Dog-friendly and waterside camping near Bargara
This kid-friendly holiday spot is known for its loggerhead turtles and Great Barrier Reef cruises.
- Bargara
Popular camping styles for Bargara
Dog-friendly and waterside camping near Bargara guide
Overview
With its golden beaches, cool ocean breezes, and offshore reefs, a Bargara beach holiday affords plenty of outdoor adventures. Head to Kellys Beach to swim, surf, or stand-up paddleboard; watch loggerhead turtles hatching along the beach at Mon Repos Turtle Centre; or tee off at the coastal golf course, then stop at a café along The Esplanade to take in the views. Campers can take their pick of beachside accommodation. Check in to a family-friendly holiday park with powered sites for motorhomes and caravans, seek out a tranquil riverside campground, or get back to nature at a rural Hipcamp.
Where to go
Bundaberg Region
Just a 15-minute drive inland, Bundaberg is home to the famous Bundaberg Rum Distillery and Bundaberg Ginger Beer factory. After sampling the local beverages, enjoy canoeing or fishing along the Burnett River, go birdwatching around the wetlands of Bingera National Park, or explore the bushwalking trails of Elliott River State Forest.
Fraser Coast
South of Bargara, sandy beaches, fishing villages, and national parks tempt travellers to the Fraser Coast. Fraser Island is the star attraction, and there’s great beach camping in the Great Sandy National Park, but you can also set out along the Great Beach Drive (4WD only) from Rainbow Beach or take a whale-watching cruise from Hervey Bay.
Great Barrier Reef
Bargara is the gateway to the southern Great Barrier Reef, where you can snorkel and scuba dive around the islands and coral reefs. Fly out to Lady Elliott Island to snorkel amid manta rays, go whale-watching, or take a glass-bottom boat cruise. Or, for a bush camping experience, cruise to Lady Musgrave Island and pitch your tent at Capricornia Cays National Park.
When to go
The sun is always shining in southeast Queensland, so beach days are enjoyable year-round. Time your visit for November through March to watch loggerhead turtles nesting and hatching along Bargara’s beaches or from August through October to spot whales around Lady Elliot Island. Great Barrier Reef tours are possible year-round, but May to October is peak season.
