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Not many individuals have heard of Agnes Water and 1770, or City of 1770 because it’s typically referred to.
And it’s no shock, Agnes Water has lower than 3,000 residents, and 1770, has lower than 100.
They’re each extraordinarily distant and wild, tucked neatly between the hustle of the Gold Coast and the solitude of the Capricorn Coast. It’s a coastal escape that point — and most vacationers — forgot.
Agnes Water is the form of place the place flip-flops are formal put on and the tempo of life is measured in waves per minute.
This laid-back hamlet is residence to Queensland’s northernmost surf seashore, and is only a seashell’s toss away to City of 1770, named after the yr the place Lieutenant James Cook dinner made his second Australian landfall.
When you’ve heard of the dual cities of Agnes Water and 1770 and pondering of visiting, you’ll discover there are such a lot of issues to do in Agnes Water and 1770 apart from getting acquainted with the historical past.
Although a small place, there’s a ton of journey and nostalgia to find right here.
A quick historical past of Agnes Water and City of 1770
Earlier than you get sucked into the vacationer points of interest and actions, it’s effectively value clueing your self up on the historical past of those cities so you possibly can admire it higher.
The invention of Australia by Cook dinner is clearly one I do know effectively.
However, it’s a onerous one to hook up with because the shores of Botany Bay are actually lined with excessive rises, giant highways, and planes flying overhead.
The identical with Sydney Harbour. I attempt to think about what it should have regarded like when the First Fleet arrived to start out the penal colony in 1788. It’s a murky visualization as there’s far an excessive amount of concrete now masking the view.
Besides while you get to the City of 1770 and Agnes Water and also you discover the close by seashores and creeks and headlands that Cook dinner and his crew sailed previous – right here, you possibly can actually connect with the story.
Its pure magnificence has been unchanged for hundreds of years.
I may think about the marvel they felt assembly furry animals hopping alongside the seashore guided by their tails, stingrays gliding alongside the sandy ground of the river, and dolphins guiding the nostril of the Endeavour right into a secure anchorage.
I may think about Joseph Banks’ confusion and awe as he got here throughout tons of of species of vegetation he’d by no means seen earlier than: pandanus palms, banksias, Eucalypts, hibiscus flowers, and small forested valleys full of lovely blue butterflies.
That is the City of 1770 and Agnes Water.
City of 1770 was the second place that Cook dinner discovered when he first landed in Australia, and the primary in Queensland. For that purpose, it’s thought-about the primary settlement in Queensland.
The longer I stayed, the longer I wished to remain. There’s a magnificence and rawness right here that will get below your pores and skin.
It has every part a traveler will want, but not many enterprise right here.
Issues to do in Agnes Water and 1770
1. Go kayaking with Liquid Adventures
1770 Liquid Adventures is owned by a German and Aussie couple, Janina and Simon, who’re journey vacationers who met diving within the Caribbean.
They completely understood our vibe and what vacationers are actually in search of in an expertise, particularly with children.
We selected one of the best day to kayak on the waterways round Spherical Hill Creek – barely a ripple, crystal clear and the solar was shining down.
We joined Janina for a guided household kayaking journey paddling up the creek to Butterfly Seashore the place we stopped for morning tea, a play with the butterflies, and good previous bubble-busting enjoyable on the seashore.
I beloved how Janina catered for the children with video games and with an superior animal recognizing chart tied to the kayak.
Kalyra beloved figuring out the birds we met alongside the best way just like the Oyster Catcher and black headed tern.
Each the ladies beloved paddling and have been disillusioned when the tour ended.
We’re actually eager to return in the future to expertise their sundown tour – a paddle up the creek adopted by a glass of wine on the seashore with a powerful sundown.
The time of the day while you’re almost certainly to kayak alongside dolphins. Magic!
2. Go on a City of 1770 LARC Tour
Simply a spotlight of this space was our LARC Paradise Tour. We noticed and skilled so many superb issues in City of 1770, each on the water and on land, and most of these issues we noticed from a tour in considered one of these iconic pink amphibious autos.
When you solely have a short while to discover City of 1770, then a full-day tour on a LARC is a good way to see all of the highlights in a single go to.
You’ll go away from Bustard Bay and go the historic Bustard Heads lighthouse, go sandboarding on Center Island, and drive by means of 4 Nationwide Parks (Deepwater, Eurimbula, Mount Colosseum, and Spherical Hill).
It was a variety of enjoyable and Kalyra now has a brand new passion – sand boarding!
This tour is famous down as considered one of my favourite actions from our 18-month Australia highway journey.
3. Cruise to Girl Musgrave Island
It was a tough 75-minute boat journey out and again, however Girl Musgrave Island was value it.
