Sustained frontier conflict characterised the period from the 1840s to the 1860s, as pastoralists establishing sheep runs (and cattle from the 1860s) clashed with indigenous people intent on resisting the white settlement.

In 1869, the town of Bundaberg on the Burnett River was surveyed, to serve the newly emerging agricultural district dependent on the coastal shipping trade.

In 1973, the CBC sold part of the block to the west, fronting Bourbong Street, but retained the remainder of the site.

The former CBC bank at Bundaberg remained a branch of the NAB until closed in 1996 and sold to private interests later that year.

It is a substantial, two-storeyed, rendered brick building in boom-era "Italianate" style, built to the street alignments of the block, and has a square plan form and wide surrounding verandahs to both levels.

[1] A double-storeyed wing with an attached single-storeyed section with hipped slate roofs extends from the rear of the building.

[1] The main entrance off Bourbong Street is accentuated by a masonry pediment sitting on plastered brick piers that rise above the gutter line of the roof.

[1] Paired double-hung sashes with semi-circular heads and hood moulds with supporting decorated stops are located each side of the main entrance door.

Entry into the banking chamber is via a set of heavy timber doors with semi-circular hopper window that features a pair of peacocks in etched glass.

The stairwell windows and entry door have leadlight glazing with a central diamond pattern with bird designs.

A green marble fireplace with cast iron grate and ceramic tiled reveal is in the office adjacent to the side hallway and main stair.

[1] The upper floor, which was formally the manager's residence, retains its original configuration of six rooms surrounding a central hall running off the main stair landing.

[1] The northern verandah, which has been enclosed, is supported on cast iron columns and connects to toilets and a secondary stair.

Its Maryborough Street elevation retains an early hoist and doors to the hayloft in the roof space, and the whole appears to be substantially intact.

[1] The former Commercial Bank of Sydney building in Bundaberg was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992 having satisfied the following criteria.

It is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of its type: a substantial two-storeyed brick building which combined banking chamber and offices and bank manager's residence; which is designed to accommodate the warm Queensland climate, as illustrated by the wide surrounding verandahs to both levels and numerous windows and French doors; and which is designed to impress.

The place has aesthetic value, derived from its strong streetscape presence, form, materials, and the craftsmanship of the joinery, stained glass and overall construction.