You know that feeling when you walk into a shop for one thing and leave with five other items you never knew you needed?
Multiply that by ten, and you’ve got the Bundaberg Auction Centre.
Our only auction experience had been clicking a mouse on eBay or Lloyds Auctions, so walking into our first live auction was a brand-new experience. Within minutes we were wandering through rows of everything from vintage motorcycles and collectables to furniture, artwork, old machinery and, yes, even amphibious all-terrain vehicles.
The dangerous part? You don’t have to be looking for anything.
One minute you’re admiring an old steam-powered machine, the next you’re convincing yourself it would look fantastic… somewhere.
Then you spot a vintage bike. Then a box of coins. Then an old sign. Suddenly you’re checking your bank balance to buy treasures you didn’t even know existed an hour earlier.
The bidding itself was half the entertainment. Every “do I have $20… yes sir $20…” had the crowd leaning in, wondering whether someone would sneak in one last bid. We even put in a few bids ourselves.
Can’t stay for the whole auction? No problem. Register, fill out a bidding card with your maximum offer, and head home. If you’re the highest bidder, they’ll give you a call. Just make sure you’ve done your homework first and remember to factor in the buyer’s premium and any applicable fees.
After all that excitement, Bros Bakery’s pie stand was perfectly timed. A hot pie in one hand while watching the next round of bidding added to the experience.
If you’ve never been to a live auction, put it on your list. You don’t need to be a collector or know the difference between an antique and a bargain. Just turn up with a sense of curiosity.
Fair warning though…
You might leave wondering where you’d park an amphibious vehicle.
Published August 2026 Chitchat Newspaper.