The City of 1770 is on the doorstep of the Southern Nice Barrier Reef, and Girl Musgrave Island is your personal piece of paradise that connects to the coral sea.
We moored up on the floating pontoon and loved a glass backside boat tour and snorkeling within the protected Lagoon.
We went ashore for a guided island stroll and by no means wished to go away!
4. Watch a sundown within the City of 1770
Come early along with your chair, a drink, and a few cheese and dips, and be part of the crowds watching the solar dip beneath the ocean horizon.
Sundown within the City of 1770 is the place to be. It’s really spectacular, so serene, and actually not too crowded.
The City of 1770 is sleepy and quiet and undeveloped. Just a few homes sit on the aspect of the hills with magnificent views of Spherical Hill Creek and the well-known gorgeous sunsets.
It’s considered one of solely three locations on Australia’s east coast the place you possibly can see the sundown over the water.
The City of 1770 can also be a protected space so all future constructing has ceased.
It’s virtually within the pristine situation it was in 1770 when Captain Cook dinner first sailed previous Spherical Hill Headland to relaxation his ship the Endeavour.
5. Or watch the sundown at Agnes Water
If you would like one thing slightly totally different, Agnes Water has a gorgeous sundown from the seashore.
You gained’t get it setting over the water, however dropping behind the small foliage-filled hill is equally as lovely and the colors within the sky mild up Agnes’ prettiness.
6. Discover ways to Surf at Agnes Water Fundamental Seashore
Browsing classes in Agnes Waters are among the least expensive you’ll discover within the nation.
The waves on the lifesaver-patrolled Agnes Seashore look fairly good to study on, and there’s loads of bodyboarders having fun with the waves right here too.
They have been clear and small once we have been there and there have been just a few newbie surfers nailing the standing-up method.
In Agnes Water, you’ll discover probably the most northern surf seashore on the East Coast of Australia, which can also be the place the annual Reef 2 Seashore 1770 Longboard Browsing occasion takes place every March.
The seashores listed below are additionally secure for swimming because it’s a patrolled seashore and has lifeguards throughout peak seasons.
We didn’t have the possibility to take up a lesson right here, however we heard they’re low-cost and a variety of enjoyable. When you don’t know easy methods to surf, then what higher memento to take residence with you than a brand new talent!
7. Do the simple Paperbark Forest Stroll
We have been alerted to the Paperbark Forest Stroll by considered one of our Fb group members. The trailhead is simply about 3 kms south of Agnes, reverse Springs Seashore, and the entire hike is family-friendly and straightforward to do.
The Paperbark Forest Boardwalk Path is a brief 10 minute (400m) out and again hike from Agnes Water. The path takes you thru among the most fantastic nature in Reedy Creek Reserve.
The ladies beloved pretending they have been witches using on their broomsticks down the picket boardwalk and hopping alongside the stepping pylons above the swamp. It was fairly mystical and magical.
The reserve is residence to a well-preserved coastal melaleica forest and is stuffed with paperbark bushes. The forest is so inexperienced and wild, it feels such as you’ve stepped right into a jungle.
The forest is one other scorching spot for migrating butterflies and can also be residence to many species of native Australian frogs.
The path is very easy and appropriate for younger kids, however not for these with mobility points since you’ve gotten just a few water crossings and obstacles to step over.
8. Stroll the 1770 to Spherical Hill Head Stroll
There’s a gorgeous 2km stroll from the 1770 campground alongside the headland by means of the forest to the Spherical Hill Head.
The views alongside the best way throughout Eurimbula Nationwide Park to Bustard Headway lookout are fairly particular too. Put your binoculars in your backpack in case you are visiting between July and October, as that is whale-watching season. It’s possible you’ll simply see a humpback whale breach within the distance.
There’s additionally one part of the forest that’s full of lovely blue tiger butterflies (simply above Butterfly Seashore).
If you wish to see these butterflies correctly, then take the Butterfly Stroll. Yearly, between March and Might, hundreds of those butterflies are migrating by means of Agnes Water and the City of 1770.
The Butterfly Strolling Path is positioned close to The Captain Cook dinner Monument and is the place you usually tend to see them, because the stroll is uncovered to the daylight (butterflies love daylight).
9. Go snorkeling on the secluded Pancake Creek
One other lovely spot in Agnes Water is Pancake Creek, which is inaccessible by land and so you have to take a tour to achieve it.
Nevertheless, it’s undeniably value it.
This untouched paradise is the place tropical bushland meets the shoreline. You possibly can snorkel right here, and it’s potential to identify turtles and dugongs feasting on the seagrass. Then, go for a swim and loosen up at ‘Secret Seashore.’
When you’re in search of your personal slice of paradise, that is it.
