Bargara Beach accommodation: The best place to stay in Bundaberg?

Bargara Beach, QLD, is close to the Mon Repos Turtle Centre and has lots of beachside accommodation. It offers a chilled-out beach resort alternative to central Bundaberg.

Bundaberg is one of the largest cities along the Queensland coast. It’s by no means the least appealing of the big staging posts on the east coast – there’s more to Bundaberg than Gladstone and arguably Rockhampton. There are a few things to do in Bundaberg, but if you’d sooner have beach time than tour a rum factory, then you’ll probably want to head to Bargara.

Bundaberg isn’t quite on the coast. Bargara Beach is effectively Bundaberg’s beach suburb, and arguably a more enticing place to stay.

Mon Repos Turtle Centre near Bargara Beach

The main attraction in Bargara is technically just to the north in Mon Repos. This is a major loggerhead turtle breeding site, and the Mon Repos Turtle Centre explains why the loggerheads come here every year. Entrance to the Hatchling Hall, which has some displays and a gift shop, is free.

But the Turtle Tales section with more in-depth displays and theatrettes is a more rewarding experience. Entrance costs $13.40.

A turtle laying eggs at Mon Repos Conservation Park near Bargara Beach. Photo courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland.

During the summer breeding season, you can take an evening turtle encounter tour in the Mon Repos Conservation Park. These tours head to the nesting sites and Mon Repos beach to watch the turtles giving birth or hatching. See the big mother turtles haul their way up the sand to lay eggs is a genuinely magical sight. The Mon Repos turtle tours run between November and March, and are done in small groups. These groups can depart as late as midnight, depending on what the turtles are doing, and cost $27.90.

Things to do in Bargara, QLD: Beaches and parks

Otherwise, Bargara is all about the green spaces and beaches. There are a series of parks and reserves along the coastline, and four beaches. Bargara Beach itself is small, and home to the Bundaberg Surf Lifesaving Club and Bargara Skate Park.

Either side of it, Nielson Park Beach and Kellys Beach are bigger and a little more impressive. All are relatively safe for swimming, although surfers aren’t going to find much to get excited about.

Bargara Beach accommodation: resorts and apartments

But Bargara is a beach town, not just a beach. There are several Bargara Beach accommodation options, including the Bargara Beach caravan park, Bargara Blue Resort and Grand Mercure Apartments. There’s also a good handful of places to eat and drink. It’s the sort of place where you can easily hang out for a few days without going feeling too cut off from the world.

Bargara Beach is just 15km east of Bundaberg. Given that you’ll be diverting significantly off the Bruce Highway to stay in Bundaberg anyway, that extra 15km isn’t going to make much difference. If you just want an overnight stay close to the highway on the drive from Hervey Bay, you’re better off at Lake Monduran near Gin Gin.

More great Australian beach hangouts

Kayaking tours from Rapid Bay on the Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia.

Fishing at Lake Tyers in East Gippsland, Victoria

Washerwomans Beach in Bendalong, NSW.

White sand beaches in Orford, Tasmania.

The Pullman Bunker Bay Resort near Cape Naturaliste in Western Australia.