Tag Archive for: Bargara Diving School

She swims with sharks, jumps into ice-cold water and can dive over 100 feet down on any given day. Ashleigh Baird discovered her love for the underwater world as a child — and now, she’s become an extraordinary freediver. Here, learn more about her journey to becoming the real-life aqua woman.

Ashleigh’s dream of becoming a professional freediver almost ended before it was even a thought. Battling an auto-immune disorder left her physically inactive for most of her childhood.  Join Ashleigh as she overcomes a traumatic childhood and puts her Architecture career on hold to pursue her dream of becoming a professional freediver. She now experiences another world some rarely get to see and gains incredible accomplishments along the way.

Ashleigh has an amazing showcase of freedive photography on her Instagram that will inspire anyone with an interest in diving.

Ashleigh Baird on Instagram

 

See more of Ashleigh

Ashleigh’s Instagram – @deepleigh

Documentary by Brian Russell

Film Credits: Brian Russell, Ashleigh Baird, Michael Dornellas, Igor Liberti

 

There are plenty of things to do and places to visit in Bargara Beach. Stunning beaches, unforgettable sunrises and much more. But when travelling with children, large or small, it’s not always easy to find things the whole family will enjoy. If you’re unsure of where to go with your kids during your Bargara holiday, make sure to check out our top things to do in Bargara when visiting with kids!

1. Mon Repos Turtle Centre

Mon Repos Turtle Centre – An unforgettable experience for all ages

No visit to Bargara is complete without a stop at the Mon Repos Turtle Centre. Here you’ll learn heaps about marine turtles, and the conservation and research programs that are protecting them.

Every year, from November to March, you can join expert Park Rangers for a rare and wonderful experience with endangered marine turtles (bookings and fees apply). See nesting (November–January) or hatching (January–March) sea turtles. Gather around a majestic female as she lays her eggs, or watch young hatchlings dig free and hustle down the beach. No-one else is allowed on the beach at these times and the popular tours have limited places. Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Completely redeveloped in 2019, the Turtle Centre now offers even more fun and interactive displays for kids of all ages where they can explore the tools and techniques used to look after our turtles in the Junior Discovery zone.

2. Snorkelling at the Basin

The Basin – Great place for snorkelling in Bargara

The Basin in Bargara is a protected tidal rock pool with plenty of fish, which makes it an ideal spot to visit with kids and snorkel in tow. It’s easy to spend a couple of hours here relaxing, people watching, or for an afternoon BBQ in the nearby park and playground. For snorkel gear for the whole family, contact Turtle Town Scuba and experience the marine life first hand at the Southern Great Barrier Reef!

3. Bargara Turtle Park

It’s all fun and play at Bargara Esplanade Turtle Park

Bargara Turtle Park is a popular spot amongst younger kids. The hardest part will be trying to get them to leave at the end! During the warm summer days, you’ll find children playing here until 10 pm and longer. With stunning ocean views, it’s easy to sit back, relax, enjoy some local fish and chips and simply lose track of time for a while.

Bargara Turtle Park is the perfect spot to end a foreshore walk along Bargara’s Esplanade, or for an afternoon picnic with the whole family. So, be sure to bring a picnic blankie!

4. Family Scuba Diving Adventure

Family Scuba Diving Lessons in Bargara

If you are looking for something a little more adventurous, a family scuba dive might be just the thing! Turtle Town Scuba offer a Discover Scuba Diving course which goes for a couple of hours and is suitable for children 12 years and over. This easy introduction allows you to experience the thrill of diving in Bargara under the care and close supervision of a professional PADI Instructor. You’ll learn the principal safety guidelines and skills required to dive. This is where the magic begins!

Check out available scuba diving courses

 

5. Bargara Bike Tours

Guided Bike Tours in Bargara

Bargara Bike Tours show off the amazing hot spots along Bargara’s beautiful coastal bike/walking path. Fully guided, participants can take in the surrounds and facts of the area at each stop point. Take some snaps and take in the beauty of our region and it’s history. Families can expect a leisurely pace that is flat all the way, being a comfortable ride for all fitness levels. At each destination the interesting stories & facts of the surrounds will be shared with stunning photo opportunities available. We’ll spot the native wildlife & flora along the way, including birds, kangaroos & sometimes whales through whale season! The 1/2 Day Bike Tour from Bargara to Mon Repos is suited for competent riders over 9yo (min 135cm tall).

Check out Bargara Bike Tours

What’s your favourite thing to do in Bargara when visiting with kids? Let us know in the comments below!

As a diving spot, Bargara is a popular destination for beginners and advanced divers alike. Sunrise waterfront walks, farm-fresh produce, temperate beaches and a variety of bars and cafés are just a few reasons why Bargara is etching itself on bucket lists worldwide. And it’s all just a 15-minute drive from Bundaberg’s CBD.

Whether you are looking for a romantic snorkelling spot or a scuba diving adventure at the southern Great Barrier Reef, Bargara is the perfect place to stay for a while and take in some of Australia’s best beach vibes. To make your stay a guaranteed hit, we’ve put together a list of Bargara’s top accommodation for you. In no particular order, here our favourite places to stay while scuba diving in Bargara.

C Bargara

The ‘C’ Bargara

Just a stone’s throw from the beach, this beautiful boutique resort offers some of Bargara’s best ocean views. Whether you are travelling with just your partner or the entire family, C Bargara provides a beautiful, calm space to retreat at the end of your scuba diving adventures.

Bundaberg C Bargara Resort is a great choice of accommodation in Queensland’s Coral Coast Region, with 38 beautiful apartments, all offering ocean views. Couples particularly like the location!

Check out C Bargara

Kellys Beach Resort

Kellys Beach Resort, Bargara

Only 4 hours by road or rail from Brisbane, Kellys Beach Resort has all the conveniences of a family holiday resort and is the ideal place to stay to experience the best dive spots Bundaberg & The Southern Great Barrier Reef has to offer.

“Take it easy”, that’s the motto at Kelly’s in Bargara. With 40 self-contained and standalone holiday units on 5.5 acres of gardens with a Licensed Restaurant, Pools, Spa, Sauna, Games Room, Tennis Court, BBQ areas, Kiosk & Tours Desk, it is a great choice for families and other small or larger groups.

Kellys Beach Resort is wonderfully located by a nature reserve just one block from Kellys Beach, the main swimming beach in Bargara, so you have the benefit of being close to the beach as well as being protected from the main road by a natural creek & forest area.

Check out Kellys Beach Resort

Bargara Gardens Motel and Holiday Villas

Bargara Gardens Motel in the heart of Bargara

Bargara Gardens Motel and Holiday Villas is superbly positioned in the heart of the Bargara village. You can enjoy the relaxing ambience of the self-contained beach villas nestled in beautiful gardens right in the hub of the village. A short walk will take you to alfresco dining, specialty shops, and the Esplanade boardwalk – a truly scenic track for walkers and cyclists.

With only 100 metres to the year-round stinger free beaches, it’s needless to say that this is a popular option amongst scuba divers and snorkelling fans. Bargara Gardens is a great base to enjoy both onshore and offshore scuba diving and snorkelling trips in Bargara.

For those looking for complete privacy, Bargara Gardens also has a stunning Beach Hideaway holiday rental home located at the southern end of Bargara.

Check out Bargara Gardens Motel & Holiday Villas