PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Port Bundaberg
Pilot
updated Sep 2014- Bundaberg pilot boarding place Pilot boards24°45.6′S 152°29.7′E
Pilotage is compulsory, pilots are available from the Pilotage Services Division of Maritime Safety Queensland.
The pilot boards in position 24°45.6'S 152°29.7'E, 4.5nm E of South Head Light. The vessels ETA and draught should be sent 24 hours prior to arrival and any subsequent amendments should be sent immediately.
Key data
updated Jul 2014Size limits
LOA 200m, beam 32m, draught 11.0m.
Water density
1020.
Load line zone
Summer.
Tides
Mean spring range at Burnett Heads 2.35m; mean neap range 1.15m. Tidal streams in excess of 4kts may be experienced with the ebb between the entrance and the port of Bundaberg and sets across the channel. The flood is weaker and during the freshets is unable to reverse the direction except at the entrance.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sugar Terminals Limited | — | — | 1 |
| John T Fisher | — | — | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Jan 2011Approach
The directions for the port of Bundaberg are as follows:
Approaching from the S, after passing Sloping Hummock, keep more than 1nm offshore until South Head Lighthouse bears 268°. Then alter course to bring outer sea reach leading light beacons in line bearing 270°. Steer for them across the bar and pass between the 2 pairs of lightbuoys at the entrance. Then the channel is well marked by pairs of light beacons and 2 sets of leading light beacons. Middle reach leads should be steered for ahead, then Inner reach leads kept in line astern, passing between the light beacons marking the various reaches.
When between the final pair of light beacons, alter course SSW for the swinging basin passing E of the lightbuoys marking the channel.
Depths in the dredged channel are as follows: Port channel 9.5m, swinging basin length 1,165m, width 291m, depth 8.0m, Bulk Sugar Terminal 11.0m and Bulk Liquids Wharf 9.5m. The bottom is sand and clay.
Port limits
and includes the area covered by waters of navigable rivers and creeks flowing directly into the waters.
Anchorages
Anchorage may be obtained in a depth of 9m, 1.5-2nm ENE of South Head, this anchorage can also be used for vessels carrying explosives.
There is a spoil ground centred 2nm ESE of South Head.
Restrictions
Max arrival draught: 8.0m plus height of tide less 0.9m UKC.
Vessels are swung on arrival and berth starboard side alongside on flood tide. Vessels over LOA 150m will berth at beginning or end of flood tide.
Small molasses tankers may berth port side alongside.
Max departure draught: 9.5m plus height of tide less 0.9m UKC.
Vessels up to LOA 150m can sail at any time.
Vessels do not sail on ebb tide. The min UKC is 0.9m. If arriving in ballasted condition vessels should have forward draught equivalent to 2.7% of LOA and propeller immersed.
A speed limit of 8kts is in force from the entrance of the Burnett River to Bundaberg Creek at the E end of Town Reach (24°51.8'S 152°21.2'E), from then upstream the speed limit is 4kts.
Tugs
There is 1 tug of 32t bollard pull available.
Charts and publications
Aus 242, 243, 366. Admiralty Pilot NP15, NP286(4).
Reporting before arrival
updated Sep 2014ETA and pre-arrival notices
Vessels ETA should be sent up to 48 hours in advance. Customs require Pre arrival Report for all crew and passengers at least 96 hours before arrival in an Australian port.
Communications
The call sign "Bundaberg Harbour Control" is provided by Maritime Safety Queensland and they provides a 24 hours, seven days a week marine operations service to the port community via VHF channels 10,16 and 82.
Standard messages
Note: To be lodged at Customs Marine Centre, with a copy of the Crew List, 48 hours prior to the vessel's arrival.
Unquote.
Inspections
Port State Control here: Tokyo MOU, Indian Ocean MOU.
Running now: the Paris and Tokyo MOU concentrated inspection campaign on cargo securing, 1 September to 30 November 2026. Its questions are published: the questionnaire.
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.
Contact person: The Secretary.
Address: GPO Box 594, Canberra ACT 2601 Australia.
Tel: +61 2 6274 7114.
Fax: +61 2 6274 7994.
Mob: +61 0417 273 185.
24 hour contact: Office of Transport Security Operations Centre.
Tel: +61 2 6274 8187.
Fax: +61 2 6274 6089.
Email: [email protected]
ISPS Compliance: ISPS compliance is 100% for Australian ports, Australian port facilities and Australian flagged ships.
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated May 2010Repairs
Limited repair facilities are available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: Fuel can be made available by arrangement with oil companies.
Medical
Bundaberg.
Transport
Nearest airport: Bundaberg, approx 24km.
Nearest railway: Bundaberg, approx 16km.
Working hours
Throughout 24 hours.
About Port Bundaberg
updated Sep 2026Where it is
Bundaberg is situated on the E coast of Australia, approx 365km N of Brisbane.
The port
The port, a business unit of Gladstone Ports Corp, is located on the Burnett River 4.8km from the mouth of the river.
Bulk sugar and molasses are the main cargoes handled.
Traffic
Approx 240,000t of cargo and 20 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Port Bundaberg
Where does the pilot board at Port Bundaberg?
The pilot boards at Bundaberg pilot boarding place, 24°45.6′S 152°29.7′E.
What time zone is Port Bundaberg in?
Local time at Port Bundaberg is UTC+10. No summer time.
What is the water density at Port Bundaberg?
1020.
Which load line zone is Port Bundaberg in?
Summer.
Who carries out Port State Control at Port Bundaberg?
Port State Control at Port Bundaberg: Tokyo MOU, Indian Ocean MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Port Bundaberg?
The UN/LOCODE of Port Bundaberg is AUBDB.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Port Bundaberg say: pilot boarding, the agent's papers, inspections, shore leave. Each tip is shown with the writer's rank and ship type, and an AI summary sits on top once there are three or more.
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A planning aid, not for navigation. These facts come from public sources and each section shows how old it is. Check with the port, your agent, your ENCs and official publications. Spotted something wrong? Tell us on the feedback board.