There are many factors that contribute to the perfect holiday. A holiday should give you the chance to spoil yourself, and to relax and pamper yourself. Taking a break with the family allows you to reconnect and bond with your loved ones, and to have some private time where you can enjoy your own space with the people that ,mean the most to you. It should also give you the opportunity to experience and appreciate some different scenery, offering a nice break from your normal boring surrounds and a time to experience different faces and different places. Unfortunately, these sorts of place are often flooded with tourists, so there aren’t many spots left for you to enjoy by yourself!
However, there still is ONE hidden secret left in the form of Agnes Waters and The Town of 1770. This picturesque destination is hidden in a quiet corner of Queensland’s Discovery Coast, and offers everything a great family holiday destination should, without the crowds.
Both of these towns share a heavenly stretch of coast that is known as the first landing place of Captain James Cook in, you guessed it, 1770. Characterized by sparkling white beaches divided by rocky points and lookouts coated in lush vegetation with lots of palm trees, you cant help but be awe-stricken at the first impressions of Australia this area would have provided Cook and his crew. The urban growth in this area has been relatively low, mainly to retain the historical and natural heritage of the region. Essentially, this means that the area is in the same pristine condition it was in when it was discovered.
These towns are heavily reliant on tourism but still maintain a quiet and relaxed atmosphere. All the necessary services and amenities can be found here, within a quiet and serene village atmosphere, giving you the best of both worlds. The abundance of attractions in the area and the friendly and welcoming attitude of the locals will provide you with a holiday you will never forget.
The massive coral ecosystem that is the Great Barrier Reef is just a short boat ride away, with day trips to the Fitzroy Reef and Lady Musgrave Island popular with visitors. The coral lagoon around Lady Musgrave is fantastic because of the sheltered snorkelling and scuba diving it provides. The island itself is covered in thick prisonia rainforest that is home to a variety of unique Australian animals, and its border of white sand is the perfect spot to take a break from the water. If you don’t feel like getting wet then take a cruise on a glass bottomed boat, and enjoy the colours and underwater wonders of the reef from this safe and dry vantage point.
If watersports are your forte then you will enjoy the novelty of surfing in Agnes Waters, which is the most northerly point on the Australian East Coast that still has surfable waves. Surfboards, bodyboards and surfing lessons are on offer here, but remember in the summer months there is the threat of the Irukandji jellyfish, so always talk to the locals before hitting the water. The beaches around here are particularly quiet and secluded, so if you are keen to simply relax, catch some sun and spend some quality time with the family then you are spoilt for choice. Some of the better beaches are only accessible by 4WD, so if you want to do some exploring then check with the locals.
The 1770 marina offers fishing charters which give you the choice of fishing the deep sea beyond the reef or the coastal estuaries. Most people come here simply to indulge in the world class fishing, but for those who just want to enjoy eating these delightful catches, the restuarants in the town always have fresh sea food on the menu.
The attractions of The Town of 1770 and Agnes Waters are not limited to the beaches and the reef. Two beautiful national parks are jsut a short drive away. Deepwater to the south and Eurimbula to the north will simply delight you. Hop into your campervan or hire car and use the camping facilities at either of these parks as a base to explore their richly diverse ecosystems. It will feel like you are in a large botanical garden, surrounded by mangrove fringed estuaries and freshwater paperbark swamps. As you go inland the vegetation transforms to lowland eucalypt forests and then into tall rainforests with large hoop pine trees, and you are also bound to see lots of local wildlife.
The Town of 1770 is one of the few places on the East coast of Australia where you can stand on land, looking over water, and watch the sun go down over land. While enjoying the deep orange of the sunset over the bay you are also likely to spot one of the bright pink amphibious vehicles that have become a feature of the town. A ride on one of these will take you to all the land based and water based attractions of the town, and is an exciting little outing for those young and young at heart.
Adults and kids alike are also going to be interested in the history of the region, so why not visit the monument to Captain Cook erected near to where his boat first anchored. The museum in Agnes Waters documents the association of the region with Captain Cook, providing a wider historical overview. The Bustard Head lighthouse also has a unique history of its own, first being manned in 1868.
A half days drive north of Brisbane, and within easy driving distance of the Bundaberg and Gladstone airports, these two towns are easily accessible. In fact, any drive you make around here is richly rewarded with the serenity and beauty of the region. There is accommodation to suit all types of budgets, from caravan parks and camping grounds to hotels and motels. Shops in the towns provide you with all your basic requirements, and there are numerous bars, taverns and restaurants for your entertainment. There is nothing more you could ask for from a holiday destination that Agnes Waters and The Town of 1770 do not provide!
