1877.jpg|500px|''Sketch of Bundaberg, North Queensland'', 1877 ([[State Library of Queensland]])}}

=== Cattle and logging ===
[[File:StateLibQld 1 100192.jpg|thumb|Timber workers]]
[[File:StateLibQld 1 50564 South Sea Islanders on the deck of a ship arriving at Bundaberg, 1895.jpg|thumb|right|[[Kanaka (Pacific Island worker)|South Sea Islanders]] on the deck of a ship arriving in Bundaberg, 1895]]
[[File:StateLibQld 1 179835 South Sea Islander woman planting sugar cane in a field.jpg|thumb|right|South Sea Islander woman planting sugar cane in a field, c.1897]]
[[File:Promotional float for Paramount Theatre, Bundaberg, ca. 1930s.jpg|thumb|right|Promotional float for Paramount Theatre for [[White Zombie (film)|White Zombie]] with actors in [[blackface]], Bundaberg ca. 1930s.]]

Before colonisation, much of the land around the lower reaches of the Burnett River consisted of either the Woongarra Scrub, a subtropical rainforest that stood where most of the Bundaberg canefields now grow, or the Barolin Plains, a lightly timbered grassland that stretched along the coastal fringe. Neither of these areas were suitable for sheep farming but the British soon found that raising cattle was possible. In the early 1860s the first cattle stations in the area were established; [[Branyan, Queensland|Branyan]] on the south side of the Burnett River and [[Tantitha]] on the north side.<ref name="nolan" /><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article217132106 |title=EARLY BUNDABERG. |newspaper=[[The Bundaberg Mail]] |location=Queensland, Australia |date=4 April 1925 |access-date=23 April 2020 |page=8 |via=Trove |archive-date=25 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325050823/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/217132106 |url-status=live }}</ref>
 
Timber companies, such as that owned by [[William Pettigrew (politician)|William Pettigrew]], started the logging of the Woongarra Scrub in 1867.<ref name="nolan" />
In 1868, [[Samuel Johnston (Waterview)|Samuel Johnston]] erected a sawmill in [[Waterview, Queensland|Waterview]], on the north bank of the [[Burnett River]].<ref name="brch"/><ref>{{cite web|title=History of Bundaberg|url=http://bundaberg.qld.gov.au/discover/our-history/bundaberg|publisher=Bundaberg Regional Council|access-date=26 December 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140215052443/http://bundaberg.qld.gov.au/discover/our-history/bundaberg|archive-date=15 February 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The Waterview sawmill became a prominent supplier of timber until its closure in 1903 after being damaged by flood.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Kerr|first=John|title=Report on Site Visits|year=1998|page=298|url=http://www.daff.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/50787/qld_se_saw19.pdf|access-date=26 December 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140214043625/http://www.daff.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/50787/qld_se_saw19.pdf|archive-date=14 February 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

=== Town of Bundaberg ===
In 1867, timber-getters and farmers, John and Gavin Steuart, established the Woondooma property which consisted of a few houses and a wharf on the northern banks of the Burnett River where [[Bundaberg North, Queensland|Bundaberg North]] now stands.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bundaberg.qld.gov.au/discover/our-history/bundaberg|title=Bundaberg|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514114703/http://www.bundaberg.qld.gov.au/discover/our-history/bundaberg|archive-date=14 May 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="brch"/> An official survey of the area was undertaken in 1869 by [[John Charlton Thompson]],<ref name="brch">{{Cite web |url=http://bundaberg.qld.gov.au/discover/our-history/bundaberg |title=History of Bundaberg |access-date=21 September 2010 |publisher=[[Bundaberg Regional Council]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110217191305/http://bundaberg.qld.gov.au/discover/our-history/bundaberg |archive-date=17 February 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> assisted by James Ellwood and Alfred Dale Edwards,<ref name="Rackemann">''Bundaberg – From Pioneers to Prosperity.'' (1992) Neville Rackemann. p46 {{ISBN|0-646-12555-9}}</ref> and the town of Bundaberg was gazetted across the river on the higher, southern banks. The first Bundaberg land sale was held in [[Maryborough, Queensland|Maryborough]] on 11 May 1870 where hotelier John Foley bought the original lots.<ref name="nolan" /><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article148017566 |title=GOVERNMENT LAND SALE. |newspaper=[[Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser]] |location=Queensland, Australia |date=12 May 1870 |access-date=23 April 2020 |page=2 |via=Trove |archive-date=25 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325050832/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/148017566 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Sugar ===
Most of the early settlers exploited the timber and grew maize on their selections but as a result of the incentives of the Sugar and Coffee Regulations of 1864, sugar became a major component in Bundaberg's development from the 1870s. Experimental [[sugar cane]] cultivation in the district was first grown at John Charlton Thompson's [[Rubyanna, Queensland|Rubyanna]] property in 1870 and the first sugar mill was built by Richard Elliot Palmer at his [[Millbank, Queensland|Millbank]] plantation in 1872.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article148535256 |title=THE QUEENSLAND, STEAMER, AT BUNDABERG. |newspaper=[[Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser]] |location=Queensland, Australia |date=12 March 1872 |access-date=23 April 2020 |page=2 |via=Trove |archive-date=25 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325050847/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/148535256 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="sc">{{cite book |title=Beautiful Sugar Country |first=James |last=Hall |author2=Dening, Jill |year=1988 |publisher=Child & Associates Publishing |location=West End, Queensland |isbn=0-949267-86-4 |pages=2 }}</ref> Bundaberg rapidly became an important sugar production region after the construction of the Millaquin Sugar Refinery at [[East Bundaberg]] by [[Robert Cran]] and his sons in 1882.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article146515689 |title=MILLAQUIN REFINERY. |newspaper=[[Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser]] |location=Queensland, Australia |date=20 October 1882 |access-date=23 April 2020 |page=2 |via=Trove |archive-date=25 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325050824/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/146515689 |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Fairymead Sugar Plantation|Fairymead]] sugar processing plant owned by the Young Brothers (Arthur, Horace and Ernest Young) opened in 1884 which further augmented Bundaberg's sugar producing capacity.

The initial 35 years of the sugar industry in Bundaberg was reliant on [[South Sea Islander]] workers, who were often [[blackbirded]] and kept in a status close to slavery. The first significant shipload of [[Kanaka (Pacific Island worker)|Kanaka]] labour, as it was called, to arrive on the Burnett River came in January 1872 aboard the ''Petrel''.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article148535171 |title=SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE |newspaper=[[Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser]] |location=Queensland, Australia |date=16 January 1872 |access-date=23 April 2020 |page=2 |via=Trove |archive-date=25 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325050825/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/148535171 |url-status=live }}</ref> Allegations of kidnapping and wounding immediately arose concerning the recruitment of the Islanders on this vessel.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1308907 |title=THE CHARGE OF KIDNAPPING ON BOARD THE PETREL. |newspaper=[[The Brisbane Courier]] |location=Queensland, Australia |date=27 January 1872 |access-date=24 April 2020 |page=5 |via=Trove |archive-date=25 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325050828/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1308907 |url-status=live }}</ref> Influential Bundaberg plantation owners were able to purchase recruiting ships in order to obtain labour directly from areas such as the [[Solomon Islands]] and the [[Vanuatu|New Hebrides]]. The Young Brothers owned the ''Lochiel'' and the ''May'' vessels,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article175286782 |title=Schooner Lochiel. |newspaper=The Telegraph |location=Queensland, Australia |date=20 September 1900 |access-date=25 April 2020 |page=7 |via=Trove |archive-date=25 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325050826/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/175286782 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article21628786 |title=A Successful Recruiting Trip. |newspaper=[[The Queenslander]] |location=Queensland, Australia |date=2 February 1895 |access-date=25 April 2020 |page=197 |via=Trove |archive-date=25 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325050826/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/21628786 |url-status=live }}</ref> the Cran family and Frederic Buss were the major investors in the ''Helena'' while the ''Ariel'' was co-owned by a number of local planters.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article146679148 |title=BUNDABERG. |newspaper=[[Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser]] |location=Queensland, Australia |date=5 December 1884 |access-date=25 April 2020 |page=2 |via=Trove |archive-date=25 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325050827/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/146679148 |url-status=live }}</ref> While some of the recruitment was voluntary, violence and deception toward Islanders often took place. For example, the crew of the ''Helena'' fought a battle with the locals of [[Ambrym]] while taking Islanders from there.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article52272940 |title=TRIP OF THE "HELENA." |newspaper=[[Morning Bulletin]] |location=Queensland, Australia |date=12 November 1888 |access-date=25 April 2020 |page=5 |via=Trove |archive-date=25 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325050827/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/52272940 |url-status=live }}</ref>

