Bargara
Postcode: 4670
Bargara is a small town located on the central coast of Queensland, Australia. The town lies 384 kilometres north of the state capital Brisbane and just 13 km east of Bundaberg. Bargara is considered to be a satellite town of Bundaberg, with only sugar cane fields separating the two centres. At the 2001 census, Bargara had a population of 5,008.
Bargara is the administrative centre of the Burnett Shire Local Government Area. The Shire covers an area of around 2,000 square kilometres and boasts an estimated population of 23,000. The nearby coastal towns of Burnett Heads, Elliott Heads, Innes Park and Moore Park are the other main residential areas of the Shire.
Bargara has grown significantly over the last decade, becoming a popular tourist and retirement destination. The main streets of Bargara are The Esplanade and The Promenade. The Esplanade runs along the Bargara Beach foreshore, and is lined with several modern holiday homes and units. The Promenade contains several hotels, restaurants and clothing shops. Bargara is also a popular fishing, swimming and surfing location.
The famous Mon Repos turtle rookery is located just north of Bargara. A wall in the reserve dating back to the very early days of settlement was constructed using Kanaka labour and rocks taken from the nearby sugarcane fields.
Bargara, the largest beachside township on the Coral Coast, is 15 minutes east of Bundaberg and approximately 4 hours from Brisbane. A popular family destination since the 1920’s, the Bargara township continues to grow, with shopping centres providing for most needs.