AGNES WATER - TOWN OF 1770 - FRASER ISLAND
AGNES WATER & 1770
A different sort of holiday this time!!
I am usually exploring Europe, USA, Asia staying in higher end hotels on my jaunts – but due to Covid 19 my adventures are a little different this year.
I recently travelled with a friend on a motorhome trip to the towns of 1770 and Agnes Water.
1770 and Agnes Water are twin beach towns located on the Coast of Queensland between Bundaberg and Gladstone. What a stunning part of the state, and why have I not visited this area before?
The motorhome experience was a first for me (besides caravan holidays with my family when I was much younger!). It is a great way to have an adventure, and very convenient to be able to pull up in a rest stop to make a cuppa and raid the fridge for morning tea.
After a lunch stop in Childers, I thought we would travel along the Bruce Highway pretty much all the way, but our GPS had us on a different route winding through back roads over one lane bridges and through the farming and sugar cane areas!
We finally arrived in 1770/Agnes Water after checking and rechecking the GPS and google maps many many times…..especially along the non sealed road we ended up on!!
1770, also known as Seventeen Seventy is a coastal town located in the Gladstone region, built on the site of the second landing in Australia by James Cook and the crew of HM Bark Endeavour in May 1770
DID YOU KNOW ?
The town of 1770 is the only town in the world with a number for a name.
We enjoyed an afternoon LARC tour from 1770 getting a little wet and had the chance to see the local
Australian Humpback Dolphin family.
EXPERIENCE THE LARC
providing a selection of fun and unique amphibious tours aboard our famous pink LARC- exploring beautiful secluded beaches in the Southern Great Barrier Reef Region and visiting remote National Parks.
2 ex-military Lighter Amphibious Resupply Cargo (L.A.R.C) vessel were acquired for their versatility, reliability and low environmental impact.
“Take a towel on this tour with you!!”
BE SURPRISED ……. AGNES WATER… a beach holiday, the way they used to be…. The most Northern Surf Beach on the East Coast of Australia.
PLAY
Bicycle Hire
Walking Tracks including the Paperbark Forest Trail Walk loop
LARC Tour
Lady Musgrave Island by Ferry
Lady Elliott Island by Air
Access to Heron Island, Pumpkin Island and Great Keppel Island
Wreck and Reef Dives
Great Fishing
Learn to Surf
4WD through Eurimbula and Deepwater National Parks
Whale watching tours
Taxi – 1770 Shuttle 0477705934
STAY
We stayed at the Agnes Waters Beach Park - They offer a range of accommodation options
Beachfront Bungalow
Beach Front Apartments
Beach Front Studio
Glamping - Treetop Tents / Breaker Safari Tents /
Camp Sites - Powered / Un-powered
AGNES WATERS BEACH HOLIDAY PARK
EAT & DRINK
Codies Restaurant and Bar - Agnes Water
The Getaway Garden Cafe
Rusty Pelican - 1770 ( enjoy takeaway Fish and Chips whilst watching the sunset)
1770 & Agnes Water both have a local pub offering great meals
COFFEE
The Café in Agnes Water Beach Van Park
SHOPPING
There are a couple of unique clothing boutiques and also “Agnes Water Rocks” Crystal shop offering a large variety of crystals, Jewellery and some great gifts options.
FRASER ISLAND - K ‘ GARI
Fraser Island stretches over 123 kilometres in length and 22 kilometres at its widest point. With an area of 184 000 hectares it is the largest sand island in the world.
Fraser Island's World Heritage listing ranks it with Australia's Uluru, Kakadu and the Great Barrier Reef. Fraser Island is a precious part of Australia's natural and cultural heritage, it is protected for all to appreciate and enjoy.
To break up the return trip we stayed a couple of nights on Fraser Island at Kingfisher Bay Resort – an Accor Hotel.
Kingfisher Bay Resort (incorporating the 152-room Mercure Kingfisher Bay Resort - Fraser Island) is the gateway to the World Heritage wilderness of Fraser Island. This Australian icon is famous for its ancient rainforests, spectacular fresh-water lakes, remarkable wildlife and famous 75 Mile Beach highway, with creeks spilling into the ocean, mighty sand blows, striking coloured sand and even a shipwreck.
The resort is nestled amongst tree-covered dunes on the edge of the calm waters of the Great Sandy Strait and is a paradise for swimming, bush walking, four-wheel driving, fishing and simply admiring the natural beauty of the island.
GETTING THERE
SELF DRIVE
From Brisbane: The journey is approximately 4 - 4 1/2 hours drive north of Brisbane City. Join the Bruce Highway north of Brisbane.
Kingfisher Bay's Mainland Reception located at River Heads Shopping Village.
CAR PARKING
Secure parking is available at Kingfisher Bay Resort's Mainland Reception.
VEHICLE AND PASSENGER FERRY TRANSFERS
Fraser Island Barges operates regular services from River Heads to Wanggoolba Creek and from River Heads to Kingfisher Bay Resort - both on the island's western side. Barge services also run on demand from Inskip Point (in the south).
We choose to stay in the Villa accommodation for some space after the motorhome. The villas are very large and more than adequate for our short stay.
On Fraser there is the opportunity to take a “Whale Watching Tour” or the “Beauty Spots Tour” which was our choice (This tour can also be replicated in a private 4WD vehicle).
The First stop on the Beauty Spots Tour was Lake Mc Kenzie, with is clear blue waters and white sandy shores, covering more than 150 hectares and over five metres in depth. Perched high in a sand dune it is 100 metres above sea level. We had the opportunity to swim and walk along the sandy shore.
Wanggoolba Creek on Fraser Island is perhaps one of the island's most underrated destinations to visit, but beautiful and worth every minute spent there! The crystal clear creek is found on the western side of the island and makes its way out to the beach and into the ocean, weaving its way through the rainforest as it goes.
Lunch was served at Eurong Resort and then off to the beach for a 50km drive along the shoreline.
The beach is like a highway with hundreds of vehicles moving and people camping all the way along.
We were offered the opportunity for a 15 minute joy flight operated by Air Fraser Island.
Cost - $100.00 per person
The Maheno - is the most famous of Fraser Island's wrecks and has become a landmark attraction. Built in 1905, the SS Maheno was one of the first turbine-driven steamers. She plied a regular route between Sydney and Auckland until she was commissioned as a hospital ship in Europe during World War One. She also served in the Mediterranean and the Red Sea.
In 1935, she and her sister ship the Oonah were sold to Japan for scrap.
The rudders of the boats were removed and they were being towed to Japan. When they reached Queensland Waters, a cyclonic storm snapped the tow chain and the Maheno drifted helplessly onto Fraser Island's ocean beach.
The survival of the Fraser Island dingoes relies on three management factors—education, engineering and enforcement. Fraser Island dingoes are part of the island ecology, and are protected by law.
Since Covid and no visitors to the island for a number of months, the dingoes have retreated to the forest. The Rangers on our tour state they are now more healthy and have gained weight as they are not relying on humans for food – and this is how it should be.
There are many signs reminding you to be “Dingo Safe” whilst visiting the island.
During my time – I did not see any dingoes.
When you visit Fraser Island be sure to visit the Sunset Bar for some fabulous views!!
