Bundaberg, a vibrant city in Queensland, is situated approximately 385 kilometers (239 miles) north of Brisbane, the state capital. The city lies 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) inland from the Coral Sea coast, nestled along the banks of the Burnett River. This strategic location has contributed to Bundaberg’s development as a significant center for agriculture and tourism in the Wide Bay region.

The etymology of the city’s name offers insight into its cultural roots. It was coined by surveyor John Charlton Thompson and his assistant Alfred Dale Edwards, with "Bunda" derived from the name of one of the kinship groups of the local Taribelang people. The suffix "berg" has two proposed origins: it is either a Saxon term meaning "hill" or a German word for "mountain." This relates to the Sloping Hummock, a distinctive hill that rises above the flat terrain surrounding the Burnett River, highlighting the geographical features that define the region.

Colloquially known as "Bundy," the city has a distinctive identity, with residents referred to as Bundabergers and the corresponding adjective being Bundabergian. This sense of community is further reflected in the city's culture and local pride.

Bourbong Street, the main thoroughfare of Bundaberg, carries with it a history intertwined with the area’s Aboriginal heritage. There is ongoing debate regarding its spelling and meaning, as the street has been recorded in various forms, including "Bourbon" and "Boorbung." The name Bourbong is believed to come from a local Aboriginal title referring to a large waterhole in the vicinity. Historical records from the Bundaberg Mail referred to the street as "Bourbon" until around 1941, after which this name fell out of use.

Local pioneer Nicholas Tooth offered an unsettling interpretation of the name, suggesting that "Bourbong" derived from the Aboriginal phrase "bier rabong," meaning "plenty dead." Tooth, who began farming in the area during the early 1860s, discovered skeletal remains of Aboriginal people in this region, believed to be victims of a massacre by Native Police. This dark chapter in history contributes to the complexity of Bundaberg's cultural narrative and its relationship with the Indigenous communities that have inhabited the land for centuries.

In summary, Bundaberg’s geographic location and historical context provide a fascinating glimpse into its development and the stories that shape its identity. As a city that honors its past while looking to the future, Bundaberg remains an essential part of Queensland's cultural and agricultural landscape.