Wide Bay 2024: New Businesses, Openings, and Community Projects
From new dining experiences and retail shops, innovative restaurants and huge infrastructure works there was no shortage of projects which transformed the region in 2024 and laid the groundwork for 2025. See the list:
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From innovative restaurants and specialty gyms to major infrastructure developments, there was no shortage of ventures and projects which transformed the Wide Bay Burnett in 2024 and helped shaped its direction in the new year.
To celebrate the region’s growth and innovation, we’ve compiled a list of more than 20 highlights from the year.
Barrel n Vine, Fraser Coast
Barrel n Vine, an Italian restaurant and wine bar specialising in seafood, opened on February 15 on the Esplanade in Hervey Bay.
Established by Joe and Rachael Nocera, the eatery offers Italian classics like arancini, homemade salami, pizzas, and exclusive wines from Italy.
The restaurant also hosts events in its upstairs function space and features occasional breakfast and fusion menus.
Burnett Strength, South Burnett
Burnett Strength, a specialty strength training gym, opened on April 8 on Kingaroy Road in South Burnett.
Owner Paul Hovey created the gym to foster community and provide personalised plans for all fitness levels, breaking away from traditional gym models.
With over a decade of weight training experience, he aims to build confidence and provide tools for transformative results.
Chai Chai, Gympie
Chai Chai, a boutique tea house, opened on April 22 in a historic post office on Channon Street, Gympie.
Run by John O’Brien and Dr. Sandra Phoenix, who also own the beloved SoMa SoMa cafe, the venue offers a mix of teas, coffee, and chocolate treats.
Described as a “hole in the wall,” Chai Chai combined a cozy atmosphere with artistic charm, inviting guests to enjoy sweet treats alongside their favourite brews.
Bundy Beatz, Bundaberg
Bundy Beatz, a music school specialising in rock and country, opened on Bourbong Street on May 13.
Owner Craig Walsh and his team of musician-teachers provide lessons in drums, guitar, bass, keyboard, and vocals, along with performance coaching for bands and solo acts.
The facility also offers rehearsal spaces equipped with professional sound systems.
A seasoned performer and radio host, Mr Walsh was committed to nurturing Bundaberg’s thriving musical talent.
Sexie Coffee, Bundaberg
Sexie Coffee opened on Bourbong St in Bundaberg on May 13, offering premium coffee, frappés, doughnuts, and savory items like toasties and pies.
Established in Maryborough in 2003, the brand quickly gained popularity, earning Bundaberg’s “Cafe of the Year” title just six months after opening.
Boasting an innovative menu and warm customer service, the cafe has become a favourite for locals and travellers alike.
Guzman Y Gomez, Gympie
Guzman Y Gomez launched its Gympie location on June 13 at the corner of Old Bruce Highway and Excelsior Road.
Known for its fast Mexican food, the chain overcame construction delays after its original contractor collapsed, with the project completed by Townsville-based Live Construction.
With 80 stores across Queensland, Guzman Y Gomez continues its rapid expansion across the region.
Affordable on Elizabeth, Gympie
Affordable on Elizabeth relocated from Kenilworth to Imbil on July 6, offering a curated selection of leather goods, English bone china, handmade quilts, and more.
Owner Toni Gitsham made the move to better serve her growing customer base in the Gympie area.
Despite the change in location, the shop retains its original name, celebrating its roots while embracing a new community.
Diablo Co., Gympie
Diablo Co., a producer of locally made alcoholic beverages, moved its operations to Gilldora in August 2024.
Known for its ginger beer, vodkas, rums, and liqueurs, the company relocated from the Sunshine Coast to accommodate growth.
Owner Dimitris Limnatitis said the shop was committed to crafting gluten-free products that suit Queensland’s climate, continuing to innovate and expand the brand’s reach.
Boundary Rd Extension, Fraser Coast
The $32 million Boundary Rd extension in Hervey Bay opened on August 11, connecting Urraween Road to Denmans Camp Road.
The project was designed to improve access to the city centre, shopping areas, and medical precinct while easing congestion on Boat Harbour Dr.
Tipsea, Bundaberg
Luxury cocktail bar Tipsea opened on Bauer St on August 22.
Run by the team behind Library Bar, Tipsea offered a vibrant menu of cocktails, wines, and tapas in a lively atmosphere.
Guests can also enjoy non-alcoholic takeaway beverages from their specialty bar, Caffinity, without the hassle of booking.
Lumberjack Grill, Bundaberg
Lumberjack Grill opened its new location on Maryborough Street on August 30, transitioning from a food truck and restaurant in Gladstone.
