📍12 Best Things To Do In Childers, QLD. (Attractions & Activities, 2024.)
SEEKING THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN CHILDERS, QUEENSLAND?
Childers is a beautiful town set amongst the picturesque rolling hills between the small regional cities of Maryborough and Bundaberg. Because the Bruce Highway is also the main thoroughfare through town, it’s a pit stop for many travellers.
But don’t just use it to stock up on supplies because as I discovered dropping by during my 6 week trip through the Fraser Coast and great Bundaberg regions is that there are some fantastic attractions and things to do in Childers worth stopping for like seeing the memorial to those who died in the tragic arson attack on the Palace Backpackers Hotel and swimming in the tranquil waters of Theodolite Creek in Burrum Coast National Park.
👉 My top 3 picks for what to do in Childers, Queensland:
- Visit the poignant Childers Backpackers Memorial.
- Pays respects to those who served at the Childers Memorial Precinct.
- Go wild swimming & kayaking at Theodolite Creek in Burrum Coast National Park.
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Best Things To Do In Childers.
1. Visit the poignant Childers Backpackers Memorial.
Childers Information Centre, Art Space & Backpackers Memorial.
Heading to the local Visitor Information Centre is always a great idea when arriving at a new place, but the one at Childers is a little more special because one of the town’s most tragic events transpired there.
On 23 June 2000, some asshat deliberately lit the Palace Backpackers Hotel in Childers on fire, killing 15 people of the 80 people staying there that night. Today, the building serves as a memorial to those who lost their lives during the tragedy along with also being a visitor information centre and art gallery showcasing local talent.
You can pay respects to the guests who perished by heading upstairs to see a beautiful glass display dedicated to each of them. What makes the memorial so poignant is how the collage of photos helps portray a story of who the victims were as people, the lives and adventures they enjoyed before it was cut short. It is a powerful reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of living it.
2. Go For A Walk Around Town.
Churchill Street/ Bruce Highway (A1).
One of the most notable things about Childers is the beautiful heritage buildings lining the main street. A short walk around town is a fantastic way to appreciate the various architectural styles and characteristics that give the buildings their timeless charm.
There are even some quirky public artworks around town, such as this peculiar one I came across. A friendly local man told me after he saw me looking at it in a confused manner it was meant to represent the lava flows that gave the region its fertile soil.
3. Watch A Show At One Of Queensland’s Oldest Theatres.
The Paragon Theatre. – $.
One of the most notable and prolific buildings in Childers is the Paragon Theatre. This gorgeous, faithfully restored and lovingly maintained heritage-listed venue is one of the oldest surviving theatres in Queensland and provides a rare insight into the late 1920s entertainment scene. Transport yourself back to that bygone era by going all out and attending a movie screening or live show.
Add to the classic film experience by getting dressed up in 1920s fashion and relaxing in the 1930s-themed lounge before it starts because it, undoubtedly, is one of the best things to do in Childers at night.
4. See Childers Memorial Precinct.
Isis Shire Council Building.
Wars are often history’s most tragic events, so any memorial dedicated to the heroism, sacrifice, and loss during these dark times is worth visiting to honour those affected.
The Childers Memorial Precinct is only a small facility, but reading the beautiful plaques and seeing inside the poignant hall is a lovely way to acknowledge the war and appreciate the freedoms we enjoy, thanks to those who fought to protect them.
5. See Childers Collection Of Wartime Artefacts.
Military & Memorabilia Museum. – $.
Diving deeper into wartime history is the highly regarded Military and Memorabilia Museum.
Explore thousands of artefacts collected from various wars from as far back as the Boer War to present-day conflicts alongside numerous heritage items from national emergency services, such as police, ambulance, fire brigade, SES and nurses.
The attraction is one of the country’s best exhibits of defence force memorabilia outside of the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, making it one of the top places to visit in Childers.
6. Show The Family How It Used To Be.
Childers Historical Complex. – $.
Show the family more about the olden days by taking them to the Childers Historical Complex. Let them see the heritage buildings they used to live in and work out of and the tools and machinery it took to work the land. It’s a great way to get them to understand how things used to be and remind them how much things have changed in the years since.
7. See How They Used To Do Drugs.
Childers Pharmaceuticals Museum.
“Oh, true apothecary, Thy drugs are quick.” For something different, check out one of Australia’s largest old medicinal displays at Childers Pharmaceuticals Museum.
Showcasing early treatments and therapies from the late 1800s and early 1900s, it’s an intriguing look into turn-of-the-century pharmacology and one of the most fascinatingly unique things to do in Childers.
8. See The Kanaka Memorial Steel Cutouts.
Millennium Park.
Millenium Park is a small place in the middle of town featuring a series of beautiful steel cutouts known as the Kanaka Memorial.
The memorial pays respects to the south-sea islanders who were stolen or “persuaded” away from their island homes primarily to do backbreaking labour in the sugarcane fields. Sadly, most were never able to go home, but you can read a brief overview of their story while visiting this place.
The park also has a playground, perfect for letting kids burn off some pent-up energy before driving to the next destination.
9. Enjoy Some Time Out In Nature.
Russo Environmental Park.
