Looking for the best things to do in Agnes Water and 1770 in Queensland? This Agnes Water guide is written by someone who hasn’t just visited for a couple of days! We lived there up until recently for two years! You won’t find a more comprehensive Agnes Water guide on the internet!
If you’ve never heard of Agnes Water and 1770 in Queensland before, the two towns are located just 7km apart, merged in between Eurimbula National Park and Deepwater National Park. I’m not sure why, but many people not from the area refer to the town as Agnes Waters not Agnes Water.
Let us introduce you to one of the best places in Australia!
| Watch Out For Kangaroos! You’ll notice a lot of kangaroos in the area! They usually come out at dusk and dawn so just be super careful when driving into the town and drive slowly, especially on the road between Agnes Waters and 1770. You don’t want to hit one and have to pay out a lot to get your car fixed! Also, just an FYI, but Horizons Kangaroo Sanctuary is no longer open if you were looking for information on it. |
But first, watch our Agnes Water video
Why visit Agnes Water?
Whether you’re doing an East Coast Australia road trip, or you’re looking to find the best places in Australia to visit, you absolutely must put this beach town close to the Southern Great Barrier Reef on your list. You can say goodbye to traffic as there are no traffic lights, no roundabouts and no parking metres here.
It is also the final place up the East Coast of Australia where you can learn to surf on the famous Agnes Water Beach. The calm waves makes it a very popular place for beginner surfers, and it is home to the famous stepping stones of the Paperbark Forest Boardwalk. Plus! You won’t find any shopping malls, McDonalds or anything like that in this town. It’s as authentic as a classic Aussie beach town gets!
And of course, 1770 was the first place Captain Cook found in Queensland in, you guessed it… 1770. You can also watch the sunrise and sunset over the water. Expect an amazing show when it comes to sunrises and sunsets for nature lovers!!
Whenever we’ve mentioned the name Agnes Water to anyone who has heard of the town, we always get the reaction of many envious people. I think that’s one of the reasons we ended up staying here! Plus the locals are incredibly friendly too.
If you’re interested, you can read more about why we moved to Agnes Water here.
It’s a proper little gem, and although when you first arrive you might not understand what the fuss is all about, you quickly will. It’s no wonder Agnes Water and the Town of 1770 frequently make the top lists for the best places to visit in Australia.
How To Get To Agnes Water
It’s been said the town will be the next Noosa, although that rumour has been on the horizon for the last twenty years. Unfortunately what deters people from visiting is the remoteness of it.
If you’re wondering how to get to Agnes Water, you’ll need to turn off the Bruce Highway and drive 1h30m from either the regional city of Bundaberg in the South or Gladstone in the North.
To put it into perspective, it’s a four hour drive from Noosa, 5.5hr from Brisbane and nearly three hours from Rockhampton.
You can’t technically fly to Agnes Water as there’s no airport, so you’ll need to change at Brisbane. Luckily the flight from Brisbane to Bundaberg only takes 30 minutes. From Bundaberg or Gladstone airports, you’ll need to hire a car and drive 1h30m to get here.
Greyhound Bus usually come to Agnes Water as well which is worth checking out if you’re on a budget.
When To Visit Agnes Water
Wondering when is the best time of the year to visit Agnes Water? Agnes Water weather actually differs a lot during the year in terms of cool, lovely warm weather and unbearably stinking hot!
From November to April, the weather is unbelievably hot in town. You can’t really spend more than an hour in the sun without having an umbrella on the beach. The water is beautifully warm but the humidity is super high.
I can only describe the weather during this time as similar to being in South East Asia. The mozzies and sandflies are very apparent during these months and you absolutely will need a strong mozzie spray, especially down at 1770.
April to October is when the weather is beautiful. I have swam all year round in the secluded beaches here although it does get a bit chillier between June – July. It makes me laugh when the locals think I’m crazy for swimming in the cooler months because to me, winter doesn’t really exist in Agnes Water!
Around April to May, the weather is amazing and feels as close to a European summer as I’ve seen in Australia. In April you’ll see the butterfly migration where thousands of butterflies fly through Agnes Water and 1770 for about a month. It’s an incredibly special sight and April is by far my favourite month here.
Best Things To Do In Agnes Water
While many people just head down to the main beach in Agnes Water, there’s so many outdoor activities to keep you entertained! Here are our best things to do in Agnes Water and Seventeen Seventy!
