Woodgate Beach

Wet at Bundaberg.

We left Agnes Water in the pouring rain, and headed for Woodgate Beach. The torrential rain was unrelenting, and the roads were covered with water. The floodways, dips in the road that let the water run from one side to the other, often had up to 30cm of fast flowing water in them, and the car and caravan continually disappeared in a shower of spray.


We stopped at Bundaberg to replenish supplies, and whilst in the shops the rain got even heavier. By the time we got everything to the car, we were drenched! You see, with a car and caravan, you don't simply drive into the undercover car park and browse into the shops. No, you park miles away, in this case out on the street, and walk the considerable distance in and out, realising that all the planning to park near the Woolworths sign, because that will be where the supermarket is, has been in vain, because Woolworths is on the exact opposite side of the huge centre!


So, off to Woodgate Beach. We had been told about this place by so many caravanners, we knew it would be good, and it was. Unfortunately, when we arrived the rain was still hammering down, but we were met by a smiling Tracey, who smiled and said "you must be the poor wet Andersons. Here is a map of the park, you are in site 211. Go and get set up and when the rain stops, come back and we'll do the paperwork." We drove in past flooded sites, and poor people in tents and camper trailers, who were up to their ankles in water digging draining trenches, and found site 211, above the current high water mark! We had thankfully been given a site on the top of a small rise, so there was no pooling water near us. Although after about an hour, we did have our own personal moat! The poor guy down from us looked like one of those trick photography shots from a golf tournament, where the car (caravan), looks like it is floating on a lake. It wasn't!

Cafe at Woodgate Beach Caravan Park

Thankfully, next morning the rain had eased to sunny breaks, and we started to see why everyone liked Woodgate Beach.
The caravan park itself, is self contained, and you can get supplies from the convenience store, as well as fuel, plus they have a lovely cafe that serves meals from breakfast until early dinner (7.00pm). It is open air, which is a shame as they were missing out on the captive audience, during the rain. As you would expect, the prices are on the high side, except at the cafe.

Inside the caravan park

Directly across the road is the beach, which stretches for miles in both directions. It is a safe, surf beach, and really nice. We regularly strolled across for a swim before breakfast, back again before lunch, and on the really hot days, a late afternoon dip. There is also a great cycleway/walking path, that follows the beach in both directions, so the bikes got a real workout here as well. Fishing is also popular, both off the beach or at the nearby inlets north and south. John tried the inlets, but only got a couple of tiddlers.


The area itself, is a holiday destination, aimed at families in school holidays, and the nomads through the winter months. There is an excellent Bowling Club just down the road, that does very good meals at very reasonable prices, and it also has a lot of things on, to drag in the holiday makers. On our last night, we went down for dinner and trivia. The place was packed, and there were over 30 tables playing trivia. It was really well run, and our little table of 2 came a creditable 6th, winning one round outright and $20.00! Carol loves a Trivia Night and is red hot on the movies and famous faces. John covers sport and car topics and we share the rest!


The area is surrounded by National Parks. There is an excellent Wetlands, with boardwalk. It was really at its best while we were there! There is a small supermarket, which is expensive, so you only want to buy emergencies, and there is a take away opposite the beach, a pharmacy and hardware store, and of course a real estate agent or two. There is also a Pub, way up the northern end of the beach near the boat ramp. It was currently for sale and looked a bit run down. Major shopping is at either Childers, about 35kms away, or Bundaberg which is 56kms away. Both are very easy drives, through the sugar cane fields, and there are plenty of roadside stalls for fresh produce along both roads. We kept stocked up on those 3 for $2 rockmelons, the $2.50 seedless watermelons, and the $2 bags of tomatoes!

Main Street Childers.
Palace Hotel with the Big Veranda.

After the first couple of days our weather was good, though most afternoons we would get a storm. Some days it was a few big drops, others it was a heavy downpour, and one evening it was Armageddon. By God it rained. Those poor bastards in the tents got smashed. The hardware store was doing a roaring trade in tarpaulins and spades! Camping is only for good weather. No matter how well prepared you are, when the rain comes like this, all you can do is huddle under the shelter of the Camp Kitchen, and when it stops start the drying process. The kids thought it was fantastic, riding their bikes in water up to the bike seat. 

War Memorial at Childers.

We did a day in the lovely heritage listed town of Childers. The Bruce Hwy runs through the centre of town, but they have done a great job of separating the local traffic along parallel roads. Childers is infamous for the terrible fire that killed 17 backpackers at the Palace Hotel, all the result of a crazy guy with a grudge. The Palace Hotel has been rebuilt, and is a monument to the poor ones who died, and all funded by the various Governments from those countries that suffered a loss. The other great monument is the War Memorial, with its WW1 German Howitzer in central position and the large black marble slabs honouring the fallen from every military engagement from the Boer War up until Afghanistan. Very impressive and moving.

Old Pharmacy & Dentist at Childers.

The main street is a wonderful collection of beautifully restored heritage buildings. There is a Pharmacy Museum, and working Dentist Surgery, which is as if someone walked out and closed the door in 1950. The shelves are lined with all those famous old brands we remember as kids. Bex Powders, Pears Soap, Castor Oil, the list went on. Great nostalgia. Just out of town we found the Mammino Home Made Ice Cream Factory. Very Yummy, and well worth a try.


We also took ourselves back to Bundaberg a couple of times.
We had some work done on the Landcruiser, adding air bags to the rear suspension, which we had noted was dipping a bit. Problem solved! It also gave us a couple of extra visits to "Indulge Cafe", one of the best eateries we've found on our journey so far. In the main street opposite Dick Smith, it is small, but worth the wait. Just ask Carol who had the Raspberry and Vanilla Bean Souffle Pancake for breakfast. Her gasps of ecstasy had everyone saying, I want what she's having! My Spanish Omelette was awesome, and they do great coffee. If you don't like this place, you've had your taste buds removed!


We have loved our stay around Bundaberg and the Burnett Region. It is rich farming country, dotted with loads of lovely towns. There are loads of beautiful beaches, National Parks and other attractions, including some surprising Golf Courses.