Bundaberg

Saturday morning we decided to check out the city of Bundaberg, which is famous for three reaons: Bundaberg Sugar, Ginger Beer, and Rum. Being that our favorite non-alcoholic beverage is now Bundaberg Ginger Beer, after brekky we decided to head to the factory for a tour and taste-test. When we arrived at the Ginger Barrel, we were able to take a short tour of the history of ginger beer production. We learned some interesting facts, such as it is all natural product, and they use a fermentation process in production. That means until 1986 when it was regulated, ginger beer had at times been known to contain up to 11% alcohol (now it is a non-alcoholic beverage.) It also means that you can home brew it, which has been known to lead to a few explosions.

The tour ended with a stop at their tasting room to taste some of their other products in addition to their ginger beer. We tried sarsaparilla (root beer), lemon-lime bitters, peachee, apple, burgundee (cream soda made with grapes), and royal crown cola (they are the licensed foreign producers of what we know as RC Cola in the States.) Our favorites were peachee and lemon-lime bitters. Although I had a special liking for the burgundee having grown up drinking a cream soda or two. We left with a variety pack to take home and enjoy.

After enjoying our sugar fix for the day, we decided to head to the museum that tells you how it all starts. The Fairymead House Sugar Museum is an old Queenslander (style of home) that belonged to one of the big sugar producing families in the area. It has since been converted to a museum on the history of sugar farming and production. We were able to wander around the old house while reading and watching videos about how sugar is harvested and the evolution of machinery that has been invented to accomplish this.

After the museum we headed to Bargara, the closest seaside town, for lunch and an ocean view before heading back to Rocky in time for the Comets season opener!