Bundaberg, Queensland
Inside The Bundaberg Barrel: Interactive Tour and Soda Tasting
The Bundaberg Barrel provides an engaging self-guided look at Queensland's famous sodas, complete with an interactive tasting counter and a custom take-home six-pack.
Pushing open the heavy entrance door at The Bundaberg Barrel brings you straight into an interactive hall dedicated to Queensland's famous sodas. Located in Bundaberg, Queensland, the self-guided walkthrough lets you explore the local brewing story at your own pace before heading over to the tasting counter.
At $18 for entry and a full drink tasting session, it offers an engaging look at the brand's history and finishes with a custom six-pack of sodas to take home.
Is The Bundaberg Barrel worth adding to your itinerary?
Towards the end of the tour, a giant bottle-shaped shelving unit presents the full collection of sodas ready for selection. Loading a wooden carrier with your favourite choices from the day is both satisfying and practical.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Experience highlights
The details to look out for in Zen’s experience.
At a glance: the experience
- The Bundaberg Barrel Tasting & Self-Guided Tour ticket
- Ginger Beer sample
- Creaming Soda sample
- Pineapple & Coconut sample
- Take-home 6-pack
Interactive Exhibits and Heritage Displays
Inside the venue, interactive stations make the heritage of these local sodas feel hands-on and immediate. A moving conveyor belt carries four-packs through the space while glass display stands showcase familiar bottles, including Sarsaparilla Root alongside Lemon, Limes & Bitters.
Overhead barrel-head plaques featuring classic varieties like Creaming Soda line the display area. An overhead mirror display gives visitors a fun vantage point for group photos while holding their drinks, all set against a prominent red display reading 'Brewed to Be Better'.
Sampling at the Illuminated Bar
The tasting session unfolds around an illuminated bar counter where small plastic sample cups are poured and lined up for trying. The pours cover a bright spectrum of colours, from vibrant yellow citrus drinks and orange-tinged blends to deep pink sodas.
Toasting with small sample cups over the counter makes for a relaxed and playful tasting experience. Among the full lineup, my clear favourite flavours are the iconic Ginger Beer, the sweet Creaming Soda, and the tropical Pineapple & Coconut, which is also delicious mixed with Malibu rum.
Selecting Your Take-Home Six-Pack
Towards the end of the tour, a giant bottle-shaped shelving unit presents the full collection of sodas ready for selection. Loading a wooden carrier with your favourite choices from the day is both satisfying and practical.
Walking out with six of your chosen bottles included in the admission price ensures you get to extend the tasting experience long after leaving the barrel.
GOOD TO KNOW
Frequently asked questions
How much does The Bundaberg Barrel self-guided tour cost?
The self-guided tour and drink tasting costs $18 per person and includes a six-pack to take home.
What is included with the tour ticket?
The ticket includes access to the interactive exhibits, drink sampling at the bar counter, and a custom six-pack of sodas in a wooden carrier.
KEEP EXPLORING
More places and guides connected to this visit
Zen visited in November 2023. Menus, ratings, prices and opening hours can change, so check directly with the venue before you go.
It was a pleasure to be invited to experience The Bundaberg Barrel but all opinions shared are my own.