Bundaberg locals, it’s your time to shine.
The Bundaberg Region Welcomes You Local Ambassador Program has launched, and you’re officially invited to show off your backyard like the legend you are.
The program encourages residents to become unofficial tour guides when friends and family come to visit, supporting local tourism and hospitality businesses while creating lasting memories for your guests.
Locals can play a starring role in putting Bundy’s best foot forward, with exclusive discounts and bonus offers from some of the region’s top attractions, eateries, tours and experiences when you bring your out-of-town guests along for the ride
“The people who love to live in our Region are the secret sauce for the visitor economy,” Katherine Reid, CEO of Bundaberg Tourism said.
“You know the best spots, the hidden gems, and the local legends. We’re just making it even more rewarding to show it all off.”
Ms Reid said domestic tourism remained the backbone of Australia’s visitor economy and the Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) was a key part of this travel, making up over a third of Queensland’s overnight travellers who spent nearly $1.5 billion in the state in the March 2025 quarter.
“That makes the VFR segment invaluable, not only as a reliable market, but as a deeply human driver of tourism,” she said.
“Its travel rooted in relationships, trust and word-of-mouth. When Aussies welcome guests into their homes and introduce them to the places they love to live, they become the most trusted ambassadors for their region.
Every visitor we welcome is a chance to show off what we love most about our region, and that makes all of us part of Bundaberg’s tourism story.”
resident of the Bundaberg Chamber of Commerce Tim Sayre said more Aussies were choosing to holiday at home, and it was making a big difference to towns like Bundaberg.
“When locals play tour guide, showing off our favourite beaches, cafes, or local attraction, we’re not just creating memories, we’re boosting local businesses and supporting local jobs,” he said.
“It’s simple things, like taking your cousin to the region’s cellar doors or buying a coffee while you’re walking the dog with visiting mates, that help keep our region thriving.”
Here’s how it works:
If you live in the Bundaberg Region, have friends or family visiting from outside the region, and want to unlock local deals just by playing tour guide, go to bundabergregion.org/local-ambassador-program to explore the full list of participating legends and juicy deals.
Highlights include:
- Free tour when you bring a full paying guest and Ambassador discounts at Bundaberg Rum Visitor Experience
- 20% of brews and merch at Bundaberg Brewed Drinks for locals when you bring an out-of-region guest
- Free pass for locals at Hinkler Hall of Aviation when you bring two out-of-region guests
- $50 off day trips to Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort
- 10% off tours at Monsoon Aquatics Coral Farm
Then, show proof of your local address when visiting participating businesses, and boom! you’re an official Bundy Local Ambassador.
Because let’s be honest, there’s no better tour guide than a proud local.
Bundaberg Regional Council provides funding for Bundaberg Tourism through a Tourism Partnership Agreement for its activities which promotes the Bundaberg Region to national and international audiences.
Council remains committed to working closely with Bundaberg Tourism to strengthen the impact of tourism at this pivotal time for the region’s tourism economy following the launch of the Destination 2045 strategy.
