Gateway to Southern Great Barrier Reef on Burrum Coast in Bundaberg Region of Queensland
Table of Contents
Welcome to my Tourist Visitor Guide to Woodgate Beach in Bundaberg Region! To make it easier for you to follow I have organised it into the various heading below:
1. Introduction
2. Where is Woodgate Beach?
3. Best Time To Visit Woodgate Beach
4. What Facilities do they have at Woodgate Beach?
5. How to get to Woodgate Beach
6. Things to do at Woodgate Beach
7. Woodgate Beach Accommodation
8. Where to Eat at Woodgate Beach
9. Final Thought
10. FAQs
Please read this visitor guide until the end. If you do, I hope it will have inspired you to visit this gorgeous Queensland beach!
(My post about Woodgate Beach may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you).
Read Time: 12 Minutes
Introduction
Such is my love for Woodgate Beach that I am a bit reluctant to tell anyone about it. After all, the last thing I want is to turn up there one day and discover that thousands of people have found out about its residential charm!
Stretching for over 16km, this beach resides in the suburb of Woodgate – a charming beachside town within the Bundaberg Region. When I want to relax, it is one of my favourite places to visit because the beauty of the Coral Sea and a pristine strip of golden beach that runs for as far as the eye can see in both directions are captivating.
Although a long row of houses lines the beachfront from the opposite side of the road, at the moment you won’t find many people on it during the week. Part of the reason for that is because most of the residents are at work or school, but also because the beach is not currently patrolled by surf-lifesavers. That said, if you don’t venture too far out the waves are generally calm.
Woodgate Beach is a terrific destination to walk, picnic and enjoy a bit of kayaking or wakeboarding and simply unwind (you’ll find a decent range of facilities to help you do that). If you are lucky enough to meet some locals, you will find they are pretty friendly. Particularly the ones that often hop around or graze by the water at sunrise or sunset.
Woodgate is blessed with an oceanic climate that offers plenty of beautiful sunny days all year round. For this reason, it is a Queensland beachside holiday destination you can visit any time throughout the year.
Where is Woodgate Beach?
Woodgate Beach is a 16km stretch of sand that is one of many beaches in the Bundaberg Region of Queensland. It resides about a 45 minute drive to the south of Bundaberg and about a half hour drive east from Childers.
To get there from Brisbane it will take you about four hours to drive northbound. So, if you leave early it is possible to visit it as a long, day trip. Coming south from Gladstone, you should arrive there within 3 hours.
If you are staying in Hervey Bay, you can reach Woodgate Beach in just about an hour’s drive.
Distance to Other Beaches in Bundaberg Region
Best Time To Visit Woodgate Beach
Woodgate is blessed with an oceanic climate that offers plenty of beautiful sunny days all year round. For this reason, it is a Queensland beachside holiday destination you can visit any time throughout the year.
Typically, you will experience the warmest weather between November and March, when the mercury can regularly top 30 degrees Celsius. As I am sure you would imagine, this is a good time for going for a gentle dip in the Coral Sea.
That said, during this period, particularly from December to February, the area receives a good amount of heavy rain that can border on monsoon. Don’t let this put you off from coming to Woodgate Beach at this time though, as it makes for dramatic viewing.
If you are more of a cool-weather person, the best time to visit Woodgate Beach would be between the winter months of June and August, which are also the driest of the year. You’ll find the temperatures are much more pleasant, hovering around the early 20 degrees Celsius.
Whatever time of year you go, the weekends will be busier than week days. You should also try and get to Woodgate Beach in time to see the sunrise, which is always a mesmerising sight.
What Facilities do they have at Woodgate Beach?
As it is a residential beach you will find a nice range of facilities at Woodgate Beach. Lining its 16km stretch of sandy beach are several picnic tables and barbecue areas. Most of these have good toilet facilities within easy walking distance of them.
Located on the waterfront, you will also find the Woodgate Beach Park which has a fabulous playground for children to enjoy, whilst parents can take in terrific coastline views. There is plenty of free parking without time limit restrictions available on the road that directly overlooks the beach.
You will also find a bakery and convenience store here where you can buy food and refreshments.
When compiling a list of things to do in Woodgate Beach the first thing you should put down is to relax. The serene waters of the Coral Sea, pleasant weather and long stretch of immaculate beach make it the perfect place to unwind and de-stress.
How to get to Woodgate Beach
As Woodgate Beach is a quiet residential beach, it is an easy destination to get there if you have a car. Whether you are coming northbound from Brisbane or southbound from Gladstone you will need to take the Bruce Highway (aka M1).
From the Bruce Highway, the beach is located 38km away on the coast. To get there, you will need to turn on to Lucketts Road before making a slight right onto Goodwood Road. You will then need to stay on this road for a while until you get to Woodgate Road, which will eventually take you to Acacia Street before leading you to the beach. All these roads are bitumen and easy to drive on.
The nearest airports to Woodgate Beach are Hervey Bay and Bundaberg.
Distance to Other places in Queensland
Things to do at Woodgate Beach
When compiling a list of things to do in Woodgate Beach the first thing you should put down is to relax. The serene waters of the Coral Sea, pleasant weather and long stretch of immaculate beach make it the perfect place to unwind and de-stress. Simply find a quiet section of beach to set yourself up for a day of self-care.
Although it is not patrolled by Surf Lifesaving Australia at the present time, you should be able to go for a nice gentle dip. Just don’t go out too far in case there are rips or drags and try not to go more than waste deep in the water if swimming alone.
If you drove to Woodgate Beach in a 4WD, you should take the opportunity to check out the landscape around the beach’s southern end towards Burrum Heads. You should find the beach access point fairly easy to negotiate, even if you have not driven on a beach before. Best of all, you won’t need a permit to do this.
