Bundaberg - General Info

Where is Bundaberg?

Bundaberg is situated at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef, approximately 235NM north of Brisbane and 500NM south of Townsville and is a convenient port of entry for yachts coming from Vanuatu (1000NM) and New Caledonia (800NM).

The city of Bundaberg lies 9NM upstream and was first settled in the 1860s.  Early industries included timber cutting and maize (corn) production but sugar cane is now the region’s major industry.  It is the home of the Bundaberg Rum distillery, established in 1888 when seven Bundaberg locals decided to take the by-product from the sugar industry and open up a rum distillery.

Bundaberg Port Marina, which lies 1NM from the river entrance, is the only marina in the area although there are areas of the river where it is possible to anchor.  The commercial port of Bundaberg lies 5.6NM from the mouth of the Burnett River with sugar being the main export commodity.

Entrance Notes or Cautions for Bundaberg:

Bundaberg Port lies at the mouth of the Burnett River and is one of the safest and most accessible port entrances in Queensland.

• Bundaberg Port Marina, situated one nautical mile from the entrance of the Burnett River, is an official Port of Entry and offers all weather, all tides, deep water access.
• Entrance to the river is straightforward with the channels clearly marked.
• Navigation alerts and notices to mariners are available on the Port of Bundaberg website. For details on approaches to the Burnett River and the shipping channels, see the Port of Bundaberg instructions for small craft.
• Bundaberg City is about eight nautical miles upriver. Journeying upriver is not recommended as there are areas of shallow water to negotiate.  Once clearance is complete discuss this further with the marina.
• The Burnett River can rise significantly (3m+) in heavy rains. Choosing where to anchor your boat is important and a good caretaker should be considered if leaving the boat.

Cruiser Highlights for Bundaberg:

Bundaberg is a great location for exploring the southern islands of the Great Barrier Reef and the World Heritage listed K'Gari (formerly know as Fraser Island), famous for long sandy beaches and Australia’s native dog – the dingo.

Cruiser-friendly Customs and Quarantine officers; boatyard with 75 ton lift and comprehensive repair facilities; hardstand; experienced and skilled tradesmen and staff or DIY; good provisioning; marine supplies;; active sailing community; excellent local cruising; wide range of cultural, historical and natural tourism options including whale watching; wreck diving and tours of the world renowned Bunadaberg Rum distillery.

Bundaberg is the arrival port for Go West Rally participants, with around 20 yachts arriving from SW Pacific Islands during October and November every year.

Position: 

24° 45 ′ 622″S, 152°23 ′042″E

(Waypoint for the middle, outer entrance to the Burnett River)

Last updated:  July 2024