Bundaberg Coast Tourist Information
Bundaberg Coast Tourist Information
Gin Gin, Goodnight Scrub & Lake Monduran
Gin Gin is 51 kilometres west of Bundaberg. This is where the Bruce Highway from Childers joins up with the northern access to Bundaberg. The town is in a part of what used to be Gin Gin Station owned by Sir Thomas McIllwraith, former Premier of Queensland. It was settled about 1847 by Gregory Blaxland and William Forster. The district was the haunt of the Wild Scotchman (James McPherson), Queensland's only authentic bushranger. He would lay in wait for the mail delivery and hold up the carrier. Eventually he was captured at Monduran Station and convicted at Maryborough. A re-enactment of the event is held on the fourth weekend of March each year. The Historical Society has purchased the police sergeant's residence to house the district's pioneering memorabilia. Picnic tables are set out in the well tended gardens in the median park. Gin Gin is an ideal rest stop.
Travel 10 kilometres south along the Bruce Highway to Walla Road. Along the way, Currajong Gardens is a pleasant place to stop and wander amongst the exotic and rare cacti. Drive 12 kilometres to Goodnight Road and continue on to the park. Hoop pine forests and softwood scrub with distinctive bottle trees dominate the rolling landcsape. Historic Kalliwa Hut is a reminder of the forestry days. Old logging roads provide scenic drives and there are numerous spots by the Burnett River for camping or picnics. The road eventually emerges at Mt. Perry/Gayndah Road and a right turn will take you back to Mt. Perry.
Source of the Bundaberg Irrigation Scheme, the lake has a capacity of 1.6 times Sydney Harbour's and is held back by the Fred Haigh Dam. The turnoff is 19km north of Gin Gin on the Bruce Highway. The lake is popular for water sports, fishing, barbecues and picnicking.
