Unlock the secrets of making rum
Journey into the heart of our working distillery.
Click here to Enter the DistilleryMaturation - The Bonds
From the raw rum receiver, the raw rum is transferred to large oak vats. The vats, hold up to 75,000 litres. Every drop of Bundaberg Rum is aged in these vats for a minimum of 2 years.
There are almost three hundred of these vats at the Bundaberg Distillery, all still handmade from white oak. The vats are housed in specially constructed buildings called 'bonds' designed to minimise temperature fluctuations. There are several of these buildings on site.
At regular intervals during the maturation process, samples are taken for quality control tests that are performed to ensure that both the taste and aroma are developing satisfactorily. After this traditional 'ageing in oak' and everything is checked and just right, the mature rum is ready for bottling.
It is these 'bonds' which give their name to our visitors centre, the Bundaberg Rum Bondstore.
Bond 10
Inside the bonds
One of the handmade vats
Distillery Overview
Distillery Tour
In 1888, the first barrel of Bundaberg Rum literally rolled out of the production line. 110 years later, Bundaberg Rum, through its trials and tribulations, has gained recognition as one of Australia's famous Aussie spirits. In 1986 the Bundaberg Distilling Company appointed its first tour guide and demand soon saw the need to expand the tourist operation.
A guided tour will have you look, feel and taste your way through the making of the Famous Aussie Spirit. Starting with the raw material molasses, to the aromas of maturing spirit, your temptations will run high for a refreshing sample in the bar with a variety of Bundy mixes and Rum liqueur based drinks.
The Bond Store Visitor Centre
Visiting the Bundaberg Rum Distillery is an experience that is enjoyed most by adults. On the tour you will see, smell and taste your way through the rum production progress. You'll enjoy a video presentation, extensive tour, personal sampling, historical displays and opportunity to purchase merchandise and some unique souvenirs.
The Museum and Merchandise shop are open to the public.
Children are certainly welcome but there are no on-site children's activities outside of the tour.
The Visitor Centre and most of the tour route is accessible by wheelchair or walking frame. The use of motorised wheelchairs is more restricted due to the potential for ignition in highly flammable areas.
To help our foreign visitors, our notes are available in most common languages.
Group bookings of 15 or more are welcome by prior arrangement. The maximum group size is 50 people, less if the group consists mostly of children or visitors with special needs.
Please ensure that you arrive at least 15 - 20 mins early for your tour, especially for the last tour of the day and during school holiday periods.
A requirement of tour admission is that visitors must wear suitable clothing and fully enclosed foot wear as they are visiting an operating factory site. Shoe hire is available on site.
Unfortunately Flammable devices; matches and lighters, as well as any item with a battery including; watches, cameras, and mobile phones, pose a fire hazard to the Distillery and cannot be taken on tour. Lockers are provided free of charge to store these items whilst inside the Distillery on tour.
Distillery Tour Times
Distillery Schedule
The Distillery Tours are run ON the hour EVERY hour from
10:00AM - 3:00PM, Monday - Friday
10:00AM - 2:00PM, Saturday - Sunday & Public Holidays
For more information please contact us on either:
TEL: (07) 4131 2999
FAX: (07) 4131 2966
Distillery Directions
Bundaberg is situated approx 4 hours drive north of Brisbane travelling on the Bruce Highway.
QR Traveltrain offer a Tilt Train service to Bundaberg from Brisbane twice a day that takes approximately four hours.