These labourers had to work for three years and were only paid at the end of this time period. Instead of cash, they usually received substandard goods and trinkets of minimal value as payment.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Docker |first1=Edward W. |title=The Blackbirders |url=https://archive.org/details/blackbirdersrecr0000dock |url-access=registration |date=1970 |publisher=Angus and Robertson|isbn=9780207120381 }}</ref> Excessive mortality of the Islanders while serving their term of labour in the Bundaberg region was frequent. Overwork, poor housing, inadequate food, contaminated water supplies and a lack of medical care all contributed to the high death rate. Penalties for the plantation owners whose neglect resulted in these fatalities were rare and did not exceed a £10 fine.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article19794954 |title=Kanaka Mortality at Bundaberg. |newspaper=[[The Queenslander]] |location=Queensland, Australia |date=1 December 1883 |access-date=25 April 2020 |page=893 |via=Trove |archive-date=25 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325050830/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/19794954 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article217678282 |title=EXCESSIVE KANAKA MORTALITY. |newspaper=[[Toowoomba Chronicle and Darling Downs General Advertiser]] |location=Queensland, Australia |date=29 July 1893 |access-date=25 April 2020 |page=3 |via=Trove }}</ref> Importing South Sea Islander labour was made illegal in 1904 and enforced repatriation of these workers out of Bundaberg and other locations in Queensland occurred from 1906 to 1908.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article25970839 |title=KANAKA DEPORTATION. |newspaper=[[The Queenslander]] |location=Queensland, Australia |date=20 October 1906 |access-date=25 April 2020 |page=28 |via=Trove |archive-date=25 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325050828/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/25970839 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:StateLibQld 2 391697 Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Bundaberg, 1939.jpg|thumb|right|Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Bundaberg, 1939]]
The [[1911 Queensland sugar strike]] occurred after the phasing out of [[Kanaka (Pacific Island worker)|South Sea Islander labour]], with workers claiming that many plantation owners had substituted black indentured labourers (sometimes referred to as slaves) with white ones. Workers sought better accommodation, wages and conditions, including an eight-hour day and a minimum weekly wage of 30 shillings, including food. The mobilisation of unionists from Bundaberg to [[Mossman, Queensland|Mossman]] was a major achievement, with the 1911 strike lasting over seven weeks in Bundaberg where the town's economy was largely based on the sugar industry.<ref name="history-7">Janette Nolan,  Bundaberg, history and people, St Lucia: University of Queensland press, 1978, p. 147.</ref> The end result of the strike was a Commonwealth Royal Commission into the sugar industry in 1911–12, which had been initially requested by Harry Hall, a Bundaberg AWA organiser in 1908 with a petition signed by 1500 Bundaberg sugar workers.<ref name="history-8">[[Brisbane Courier]], 21 October 1908, p.5; Nolan, p. 146.</ref> The Royal Commission, with ALF Secretary [[Albert Hinchcliffe]] as secretary, concluded the AWA demands had been justified. The union victory was a watershed in organised labour in Queensland and Australia.<ref name="qhr3">{{cite QHR|33400|Fallon House|602814|access-date=1 August 2014}}</ref><ref name="history-9">Dr K H Kennedy, "The Rise of the Amalgamated Workers Association" in Lectures on North Queensland History, [[James Cook University]], Second Series 1975, pp. 198–199.</ref>
[[File:Vaudeville marquees on Quay Street at the edge of the Burnett River in Bundaberg 1935 (12649166584).jpg|thumb|[[Vaudeville]] marquees on Quay Street on the banks of the Burnett River, 1935]]

=== Further progress ===
[[File:StateLibQld 1 392105 Buss Park, Bundaberg, 1946.jpg|thumb|right|Buss Park vista, the Church of England to the left, and the Presbyterian Church and the Ambulance Building in the background, 1946]]
[[File:StateLibQld 1 393477 Bundaberg Post Office, 1948.jpg|thumb|Bundaberg War Memorial in front of the Bundaberg Post Office, 1948]]
St Joseph's School opened in June 1876.<ref name="qfhs">{{Citation|author1=Queensland Family History Society|title=Queensland schools past and present|date=2010|edition=Version 1.01|publisher=[[Queensland Family History Society]]|isbn=978-1-921171-26-0}}</ref>

With the passage of the ''Local Authorities Act 1902'', Barolin Division became the [[Shire of Barolin]] and the Borough of Bundaberg became the [[Town of Bundaberg]] on 31 March 1903. On 22 November 1913, Bundaberg was proclaimed a City.<ref>''Queensland Government Gazette'', Vol. CL, 22 November 1913, p.1422.</ref>

In 1912 Bundaberg pioneering aviator [[Bert Hinkler]] built and successfully flew his own glider on [[Mon Repos, Queensland|Mon Repos]] beach. He also completed a noteworthy non-stop flight from London to Turin in 1920. The following year in 1921 Hinkler flew from [[Sydney]] to Bundaberg, non-stop, in a record breaking flight of 8 and a half hours, in the process beating a telegram he had sent to his mother, to warn her of his arrival.<ref>O'Connor, T. (1996). A Pictorial History Of Queensland. Brisbane: Robert Brown & Associates (Qld) Pty Limited, pp.271–272.</ref>

The [[Bundaberg War Memorial]] commemorating those who died in the [[Anglo-Boer War]] and World War I was unveiled by [[Charles Brand (general)|Major-General Charles Brand]] on 30 July 1921.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article109988047 |title=Bundaberg Soldiers' Memorial. |newspaper=[[The Queensland Times]] |location=Ipswich, Qld. |date=1 August 1921 |access-date=6 April 2014 |page=6 |edition=DAILY |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=18 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210718064440/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/109988047 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Bundaberg War Memorial|url=http://monumentaustralia.org.au/display/90901-bundaberg-war-memorial|publisher=Monument Australia|access-date=6 April 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407142009/http://monumentaustralia.org.au/display/90901-bundaberg-war-memorial|archive-date=7 April 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The Bundaberg digger was imported from Italy and is constructed of Italian marble. The completed memorial, at a cost of £1,650, was the third most costly to be erected in Queensland. It is a major regional memorial and one of the two most intact digger memorials that remain in their original settings of intersections.

The [[Bundaberg tragedy]] of 1928 resulted in the deaths of 12 children in a 24-hour period after they were administered a contaminated [[diphtheria vaccine]].<ref>{{cite journal|title=Bundaberg's Gethsemane: the tragedy of the inoculated children|first1=Harry|last1=Akers|first2=Suzette|
last2=Porter|journal=Royal Historical Society of Queensland Journal|volume=20|number=7|year=2008|pages=261–278|url=https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:152716/UQ_PV_152716.pdf}}</ref>

In 1941 the [[Sisters of Mercy]] purchased the house ''Brabourne'' (originally owned by prominent citizen Frederick Buss) and established St Mary's Hostel, for women and girls working in or visiting Bundaberg. After [[World War II]], doctors were calling for modern hospital facilities in Bundaberg, so the Sisters converted the hostel into the Mater Private Hospital, a 24-bed hospital with an operating theatre, chapel, and accommodation for the nurses and maids, officially opening on 28 July 1946. The nurses were initially all nuns, but they established a training school for other women to become nurses. The hospital expanded over the years with additional beds, operating theatres, X-ray, pathology and a dedicated children's ward. It was the first hospital in Queensland to use the Zeiss ophthalmic microscope, the first regional hospital in Queensland to have a [[Lymphedema|lymphoedema]] clinic, and to use [[Facial-recognition technology|facial recognition technology]] for [[endoscopic sinus surgery]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Whittington|first=Dorothy|title=18 July 2021|page=72|work=[[The Sunday Mail (Brisbane)|The Sunday Mail]]}}</ref>

In the 1960s the township was completely flooded by the Burnett river. In 1967 Bundaberg celebrated its centenary by producing a coin and opening [[The Bundaberg and District Historical Museum]] in the [[Bundaberg Botanical Gardens]] in [[Bundaberg North]].

