For the best local insights on what to see and do in our region, go to www.visitburdekin.com.au
About
Welcome to the Burdekin, where the outback meets the ocean.
Nestled in the delta of the Burdekin River is a thriving rural community, surrounded by vast open spaces and right on the door step of the Great Barrier Reef.
From pristine beaches to exhilarating adventure sports, world-class fishing and unique cultural attractions, there is so much to discover. Famous for its wealth of water, abundant sunshine and rich agriculture, the Burdekin is home to over 30km of unspoilt beaches – perfect for walking, swimming, picnics, kitesurfing, fishing and more.
Boat ramps and landings situated around the district provide access to creeks, rivers and estuaries as well as shoals and reefs situated just off the coast. For experienced divers or those wanting to take up diving, the S.S Yongala is located just 22kms from Alva Beach. Rated one of the top dive sites in the world it is one of the only places along the east coast of Australia where reef and estuary fish can be seen together. The Burdekin boasts spectacular wetlands offering a diverse range of bird species that rival that of Kakadu National Park. The Burdekin is home to over 26% of bird species found in Australia.
The towns of Ayr and Home Hill offer great boutique shopping with an abundance of specialty stores offering fashion, homewares, giftware and more. The quaint or funky cafés offer delicious coffees and the many restaurants and eateries offer a range of cuisines. Visit one of our Visitor Information Centres either in Ayr or Home Hill. Our volunteers offer a wealth of knowledge about the area and there is some great information on experiences available in the Burdekin and surrounding regions as well as accommodation options.
For those who are fully self contained and just passing through, the Home Hill Comfort Stop offers a maximum of two free nights stay. Where else can you visit in the world where there are over 300 days of sunshine a year and an abundance of fresh water?
Visit the Burdekin today and discover your very own adventure.
#visitburdekin
Travel
Road
The Burdekin is an easy hour’s drive south of Townsville, less than a two hour drive east of Charters Towers or a three hour drive north of Mackay. Many smaller communities surround the major twin towns of Ayr and Home Hill including Alva Beach, Brandon, Clare, Dalbeg, Giru, Groper Creek, Jerona, Millaroo and Wunjunga. Roads to these towns are clearly signposted from the Bruce Highway. Self-drive is an obvious choice for travel in Queensland giving you the flexibility and accessibility to see it all.
Air
The closest commercial airport is located in Townsville and offers both domestic and international flight services. The Townsville airport also offers long-term and short stay parking facilities and car rental outlets are on site. Bus Coach services connect to both Ayr and Home Hill daily and provide north and southbound services. For more information on coach services and bookings visit www.busqld.com.au.
Rail
Queensland Rail’s Spirit of Queensland services Ayr, Home Hill and Giru five times per week. Services run north on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays and south bound services operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. For more information visit www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au.