Camping Australian Adventure Park Burrum Heads

Australia is undisputedly an outdoor adventurer’s paradise. It’s a magical land rife with top notch surf beaches, world class diving sites, and Outback treks. But if you’re pledging to pursue more offbeat adventures in the New Year, you have to venture out a little further. 

We just had a long weekend enjoying peace and quiet at Australian Adventure Park, Burrum Heads.  Australian Adventure Park is situated on the Burrum River, 30km north west of Hervey Bay with many adventure activities and absolute waterfront camping. Kayaks and mountain bikes for hire. Catch and release fishing, laser skirmish, high ropes, and obstacle course. At Burrum Heads, you can explore rivers and creeks by boat or canoe, or take advantage of the clear, warm water for fishing. Burrum River Cruises offers a two-hour morning tea cruise along the Burrum River. We headed off early morning with our pup (Shari) for a three hour drive, with Kim manning the tunes and sweat treats. We arrived just as the park was setting up for the Australia Day festivals. We dropped by our glamping tent, unpacked and Kim and Shari were already in the water.

Late afternoon we jumped in the car and took a scenic drive to the tiny town of Toogoom.  Toogoom is a seaside community about 15 minutes from Hervey Bay. Here you’ll find unspoiled beaches and great fishing, as well as wildlife and bird watching. Dine at the tea gardens or at its absolute waterfront restaurant with heavenly views and great photo opportunities. We went and gave Shari a great run on the beach before heading back in the car heading to the next small town of Torbanlea.  Just 25 minutes from Hervey Bay, Torbanlea is a small historic town on the road to Bundaberg. There are 11 buildings in the Burrum Mining Museum here and they contain a staggering 4,400 items of memorabilia which reveal this region’s past as a booming coal area. We then decided to head to Hervey Bay. Hervey Bay is a pretty, coastal city, with a pleasant subtropical climate. We took a stroll along the Esplanade forshore and checked out some alfresco cafés and Boutiques shops, and a vibrant marina. We headed back to camp for a wonderful sunset.

Next morning Kim and Shari are up early for a swim, we then hit the showers and headed off to Bundaberg. Fresh produce, modern history and unspoilt beaches form the basis of this drive which winds towards Childers before ending in Bundaberg. This is a classic country drive and although it measures under 100 kilometres long, it's best enjoyed by taking delightful pauses along the way and imbibing the food and wine for which this region is renowned, as you journey through cane and farm country and breathe in fresh rural air. You'll love the beautiful scenic views. 

For a journey that hits all of the sweet spots, there's four icons in Bundaberg upon which this region was built. Starting at the Bundaberg Barrel, you will witness the story of Bundaberg Ginger Beer, before pushing on to the distillery in which its famous rum is brewed. Next stop is the Fairymead Sugar Museum before you finish at the Hinkler Hall of Aviation.

We headed further to Bargara which was a 13 kilometre drive through lush sugarcane fields and is a popular seaside area which harbours a peaceful and relaxed community ideal for family holidays away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Bargara boasts two open surf beaches and two still water swimming areas. The Bargara Streetscape project embraces the coastline with an attractive public area of walkways, decks, picnic areas and playgrounds. Cafes and eateries create an alfresco atmosphere. Kim loved the boutiques here last visit and was surprised that a couple more moved in. A hat, top and bag later we headed back in the town square for a few more shops and light lunch before a slow drive back to Burrum Head for an afternoon drink, kayak and swim session. 

We came across some fellow Brisy travels and sat around and exchanged stories while our pup was getting a lot of attention with the kids. The weekend was great because we were the only ones at camp with a dog, so Shari had freedom to go anywhere.  Another glorious sunset we headed back to tent for a well deserved sleep. A big thanks to the friendly owners that made our stay so enjoyable and we are already penciling in for a week later in the year. Burrum Heads has always been our favourite spot camping, ever!. We prefer to camp further away from Brisbane because there is more to see and do around the Fraser Coast.

