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.