Situated between Townsville and Bowen, the Burdekin district, known as the Sugar Capital of Australia, was named after the 886 kilometre long Burdekin River, which feeds northern Australia’s largest irrigation area. Dominated by the growing of sugar cane, this region also supports substantial fruit and vegetable agriculture, beef cattle and a burgeoning aquaculture industry.

Just an hour’s drive south of Townsville, the district comprises the neighbour towns of Ayr and Home Hill, linked by the iconic Burdekin Bridge (the “Silver Link“) and numerous other smaller centres. Renowned for its fabulous fishing, exquisite waterways and wetlands and its friendly, laid-back residents, it’s also the gateway to one of the best dive sites in the world, the SS Yongala shipwreck. From June through to late November, the sky is aglow to the sight of canefields being being set alight prior to harvesting; a sight once seen that’s never forgotten! There is plenty to see and do in the Burdekin district.