1. Paperbark Forest Boardwalk In Agnes Water
The Paperbark Forest Boardwalk is easily my favourite thing to do in Agnes Water. I love how unassuming it is from the road, you could easily miss the carpark as it’s not very well signposted.
But once you walk into the bush, it opens up into a majestic and absolutely beautiful paperbark forest. It’s honestly one of the most beautiful sights I have seen in Australia. It also makes for a fab Insta worthy photo as well!
It’s just a 15 minute walk and it’s really easy so you can take kids with you. They’ll actually love the stepping stones as well. There’s no access for wheelchairs or prams and it’s not best for anyone unsteady either.
If you go just after rainfall, it makes even better for photography as the reflections from the water are just incredible.
2. 1770 Butterfly Walk
It wasn’t until we had been in Agnes Water for a few months until we actually did the Butterfly Walk in Seventeen Seventy. Usually between March – May you’ll find hundreds of thousands of Blue tiger butterflies as the migrate through Agnes Water, adding to the already amazing local wildlife in this town. It’s an absolutely incredible sight, but the best place to see them is on that walk.
3. 1770 LARC Tours
The LARC! 1770 Tours usually pops up as the number one thing to do in Agnes Water & 1770. We recently went on the afternoon cruise and it surprised us so much, especially after living in the town for 18 months, we loved it! Make sure you read our review below.
4. Red Rock Walking Trail
The Red Rock Walking Trail in Agnes Water Queensland is one of the best coastal walks we’ve been on in Australia. The track isn’t actually that long but it took us about 2 hours return to do it as you discover secluded beaches along the way. Best of all, you’ll probably get the entire track to yourself. If you come to Agnes Water and you don’t do this hike, you’re totally missing out.
You can read more about everything you need to know about The Red Rock Trail in Agnes Water below!
5. Visit Springs Beach
On the way to the start of Red Rock Walking Trail, you’ll pass by Springs Beach which to us is the best beach in Agnes Water. This long stretch of bay is absolutely spectacular and it’s also super quiet. To us, this is paradise at its best.
The road is opposite the Paperbark Forest which is OK for normal cars to drive along. When you reach the end of the road, you’ll come to a car park. There’s a boardwalk all the way down to the beach which will take about 7 minutes to walk down.
6. Watch A Sunrise At Agnes Water Beach
Make sure you get up early and watch the sunrise at Agnes Water Main Beach. There’s something really magical about getting up early to witness the sunrise on the beach, so make the effort to do it, even if it’s just once during your holiday.
7. 1770 Sunset Is A Must!
One of the best things about visiting Agnes Water and 1770 is being able to see the sunset over the water. It’s absolutely spectacular and it’s a sight you need to see in Seventeen Seventy.
Just make sure you bring mossie spray with you when watching the sunset, otherwise it won’t be pretty. Trust us on this one – we learnt the hard way!
8. Learn To Surf With Stylez Surf School
The guys who run Stylez Surf School are super friendly. Located at the Agnes Water Main Beach carpark, you’ll be able to hire a surf board or take a class whilst you’re in town and try surfing at the patrolled beach at the main Agnes Water beach.
9. Take A Day Trip To Lady Musgrave Island
Lady Musgrave Island is one of the best hidden gems in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef! This protected and un-inhabited island in the Southern Great Barrier Reef, is just a 2 hour boat ride from 1770 with 1770 Reef tours.
You can read about the Lady Musgrave Island tours we did with 1770 Reef and we highly recommend doing a day trip with them! Expect a glass bottom boat tour in the reef which will feel like being in a fish tank. If you’re interested in the Lady Musgrave Island Sleep On The Reef experience, you have to go from Bundaberg with Lady Musgrave Experience.
FYI – the day trips from Bundaberg are supposed to be not as bumpy as the tour from 1770 because it’s a bigger boat. Make sure you read our Lady Musgrave Island Review before you go.
Watch our Trip To Lady Musgrave Island Below!
10. And A Day Trip To Lady Elliot Island
Usually you can only visit Lady Eliot Island from either Gold Coast, Brisbane, Hervey Bay or Bundaberg. But, sometimes they do day trips from Agnes Water.
Lady Elliot Island is located about 20km from Lady Musgrave Island and it honestly just stole our hearts. In actual fact, Lady Elliot Island is our favourite place in Australia because it’s just such a wonderful place.