===Bundaberg in the 21st century===
In December 2010, Bundaberg suffered its worst [[2010–2011 Queensland floods|floods]] in 60 years, when floodwaters from the Burnett River inundated hundreds of homes.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/environment/weather/second-queensland-town-evacuated-due-to-floodwater-20101229-19a4p.html|title=Second Queensland town evacuated due to floodwater|author=Calligeros, Marissa and Cameron Atfield|date=30 December 2010|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=30 December 2010|archive-date=18 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210718064439/https://www.smh.com.au/environment/weather/rockhampton-food-stocks-plunge-20101229-19a4p.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Two years later, in January 2013, Bundaberg experienced its worst flooding in recorded history as a result of [[Cyclone Oswald]]. Floodwaters from the Burnett River peaked at 9.53 metres. Over 4,000 properties and 600 businesses had been affected by floodwaters, which moved in excess of {{convert|70|km/h}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://higherlogicdownload.s3.amazonaws.com/IPWEA/d084dcf4-6215-4255-a0bd-255ce5299a58/UploadedImages/QLD%20Conferences/Cairns%202013/Papers%20Presentations/Bundaberg%20Floods%20-%20The%20science%20behind%20the%20story%20-%20DH.pdf|title=Bundaberg Floods – The Science Behind the Story|last2=Regan|first2=Ben|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170613043529/https://higherlogicdownload.s3.amazonaws.com/IPWEA/d084dcf4-6215-4255-a0bd-255ce5299a58/UploadedImages/QLD%20Conferences/Cairns%202013/Papers%20Presentations/Bundaberg%20Floods%20-%20The%20science%20behind%20the%20story%20-%20DH.pdf|archive-date=13 June 2017|url-status=live|last1=Honor|first1=Dwayne|access-date=13 June 2017}}</ref> Two defence force Blackhawk helicopters were brought in from Townsville as part of the evacuation operation, which ultimately used an additional 14 aircraft.

On 6 April 2018, [[Charles, Prince of Wales|Prince Charles]] visited Bundaberg Rum Distillery<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.diageo.com/en/news-and-media/features/hrh-prince-charles-visits-the-bundaberg-rum-distillery-in-australia/|title=HRH Prince Charles visits the Bundaberg Rum distillery in Australia|date=6 April 2018|website=Diageo|access-date=21 April 2020|archive-date=25 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925103730/https://www.diageo.com/en/news-and-media/features/hrh-prince-charles-visits-the-bundaberg-rum-distillery-in-australia/|url-status=live}}</ref> He stated, ''“I'm thrilled that this Distillery's proving to be the one that produces some of the most famous and special of all rums around the world."''<ref name=":3" />

In 2018, the [[Australian Bureau of Statistics]] estimated the population of Bundaberg's significant urban area was 70,921 people.<ref name=ABSSUA2018>{{cite web|title=3218.0 – Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2017–18: Population Estimates by Significant Urban Area, 2008 to 2018|url=http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/DetailsPage/3218.02017-18|website=Australian Bureau of Statistics|publisher=[[Australian Bureau of Statistics]]|date=27 March 2019|access-date=25 October 2019|archive-date=27 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327110730/http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/DetailsPage/3218.02017-18|url-status=live}} Estimated resident population, 30 June 2018.</ref>

== Demographics ==
In the {{CensusAU|2016}}, the city of Bundaberg had a population of 50,148 people.<ref name="Census2016">{{Census 2016 AUS|id=UCL311001|name=Bundaberg (UCL)accessdate=20 October 2018|quick=on}}</ref>

In the 2016 Census, there were 69,069 people in Bundaberg (Significant Urban Area). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people made up 4.3% of the population. 81.2% of people were born in Australia. The next most common countries of birth were England 3.2%, New Zealand 1.8%, Philippines 0.7%, South Africa 0.5% and Scotland 0.4%. 88.9% of people spoke only English at home. Other languages spoken at home included Mandarin 0.5%, Italian 0.4%, German 0.3%, Afrikaans 0.2% and Tagalog 0.2%. The most common responses for religion were No Religion 26.3%, Catholic 18.7% and Anglican 18.6%.<ref name="ABSSUACensus16">{{Census 2016 AUS|id=3002|name=Bundaberg (Significant Urban Area)|accessdate=23 September 2018|quick=on}}[[File:CC-BY_icon.svg|50x50px]] Material was copied from this source, which is available under a [[creativecommons:by/4.0/|Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License]] {{Cite web |title=Creative Commons — Attribution 4.0 International — CC BY 4.0 |url=https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016050101/https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ |archive-date=16 October 2017 |access-date=23 September 2018}}.</ref>

In the {{CensusAU|2021}}, Bundaberg's [[urban area]] has a population of 73,747 people.<ref name=ABSSUA2021>{{Census 2021 AUS|id=3003|name= Bundaberg|access-date=2024-11-08|archive-date=2023-02-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219063816/https://www.abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/quickstats/2021/3003|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":4" />

== Heritage listings ==
[[File:Australia bundaberg aerial.jpg|thumb|Aerial view from the west]]
Bundaberg has a number of [[heritage-listed]] sites, including:
* Corner of Bargara Road and Zeilke Avenue, Kalkie: [[Kalkie State School]]<ref>{{cite QHR|15746|Kalkie State School|600971|access-date=7 July 2013}}</ref>
* Bourbong Street, Bundaberg Central: [[Bourbong Street Weeping Figs]]<ref>{{cite QHR|16801|Bourbong Street Weeping Figs|602065|access-date=7 July 2013}}</ref>
* Bourbong Street, Bundaberg Central: [[Bundaberg War Memorial]]<ref>{{cite QHR|15139|Bundaberg War Memorial|600364|access-date=7 July 2013}}</ref>
* Bourbong Street, West Bundaberg: [[Bundaberg War Nurses Memorial]]<ref>{{cite QHR|15140|Bundaberg War Nurses Memorial and Park|600365|access-date=7 July 2013}}</ref>
* Bourbong Street between Bundaberg Central and Bundaberg East: [[Kennedy Bridge, Bundaberg|Kennedy Bridge]]<ref>{{cite QHR|15142|Kennedy Bridge|600367|access-date=7 July 2013}}</ref>
*155a Bourbong Street: [[Bundaberg Post Office]]<ref>{{cite AHD|106125|Bundaberg Post Office|fn=4/02/101/0003|access-date=30 September 2018}}</ref>
* 184 Bourbong Street, Bundaberg Central: [[Bundaberg School of Arts]]<ref>{{cite QHR|15137|Bundaberg School of Arts|600362|access-date=7 July 2013}}</ref>
* 191–193 Bourbong Street, Bundaberg Central: [[Commercial Bank, Bundaberg|Commercial Bank]]<ref>{{cite QHR|15138|Commercial Bank of Sydney (former)|600363|access-date=7 July 2013}}</ref>
* 13 Crofton Street: [[Bundaberg Central State School]]<ref name="qhr">{{cite QHR|Bundaberg Central State School|601533|access-date=16 December 2017}}</ref>
* 30 George Street, South Bundaberg: [[St John's Lutheran Church, Bundaberg|St John's Lutheran Church]]<ref>{{cite QHR|33401|St John's Lutheran Church, Bundaberg|602815|access-date=7 July 2013}}</ref>
* 46 Johnston Street, Millbank: [[South Sea Islander Church]]<ref>{{cite QHR|16788|South Sea Islander Church and Hall|602052|access-date=7 July 2013}}</ref>
* 1 Maryborough Street, Bundaberg Central: [[Fallon House]]<ref>{{cite QHR|33400|Fallon House|602814|access-date=7 July 2013}}</ref>
* corner of Maryborough and Woongarra Streets, Bundaberg Central: [[St Andrews Uniting Church, Bundaberg|St Andrews Uniting Church]]<ref>{{cite QHR|19610|St Andrews Uniting Church|602489|access-date=7 July 2013}}</ref>
* Quay Street, Bundaberg Central: [[Bundaberg Police Station]]<ref>{{cite QHR|16499|Bundaberg Police Station Complex (former)|601762|access-date=7 July 2013}}</ref>
* Quay Street, Bundaberg Central, to Perry Street, Bundaberg North: [[Burnett Bridge]]<ref>{{cite QHR|15143|Burnett Bridge|600368|access-date=7 July 2013}}</ref>
* Quay Street, from Bundaberg Central to Bundaberg East: [[Saltwater Creek Railway Bridge]]<ref>{{cite QHR|15145|Saltwater Creek Railway Bridge|600370|access-date=7 July 2013}}</ref>
* Sir Anthony's Rest Street, Qunaba: [[Sir Anthony's Rest]]<ref>{{cite QHR|16789|Sir Anthony's Rest|602053|access-date=7 July 2013}}</ref>
* 17 Sussex Street, East Bundaberg: [[East Bundaberg Water Tower]]<ref>{{cite QHR|15144|East Water Tower|600369|access-date=7 July 2013}}</ref>
* Thornhill Street, Bundaberg North: [[Fairymead House]]<ref>{{cite QHR|15784|Fairymead House|601009|access-date=7 July 2013}}</ref>
* 55 Woongarra Street: [[4BU Radio Station building|4BU Radio Station]]<ref>{{cite QHR|16047|4BU Radio Station (former)|601284|access-date=7 July 2013}}</ref>
* Cnr Woongarra and Maryborough streets, Bundaberg Central: [[Christ Church, Bundaberg]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bundaberg.qld.gov.au/files/Christ_Church_Bundaberg.pdf|title=Christ Church, Bundaberg|website=Local Heritage Register|publisher=[[Bundaberg Regional Council]]|access-date=8 December 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220074038/http://www.bundaberg.qld.gov.au/files/Christ_Church_Bundaberg.pdf|archive-date=20 December 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The church sits adjacent to [[Buss Park]] which contains a memorial to [[Bert Hinkler]].

