The Best Things To Do in Agnes Water & 1770
One day. Two twin towns. Explore history, nature and beaches as you spend the day in Agnes Water and Seventeen Seventy.
We dropped in to Agnes Water and Seventeen Seventy on our big haul up the coast from Sydney to Cairns. We’d spent the previous night in Bundaberg doing some rum-tasting, and were very ready to get back to some coastal exploring.
The town of Seventeen Seventy is a pretty important place in explorer history – it’s where Captain James Cook landed for the first time in Queensland in the year of… you guessed it, 1770. The town was originally called Round Hill, but was officially renamed after the year of the landing in 1936.
Meanwhile, Agnes Water is the larger town, with a variety of shops, cafes and the area’s main beaches. It’s also known as the last outpost for surfing if you’re making your way north up the East Coast.
Grouping the two together for a guide makes sense, as they’re about 6km apart, so it’s very easy to visit both in just a day!
You can visit in either order, but we started off our day in Agnes Water, before heading to 1770 for some historical sightseeing and clifftop views. (If you’re planning on visiting the Agnes Water Museum especially, this order makes the most sense as the museum only opens until 2pm!)
Getting to Agnes Water and Seventeen Seventy
Coming from the south, Agnes Water and Seventeen Seventy are around 5hrs drive from Brisbane, 4hrs from Noosa, 2hrs 40min from Hervey Bay and 1hr 30 from Bundaberg.
If you’re coming from the north on the A1, the best turn-off point is Miriam Vale, and it’s another 40mins or so to the twin townships. They’re around 1hr 30mins from Gladstone, 2hrs 30mins from Rockhampton and 6hrs from Mackay. We found the section of our road trip between Agnes Water and Mackay quite a slog where there isn’t LOADS to do, so had a functional stay in Rockhampton.
If you’re travelling via Greyhound buses, they stop daily in Agnes Water.
Things to do in Agnes Water
Head out to the Discovery Trail Lookout
The first thing we did when we hit Agnes Water was head out onto the clifftops via the Discovery Trail. The lookout point at the end of the easy 1km track is a great intro to this historical stretch of coastline, taking in the Seventeen Seventy headland from a distance.
It’s also a great trail for finding some of the local wildlife – on our way back, we saw a HUGE lace monitor lizard chilling in the bushes!
Visit Agnes Water Museum
An easy one to combine with the Discovery Trail as they share the same (enormous) car park. For the $5 entry fee, the Agnes Water Museum shares the history of the townships and local area, illustrated with lots of artefacts ranging from maritime models and uniforms to early settler and aboriginal tools and equipment.
Opening times: 10am-2pm
Admission price: $5 (children under 15 go free)
Explore the Red Rock Walking Trail
If you’re up for a bit more walking beyond the Discovery Trail, the Red Rock Walking Trail is a 6km return intermediate coastal route across wooden boardwalks, sandy beaches and steep rocky inclines. Allow at least 2-2.5hrs to complete if you want to spend some time in beautiful shoreline spots like Honeymoon Bay and Sunrise Beach.
This full guide to the Red Rock Trail shares how to get there and the best things to do on the trail.
Taste local liqueurs at 1770 Distillery
This boutique distillery in Agnes Water uses local fruit to create artisan liqueurs, using traditional copper pot stills. From Thursday to Sunday, drop in to 1770 Distillery between 10am-4pm for free tastings of their wares, and the chance to pick up a bottle to take on your adventures with you.
Take a coastline tour in an ambhibious vehicle
This hour long mini-adventure takes you alongside the beautiful coastline, past beaches, cliffs and the 1770 sandbar. Keep an eye out for marine wildlife and birdlife, with an entertaining commentary along the way.
Hit the beach
Relaxed and rugged are the vibes of Agnes Water’s beaches. The main Agnes Water Beach is a popular spot for swimming, surfing and stand up paddleboarding. Workman’s Beach has a more relaxed vibe, while Springs Beach is a picturesque spot at the start of the Red Rock Trail.