Owners Kirsty Liversidge and Raj Bharti, a who had worked as a chef for 17 years, made the change to mark a fresh chapter for the family and their culinary venture.
IGA, Gympie
The O’Connell family expanded their IGA supermarket chain to Imbil on September 18, providing a much-needed new local grocery option in the town.
Owner Justin O’Connell said the move would bringing convenience and quality to the community by eliminating the need for an hour-long round trip to Gympie and marks the end of a four-year journey to establish in the Mary Valley.
Nanango’s Copper Country Motor Inn, South Burnett
Nanango’s Copper Country Motor Inn opened on September 19 along the D’Aguilar Highway, including a new a cafe open to the public.
Owners Alex Mengual and Mark Matula relocated from Sydney to pursue their passion for hospitality, inspired by managing a motel after their wedding.
The couple has renovated the property and offers five types of rooms, open seven days a week.
Turtle Sands Resort, Bundaberg
NRMA’s Turtle Sands Resort opened on Mon Repos Beach on September 19, offering contemporary villas, glamping, and camping options following its 2022 sale at a cost reported to be between $13 million and $15 million.
The resort is adjacent to the Mon Repos Turtle Centre, where visitors can witness nesting turtles and hatchlings from November to March.
Guests can explore pristine beaches, unique wildlife, and the nearby Southern Great Barrier Reef year-round.
The Oculists, Bundaberg
Optometry practice The Oculists opened on September 23 in Bundaberg, led by husband-and-wife duo Jennifer Chi and Stephen Everard.
With more than 30 years of experience, they established the practice to address regional Australia’s need for better eye care.
The state-of-the-art clinic aims to provide a relaxing and comprehensive experience for patients, they said.
Whiskey Neat, Fraser Coast
Whiskey Neat, a formal wear store, launched on September 30 on Hervey Bay’s Main Street, led by entrepreneur Dylan Neilsen-Behrens.
Mr Neilsen-Behrens said the store features high-end suits, shoes, accessories, and unisex fragrances, filling a gap in the local market.
With plans for expansion the brand has already gained international attention, including interest from Japan.
The Gympie Bypass, Gympie
The biggest project on the list, the $1.162 billion Gympie Bypass opened on October 15 after four years of construction.
The bypass improves traffic flow, safety, flood immunity, and reduces travel times by 20 minutes, and marked the largest transformation in the Gympie region in more than 150 years.
Mayor Glen Hartwig emphasised the project’s importance, calling it essential for regional growth.
World Gym, Fraser Coast
World Gym Hervey Bay opened in November after weather delays, bringing the global fitness brand to the Fraser Coast.
The gym featured a creche, weights room, group fitness classes, CrossFit zone, sauna, and cafe, offering a “one-stop shop” for health and wellbeing.
Built on a $1.1 million site purchased in 2021, it joins a fitness market with 14 gyms in Hervey Bay alone.
Thyme at the Vinyard, Fraser Coast
Thyme at the Vinyard opened on November 8 on Hervey Bay’s Esplanade, offering ocean views and a menu designed for upscale yet inclusive dining.
Owner Belinda Lorimer, inspired by her hospitality roots, revived the space previously known as the Vinyard.
Committed to quality food and drinks, Lorimer aimed to honour the venue’s legacy while fostering a new community connection.
Anaconda, Bundaberg
Anaconda opened its Bundaberg location on November 9, providing gear for camping, hiking, 4WDs, and more.
The Johanna Boulevard store meets demand for a closer location after the closure of Hervey Bay’s store, 109km away.
With 88 stores nationwide, Anaconda has become a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts in regional Queensland.
4WD Supacentre, Bundaberg
The 4WD Supacentre opened in Bundaberg on November 29, offering off-road gear, accessories, and expert services to the region’s strong 4WD and camping community.
Located on Johanna Boulevard, it’s the retailer’s 31st Australian store, which has grown on the back of a focus on affordable, high-quality products.
Marketing Specialist Eve Griffin highlighted the store’s goal of providing value and convenience for outdoor enthusiasts in regional Queensland.
Vinnies, Fraser Coast
Hervey Bay welcomed one of Queensland’s largest Vinnies stores on December 7, replacing its top-performing former location.
The op-shop, located at the former BCF site, moved to further cater to the growing demand for affordable, sustainable shopping.
In the past year, Vinnies Queensland supported 5000 locals on the Fraser Coast with over $210,000 in emergency aid, reflecting its significant community impact.
Three injured in separate crashes across Wide Bay
Emergency services responded to two separate crashes overnight, with three people taken to hospital.
Gympie sale and auction results, week ending February 1
See the latest auction and sales results in Gympie for last week.