When our family moved from Melbourne to take over Mystery Craters, we weren’t simply taking on a new business — we were discovering a completely new part of Queensland.
On our days away from the Craters, one of our favourite things has been getting in the car and exploring the Bundaberg and wider Wide Bay region together.
There is still so much we want to discover, but a few places have already stayed with us. These aren’t a definitive list of the “best” attractions. They’re simply three experiences our family has genuinely loved and would happily recommend to friends, family and visitors exploring our part of Queensland.
Here are three of our favourites so far.
No 1
Woodgate Beach — Our Place to Slow Down
One of the places we’ve really loved discovering is Woodgate Beach.
Coming from Melbourne, there’s something wonderful about arriving at a long, peaceful Queensland beach, getting into the water and simply enjoying the space around you.
For us, Woodgate has become somewhere to slow down, swim and spend uncomplicated time together as a family.
There’s no need to fill every minute. Pack your swimmers, take your time and enjoy being by the sea.
Why we love it: The peaceful beach, swimming and relaxed pace.
No 2
Woodgate Markets — A Taste of Local Community
We also really enjoyed discovering the Woodgate Markets.
Markets have a wonderful way of introducing you to a place through its people. You wander, talk, discover local stalls and get a sense of the community that you don’t always experience when following a traditional tourist itinerary.
For a family still getting to know our new home region, experiences such as this have helped us feel connected to the character of the Wide Bay.
Why we love it: Local people, relaxed atmosphere and the pleasure of discovering what’s around the next stall.
No 3
Utopia Rock Pools — A Beautiful Natural Adventure
Then there’s Utopia Rock Pools in Mount Walsh National Park.
This was one of those discoveries that reminded us how much natural beauty there is to explore beyond the better-known attractions.
Walking through the Australian bush and reaching the natural rock pools made the swim feel even more rewarding. It’s peaceful, adventurous and wonderfully removed from everyday life.
For our family, it was the combination of the walk, the landscape and finally getting into the water that made the experience memorable.
Why we love it: Bushwalking, freshwater swimming and the feeling of discovering somewhere special.