== Climate ==
Bundaberg has a warm [[humid subtropical climate]] ([[Köppen Climate Classification|Köppen]]: Cfa) with hot, wet summers and very mild, dry winters. Mean maximum temperatures are high for most of the year, from {{convert|22.3|C}} in July to {{convert|30.4|C}} in January. Annual rainfall averages around {{convert|997.0|mm}}, with a strong summer maximum and winter minimum.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_039128_All.shtml |title = Bundaberg Aero Climate Statistics (1942–2024) |publisher = [[Bureau of Meteorology]] |access-date = July 9, 2024 |archive-date = 6 December 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211206212549/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_039128_All.shtml |url-status = live }}</ref> Extreme temperatures ranged from {{convert|-0.7|C}} on 16 July 1918 to {{convert|40.2|C}} on 19 December 1901.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_039015_All.shtml |title = Bundaberg Post Office Climate Statistics (1885–1990) |publisher = [[Bureau of Meteorology]] |access-date = July 9, 2024 |archive-date = 9 December 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211209194942/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_039015_All.shtml |url-status = live }}</ref>
{{Weather box
|location = Bundaberg (24º54'36"S, 152º19'12"E, 31 m AMSL) (1942–2024 normals, extremes 1892–2024)
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|Jan record high C = 38.9
|Feb record high C = 38.6
|Mar record high C = 38.5
|Apr record high C = 34.9
|May record high C = 31.7
|Jun record high C = 29.7
|Jul record high C = 29.0
|Aug record high C = 31.1
|Sep record high C = 36.5
|Oct record high C = 35.8
|Nov record high C = 37.7
|Dec record high C = 40.2
|Jan high C = 30.4
|Feb high C = 30.2
|Mar high C = 29.4
|Apr high C = 27.6
|May high C = 24.9
|Jun high C = 22.7
|Jul high C = 22.3
|Aug high C = 23.6
|Sep high C = 25.7
|Oct high C = 27.2
|Nov high C = 28.6
|Dec high C = 29.7
|Jan low C = 21.5
|Feb low C = 21.4
|Mar low C = 20.2
|Apr low C = 17.6
|May low C = 14.2
|Jun low C = 11.6
|Jul low C = 10.3
|Aug low C = 10.9
|Sep low C = 13.7
|Oct low C = 16.6
|Nov low C = 18.8
|Dec low C = 20.6
|Jan record low C = 14.1
|Feb record low C = 12.2
|Mar record low C = 9.7
|Apr record low C = 6.7
|May record low C = 3.3
|Jun record low C = 0.7
|Jul record low C = -0.7
|Aug record low C = 0.6
|Sep record low C = 0.2
|Oct record low C = 5.5
|Nov record low C = 7.9
|Dec record low C = 10.6
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 167.3
|Feb precipitation mm = 154.1
|Mar precipitation mm = 111.7
|Apr precipitation mm = 55.8
|May precipitation mm = 66.3
|Jun precipitation mm = 48.3
|Jul precipitation mm = 39.3
|Aug precipitation mm = 32.5
|Sep precipitation mm = 34.1
|Oct precipitation mm = 78.0
|Nov precipitation mm = 86.5
|Dec precipitation mm = 123.6
|year precipitation mm = 997.0
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 7.9
|Feb precipitation days = 8.0
|Mar precipitation days = 7.0
|Apr precipitation days = 4.9
|May precipitation days = 4.6
|Jun precipitation days = 3.4
|Jul precipitation days = 3.1
|Aug precipitation days = 2.8
|Sep precipitation days = 2.9
|Oct precipitation days = 5.1
|Nov precipitation days = 5.6
|Dec precipitation days = 6.2
|Jan afthumidity = 61
|Feb afthumidity = 62
|Mar afthumidity = 59
|Apr afthumidity = 57
|May afthumidity = 54
|Jun afthumidity = 52
|Jul afthumidity = 49
|Aug afthumidity = 47
|Sep afthumidity = 49
|Oct afthumidity = 54
|Nov afthumidity = 57
|Dec afthumidity = 60
|Jan dew point C = 20.1
|Feb dew point C = 20.2
|Mar dew point C = 18.5
|Apr dew point C = 16.2
|May dew point C = 12.8
|Jun dew point C = 10.6
|Jul dew point C = 8.8
|Aug dew point C = 9.0
|Sep dew point C = 11.5
|Oct dew point C = 14.6
|Nov dew point C = 16.9
|Dec dew point C = 18.6
|source 1 = [[Bureau of Meteorology]] (1942–2024 normals, extremes 1892–2024)<ref>{{cite web 
|url = http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_039128_All.shtml 
|title = Bundaberg Aero Climate Statistics (1942–2024) 
|publisher = [[Bureau of Meteorology]] 
|access-date = July 9, 2024 
|archive-date = 6 December 2021 
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211206212549/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_039128_All.shtml 
|url-status = live 
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web 
|url = http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_039015_All.shtml 
|title = Bundaberg Post Office Climate Statistics (1885–1990) 
|publisher = [[Bureau of Meteorology]] 
|access-date = July 9, 2024 
|archive-date = 9 December 2021 
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211209194942/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_039015_All.shtml 
|url-status = live 
}}</ref>
}}

== Suburbs of Bundaberg ==
[[File:Bundaberg from the air 2.jpg|thumb|Aerial view to the north]]
<!-- These are the suburbs according to the Queensland Place Names Database, the others were in other towns or were localities -->
{{columns-list|colwidth=22em|* [[Avenell Heights, Queensland|Avenell]]
* [[Avoca, Queensland|Avoca]]
* [[Branyan, Queensland|Branyan]]
* [[Bundaberg Central]]
* [[Bundaberg East]]
* [[Bundaberg North, Queensland|Bundaberg North]]
* [[Bundaberg South]]
* [[Bundaberg West]]
* [[Kalkie, Queensland|Kalkie]]
* [[Kepnock, Queensland|Kepnock]]
* [[Millbank, Queensland|Millbank]]
* [[Norville, Queensland|Norville]]
* [[Svensson Heights, Queensland|Svensson Heights]]
* [[Thabeban, Queensland|Thabeban]]
* [[Walkervale, Queensland|Walkervale]]

}}

Increasing population in Bundaberg is extending residential development into rural localities, such as [[Ashfield, Queensland|Ashfield]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bundaberg Region's new Planning Scheme released|url=https://www.insitesjc.com.au/blog/bundaberg-regional-councils-new-planning-scheme-released|access-date=2021-02-01|website=InsiteSJC|archive-date=14 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210314032329/https://www.insitesjc.com.au/blog/bundaberg-regional-councils-new-planning-scheme-released|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Media ==
Local commercial FM radio stations are [[The Breeze (Australia)|Breeze 102.5]], [[Triple M|Triple M 93.1]], and [[Rebel FM|Rebel 106.7]]. 

== Economy ==
[[File:Bundy-BourbongCBD.jpg|thumb|Looking down Bourbong Street, Bundaberg town centre.]]
[[File:Bundaberg, le bureau de poste.jpg|thumb|right|Bundaberg town centre with Bundaberg General Post Office to the right.]]
[[File:Woman riding turtle at Mon Repos.jpg|thumb|Young woman riding on the back of a turtle at Mon Repos Beach, near Bundaberg, ca. 1930.]]

[[Subtropics|Subtropical]] Bundaberg is dependent to a large extent on the local sugar industry. Extensive [[sugar cane]] fields have been developed throughout the district. Value-adding operations, such as the milling and refinement of sugar, and its packaging and distribution, are located around the city. A local factory that manufactured sugar-cane harvesters was closed down after it was taken over by the US [[multinational corporation]] [[CNH (company)|Case New Holland]]. Most of the raw sugar is exported.<ref name="sc"/> A bulk terminal for the export of sugar is located on the Burnett River east of Bundaberg. Recent years have seen the reduction of cane farms and in turn increase of Macadamia farms, whoms main market is China.

