Bargara, Queensland

Bargara
Queensland
Bargara
Coordinates 24°50′0″S 152°25′0″E / 24.83333°S 152.41667°ECoordinates: 24°50′0″S 152°25′0″E / 24.83333°S 152.41667°E
Population 6,893 (2011 census)[1]
Postcode(s) 4670
Location
  • 384 km (239 mi) N of Brisbane
  • 13 km (8 mi) E of Bundaberg
LGA(s) Bundaberg Region
State electorate(s) Burnett
Federal Division(s) Hinkler

Bargara /bəˈɡɑrə/[2] is a coastal town in Bundaberg Region, Queensland, Australia.[3] The town lies 384 kilometres (239 mi) north of the state capital Brisbane and just 13 kilometres (8 mi) east of Bundaberg. Bargara is considered to be a satellite town of Bundaberg, with only sugar cane fields separating the two centres. Between 1912 and 1948, a railway connected the two centres.[4] At the 2011 census, Bargara had a population of 6,893.

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.

Gallery

History

Bargara Golf Clubhouse, October 1931

Prior to 1913, Bargara was officially known as Sandhills. The Sandhills Provisional School opened in 1893, and was renamed Bargara State School in 1921. The name Bargara is derived from the names of two adjacent localities, Barolin and Woongarra.[3][5]

Bargara Post Office opened by 1923 (a receiving office had been open since 1912).[6]

On Australia Day 2013, Bargara was struck by a tornado spawned by ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald. The tornado damaged over 150 properties, and injured up to 17 people, 2 seriously.[7]

Heritage listings

Bargara has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

References

  1. ↑ Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Bargara (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 2007-10-26.
  2. ↑ Macquarie Dictionary, Fourth Edition (2005). Melbourne, The Macquarie Library Pty Ltd. ISBN 1-876429-14-3
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Bargara (entry 40971)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  4. ↑ Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin, November, 1964 pp 210-217
  5. ↑ "Bargara State School". Queensland Government. Retrieved 28 January 2010.
  6. ↑ Premier Postal History. "Post Office List". Premier Postal Auctions. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  7. ↑ Marsh, Vanessa (26 January 2013). "http://www.news-mail.com.au/news/man-critical-mini-tornado-rips-through-bargara/1732768/". Bundaberg News Mail. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  8. ↑ "South Sea Islander Wall (entry 3965)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 2013-07-07.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bargara, Queensland.