Bundaberg CBD

Mutt
Mutt
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3 out of 5
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Editor Pick

Bundaberg CBD

  • October 29, 2003
  • Rated 3 of 5 by Mutt from Ankara, Turkey
Bundaberg CBD

Founded in 1867 Bundaberg is a prime example of small town in Queensland and is home to a number of architectural curiosities; it’s well worth a quick wander around town.



Bundy's main landmark (with the possible exception of the distillery) is the Central Post Office on Bourbong St. Built in 1890, this classic colonial brick building features a ground floor of pillars and arches, a first floor of verandas and balustrades, and a 30-meter clock tower. Coloured lighting gives the building a fairy-tale feel after dark and you can even mail your postcards here. Out front in the middle of the small traffic island, the Soldiers Monument stands guard. Unveiled in 1921 as a memorial to the servicemen of Bundy who died drawing World War I, the tall red granite base is topped by a 2.28 meter Italian marble figure of an Aussie digger.


Another fine example of 19th-century colonial architecture is the Old Police Station on Quay St. originally built in 1882 as Bundy's first courthouse this became the main police station in 1958 when the courthouse was transferred to a new building further up the street. Also look out for the 1887 Payne Butler Lang Solicitors Building also on Quay St., the 1889 School of the Arts and the imposing 1891 National Australia Bank Building both on Bourbong St.


Bundy’s first church was opened in 1875 on Woongara St., the site is now occupied by the Holy Rosary Catholic Church. The church built in 1888 and reconstructed in 1926 is based on the design of a Roman temple and features some fine stained glass windows. Other churches also found along Woongara St. include St Andrews Uniting Church built in 1882 and reconstructed in 1932 with a 22-meter Carillion bell tower, Christ Church Anglican Church built in 1927 in English Gothic Style complete with 34-meter spire, lichgate and wayside cross, and the curious Church of Christ, a rather unpleasant cement-brick building built in 1927 around the edifice of an old wooden Baptist church relocated here from nearby Gympie.


The 20th century was ushered into Bundy by the opening of the traffic bridge in 1900 to replace the old ferry service across the Burnett River. Other turn of the century architectural wonders around town include the Old Customs House built in 1903, the brightly painted building now houses the Bundaberg Arts Centre and features regular exhibitions by local artists, and the Old Bank Building built in 1910 both on Quay St.


Later additions to the town’s heritage include Buss Park opened in the early 1930's, it features a 40 ton granite memorial to Bundy's favourite son pioneering aviator Bert Hinkler who died in 1933, the ugly Suncorp Building, Bundy's first high rise office block built in 1974 and the "Whaling Wall", a 6 storey mural by Robert Wyland unveiled in 1990, all of which can be found along Bourbong St.

From journal Bundaberg: A Rum Place

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