Another of the city's exports is [[Bundaberg Rum]], made from the sugar cane by-product [[molasses]]. Bundaberg is also home to beverage producer [[Bundaberg Brewed Drinks]] [[Vintage Soda]], Craft Brewery [[Ballistic Brewing Company]] and Craft Distillery's [[Waterview Distillery]] and [[Kalki Moon]].

Commercial fruit and vegetable production is also significant: avocado, banana, bean, button squash, capsicum, chilli, citrus, cucumber, custard apple, egg fruit, honeydew melon, lychee, mango, passionfruit, potato, pumpkin, rockmelon, snow peas, stone fruit, sweet corn, sweet potato, tomato, watermelon, zucchini.<ref>{{cite web|title=What's Growing?|url=http://www.bfvg.com.au/whats-growing|publisher=Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers|access-date=27 December 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131227191607/http://www.bfvg.com.au/whats-growing|archive-date=27 December 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Macadamia nuts are also grown.<ref>{{cite web|title=Electra going nuts for macadamias|work=News Mail |url=http://www.news-mail.com.au/news/nutty-facts-macadamia-planting-in-the-bundaberg-re/1884338/|publisher=Bundaberg NewsMail|access-date=27 December 2013|date=28 May 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131227184039/http://www.news-mail.com.au/news/nutty-facts-macadamia-planting-in-the-bundaberg-re/1884338/|archive-date=27 December 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Due to the year-round farm work available in Bundaberg, the city has a high number of working hostels for backpackers looking to extend their [[Working holidays in Australia|working holiday visa]] in Australia. The hostels provide backpackers with work on farms across the Bundaberg area. However, the hostels and farms have received huge criticism in the press and on social media due to the treatment some backpackers have faced.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/he-sacked-them-for-pleading-for-water-20100312-q45l.html|title=He sacked them for pleading for water|publisher=Sydney Morning Herald|date=10 March 2010|access-date=24 July 2022|archive-date=24 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220724102110/https://www.smh.com.au/national/he-sacked-them-for-pleading-for-water-20100312-q45l.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/10/06/back-o06.html|title=Pandemic exposes Australian employers' exploitation of young backpackers|publisher=World Socialist Website|date=5 October 2020|access-date=24 July 2022|archive-date=24 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220724102114/https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/10/06/back-o06.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[The Courier-Mail]] have reported claims of poor living conditions, underpayment and allegations of sexual abuse which they say has led to backpackers warning others about working hostels in Bundaberg.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/web-stories/free/newsmail-bundaberg/why-backpackers-are-warning-off-bundaberg|title=Why are backpackers warning off Bundaberg|publisher=Courier Mail|accessdate=24 July 2022}}</ref>

Because of its high rate of unemployment, Bundaberg has been referred to as the "dole capital of Australia".<ref name="wequ">{{Cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-09-21/welfare-quarantine-on-the-cards-for-thousands-of-queenslanders/8965774 |title=Welfare quarantine on the cards for thousands of Queenslanders in Wide Bay region |author=Allyson Horn |access-date=21 September 2017 |date=21 September 2017 |work=ABC News |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921150958/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-09-21/welfare-quarantine-on-the-cards-for-thousands-of-queenslanders/8965774 |archive-date=21 September 2017 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

==Tourism==
Tourism is an important industry in Queensland, and Bundaberg is known as the 'Southern Gateway to the [[Great Barrier Reef]]'.<ref name="brch"/> The city lies near the southern end of the reef in proximity to [[Lady Elliot Island|Lady Elliot]] and [[Lady Musgrave Island]]s. The nearby town of [[Bargara, Queensland|Bargara]] is an increasingly popular holiday and retirement destination.
[[File:Bundaberg Rum visitors building IGP4192.JPG|alt=bundy rum office|thumb|Bundaberg Rum Tours]]

Nearby beaches are popular with both locals and tourists.<ref name="brth">{{Cite news |url=http://www.news-mail.com.au/story/2009/12/17/the-bundaberg-region/ |title=Bundaberg region a tourist haven |author=Vanessa Marsh |access-date=21 September 2010 |date=17 December 2009 |work=NewsMail |publisher=APN News & Media |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002091820/http://www.news-mail.com.au/story/2009/12/17/the-bundaberg-region/ |archive-date=2 October 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> [[Moore Park Beach, Queensland|Moore Park Beach]], to the city's north, has {{convert|20|km|mi}} of golden sandy beach. Beaches on the southern side of the Burnett River are (from north to south) the Oaks Beach, Mon Repos, Nielson Park,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Greg Barnes - Representative for Division 5 - Bundaberg Regional Council|url=https://www.gregbarnes.com.au/update-on-a-number-of-issues/|access-date=2020-09-04|archive-date=14 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210314034915/https://www.gregbarnes.com.au/update-on-a-number-of-issues/|url-status=live}}</ref> Bargara Beach, Kellys Beach, Innes Park and [[Elliott Heads]].

[[Cania Gorge National Park]], [[Deepwater National Park]], [[Eurimbula National Park]] and [[Kinkuna National Park]], located in the Bundaberg region are popular with campers and bush-lovers.<ref name="brth"/>

Tours of the [[Bundaberg Rum]] [[distillation|distillery]] and attractions at [[Bundaberg Botanic Gardens]], such as the [[2 ft and 600 mm gauge railways|2 ft narrow gauge]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://qldrailheritage.com/ascr/index.html|title=Australian Sugar Cane Railway (ASCR), Bundaberg|work=qldrailheritage.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309061732/http://qldrailheritage.com/ascr/index.html|archive-date=9 March 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref> [[Australian Sugar Cane Railway]], are also popular with tourists.<ref name="brth"/> The [[South Kolan#Tourism|Mystery Craters]], 35 unexplained water-filled holes in the ground, discovered in 1971 at [[South Kolan, Queensland|South Kolan]], are also a tourist attraction.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.queenslandholidays.com.au/things-to-see-and-do/mystery-craters-9010666/index.cfm |title=Mystery Craters |access-date=21 September 2010 |publisher=Tourism Queensland |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111030221832/http://www.queenslandholidays.com.au/things-to-see-and-do/mystery-craters-9010666/index.cfm |archive-date=30 October 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

Opened in 2002 by the former [[Members of the Australian House of Representatives|member]] for [[Division of Hinkler|Hinkler]] [[Paul Neville (politician)|Paul Neville]], the Tom Quinn Community Centre gardens (a multiple "Bundy in Bloom" winner) is a site to be seen with local flora and fauna, its own cafe, marketplace, chapel, green house, training facilities, woodwork and indigenous nature section.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://salvos.org.au/bundaberg/tqcc/|title=TQCC » salvos.org.au/bundaberg/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304185348/http://salvos.org.au/bundaberg/tqcc/|archive-date=4 March 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Opened in December 2008, the [[Hinkler Hall of Aviation]] is an historical aviation tourist attraction that celebrates pioneer solo aviator Bert Hinkler. In 1928, Hinkler was the first person to fly solo from England to Australia.<ref name="dqh">{{cite book |title=Discover Queensland Heritage |last=Cook |first=Penny |year=2006 |publisher=Pictorial Press Australia |location=Corinda, Queensland |isbn=1876561424 |page=29 }}</ref> The museum includes an exhibition hall, featuring multi-media exhibits, a flight simulator, a theatre, five aircraft and the historic [[Hinkler House]].

Other local attractions and events include the Whaling Wall, East Bundaberg Water Tower, Baldwin Swamp Environmental Park, Alexandra Park Zoo, [[Buss Park]], Barrell House, Bundy in Bloom, Whale watching, reef tours of Lady Musgrave & Lady Elliiot islands, the Bundaberg Show, Bundaberg & Childers Regional Art Galleries, the Bundaberg Gliding school, Fishing Charters, the Bundaberg International Air Show, and the Woongarra Marine Park.