Walking on the esplanade that fronts the beach is a nice way to stretch your legs, especially when the tide is high. You can often see kangaroos on the beach grazing at dawn or dusk. Elsewhere, if you fancy stand-up paddle boarding or kayaking you should head over to Theodolite Creek. This gorgeous waterway features clear turquoise waters whose beauty is further accentuated by its gorgeous white, sandy floor.
This pet-friendly area is easily accessible from Woodgate Beach’s top end. It has shaded picnic tables, which tend to get taken fairly quickly, especially during the school holidays and weekends. For this reason you might want to take a cabana or beach umbrella with you, as it is the kind of place you will want to stay at for a while.
Both Walkers Point and Theodolite have boat ramps that are easy to access. So, if you have your own boat you should take the opportunity to go out for a fish and a sail. The boat ramps at Walkers Point and Woodgate Beach are all-tide concrete ramps, while the one at Theodolite Creek can only be used from half-in to half-out tide.
Overall, Woodgate is known for being a top spot for angling with beach fishing being especially popular on the sand and local estuaries, which you will find at the lip of the Isis River to the south of the town and at the Theodolite Creek just north of the beach. You should be able to catch plenty of fish species here including squire, whiting, barramundi, golden trevally, cod, emperor and mackerel. For those wanting to fish offshore, you should head to the Woodgate Artificial Reef, located one nautical mile into the water.
If you plan on visiting Woodgate Beach with your dog you will find an off-leash area around the foreshore and reserve where Fido can run free. Should you want to explore the 20,000 acres of National Park that surround the beach, you should be able to see several wallabies, kangaroos, possums, echidnas and several different types of birds including emus, jabiru and brolgas.
Woodgate Beach Accommodation
Woodgate Beach is one of the most popular destinations on the Burrum Coast to stay at. However, you won’t find any hotels or resorts here. Instead, accommodation options are centred around holiday rentals, which range from stylish homes with stunning verandahs that showcase splendid views of the Coral Sea to quaint beach shacks that ooze charm and character. These options fall at various price points to suit all budgets and preferences.
Aside from them, there are also good caravanning and camping options. The NRMA Woodgate Beach Holiday Park is the main caravan park in town. It offers plenty of places to stay in Woodgate Beach including two bedroom villas and cabins, along with tent and caravan sites. It even has glamping safari tents with their own kitchenette and ensuite bathrooms, that can sleep four people and a luxurious beach house for those wanting a more upscale coastal accommodation experience.
For those with a 4WD who want a more natural setting in which to stay the night, you can head over to Burrum Point, with the Burrum Coast National Park, which has some decent campsites. Well set up for camper trailer and tent camping, it can only be reached by 4WD from the beach access point in Woodgate or Walkers Point Road. Although it is a remote location, it does have toilets and showers available onsite.
If you would prefer to camp behind the dunes, head on over to the Kinkuna section a little further up from Burrum Point. Again you will need a 4WD to get to this stunning section of the national park.
Those intending to bring their four-legged friend with them will be pleased to discover the NRMA Woodgate Beach Holiday Park has some pet-friendly choices for those who are camping or caravanning. However, it is best to book early as they tend to book up quickly. Some of the holiday rental places might allow you to take your dogs with you too. Some of them are booked online while others are via local real estate companies, so make sure you check before committing to a booking.
If you are looking for a Queensland beach holiday destination that offers serenity, relaxation and the chance to escape the crowds, Woodgate Beach in Bundaberg is a terrific place to visit.
Where to Eat at Woodgate Beach
During your visit to Woodgate Beach I would highly recommend taking a picnic or some food to cook on one of the barbecues that are located right along the pathway that overlooks the Coral Sea.
However, if you would rather eat out, you do have a few choices in the locality including the Woodgate Beach Hotel, which is the local pub or the Woodgate Club, the local lawn bowls club, both of which you will find on the main Esplanade. You should also visit the Serenity Cove Cafe, sitting around the front of the NRMA Woodgate Beach Holiday Park. They serve very good fish and chips in huge portions and excellent burgers!
The Happy Moments Cafe and Woodgate Beach General Store are also good options. Alternatively, you can head to nearby Bundaberg for plenty more choices.
Bundaberg Restaurants
Final Thought
If you are looking for a Queensland beach holiday destination that offers serenity, relaxation and the chance to escape the crowds, Woodgate Beach in Bundaberg is a terrific place to visit.
A visit here ticks plenty of boxes. Easy parking. Beautiful beach. Good facilities. Decent eating and accommodation options. Best of all Woodgate has a residential charm that instantly seduces you. It is the kind of coastal seaside town you can see yourself living your retirement years in.
FAQs
Where is Woodgate Beach?
Woodgate Beach is a 16km stretch of protected beach in the Bundaberg region of Queensland. It is situated about 355km north of Brisbane and about 57km from Bundaberg Central.
Is Woodgate Beach safe for swimming?
While Woodgate Beach is not patrolled it is protected by K'gari (former known as Fraser Island), so it is quite safe to swim so long as you don't go more than waist height in the water. That said, you should always be careful of rips and be mindful of the possible presence of jellyfish.
Can I drive at Woodgate Beach and do I need a permit?
If you have access to a 4WD you should take the opportunity to drive along the southern part of the beach to Burrum Heads. Even if you have no experience of beach driving the beach access point is straightforward to negotiate. Best of all you do not need a permit to drive on the sand.
Are dogs allowed on Woodgate Beach?
Yes, Woodgate Beach is a very dog friendly beach. You can let your four-legged friend run free from the an area on the foreshore and reserve past the last residence to the entrance of Theodolite Creek entrance.
