Not just another country town, Childers is home to a number of surprising delights that might keep you here longer than you intended to stay. The charming and historic town of Childers has a population of just 1,600 but for such a small town it packs a serious punch.
Where is Childers?
Childers is located on the Bruce Highway just 300 km north of Brisbane and 50 kilometers south of Bundaberg. If you are headed north on a road trip from Brisbane to Cairns, you are sure to pass through this charming country town.
The closest airport to Childers is located in Bundaberg.
Things to Do in Childers
Discover Childers Wineries Along the Childers Wine Trail
We had no idea that there were wineries in Childers much less a Childers Wine Trail! But the climate here is perfect for certain white varieties such as the Verdelho from Portugal and for the hearty red grapes of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz that we all know and love.
The Burnett region has a long history of grape growers and winemakers too. Recently the neighboring South Burnett Region has also refocused its agriculture on grapes. As Queensland’s reputation as a winemaking State continues to develop thanks to forward-thinking wine regions like Stanthorpe, opportunities for wine-producing regions continue to grow. Check out the Childers wineries before the secret gets out.
READ MORE: Discover 4 Unique Childers wineries on the Childers Wine Trail
Catch a Show at the Paragon Theater
It is hard to miss the beautifully restored Paragon Theater as you arrive in Childers. This state-heritage-listed building was originally built in the 1920s and is one of the oldest surviving theaters in Queensland.
One of the best things to do in Childers is to take in a show at the Paragon Theater. The Paragon Theater specializes in the old classic films which transport you back in time to the bygone days of the Paragon Theater. The theater also offers live performances of classic shows, cabaret, live theatre acts, professional live music, and more.
And if you aren’t in town during the showing of a film or performance, you can still stop in daily to admire the beautifully restored theater and grab a coffee from the Paragon Theater Espresso Bar!
Useful Information
- Address: 75 Churchill St, Childers QLD 4660
- Hours of Operation: Daily from 7:30 am – 4:30 pm
- Website: http://paragontheatre.com.au/
Be Inspired at the Childers Art Space
The Childers Art Space, CHARTS is a hub for sharing and presenting creative endeavors from the region and around Australia.
Stop by the Palace Memorial Building to discover rotating exhibitions showcasing various artists and collections from the local and regional area as well as national exhibitions.
Useful Information
- Address: 72 Churchill St, Childers QLD 4660
- Cost: Free!
Grab a Coffee at Insane Caffiene
This modern cafe is not your traditional country cafe. In fact, it feels a little more like a cafe you might find in a trendy inner-city suburban. Nevertheless, coffee lovers will likely find this hidden gem one of the best things to do in Childers.
Insane Caffeine sports their own house blend of coffee roasted by First Batch Roasters in Noosa! In addition to delicious coffee, you’ll find amazing pastries and a breakfast and lunch menu to match, what more could you ask for?
Useful Information
- Address: 79 Churchill St, Childers QLD 4660
- Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday from 6:00 am – 3:00 pm and Saturday – Sunday from 7:00 am – 3:00 pm
Step Back in Time at the Childers Pharmaceutical Museum
Another Queensland Heritage Listed Building, the Childers Pharmaceutical Museum is one of the more unique things to do in Childers. Not only is the building a great representation of the early 1900s architecture, but the museum is filled with relics, equipment, and stock from times before. Lined with the vials and containers once used to store various drugs it offers a fascinating insight into the way pharmacies use to look and operate, a far cry from the aisles and aisles of pre-packaged medicines and products we know today!
Useful Information
- Address: 90 Churchill St, Childers QLD 4660
- Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday from 9:00 am – 2:30 pm and Saturdays from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
- Cost: Free!
Visit the Flying High Bird Sanctaury
The Flying High Bird Sanctuary located in nearby Apple Creek is one of the best things to do in Childers for bird lovers. This free-flying aviary is the largest in Australia with over 2,000 birds displaying mainly those birds found here in Australia.
Entrance costs $20 for adults and $10 for children.
Useful Information
- Address: LOT 1293 Bruce Hwy, Apple Tree Creek QLD 4660
- Hours of Operation: Daily from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
- Website: https://www.facebook.com/FlyingHighBirdPark/
- Cost: Adults $20 and Children $10
Stop by the Backpackers Memorial
The small town of Childers received national attention on June 23, 2000, the night fifteen people were killed and seventy displaced when the Childers Palace Backpackers Hostel was set on fire in the middle of the night.
The Isis Shire restored the Palace Backpackers Hostel and dedicated a portion of the facility to a memorial to those who lost their lives on this tragic night.
Stop by the memorial to pay homage to those who left this world a little too early.
Useful Information
- Address: 72 Churchill St, Childers QLD 4660
- Cost: Free!
Cool Down with a Mammino Gourmet Ice Cream
Serving ice cream in Childers for over 25 years, Mammino Gourmet Ice Cream is an institution in Childers. If you do one thing at all in Childers, we recommend cooling down with one of their delicious ice creams.
Starting as a humble macadamia nut roadside stand, Teena Mammino decided to combine delicious macadamia nuts with her grandmother’s homemade ice cream.
It was an instant success and they have been selling these delicious treats ever since. Choose from one of the original macadamia nut flavors or one of their more traditional flavors or even a sorbet!
Whatever you choose, we promise you will be delighted with this creamy, homemade ice cream.
Useful Information
- Address: 115 Lucketts Rd, Childers QLD 4660
- Hours of Operation: Daily from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Website: https://www.mammino.com.au/
- Cost: $6 for a 150ml ice cream
Enjoy a Beer or a Counter Meal at the Federal Hotel
Certainly one of the most iconic things to do in Childer, stop in at the Federal Hotel or as the locals like to call it “The Feddy” for a cold schooner or pub feed. This Queensland heritage-listed hotel was originally built in 1907 and has been serving the locals and travelers for over a century.
Useful Information
- Address: 71 Churchill St, Childers QLD 4660
- Hours of Operation:
- Website: https://thefederal.com.au/
Take a Trip to the Beach in Woodgate
The nearby beach town of Woodgate is the perfect day trip from Childers. Just half an hour away, the calm waters, sleepy coastal town, and unspoiled beaches of Woodgate offer the ideal seaside escape.
Located at the mouth of the Burrum River, one of the best things to do in Woodgate is to drop a line to see what you might be able to catch.
If you prefer to let someone else take care of the catching and cooking, the Serenity Cove Cafe offers some of the best fish and chips in town, best enjoyed down on the beach!
For those interested in getting a bit further off the beaten path, nearby Burrum Heads National Park offers unspoiled beaches. Burrum Heads is accessible only by 4WD or on foot.
Where to Stay in Childers
There are so many great things to do in Childers that making a weekend of it is a must. From the Childers wine trail to day trips to Woodgate Beach, there is more than enough to do to keep you entertained for a few days.
Free Camping
Childers offers free camping directly in the center of town for self-contained campervans and caravans. You can stay for up to 24 hours and toilets are available in the nearby park.
For all other travelers, free camping is available in nearby Apple Creek for 20 hours. Public toilets are available here as well.
Hotel Accommodation
Childers Oasis Motel
Located just off the Bruce Highway, but far enough away to diminish the noise is Childers Oasis Motel. This centrally located hotel has everything you need for an enjoyable stay in Childers. Cozy beds, a refreshing pool, a guest kitchen, Childers Oasis Motel is the perfect place to spend a weekend exploring the Childers wineries and other things to do in Childers.
Looking for more things to do in the area? Check out the 9 best things to do in Bundaberg!
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