Bundaberg has [[Ghost hunting|ghost tours]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Paranormal Bundy: The places where you're most likely to have a spooky encounter |url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=CMWEB_WRE170_a_GGL&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.couriermail.com.au%2Fnews%2Fqueensland%2Fbundaberg%2Fparanormal-bundy-the-places-where-youre-most-likely-to-have-a-spooky-encounter%2Fnews-story%2Fa24751b304eb145a53abed716a7946de&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&v21=dynamic-cold-test-score&V21spcbehaviour=append |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214050727/https://www.couriermail.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=CMWEB_WRE170_a_GGL&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.couriermail.com.au%2Fnews%2Fqueensland%2Fbundaberg%2Fparanormal-bundy-the-places-where-youre-most-likely-to-have-a-spooky-encounter%2Fnews-story%2Fa24751b304eb145a53abed716a7946de&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&v21=dynamic-cold-test-score&V21spcbehaviour=append |archive-date=14 December 2021 |access-date=14 December 2021 |publisher=Courier Mail}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=30 May 2021 |title=Spine-tingling suspense in new Midnight Ghost Tour |url=https://www.bundabergnow.com/2021/05/30/spine-tingling-suspense-in-new-midnight-ghost-tour/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214050722/https://www.bundabergnow.com/2021/05/30/spine-tingling-suspense-in-new-midnight-ghost-tour/ |archive-date=14 December 2021 |access-date=13 December 2021 |publisher=Bundaberg Today}}</ref>

===Museums and galleries===
The Bundaberg region contains a variety of museums and art galleries that showcase the region's history and culture.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bundabergregion.org/destinations/bundaberg-city/attractions/galleries-museums-and-collections|title=Bundaberg City Galleries, Museums and Collections Attractions – Bundaberg Region QLD|work=bundabergregion.org|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929223836/http://www.bundabergregion.org/destinations/bundaberg-city/attractions/galleries-museums-and-collections|archive-date=29 September 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
* [[Hinkler Hall of Aviation]]
* [[Hinkler House]]
* [[Fairymead House|Fairymead House and Sugar History Museum]]
* BRAG, the [[Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery]]
* CHARTS, the [[Childers Art Space]]
* [[Bundaberg and District Historical Museum]]
* [[Bundaberg Railway Museum]]
* [[Bundaberg Rum]] Distillery Tours<ref>{{Cite web|title = Tours|url = http://www.bundabergrum.com.au/tours|website = www.bundabergrum.com.au|access-date = 22 January 2016|url-status = live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160121020236/http://www.bundabergrum.com.au/tours|archive-date = 21 January 2016|df = dmy-all}}</ref>
* [[Bundaberg Botanic Gardens]] containing the 'Hinkler Hall of Aviation', 'Hinkler House', 'Fairymead House' and the 'Bundaberg Steam Tramway Preservation Inc.'
* [[South Kolan|Mystery Craters]] in [[South Kolan]]
* [[Schmeider's Cooperage]] (Bundy Kegs)
* [[Bundaberg Ginger Beer]]

[[File:SouthKolanMysteryCraters.jpg|thumb|upright|South Kolan Mystery Craters]]
[[File:BundabergRumFactory.jpg|thumb|Bundaberg Rum Factory, Bundaberg]]

===Memorials===
* [[Bundaberg War Memorial]]
* [[Buss Park#Hinkler memorial|Hinkler Memorial]]

==Culture==

===Arts and entertainment===
Bundaberg has two cinemas. The [[Reading Cinemas]], on Johanna Boulevarde, west Bundaberg, and the Moncrieff Entertainment Centre (formerly known as the [[Moncrieff Theatre]]), located on Bourbong Street, central Bundaberg. The Moncrieff Entertainment Centre also holds live musical and theatrical performances year round.<ref>{{cite web|title=Moncrieff Entertainment Centre|url=http://bundaberg.qld.gov.au/moncrieff/|access-date=25 June 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120524152356/http://bundaberg.qld.gov.au/moncrieff/|archive-date=24 May 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

The Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery (BRAG) is a large multi-purpose visual arts facility located in central Bundaberg.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery|url=http://bundaberg.qld.gov.au/residents/arts|access-date=25 June 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120821155745/http://bundaberg.qld.gov.au/residents/arts|archive-date=21 August 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The Bundaberg Regional Council operates a public library at 49 Woondooma Street.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au/networking/directory-of-public-libraries/branches/bundaberg/bundaberg_library|title=Bundaberg Library (Public Libraries Connect)|publisher=State Library of Queensland|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213091518/http://plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au/networking/directory-of-public-libraries/branches/bundaberg/bundaberg_library|archive-date=13 December 2017|url-status=live|access-date=13 December 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

=== Media ===

The ''[[NewsMail]]'' newspaper is published in Bundaberg from Monday to Saturday. It is available in print and online.<ref>{{cite web|title=NewsMail|url=http://www.news-mail.com.au/|access-date=25 June 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120615012026/http://www.news-mail.com.au/|archive-date=15 June 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref> 
Several community newspapers are also available including the Guardian,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://apnarm.com.au/print/community/4617/|title=Guardian|work=apnarm.com.au|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130409082507/http://apnarm.com.au/print/community/4617/|archive-date=9 April 2013|df=dmy-all|access-date=3 May 2013}}</ref> The Bugle<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.truelocal.com.au/business/bugle-newspaper/bundaberg-west|title=Bugle Newspaper|work=TrueLocal.com.au|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130330073940/http://www.truelocal.com.au/business/bugle-newspaper/bundaberg-west|archive-date=30 March 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> & the Bundaberg Coastline<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.coastlinenews.com.au/|title=Coastline Newspaper Group – Home|work=coastlinenews.com.au|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130503150216/http://www.coastlinenews.com.au/|archive-date=3 May 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

{{columns-list|colwidth=22em|
* [[ABC Local Radio]]: Wide Bay 855 AM/100.1 FM – due to the terrain of the area, both AM and FM frequencies are used.
* [[4BU]] 1332 AM (commercial) – owned by [[Grant Broadcasters]]
* Triple M 93.1 (commercial) – part of the Triple M Network, owned by [[Southern Cross Media Group]] .
* Hitz FM 93.9 (commercial) – owned by [[ARN (Australian radio)|ARN]]
* [[The Breeze (Australia)|Breeze 102.5]] (commercial) Wide Bay
* [[Rebel FM|Rebel 106.7]] (commercial) Wide Bay
* 4BCR 94.7 FM (community)
* 4DoubleB 96.3 FM (community)
* Kix Country 97.1 FM (narrowcast) – owned by [[Grant Broadcasters]]
* RadioTAB 95.5 FM (narrowcast) – owned by [[Tatts Group]]
* [[ABC Classic FM]] 98.5 FM
* [[Triple J]] 99.3 FM
* [[ABC Radio National]] 100.9 FM

}}

Bundaberg is served by three commercial television stations ([[Seven Queensland]], [[WIN Television]] and [[Southern Cross 10|10]]) and publicly owned services ([[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC TV]]) and ([[Special Broadcasting Service|SBS]]).

Local news coverage of Bundaberg and the Wide Bay is provided on all three commercial networks with both ''[[Seven News]]'' and [[RTQ|WIN Queensland]]'s ''[[WIN News]]'' half-hour bulletins airing at 5:30 each weeknight. [[Southern Cross Austereo]] also airs brief local news & weather updates at various intervals throughout the day on Channel 10.

===Popular culture===
The city has featured in several films:
* ''[[The Delinquents (1989 film)|The Delinquents]]'' (1989), starring [[Kylie Minogue]], which was set in Bundaberg, but partly shot in Brisbane<ref>{{Cite news |date=2016-03-23 |title=Remember that time Kylie Minogue shot a movie in Bundy? |url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/bundaberg/remember-that-time-kylie-minogue-shot-a-movie-in-bundy/news-story/55e28e924f61a8da647a31b1efec5cb0 |access-date=2025-09-13 |work=The Courier Mail}}</ref>
* ''[[The Mango Tree (film)|The Mango Tree]]'' (1977)<ref>{{Cite news |title=FLASHBACK: Five movies filmed in rural Queensland |url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/south-burnett/flashback-five-movies-filmed-in-rural-queensland/news-story/5445f560787c7b58610769156b9e0ff2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328095628/https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/south-burnett/flashback-five-movies-filmed-in-rural-queensland/news-story/5445f560787c7b58610769156b9e0ff2 |archive-date=28 March 2024 |access-date=2025-09-13 |work=couriermail |language=en-GB |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ''[[Talking Back at Thunder]]'' (2014), starring [[Steven Tandy]]<ref>{{Cite news |last=Reid |first=Emma |date=2017-01-31 |title=WATCH: Movie filmed in Bundy is a thriller |url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/bundaberg/watch-movie-filmed-in-bundy-is-a-thriller/news-story/52c3be8d235a2cbf0420d0b978ff6de6 |access-date=2025-09-13 |work=The Courier Mail}}</ref>
*''[[Flathead (film)|Flathead]]'' (2024), a [[docufiction]] film directed by Jaydon Martin<ref>{{cite web | title=Flathead | website=[[Sydney Film Festival]] | date=11 February 2024 | url=https://www.sff.org.au/program/browse/flathead | access-date=6 June 2024 | archive-date=6 June 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240606005003/https://www.sff.org.au/program/browse/flathead | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Marsellos | first=Brad | title=Bundaberg in focus as indie filmmaker gets hooked on filming Flathead | website=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] | date=19 April 2021 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-04-20/bundaberg-indie-filmmakers-flathead-filming-queensland/100064786 | access-date=6 June 2024 | archive-date=6 June 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240606010633/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-04-20/bundaberg-indie-filmmakers-flathead-filming-queensland/100064786 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Marsellos | first=Brad | title=Independent film Flathead to be shot in Bundaberg to focus on 'that guy you see at the end of the bar' | website=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] | date=19 October 2020 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-10-20/film-makers-hooked-to-bundaberg-for-fish-tale-flathead/12781548 | access-date=6 June 2024 | archive-date=6 June 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240606010621/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-10-20/film-makers-hooked-to-bundaberg-for-fish-tale-flathead/12781548 | url-status=live }}</ref>

== Sport ==
[[File:Mitchell Langerak.jpg|thumb|Mitchell Langerak, former Bundaberg footballer, who is now playing for [[Nagoya Grampus]] in the [[J1 League]]]]

Most major Australian sporting codes are played in Bundaberg.