Just outside of Childers in the suburb of Abington Park lies Russo Environmental Park. This small reserve is a lovely place that has open spaces, creeks and a short trail perfect for kids to explore between drives.
Places To Visit Near Childers.
10. Spend A Day (Or Two) At The Coast.
Woodgate & Burrum Coast National Park.
If you want to enjoy spending time by the water, heading to the tiny seaside town of Woodgate and spending a day or two exploring the beautiful Burrum Coast is a must!
The expansive Burrum Coast National Park surrounds the townships from the small Coonar Creek to the much larger Isis River. There is nothing but pristine beaches for the entire stretch, so people will have no trouble finding a little slice of paradise to themselves.
There are also a handful of trails to walk, ramps to launch boats and campgrounds to spend the night by the sea. Sadly, the latter is only accessible by 4WD or watercraft.
Luckily, everyone can reach the best part of Burrum Coast National Park, Theodolite Creek, a stunning sheltered waterway only a short distance from the Woodgate township along a paved road. The calm waters make it one of the best places in the greater Bundaberg region to go wild swimming, especially if you have kids because they can venture out quite far and still touch the bottom.
It’s also a beautiful place to launch a boat, especially a kayak, where paddling through the still waters is so serene. This was definitely the highlight of visiting the national park as when I reached the creek’s northern shore and there was a flock of pied oystercatchers around the corner on the beach facing the ocean. I felt like I was far away from civilisation and deep in the wilderness. Just beware of the depth though, especially in a powered boat, as it’s very shallow and tidal in some areas.
So, with the distance from Childers to Woodgate being only 40km and taking about half an hour to reach, it is well worth it as it is such a great little-known destination with so much to offer.
11. Visit The Rum Capital Of Australia & See Some Turtles Too.
Bundaberg.
Bundaberg is also a fantastic place to visit near Childers. Its most notable distinction is that is it the Rum Capital of Australia where it makes the globally renowned hard liquor known the world over at the famous Bundaberg Rum Distillery. Going on a tour through the facility and learning all about the process of turning sugarcane into spirits is one of the city’s must-visit attractions. However, there’s so much more to this city than meets the eye.
It is also beloved for its beaches which are home to the largest turtle nesting site in mainland Australia, an extraordinary birthing and nesting event you can witness with a night tour provided by the QPWS at the Mon Repos Turtle Centre between October and March.
But that’s just on the mainland. What many people don’t realise is that Bundaberg is the gateway to the southern part of the magnificent Great Barrier Reef. There are day tours to Lady Elliot Island or Lady Musgrave Island where you can snorkel with sea turtles, reef sharks, and many other sea creatures that call the world’s largest marine ecosystem their home. These two islands are responsible for some of my favourite memories, and I would return there in a heartbeat, especially the latter, where I one-upped the day trip and camped on the pristine island for a week, which is easily one of the best things I’ve ever done.
Read my reviews on my Lady Elliot Island Day Tour and Lady Musgrave Island Camping Transfer by clicking the highlighted text.
12. Visit The Whimsical Story Bank.
Maryborough.
Another excellent place worth spending some time in near Childers is Maryborough. While it’s another destination on the Bruce Highway, where most people travelling by car will pass through, this regional city has plenty of charm and intriguing attractions.
One of the must-visits is the endearingly quirky Story Bank, a whimsical all-ages museum highlighting the enchanting magic and imaginative playfulness of one of Australia’s most highly regarded children’s authors, P.L. Travers and her globally beloved Mary Poppins novel.
Another fantastic thing to see in the city is Queens Park, a beautifully manicured outdoor space with poignant war stories, sculptures and memorials dedicated to the local heroes, namely Duncan Chapman who was the first Australian to step onto the shore at Anzac Cove in Gallipoli during World War II. But with plenty more to see and do, it will make you reshuffle your itinerary to include a few hours of discovering what it has to offer.
Childers Map.
Where To Stay In Childers.
- Childers Oasis Hotel.
- Childers Natural Camp. – Glamping.
- NRMA Woodgate Beach Holiday Park. – Woodgate.
- Burrum Point Camping Area, Burrum Coast National Park. (4WD or boat accessible.)
- Kinkuna Section, Burrum Coast National Park. (4WD or boat accessible.)
- Childers Rest Area – Free Overnight Rest Area.
- Apple Tree Rest Area – Free Overnight Rest Area.
Visiting Childers: Frequently Asked Questions.
Where Is Childers, QLD?
The picturesque town of Childers is situated where the Isis Highway (52) intersects with the Bruce Highway(A1) in sunny Queensland, about halfway between the destination cities of Bundaberg and Maryborough.
Bundaberg lies about 52 kms north of Childers and is the Rum Capital of Australia and the gateway to the Southern Great Barrier Reef. Maryborough is 60km southeast of the town and is the home of the Australian author P.L. Travers, who wrote the world-renowned Mary Poppins books, making visiting these places a great addition to your Childers trip.
Conclusion: What To See In Childers.
Although it’s only a tiny town between the prolific cities of Bundaberg and Maryborough, the many fantastic things to do in Childers will make you glad you dropped in such as the Childers Backpackers Memorial, Childers Pharmaceuticals Museum and the Paragon Theatre.
If you are planning on visiting Childers, consider reading these other posts.
