Bundaberg

Bundaberg wasn't what I expected it to be. As I hadn't been to Australia before, I had this image in my head of each town being over run with surfer dudes and scantily clad women…not the case here! A sleepy town, you expect tumbleweed to blow past you at any moment as you stroll down the road (well, there is very little traffic!) but what a great place to ease us back into civilisation.

Being in a marina is total luxury, hot, fresh water showers, washing machines, as well as a courtesy bus that runs you into Bundaberg twice a day. At $230 AUS / week for a 12m berth, we thought it quite steep but when looking at every other price in Australia for items, it seems reasonable. Our first trip to a grocery store here was an eye opener (the Ozzie $ is almost the same as a USD), $25.99 / kilo for local red peppers, $7 for a box of cereal, $7 for 500g basic cheese, and $3 for a litre of milk!! Ouch!! We went into the store for a basic shop and came out with 2 bags and left behind $80 of plastic money. We certainly need to start earning money if we are to stay in this country. Perhaps it is because we have been in mainly third world countries for the past 2 years but we don't remember those sort of prices in London. Inflation in the last 2 years? Pricey living aside, this place is so clean. Despite the plastic wrapping and carrier bags foisted upon you at the checkout, you never see any litter around. The Bundy river is one of the cleanest we have seen!

One of my goals whilst in Australia is to see a kangaroo, koala and a big bug. I'm yet to see those three but on our first night here we did find a small bug, a Christmas beetle under our table in a restaurant. A sparkly thing caught our eye and there was this bug that was the colour of tinsel, how apt to be named a Christmas beetle. Dylan who is a wannabe Dr Doolittle, picked it up and let it crawl over his arm for a bit until he (Dylan that is) got bored and deposited it outside. Hopefully he doesn't feel the need to pick up a croc if we see one…

We're not really into the whole bird watching thing but even we appreciate the bird life here. When walking into town we passed parrots with pink heads and lorikeets squawking away in the trees. Swap these for our pigeons and seagulls back at home any day!

Many of our days whilst in the marina have been spent doing chores, making the most of the fresh water, banishing the salt and making the stainless steel sparkle. I have even cracked open the varnish to tackle the cockpit seats that were in need of a touch up. We get bored easily though so after a few days of toil we went on an adventure with our friends off Pelagie and Flapjack to the Bundaberg Rum Distillery. We've have clocked up a few distilleries during our trip, mainly in the Caribbean islands where health and safety is non existent so we were most surprised when asked to wear closed shoes for the tour. When commencing the tour you are then asked to place anything with a battery into a locker in case it causes a spark and burns the place to the ground. We couldn't help but wonder whether that meant we were living on the edge in the Caribbean where anything goes, wielding cameras and cell phones alike or whether the Australian's had taken their health and safety a little too far…Anyway the tour was fun if a little cheesy and at the end we were allowed to sample two drinks. Not just a shot may I add, these drinks came with ice and mixers if wanted. Again, a stark contrast to the sampling done in the Caribbean where we were presented with rum over 100% proof, breathing fire whilst standing around a guy with a machete chopping up sugar cane. 

Not content on one touristy activity for the day, we then walked to the nearby Bundaberg ginger beer factory which is in the shape of a barrel. I absolutely love ginger beer, the fierier the better, the stuff that makes you cough when inhaling the fumes after cracking the lid. Apparently this love comes from my Mum who craved Idris ginger beer throughout her pregnancy with me (thanks Mum). Needless to say I was excited to do this but a little disappointed upon completion. The 'brewing experience' is actually a couple of rooms with posters in it, interactive displays and an audio wand that tells you about the process. You don't get to go into the factory, not even a look through the window. The one saving grace was the end when you get to sample every one of the 7 drinks they produce. Verdict on the ginger beer? Good ol Idris is still my favourite.

Having exhausted what Bundaberg has to offer, we're waiting for a front to come through (35 knots on the nose - no thanks!) then heading to Brisbane where we have a berth booked in Moreton Bay Trailer Boat Club.