Sugar, and its by-products, are the life blood of Bundaberg and the whole surrounding region. From the acres of sugar cane crops as you drive, to the huge harvesting machines, to the endless cane trains delivering it to be milled, you can't escape its impact on the town. In the botanic gardens is a beautiful old Queenslander called Fairymead House which was transported there from one of the sugar plantations and now houses the sugar museum and tells the whole hisrory of the sugar industry.

Then of course there is sugar's inevitable byproduct - molasses, fermented to make the famous Bundy Rum. (As well as the equally famous Bundaberg ginger beer and soft drink company, in the giant barrel.)

We had done a tour of the distillery and the barrel on our previous trip, so decided to give them a miss. Good thing too, one of our fellow travellers told us they had paid $50 and they just got to sit in one room and hear some stories. Not allowed in the production area anymore due to health and safety risks.

Instead we went to another smaller distillery called Kalki Moon, which was started in the past few years by someone who had worked at Bundy Rum for many years. Apparently you can't call a substance 'rum' until it has sat in a barrel for at least two years. So they came up with the brilliant idea of producing gin and vodka as well, which has a turnover time of about a week. The tour was excellent, and topped off by a tasting paddle of four different drinks. Not bad for $15.

There are now a couple of other distilleries in town, and several brewing companies. Sampled a few, very nice. This is really becoming a foodie haven.

The other new industry in town is macadamias. We visited a macadamia plantation which only started 2 to 3 yrs ago, but is doing very well. Another great presentation, and tasting the various things that can be done with them.

Bundaberg's less well known claim to fame is that it is the birthplace of Bert Hinkler, a great avaiation pioneer who was the first to fly solo from England to Australia. The botanic gardens also houses an avaiation museum dedicated to him and his story. It ia also home to many friendly turtles and lizards who came out to play.

On our last day we decided to check out the beaches near Bundaberg - Bargara Beach, then a couple of smaller ones further south. Elliot Heads was tiny, with a caravan park and a kiosk, but a lovely long beach. Great for family holidays. Just above was Coral Cove, an over pretentious new housing development for those who want a sea view without actually swimming as it is all rocky cliffs.

Bargara Beach itself is quite nice, with as esplanade along the water, manicured lawns, lots of barbecues and picnic areas, as well as fancy cafes and restaurants. There is some development of holiday lets, but not over the top, with a maximum of about four storeys. We had seen the Port of Bundaberg, further north, from the water on a cruise on the Bundy Belle, so decided to call it a day and headed home. A very full and interesting few days.

Georgy's bit

Parking in Bundaberg is mostly free and reasonably easy provided you can find your way around all dog legged streets and roundabouts.

CMCA camp ground offered a cheap stay with minimum facilities. It is run by a friendly old guy with onset of dimentia becoming apparent from time to time. His fellow helper caled it "Adventure before Dimentia". The happy hour was an honoured set feature and the occasional saussage sizzle for a gold coin donation was also fun.

Bargara beach is well catered for all budgets. We had a lovely Barramundi with chips and lemon and tartare for $11.95. In town, the Bargara micro Brewery treated us with a tasting paddle and we ordered a Gorgonzola pizza for a brilliant lunch.

Bundy is a place with the lot