Bundaberg

Annie and Iare in Bundaberg now, or Hinklerville, and what a lovely town. Not the most attractive town, but still very pleasant.

Of course Bundaberg's favourite son is Bert Hinkler. Throughout the town there is constant reminders of the great aviator, Hinkler Park, Hinkler Oval, Hinkler Motel and so on.

Above are a couple pictures of Hinklers house, removed from Southampton in England in 1983 and rebuilt in Bundaberg at is present site within the Botanical Gardens.

The house is now the Hinkler Museum. The building being constructed to the side of the house will house replicas of five of the aeroplanes he flew, some of which he built.

 

Here is a brief history of him.

 

1892  Born Bundaberg.

1912  Flew two self built gliders and flew them at Mon Repos ( near Bundaberg ).

1914  Arrived in England.

1914  Enlisted in the Royal Naval Air Service.

1917  Awarded the DSM for flying performances in France during 1st World war.

1929  Flew solo from England to Australia.

1931  Flew solo across the south Atlantic.

1933  Dies in his plane on Mt Pratomagno near Florence in Italy, while attempting another record attempt to Australia.

 

And this is just a brief history of him. The trophys and awards he won for flying exploits are quite amazing and too many to list here.

He was also cheif test pilot for A.V.Roe in England for five years.

 

Also in the Botanical Gardens is the Bundaberg Historical Museum, one of the best Iv'e seen, housing a huge array of interesting artifacts. Well worth a visit if you ever pass through.