Read our Lady Elliot Island guides:
Ultimate Guide To Lady Elliot Island
10 Amazing Reasons You Need To Visit Lady Elliot Island
Watch Our Video To Lady Elliot Island Below!
11. Check Out Workmans & Chinamans Beach
Looking for another secluded beach? Chinamans Beach is next door to Workmans Beach and although you can drive right up to both beaches, both tend to be pretty quiet Agnes Water beaches. Be careful when swimming here as there are often a lot of rip tides and there’s no lifeguards patrolling.
FYI – You’ll only find lifeguards on the Main Agnes Water Beach.
12. Visit Deepwater National Park
It took us a few months of being in town before we realised you can drive into Deepwater National Park without having a 4×4. We went via Rules Beach which takes about an hour from town, but it’s worth it. We drove up to Wreck Rocks which is absolutely beautiful. Plus I must mention, we saw an emu and a fresh water turtle cross the road on the way into the park which just blew my mind!
There’s a basic campsite there (you have to get a tag to camp), an amazing stretch of beach, plus loads of little rock pools to swim in. It’s honestly the type of place we would definitely go back to because it’s that beautiful.
If you’re looking for peace and quiet, look no further. It’s paradise at its best.
If you have a 4×4, you can drive right into Deepwater from Agnes. The popular spots include Flat Rock and Red Rocks which are also amazing. It honestly feels like you’re driving right into an untouched jungle.
Prefer to do a Deepwater tour? Check out Moondoggie Beach & Bush Tours who goes to Deepwater & Eriumbula for those of us who don’t have access via 4×4.
13. Eurimbula National Park
We’ve not actually been into Eurimbula National Park because we don’t have a 4×4. I have heard it might be OK to drive there in a normal car. You’ll have to drive out of town to Captain Creek to gain access into the National Park. It’s a popular spot for fishing in Agnes Water, beach driving and there’s a campground there too. Or you can go on this Eurimbula National Park Tour if you’d like to explore the area.
14. Cycle up to 1770
A visit to 1770 and Agnes Water wouldn’t be complete if you didn’t cycle around the town! If you don’t have bikes with you, you can hire a bike from the tourist shop next door to the Caltex Service Station.
We’ve seen many people walk from town to 1770 along the Captain Cook Drive and we 100% recommend cycling the 7km. No one wants to walk back in the dark after a 1770 sunset, and it’s going to take you at least an hour. It’s not an exciting walk so definitely hire a bike.
15. Agnes Water Markets
The Discovery Coast Rotary Markets, known as the Agnes Water Markets usually take place every other Sunday between 8am-12pm. Depending on the time of the year you visit town, they might run in consecutive weeks, depending on the holiday period. You’ll find loads of local businesses selling everything from Opals, Organic Food and much more!
16. Go to Agnes Water Blues Roots & Rock Festival
If you’re visiting in February, we recommend coming along to the annual Agnes Water Blues Roots & Rock Festival. It takes place over a weekend at the 1770 SES Grounds (same location as the markets). There are shuttle busses running so you’ll be able to get to and from town really easily during the event.
It’s been known, Agnes Water Blues & Roots has drawn in some major artists including Tex Perkins!
17. 1770 Kayaking at Sunset
We’ve been meaning to jump on a guided kayak tour with 1770 Liquid Adventures for a while now. The 1770 kayaking tour is best done at sunset so you’ll float back to enjoy the incredible natural beauty of the sunset Seventeen Seventy puts on every night!
18. Agnes Water Museum
Pop into the Agnes Water Museum to learn all about the history of this fascinating beach town. You’ll be surprised to learn there’s more than you might have thought!
19. Go Fishing In Agnes Water
May people come to this beach town to go fishing. You only have to go into the Caltex to see the wall of the fish caught in the area.
If you’re looking to cook up some locally caught Agnes Water fish, then head over to the seafood shop next door to the Caltex. It’s the best locally caught fish we’ve ever tried!
20. Playgrounds In Agnes Water & 1770
If you’re looking for any playgrounds, you’ll find one at Main Beach, a skatepark on the Springs Road, and a gorgeous playground at 1770 next door to the 1770 Campground.
21. Have a BBQ At 1770
1770 is home to so many fantastic BBQ areas, we recommend parking up before sunset and get your food cooking. You can pop over to the 1770 Beach Hotel to grab some more drinks if needed!
