Popular riverfront venue Riverfeast is taking a fresh direction for 2021 with new opening times and larger events planned.
Owners Karen and Greg Wittkopp are also focused on hosting more functions.
After the huge success of luring Australia rock band The Screaming Jets to the Bundaberg Region last year, Karen said it was time to commit their resources to larger events, and hosting Sunday sessions by demand instead of the weekly Friday nights.
Karen and Greg’s dream of owning the largest venue close to the Bundaberg CBD on the river started to flourish in late 2015 when they launched Riverfeast.
The popular family-friendly venue opened Friday evenings with markets and food stalls, and a year later they were awarded Chamber of Commerce New Business of the Year.
Karen said during the first few years of opening they had between 2000 and 3000 people through Riverfeast gates each Friday.
With COVID-19 restricting numbers this year they looked at new fantastic ways to share the riverside paradise with the Bundaberg Region and visitors.
“We are focusing on the return of our major events, the Chilli and Lime Festival, Oktoberfest and Halloween next year,” Karen said.
“We’re hoping to draw in more bands like The Screaming Jets, as that really was a highlight of my Riverfeast career!
“Along with opening every six to eight weeks, or by demand, on a Sunday for friends and families to come down, catch up and enjoy a relaxing time in this ideal location by the river.
“And of course, we will continue with our private functions for weddings, Christmas parties and business events.”
Riverfeast team focused on functions
By changing from the weekly opening to Riverfeast's new direction, Karen said the team was able to focus on providing a range of functions, including high-end catered events through to do-it-yourself birthday parties and weddings.
“We have this picture-perfect location – the largest on the river near Bundaberg CBD and it’s just ideal for weddings,” Karen said.
“I’ve taken a booking already for 2022, and there’s quite a few booked for 2021.”
Karen believes the Bundaberg Region has a lot of untapped tourism potential, and she hoped to be part of the plans to help show the rest of the country what they are missing out on.
“The sky’s the limit; it really will be a watch this space in the future!” she said.
Riverfeast plans to reopen in January 2021. For more information click here.
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All very well, but to the residents across the river in Mariners Way, it’s not.
The whole complex of Riverfeast faces across and like an amplifier, its sound just too loud for its visitors who can only stand as far back as 60/70 metres if that. So why do we have to suffer the loudness, in order to cater for that venue?
The Screaming Jets noise on the day was unbearable. No consideration has been given to this situation, and complaints are dismissed. The volumes if turned down would become acceptable to a point, as to date all functions have to end at 10pm. Outside of that it would be an outright insult to everyone across the river.