Palace Backpackers Memorial
Much of the main street of Childers is heritage listed, with many of the buildings in the CBD rebuilt after a disastrous fire in 1902 resulting in some uniformity and authenticity of the architectural style of the day. The original Palace Hotel located in the centre of the main street was one of the buildings destroyed by that fire - rebuilt and reopened for business in 1903, and operated as a hotel continuously for some 85 years from that date. During its heyday in the 1930s and 1940s this was the premier hotel in Childers; as well as serving thirsty cane cutters it also offered accommodation, a dining room and at one stage a grand ballroom, before being converted to backpacker accommodation in the early 1990s.
On 23rd June 2000 tragedy struck when the Palace Building was gutted by fire as a result of arson and fifteen backpackers, twelve visiting from overseas, were killed. Miraculously another seventy escaped unharmed or with minor injuries such as smoke inhalation. The fire compromised the structural integrity of the building and the main street was partially blocked as a result of support beams installed on the facade.
[Source: Stephen Johnston - Reinventing Childers : Small Town Recovery after Tragedy] Publication - The Changing Nature of Australia's Country Towns VURRN Press 2006
In October 2002, two years and four months after the devastating fire and with countless members of the Childers community rallying together to support survivors and the families of the victims, the Palace Memorial Building was opened in a moving ceremony attended by twelve families who had relatives killed in the fire. The restored building encompassed a glass memorial wall; a portrait of the victims of the fire; the Childers Regional Art Gallery and the Childers Visitor Information Centre. Since opening in October 2002, the Palace Memorial Building has received over one million visitors.
Along with the Childers Visitor Information Centre on the ground floor, the Palace Backpackers Memorial is operated by the Bundaberg Regional Council and is located on the first floor of the magnificently restored Palace Memorial Building at 72 Churchill Street in Childers.
25 year anniversary commemorations
The Childers community will come together to commemorate the 25 year anniversary of the Palace Backpackers Hostel fire between 21 and 23 June 2025.
Bundaberg Regional Council has joined Queensland Police Service, Queensland Fire Department, Queensland Ambulance Service, Childers church leaders and a locally led performance group to coordinate commemoration activities.
Palace Backpackers fire 25 year anniversary commemoration program:
Saturday 21 June 2025
11 am – Memorial Vigil – Sacred Heart Church, followed by light refreshments at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School.
1 pm and 6 pm – The Palace: A Musical Commemoration of the 25th Anniversary of the Palace Backpackers Fire – Isis Cultural Centre.
Further information and tickets for The Palace: A Musical Commemoration are available on the Topology website.
This project has been partly funded by the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF), a partnership between the Queensland Government and Bundaberg Regional Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland
Monday 23 June 2025
Council will host a private memorial service for survivors and victims’ families and invited guests.
The Palace Backpackers Memorial, operated by Bundaberg Regional Council, is located on the first floor of the restored Palace Memorial Building at 72 Churchill Street in Childers. In honour of the anniversary the Childers Arts Space, located within the Palace Memorial Building, will be a place of quiet reflection, open to the community across the weekend but will close to the public on 23 June.
If you or someone you know needs support contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents can call 13 YARN for support.