22. Walk To The Discovery Trail Lookout
I run to The Discovery Trail Lookout Agnes Water every morning! When you walk up Springs Road, you’ll find a path next to the back of the campground by the beach. Keep to the left of the trail and it will bring you up to The Discovery Trail Lookout. The trail technically starts next to the museum but it all joins together.
At the Lookout, you’ll be able to see back over to Main Beach, and over to Workman’s Beach. It’s so beautiful at sunrise too and really makes you feel like you’re on holidays on Australia’s East Coast!
If you want to continue the path on, it goes all the way to Workman’s Beach. When you get to Workman’s Beach, there’s another walking track which will take you to Chinaman’s Beach and then onto Springs Beach. The path on this track is on sand so it’s not as easy to run on if you’re looking for running tracks in Agnes Water. If you’re looking for Agnes Water walks, then you’ve come to the right spot.
23. Go To The Local Gin Distillery & Agnes Water Nursery
Coastal Rush Pop Up Picnics is the perfect opportunity to book if you have a special occasion coming up or you just fancy doing something a bit different. These beautiful picnics in Agnes Water are so nice, when you see them in person, you’ll want to book. Trust me!
24. Enjoy A Gorgeous Picnic
Coastal Rush Pop Up Picnics is a relatively new company based in the town. If you have a special occasion coming up or you just fancy doing something a bit different then check out their beautiful picnics in Agnes Water. We’ve seen them in action, and we could tell everyone was super jealous of the couple who were enjoying their stunning picnic set up!
25. Pick Your Own Strawberries At Rons Fruit & Veg Farm
We absolutely love Ron’s Fruit & Veg Farm. It’s popular place to pick your own strawberries (get there early!) and the local fresh food is fantastic. I love how you can choose what you want and they’ll go and pick it for you. Or you can go and pick it yourself.
Where To Eat In Agnes Water & 1770
Although we already have a guide for Where To Eat In Agnes Water, we’re going to share some of our personal favourites with you.
The food scene in Agnes Water and 1770 has grown massively over the last 18 months or so. Head to Codies for Mexican food and cocktails (the cheeseburger is good)! They also have live music here as well. Pokey Pokay is your place for poke bowls and sushi rolls. The same people run 1770 gelato over the road as well which is open all day.
Round Hill Pizza has a lovely outdoor seating area for pizza and it’s BYO. Holidays Cafe is your place for breakfast – 0rder an acai bowl!
Rusty Pelican’s is a great spot to watch the sunset and have a classic fish & chips in 1770, or head to the Agnes Water Tavern for a classic pub meal. And don’t forget to go to Zuba’s Cafe for delicious African curries.
Agnes Water and 1770 Accommodation
- Luxury: Sunrise at 1770 Holidays is an exclusive and beautiful Agnes Water accommodation option with a cracking pool overlooking the ocean. To us, this is where we would stay in a heartbeat. It’s a little out of the way, but it’s on the Red Rock walk and is honestly paradise at its best.
- Backpackers: Backpackers at 1770 is an excellent backpackers, just a minute’s walk from town and Round Hill Pizza! It’s run by a lovely couple with an inclusive atmosphere.
- Agnes Water Camping: Stay at Agnes Water Beach Holidays which is right on the main beach in Agnes. The cafe serves up excellent food as well. There’s also Workman’s Beach campground just outside of town (although it is currently closed at the time of writing), 1770 Campground and Captain Cook Holiday Park as well.
We hope our huge guide has helped you make the most out of your visit to the amazing beach town in Queensland!
Don’t forget to watch our video!
Looking for more places to visit nearby?
Here’s some of our popular guides for places to visit near Agnes Water.
Tips For Doing The Red Rock Trail In Agnes Water
Best Agnes Water Restaurants You Need To Check Out
11 Best Carnarvon Gorge Walks In Queensland
5 Secret Southern Great Barrier Reef Islands You Absolutely Must Visit
How To Find The Incredible Rockpools At Blackdown Tablelands National Park
Tips For Visiting Cania Gorge National Park
35 Best Things To Do In Yeppoon
Best Things To Do In Great Keppel Island
Best Things To Do In Agnes Water & 1770 Queensland
SAVE FOR LATER AND PIN BELOW
If you found this guide helpful, please share it on your social media pages 🙂