Three Favrourite Offroading Adventures

Three Offroading Adventures South East Queensland, Northern New South Wales. Australia

I was flicking through some old photos the other day, and couldn’t help but feel so thankful for the many 4WD destinations we can pack up and head out to in this incredible country. We truly do have world class beaches and national parks, and owning a 4WD means you can access the best spots that Australia has to offer. Being able to access so many truly amazing places in a 4WD is a privilege. The more we travel this stunning country the longer the list grows, but I have a number of places that I absolutely love, and would highly recommend. We can’t put these in any particular order; they are all truly special, but here are 3. We don't want give away too many secrets.

Burrum Coast

Enjoy a relaxing beach-side holiday along the Burrum Coast, home to a number of small fishing villages, and the place to enjoy unspoiled beaches, great fishing, swimming, bird watching and wildlife encounters. If you’re searching for a quiet coastal escape with some 4WD’ing fun thrown in and you don’t mind a bit of a drive to get there, then the unspoiled Burrum Coast National Park south of Bundaberg may well fit the bill. 

The park protects just over 23 000 hectares of coastal lowland wilderness made up of sandy beaches, tea tree swamps, estuaries, wallum heaths, livistona palm groves. The National Park consists of three sections Kinduna, Woodgate and Burrum River, and the first two have plenty to entice the 4wd adventurer including 14 kilometres of vehicle-accessible beach, secluded campsites with uninterrupted ocean views, a tranquil wilderness atmosphere with birds, marine and wildlife in abundance and total peace and quiet

Bundjalung

If you enjoy holidaying on the water, you’ll love Bundjalung’s combination of river, beach and freshwater lagoons. This north coast park stretches north from Iluka to Evans Head with the Pacific Ocean as its eastern boundary. This drive will guide you along a wonderful stretch of the Northern Coast of New South Wales from Ballina to Black Rocks. You’ll cruise along the coast of the 4225 hectares Broadwater National Park which protects an amazingly diverse range of plants and animals, to peaceful Evans Heads then beautiful Bundjalung National Park. Bundjalung, names after the land’s traditional owners, protects over 20 000 hectares of pristine coastal habitat that includes almost 40 kilometres of unspoilted beaches, impressive coastal headland, numerous freshwater lagoons, cypress pine swamps, mangrove mudflats, and even a patch of rare littoral rainforest. 

Ten Mile Beach is accessible by 4wd from Woody Head and offers great swimming, surfing and fishing. Throughout the park many shell middens and campsites provide evidence of the Bundjalung people who occupied the area for thousands of years before the arrival of Europeans. To the north of Black Rocks, the beach is used by the Air Force as a practice bombing range. At the southern end of Ten Mile Beach, Woody Head features rare coastal rainforests, and excellent campground and five picinic area including Huka Bluff which is a great whale-watching lookout.

Glasshouse Mountains

The Glass House Mountains are an awe-inspiring landscape. Let the magic wash over you as you take a leisurely drive through the Glass House Mountains National Park, stopping at picturesque lookouts along the way, or get the blood pumping with some hiking, rock climbing or abseiling. 

This interesting historical adventure heads north out of Caboolture along Old Gympie Road following the route of the Cobb & Co coaches that ran between Brisbane and the Gympie goldfields in the late 100’s. You’ll travel along forestry roads and tracks throughout the plantations of the Beerburrum State Forest and catch glimpses and views of the spectacular eroded volcanic peaks known as the Glass House. Tunbubudla (Thw Twins) are passed at close range before you pass Glasshouse Mountain Lookout.  This Is an ideal spot for morning tea of lunch as you take in the magnificent panoramic views. Heading off the road once more you will pass around the base of the largest of the Glass Houses, Beerwah and the imposing spine of Coonowrin, also known as Crookneck. 

Next are the historic Bankfoot House and then the Teamsters Way Stop, interesting diversions o the way to Tibrogargan and Tibberoowuccum. Further on is a monument to Mathew Flinders, an ancient Aboriginal bore and the site of the town Campbellville, before your trip ends at a delighted Camping and Day use.