10. Go whale-watching
Australia’s East Coast is a scorching spot for humpback whales and dolphins throughout their migration season after giving delivery to their calves (July by means of to October, typically early November).
Many individuals flock to Hervey Bay to see them, since that is the place they’re most lively, however you possibly can truly see them within the waters from Agnes Water too.
A terrific place to see them is alongside the Discovery Path, which takes you to a number of lookout factors. It’s a stunning stroll and solely takes round half-hour, although in fact, if you happen to do see whales you’ll possible wish to cease and keep for some time.
The trailhead for the Discovery Path is behind the Agnes Water Museum on Springs Highway in Agnes Water. It’s a loop path, so you’ll end right here too.
11. Loosen up on the secluded Chinaman’s Seashore
If you would like a quieter seashore away from the surf crowds, then Chinamans Seashore is the spot. You will discover this seashore through a brief hike over rocky escarpments on a bitumen monitor, which is simply off Springs Highway.
It is a pure seashore with rock swimming pools, light waves, and a well-liked fishing spot for locals.
Carry your fishing rod and a picnic and also you’re ready for an ideal day on the seashore.
It’s best to notice that that is an unpatrolled seashore, so keep watch over your kids and keep secure.
12. Take pleasure in reside music on the Agnes Blues Roots and Rock Pageant
Yearly in February, Agnes Water turns into the host to the Blues, Roots and Rock Pageant.
Over three days, this vibrant competition brings among the greatest names in Blues and Rock to the stage, in addition to affords meals distributors and markets.
Ticket gross sales increase funds for over 10 native charities and organisations. When you’re on the town in February, you should definitely test it out.
13. Dine at The Tree Restaurant, Seventeen Seventy
The Tree Restaurant is positioned contained in the 1770 Seashore Resort, and is slightly on the costly aspect, however the meals is nice and the views are superb.
Catch the sundown first and have a drink within the Tree Bar earlier than shifting into the restaurant.
The place to remain in Agnes Water
When you’re pondering you’ve been satisfied and are able to make the journey to Agnes Water and City of 1770, then you definately may be questioning the place to remain.
We stayed on the NRMA Agnes Water Vacation Park, previously often known as Agnes Water Seashore Caravan Park, in a Treetops Chalet. They have been actually cute and if you will get one proper on the seashore you may be in for a great keep.
They’re slightly small although, so when you’ve got a big household or want a variety of house, you would possibly wish to have a look at a cabin or campsite. We needed to preserve most of our baggage in our automotive.
We most popular the situation of this web site to the campground at 1770, which is extra primary and fairly fashionable for being proper on the bay and entrance row seats for the sundown.
You possibly can view extra locations to remain in Agnes Water and 1770 on this interactive map:
Attending to City of 1770
The City of 1770 and Agnes Water are slightly diversion from the primary freeway between Brisbane and Cairns, so it doesn’t see the excessive quantity of site visitors and vacationers. Due to this fact you might miss the turning if you happen to you’re not in search of it!
Agnes Water is roughly 477 kilometers from Brisbane, which takes about 5.5 hours to drive. City of 1770 is one other 6 kilometers north of Agnes Water.
From the Sunshine Coast, it’s a 4.5 hours drive.
They’re positioned within the Gladstone area of Queensland. You will discover low-cost flights to Bundaberg airport within the south, and from right here it’s a 1.5 hour drive.
What’s the distinction between the City of 1770 and Agnes Water?
I’m glad we weren’t the one ones confused!
Agnes Water is about 6 km south of the City of 1770. Agnes Water is the ocean city the place you’ll discover the surf and a implausible seashore. It additionally has many of the cafes and outlets and room for growth.
The City of 1770 is on the Spherical Hill Creek and is way quieter and smaller. That is the place you bounce in your cruises and do your water excursions and actions.
They every have their distinctive factors, however I believe we barely most popular to remain in Agnes Waters close to the seashore and drive into the City of 1770.
Last ideas
Now we don’t wish to ship you there in droves, however we can also’t preserve Agnes Water and 1770 a secret from you. We expect it is best to positively be pinning it to your Australian Bucket Record.
We first heard of it years in the past from mates who visited and stayed awhile and so they say it’s their favourite place in Australia.
After that, we heard about it a number of instances from extra travellers who stumbled upon it by chance, and have been amazed at how lovely and magnetic it was.
Each cities have one thing particular and distinctive about them.
Whether or not you’re in search of historic landmarks, adventurous actions, or a lazy day by the seashore, you could find all this and extra right here.
We hope this information helped persuade you to go to these hidden gems in Queensland and gave you some concepts for issues to do so as to add to your itinerary.
Are you planning a go to to City of 1770 and Agnes Water? Tell us what you’re excited for within the feedback!
