A visitor’s guide to historic Childers

Wander down the main street of Childers and you’re sure to get a warm welcome, whether you’re popping into a café, pulling up a chair at the pub, or wandering through an art gallery. This historic, rural town nestled into Bundaberg’s countryside has a population under 2,000 - yet it’s just a short drive to the city and beachside Woodgate.

Even with so much on its doorstep, you don’t want to miss what’s right here in Childers. The facades of its many heritage-listed buildings whisper stories of its past, its thriving arts and food community beckons, hedges are replaced with sugarcane that lines the roads into town, and life is taken just a little slower, just as it should be.

The traditional land of the Dundaburra group who are part of Kabi Kabi nations, the area around Childers become pastoral after Europeans settled in the 1850s, and many of the heritage buildings remain – rebuilt after a disastrous fire destroyed much of the town in 1902.

Whether you wander through or stay a while, there’s a lot to discover. 

Things to do in Childers

This small country town offers plenty to do, so make the visitors centre your first stop to find out what’s on while you’re here.

Explore old world charm on the self-guided Childers Street Walk that’ll lead you through the town’s tree lined streets to see many of the 25 heritage-listed buildings. You’ll stroll past the Palace Backpackers Hotel, Old Pharmacy, Grand Hotel, Post Office and iconic Paragon Theatre (which has a busy calendar of movie screenings and events for those interested).

Delve further into the region’s history at The Military & Memorabilia Museum – one of the best displays of military memorabilia outside the Canberra war memorial and home to over 30,000 curious artefacts from around the world. Then, discover medicinal marvels and mysterious potions from the late 1800’s at the Old Pharmacy. 

Check out local and national touring artists at Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery and Childers Arts Space – where you can get hands on with workshops, education programs, guided tours and kids activities. 

Country charm meets cellar doors along Childers Wine Trail, where you can taste your way through several Childers Wineries: Hill Of Promise Winery, which pays tribute to the area’s history with traditional Sicilian-made wine, Vintners Secret and Ohana Winery and Exotic Fruits. Each spot has something different to offer, but be sure to time your visit to Vintners Secret for lunch – the café serves up delectable French-Australian meals, picnic baskets and cheese platters. 

Get up close to wildlife at Snakes Downunder Reptile Park & Zoo – the perfect family day out where you can meet koalas and kangaroos, see meerkats and even watch a croc feeding show. 

Where to eat and drink in Childers

Country hospitality and fresh flavours of the surrounding food bowl make grabbing a bite to eat in Childers an essential part of getting to know this tiny hamlet. With the township set on top of rolling hills, surrounded by sugarcane, avocado and macadamia farms, scenic drives will lead you to farm stands – many with an honour system where you leave a little cash in exchange for produce.

Looking for Childers pubs? Head to the main drag to raise a glass at The Federal Hotel or Grand Hotel, a heritage-listed hotel built in 1892 that serves bistro favourites and cold beer in a leafy beer garden out the back.

Pop in for a cuppa at Paragon Theatre’s Espresso Bar or plant-filled Insane Caffeine (on Fridays and Saturdays you’ll also find local grower selling veggies from a farm cart right here). Local favourite Hot Bread Fred has everything you could want from a country bakery, while unassuming Mollydookers Café is packed with Canadian-inspired flavour on the poutine menu, plus sliders, pizzas, parmis, perogies – and even Sunday breakfast.

Be sure to stop by The Peanut Van for road trip snacks, then grab a sweet treat from Mammino Gourmet Ice Cream – what began as a roadside macadamia stand in the 1990s is now a thriving local gourmet ice cream operation with a range of macadamia based flavours as well as fruit and liqueur specialities. All made with a secret family recipe handed down through the generations.  

Where to stay in Childers 

It’s known as an RV-friendly town, but when it comes to Childers accommodation you can take your pick from motels, cottages and rural retreats too.

Set on 165 acres in an idyllic sugarcane area, Lake Redbrook Holiday Retreat (pictured) offers cabins, camping, caravan and motorhome parking. Nearby, grab a powered or unpowered site at Childers Tourist Park and Camp – there’s 67 acres of peace and tranquillity with walking tracks and local wildlife spotting.

For Childers hotels, try Childers Oasis Motel, Childers Gateway Motor Inn or Avocado Motor Inn – the heritage-listed Grand Hotel also has accommodation.

Just steps from the cellar door of Hill of Promise winery, Mango Hill Cottages is a bed and breakfast located about five minutes’ drive from town. Perfect for a peaceful rural escape, you’ll wake up to fresh country air and rolling hills. 

When to visit

There’s never a bad time to visit, with Childers weather delivering short, mild winters and long hot summers.

To experience community spirit in full swing, come for the annual Childers Festival. Held over four days each July, the festival tells the unique story of Childers through place, experience and culture – and the streets come alive with food stalls, markets, entertainment and more – including long table dinners, ghost tours, historic tours and music.