48 hours in beautiful Bargara

Queensland is home to an array of quintessential beachside towns, from popular destinations to some lesser-known gems along the way.

Take the ‘Coral Coast’ road less travelled to Bargara in the Bundaberg region, just over a few hours outside of Brisbane and a short drive from the town of Bundaberg.

The seaside village has a lot to offer and more recently with a surge in popularity, Bargara is enjoying its time in the sun.

Driving through the verdant fields of sugarcane and market gardens its evident the region is home to a thriving food bowl. The rich red volcanic soil and sub-tropical climate make Bargara a perfect agritourism destination.

Here’s how to spend 48 hours exploring the beauty of Bargara, from farm gates to pristine beaches to an array of eateries showcasing produce from across the region.

Day 1

Morning: Windmill Café

Meander through the village of Bargara and follow the path that leads to a giant windmill. The charming kitchen garden cafe has a large (can see from anywhere) windmill perched on top of its roof.

As legend goes a Dutch family formally owned the once humble restaurant, hence the windmill. The current owners are a local family with renowned chef Joey Caruarna at the helm.

There’s a tempting breakfast menu and the showstopper is a dragon fruit smoothie bowl, laden with fresh fruit and frozen seasonal dragonfruit, Bundy-style.

Open early for breakfast right through to lunch, the Windmill Café is as iconic to Bargara as Sugarcane is to Bundaberg.

Next stop: Amandine Lavender Farm and Tinaberries

There’s a plethora of farm gates to visit on the plateau behind Bargara Beach, from a luscious lavender garden to a strawberry and ice cream farm.

Take the gravelled driveway to Amandine Lavender Farm and admire the country garden along the way. The French inspired gift shop is jam packed with lavender goodness from skin care to lavender fudge complete with secateurs for some take home lavender flowers.

A hop, skip down the road to Tinaberries Farm for all things berries, a family-run farm where guests can pick their own strawberries, try the delicious strawberry ice cream and learn about a working farm from the ground up.

Afternoon: Main Beach to Mon Repos Turtle Centre

Take a leisurely stroll along Bargara Esplanade to Mon Repos Conservation Park located at the Northern end of the main beach.

There’s an option to take a scenic ‘off the beaten track’ walk through the grassy marshes to the turtle centre. The area’s natural flora and fauna is home to one of the largest loggerhead turtle populations in the South Pacific Ocean region.

Amble along a 2-kilometre walking or bike track that adorns the Woongarra Coastline.

Take note: turtle breeding season is between October to April and the Mon Repos coastal walking track and turtle trail are closed between these months.

Evening: Pet-friendly stay at Big 4 Bargara Beach (then back for more turtles)

Check into a beachfront cabin and take your pet along for the ride. Big 4 Bargara has retained its old-fashioned charm with an authentic Australian caravan park feel. The affordable cabins are spacious in design, clean and simple with views across the foreshore park to the ocean beyond.

If it's turtle hatching season, return to Mon Repos Turtle Centre tonight to scour the beach by moonlight on a guided tour, and watch the magic happen as baby turtles take their first steps into the ocean.

Day 2

Morning: Early bird catches the worm (and coffee)

Take a 2-kilometre picturesque walk from Bargara Beach south to Kellys Beach, stopping off for an early brew at the Journey Café along the way.

The Journey Bargara is a speciality coffee shop that recently popped up in the laneway off the main street and is adorned by colourful street art by renowned Brisbane artist Steen Jones. Local adventurer and Journey owner Matt has many a tale to tell and is passionate about veganism and running non-stop across the country for a cause.

Next stop: Club Bargara

Fancy a spot of golf or a least a crack on the driving range? The Bargara Golf Club is perched high atop a hill that overlooks the east Queensland Pacific shoreline.

The quintessential country golf club is where the locals gather to tell a tale or two. Grab a hearty lunch, club sandwich-style, and wash it down with a famous Bundaberg drink (soft or hard, the choice is yours).

Afternoon: Bargara Beach Hotel

A trip to Bargara or any coastal town for that matter isn’t complete without checking out the local watering hole. By watering hole, we mean a brand-new hotel that adorns the beach front. (Formerly a modest pub that was damaged by fire in 2019.)

The re-incarnation of the Bargara Hotel is modern in design with coastal hues and a new white brick façade, retaining its friendly charm.

Try the woodfire pizzas and local beverages on offer from Bundaberg Rum to Ballistic Bargara ales to Kalki Moon infused vodka and gin.

On the way out of town: Red Chilli Thai and The Lettuce Patch

Stop off at Red Chilli Thai for authentic Asian takeaway, owned and operated by a local Thai family, the dishes are as fresh and tasty as they are affordable.

On the road back to Bundaberg pick up a produce box at the drive thru market garden ‘The Lettuce Patch’

Unashamedly local the farm shop is stocked with everything you can imagine plus more. From Bundy Honey to the freshest fruit and vegetables to local dairy cheese and eggs.

*Bundaberg lays claim to providing 25% of Australia’s fruit and vegetables.

Take a day trip to Lady Elliot Island

If you can, it’s worth staying longer in this part of the world to do at the very least, a day trip to Lady Elliot Island. Just a 20-minute plane ride from Bundaberg Airport and you’re immersed in the beauty of the Southern Great Barrier Reef.

The island is small by nature, making it easy to walk around and the ideal place to snorkel directly from the shore to the reef.

There is a modest eco-resort that has been carefully built to complement the natural environment, leaving a small eco footprint - a priority for staff and visitors alike.

There’s a glass bottom boat tour to the outer reef to snorkel with the turtles, manta rays and abundant marine life. A day ticket includes a history tour of the island’s flora and fauna, full buffet lunch, boat ride, snorkelling and plane transfers.

Hit the road home

On the drive back to Brisbane or beyond, a good halfway stop just off the main road is Eumundi, with its popular markets, eclectic shops and assortment of delicious places to eat.

Peruse the local book shop and café Berkelouw, buy some original boots at Agave Blue and grab a local brew and counter meal at Joes Waterhole Hotel.

The Bundaberg region is a perfect long weekender destination, with plenty of places to eat, play and stay.