=== Australian rules ===
Bundaberg has two current clubs playing in the [[AFL Wide Bay]] competition.
*Across The Waves Bundaberg Eagles (merger of North Bundaberg and Souths/ATW Magpies)
*Brothers Bulldogs (formerly West Bundaberg)

=== Basketball ===
Bundaberg has two professional teams competing in the ConocoPhillips Central Queensland Cup. They are the [[Bundaberg Bulls]] (men) and [[Bundaberg Bears]] (women) and both feature local players.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bundybasketball.com.au/qbl | title=QBL }}</ref>

=== Chess ===
Bundaberg Chess Club was established in 1985.<ref>https://www.bundabergchessclub.com.au/ {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2025}}</ref>

=== Cricket ===
Bundaberg has five current clubs playing in the Bundaberg Cricket Association competition.

=== Croquet ===
[[Bundaberg Croquet Club]] is the oldest [[Croquet]] club in Australia.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bundaberg Croquet Club |url=https://www.revolutionise.com.au/caq/clubs/bundaberg-croquet-club/ |access-date=2022-12-23 |website=Croquet Queensland |archive-date=20 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221220115444/https://www.revolutionise.com.au/caq/clubs/bundaberg-croquet-club/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Darts ===
Bundaberg Darts and Sports Association host's tournaments monthly.

=== Golf ===
Bundaberg has [[Bargara, Queensland#Sports|Bargara Golf Club]], Bundaberg Golf Club and [[Coral Cove, Queensland#Attractions|Coral Cove Golf Club]].

=== Rowing ===
Bucca Weir, west of Bundaberg, is an eight lane rowing course home to [[Bundaberg Rowing Club]]. It hosts the Queensland School's Championship Regatta each year in September, as well as numerous local regattas.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rowingqld.asn.au/our-events/ |website=Rowing Queensland |access-date=13 August 2023 |title=Events |archive-date=13 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813113848/https://www.rowingqld.asn.au/our-events/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Rugby league ===
The [[Bundaberg Rugby League|Bundaberg Rugby Football League]] is a nine-club competition run under the [[Queensland Rugby League]]'s Central Division. Bundaberg competes in the Central Division's 47th Battalion Shield and the [[Bundaberg Grizzlies]] formerly competed in the [[Queensland Cup]] statewide competition.

=== Rugby union ===
[[Bundaberg and District Rugby Union]] is the governing body for Rugby union and run's a competition.
Teams are:
* [[Alloway Falcons]]
* [[Bundaberg Barbarians]]
* [[East Coast Buccaneers]]
* [[Isis Crushers]]

=== Soccer ===
The Bundaberg Soccer Football Association was formed at the Grand Hotel on 1 May 1923.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/218236123 | title=Soccer Football | newspaper=Bundaberg Mail | date=3 May 1923 | access-date=16 October 2022 | archive-date=16 October 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221016105424/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/218236123 | url-status=live }}</ref> In 2023 Bundaberg Football will celebrate the centenary of formation of the Association, however there's evidence that soccer football has been played in Bundaberg and surrounding districts since at least the 1890's.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/146985848 | title=Football | newspaper=Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser | date=20 July 1896 | access-date=16 October 2022 | archive-date=16 October 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221016105428/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/146985848 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/147681460 | title=Association Rules | newspaper=Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser | date=24 May 1897 | access-date=16 October 2022 | archive-date=16 October 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221016105426/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/147681460 | url-status=live }}</ref>

Bundaberg was home to the [[Bundaberg Spirit]] soccer club. They participated in the [[Queensland State League (association football)|Queensland State League]] against other teams across Queensland.

=== Tennis ===
The Bundaberg & District Tennis Senior Association operates eleven floodlit clay courts in Drinan Park, Bundaberg West at the corner of George & Powers Streets.<ref name="Tennis Bundaberg Website">{{cite web
 |year        = 2008
 |url         = http://bundy-tennis.wikidot.com
 |title       = Tennis Bundaberg Website
 |format      = PHP
 |publisher   = Bundaberg & District Tennis Senior Association
 |access-date  = 21 December 2008
 |url-status     = live
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20090131071919/http://bundy-tennis.wikidot.com/
 |archive-date = 31 January 2009
 |df          = dmy-all
}}</ref> Competition tennis is played all year round. The Bundaberg & District Junior Tennis Association operates five artificial grass courts, and two granite courts.

==Community groups==
The Bundaberg branch of the [[Queensland Country Women's Association]] meets at the QCWA Hall at 15 Quay Street, Bundaberg Central.<ref name=":2" /> The Hinkler branch of the [[Queensland Country Women's Association]] meets at the McDonalds Central Bundaberg on the corner of Woongarra & Targo Street, Bundaberg Central.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://www.qcwa.org.au/branch-locations/|title=Branch Locations|publisher=[[Queensland Country Women's Association]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226010724/http://www.qcwa.org.au/branch-locations/|access-date=26 December 2018|archive-date=26 December 2018|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

==Education==

There are many public and private primary schools in Bundaberg. Bundaberg South State School opened on 11 May 1891, with an enrollment of 167 students and under the direction of William Benbow.<ref name=":0">{{Cite QldSchool|access-date=18 April 2019}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.imags.com.au/Bundaberg_South_State_School/files/assets/common/downloads/publication.pdf|title=Bundaberg South State School 1891–2016|date=2016|website=imags|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203123735/http://www.imags.com.au/Bundaberg_South_State_School/files/assets/common/downloads/publication.pdf|archive-date=3 February 2018|url-status=live|access-date=3 February 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The school celebrated its 125-year anniversary in 2016.<ref name=":1" />

Bundaberg has three public high schools, Bundaberg North State High School which opened on 29 January 1974,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bundnortshs.eq.edu.au/Pages/default.aspx|title=Bundaberg North SHS|access-date=30 January 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202060812/https://bundnortshs.eq.edu.au/Pages/default.aspx|archive-date=2 February 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name=":0"/> [[Bundaberg State High School]] which opened on 30 January 1912<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bundabergshs.eq.edu.au/Pages/default.aspx|title=Bundaberg SHS|access-date=30 January 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202060738/https://bundabergshs.eq.edu.au/Pages/default.aspx|archive-date=2 February 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name=":0"/> (the second-oldest high school in Queensland that is still open)<ref name=":0"/> and Kepnock State High School which opened on 28 January 1964.<ref name=":0"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kepnockshs.eq.edu.au/Pages/default.aspx|title=Kepnock SHS|access-date=30 January 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202060738/https://kepnockshs.eq.edu.au/Pages/default.aspx|archive-date=2 February 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref> There are also three main private secondary schools: [[Shalom Catholic College, Bundaberg|Shalom Catholic College]], [[St Luke's Anglican School]], and [[Bundaberg Christian College]].

There is a campus of the Wide Bay Institute of [[Technical and further education]] on Walker St and a campus of the [[Central Queensland University]], located adjacent to the airport. There is a campus of the [[Booth College]] at the [[Salvation Army]]'s Tom Quinn Community Centre.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://boothcollege.edu.au/campuses-and-student-resources/associated-training-sites/tom-quinn-community-centre-bundaberg/|title=Tom Quinn Community Centre, Bundaberg|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306022000/http://boothcollege.edu.au/campuses-and-student-resources/associated-training-sites/tom-quinn-community-centre-bundaberg/|archive-date=6 March 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

==Transport==
[[File:Bundy-CBDfromBurnett 1.jpg|thumb|View of Bundaberg town centre from the Burnett River bridge.]]

[[Bundaberg Airport]] has flights to Brisbane and Lady Elliot Island. The city is home to the [[Jabiru Aircraft]] Company, which designs and manufactures a range of small civil utility aircraft.