Things to do in Seventeen Seventy
Gaze out from the 1770 Headland
This easy walk takes around 15 minutes, but allow for more time to soak it all in. With views like these, it’s no surprise that the 1770 crew chose to land here, and we could only imagine what it was like discovering this spot for the first time. Look down to the ocean below across Bustard Bay and expansive ocean, keeping an eye out for dolphins in the water. During the winter months, you might even spot whales heading on their great coastal migration!
Go snorkelling or scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef
We had a couple of opportunities to snorkel and scuba dive along the Queensland coastline, and it’s a bucket list experience that’s well worth it. If you’re taking to the water from Seventeen Seventy, you’ll be visiting the southern end of the reef in the quieter Capricorn Bunker Group. As a result, it’s less busy than more well-known reef sites in Cairns and the Whitsundays – but you’ll still have the opportunity to see diverse marine life and fascinating coral.
Meet the locals at Horizons Kangaroo Sanctuary
Because you can never get enough of hanging out with the roos in Australia! Horizons Sanctuary is run by a couple who rescue and care for injured kangaroos and orphaned joeys, with the intention of releasing them back into the wild where possible. Managed by volunteers, for around $10 you can meet and even feed the kangaroos, with all proceeds supporting their care. There’s also a campground on-site, where you can pitch up beside the free-roaming animals.
Visit Cook’s Landing Place
Walk in the footsteps of adventurers by checking out the small stone monument that marks where Lieutenant James Cook landed on the 24th May 1770. We actually visited on the 23rd May, so ALMOST got it right down to the day!
Walk on the sandbanks
At low tide (check here) on the west side of the Seventeen Seventy headland, you can walk along the exposed sand flats surrounded by shallow water, exploring rock pools and foliage along the shorefront. (Just be careful if you’re walking right out as the tide’s coming in that you don’t go too far and get trapped!).
Where to stay in Agnes Water & 1770
If you’re looking for more access to the beaches and amenities, staying in Agnes Water is your best bet. Seventeen Seventy has options for upmarket beach shacks and resort lodges.
- Camping: We actually stopped off at 1770 Caravan Park and Campground to eat our lunch, and it’s a really lovely spot to pitch up in. Sites have beachfront views, with powered sites, bathroom and cooking amenities and a lively on-site cafe. For a more central Agnes Water spot, there’s an NRMA holiday park right in the town centre.
- Hostel: Enjoy laid-back, surfer vibes with Backpackers @ 1770. The hostel offers kitchen facilities and communal meals, as well as easy walking access to the town of Agnes Water’s amenities.
- Hotel: Centrally located motel rooms, studios and small apartments at Sandcastles 1770 Motel & Resort. For a happy medium between camping and accommodation, check out the safari tents at NRMA Agnes Water Campground.
Where to eat in Agnes Water and Seventeen Seventy
The food scene in Agnes Water isn’t huge, but for laid back dining by the sea, there are enough options to keep you well fed!
- Codie’s Place (Agnes Water) – a laid-back cafe and restaurant serving pizza, pasta and the local catch of the day – open 8am-8pm daily
- Drift & Wood (Agnes Water) – the mid-range dining option, using fresh and seasonal local produce
- Plantation Bar and Restaurant (Seventeen Seventy) – part of the Lagoons 1770 Central Resort, this spot offers more upmarket dining on a modern Australian theme.
Is it worth spending a day in Agnes Water and Seventeen Seventy?
Absolutely! While you could extend your stay and enjoy the laid back surf lifestyle here, both towns are pretty small and beyond the above, there aren’t tons of things to do here. So a full day is plenty of time to hit the highlights and get to know the history of the area!
If you’re on a road trip, one thing I’d recommend that’s different to what we did is spending a night here instead of Rockhampton, as there are some lovely spots for camping.