Bundaberg's bus operator is Duffy's City Buses. As of 2013, they transport over 1000 passengers in town services, and over 2000 passengers in school services every day.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.duffysbuses.com.au/ |publisher=Duffy's City Buses |title=Duffy's City Buses |access-date=20 February 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130327132932/http://www.duffysbuses.com.au/ |archive-date=27 March 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Routes extend to the beach suburbs of [[Burnett Heads]], [[Bargara]], and [[Innes Park]]. [[Stewart & Sons]] also operates bus services in the area.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stewarts-coaches.com.au/?page=1|title=Stewart and Sons Coaches|work=stewarts-coaches.com.au|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140422185418/http://www.stewarts-coaches.com.au/?page=1|archive-date=22 April 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

{{main|Bundaberg railway station}}
Bundaberg is serviced by several [[Queensland Rail]] passenger trains, including the [[Tilt Train]] and is approximately four and a half hours north of Brisbane by rail. The closed [[North Bundaberg railway station|North Bundaberg station]] formerly served the [[Mount Perry railway line]] and is now a museum.

South of Bundaberg at 24°56'43"S 152°22'5"E, there is one of the weirdest crossings of two railway lines, as there criosses a narrow gauge railway line of a sugar plantage a normal gauge railway on a drawbridge [https://www.railexpress.com.au/is-this-australias-weirdest-railroad-crossing/].

Bundaberg is situated at the end of the [[Isis Highway]] (State Route 3), approximately {{convert|50|km|mi}} east of its junction with the [[Bruce Highway]]. Many long-distance bus services also pass through the city.

[[Bundaberg Port]] is located {{convert|20|km|mi}} northeast of the city, at the mouth of the [[Burnett River]]. The port is a destination for ships from Australia and overseas. It is predominantly used for shipping raw sugar and other goods related to that industry such as [[Bundaberg Rum]].

==Health==
Bundaberg is served by three hospitals. One public hospital, [[Bundaberg Base Hospital]] on Bourbong St, and two private hospitals, Friendly Society Private Hospital & Mater Hospital.

The Friendly Society Hospital has undergone a redevelopment and forms part of the GP Super Clinic Program.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/pacd-gpsuperclinics|title=GP Super Clinics Programme|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170715185452/http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/pacd-gpsuperclinics|archive-date=15 July 2017|url-status=live|access-date=2 February 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Bundaberg is also home to the Royal Flying Doctor Service, who regularly transport patients to Bundaberg from more rural and remote areas, as well as transferring critically ill patients to Brisbane for specialist care.

== Military ==
Bundaberg houses two military bases. Bundaberg Army Barracks and Training Ship (TS) Bundaberg. Bundaberg barracks contains mostly infantrymen and army cadets. TS Bundaberg houses mostly Cadet staff and Navy Cadets.

==Sister cities==

The city council responsible for the [[Bundaberg Region]] maintains Sister City arrangements with two cities.<ref name="test">[http://bundaberg.qld.gov.au/sistercity bundaberg.qld.gov.au/sistercity] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110061909/http://bundaberg.qld.gov.au/sistercity |date=10 November 2014 }}, Bundaberg Regional Council. Retrieved 4 September 2014.</ref>

{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!City
!Since
|-
| {{flagicon|CHN}} [[Nanning]], China || 12 May 1998
|-
| {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Settsu]], Japan || 9 November 1998
|}

==People==

===Notable residents===
[[File:Bert Hinkler-MJC.jpg|thumb|150px|right|[[Bert Hinkler]] is memorialised in many places throughout Bundaberg]]
[[File:Mal Meninga (10 July 2008, Canberra).jpg|thumb|150px|right|[[Mal Meninga]] is an inductee of the [[Australian Rugby League Hall of Fame]]]]
<!-- list maintained in alphabetic order by surname -->
*[[Mason Barbera]], racing driver
*[[Clint Bolton]], association football player, Socceroo, 2 time A-League championship winning player
* [[Joshua Brillante]], Australian [[association football|soccer]] player
* [[David Carter (tennis)|David Carter]], tennis player
* [[Wayne Coles-Janess]], producer and director, documentary and feature films
* [[Allan Davis (cyclist)|Allan Davis]], [[Road racing cyclist]], 2009 Tour Down Under Winner
* [[Troy Elder]], [[field hockey]] player
* [[Steve Goodall]], cyclist, 1978 Commonwealth Games Bronze Medalist, 1976 Olympian
* [[Noel Hazzard]], [[rugby league]] footballer
* [[Coen Hess]], [[rugby league]] footballer
* [[Bert Hinkler]], pioneer aviator
* [[Antonio Kaufusi]], [[rugby league]] footballer
* [[Felise Kaufusi]], [[rugby league]] footballer
* [[Olivia Knight]], Irish-Australian poet, essayist, translator and teacher
* [[Mitchell Langerak]], association football player, A-League championship winning player
* [[Rosemary Lassig]], Olympic swimmer
* [[David Surrey Littlemore]], architect
* [[Ben Marschke]], [[rugby league]] footballer
* [[Jesse Marschke]], [[rugby league]] footballer
* [[Errol McCormack]], retired Chief of Air Force (1998–2001), Officer of the Order of Australia (1998)
* [[Rheed McCracken]], [[2012 Summer Paralympics]], won a silver and bronze medal
* [[Sarah McLellan]], dancer and entertainer, lead singer of the group [[Lez Zeppelin]] and blogger of "The Aussie who ate the Big Apple" currently living in New York
* [[Mal Meninga]], [[rugby league]] footballer and coach 
* [[Tom Miles (athlete)|Tom Miles]], professional athlete/sprinter, winner 1927 Stawell Gift, 1928 World Champion
* [[Gladys Moncrieff]], singer
* [[Clinton Moore]], freestyle motocross rider
* [[Vance Palmer]], writer
* [[Jayant Patel]], the alleged "Doctor Death" of the Bundaberg Base Hospital
* [[Ian Quinn]], Golden Guitar winner & singer/songwriter
* [[Tony Rea]], rugby league footballer and coach
* [[Chris Sarra]], 2004 Queenslander of the Year
* [[Donald Smith (singer)|Donald Smith]], operatic tenor
* [[Michelle Steele]], Winter Olympian at the [[Australia at the 2006 Winter Olympics|2006 Winter Olympics]]
* [[Don Tallon]], Australian [[cricket]]er
* [[Keith Thiele]], World War II Pilot (awarded DSO, DFC & 2 medal bars)
* [[Tommy Trash]], [[ARIA Music Awards|ARIA]] and Grammy nominated Australian DJ & Producer
* [[Shane Tichowitsch]], darts player
<!-- list maintained in alphabetic order by surname -->

===Representatives===
'''Current'''
* [[Tom Smith (Queensland politician)|Tom Smith]], ([[Australian Labor Party (Queensland Branch)|Labor]]), [[Legislative Assembly of Queensland|State member]] for [[Electoral district of Bundaberg|Bundaberg]]
* [[Keith Pitt]] ([[Liberal National Party of Queensland]]), [[Australian House of Representatives|Federal member]] for [[Division of Hinkler|Hinkler]]
'''Former'''
* [[Prime Minister of Australia|Prime Ministers]] [[Andrew Fisher]] and [[Frank Forde]] both represented [[Australian House of Representatives|Federal electorates]] that included Bundaberg, though neither was originally from the area.

==See also==
* [[Bargara]]
* [[Childers, Queensland|Childers]]
* [[Avenell Heights]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==

* Hopton, Merv, and Thomas Dexter. ''[https://onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au/permalink/61SLQ_INST/dls06p/alma99183690816302061 Bundaberg’s Early Days Articles by Thomas Dexter].'' 1933. [[State Library of Queensland]]

==External links==
{{Commons category|Bundaberg, Queensland}}
{{wikivoyage|Bundaberg}}
* [http://queenslandplaces.com.au/bundaberg Bundaberg], University of Queensland
* {{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article101453572 |title=The Districts of Queensland (15). |newspaper=[[Queensland Country Life]] |date=1 December 1901 |access-date=14 November 2015 |page=9 |via=National Library of Australia}} — A description of Bundaberg in 1901
* [https://onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au/permalink/61SLQ_INST/bumb4u/alma99198703402061 Album of Bundaberg Views ca. 1894], [[State Library of Queensland]]

{{Portal|Queensland}}
{{Queensland cities}}

{{Bundaberg Region}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Bundaberg| ]]
[[Category:1870 establishments in Australia]]
[[Category:Bundaberg Region]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1870]]
[[Category:Port cities and towns in Queensland]]