A welcoming little beach town with a very big soul, Agnes Water is an unspoilt gem nestled along the Queensland coastline. Just about halfway between Bundaberg and Rockhampton, it offers respite from the world outside, making you feel a million miles away from everything while offering so much. Lovely locals, abundant wildlife, stunning stretches of beach and access to the Southern Great Barrier Reef, Agnes Water has it all. To help you make the most of your visit, here are 18 things worth doing in Agnes Water and 1770.

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1. Discovery Coast Markets

The Discovery Coast Markets are held on the second and fourth Sunday of each month at the SES Grounds, located along the road between Agnes Water and 1770. If you drive from town toward the headland you can’t miss them. I recommend getting there early so you can find a good park before the heat builds. Browse stalls selling second-hand books and bric-a-brac, plants, natural soaps and handmade beauty products, breezy beach clothes and thoughtful handcrafted gifts, then grab a bite to eat or stock up on fresh fruit and vegetables to take back to your accommodation.

2. Swim at Agnes Beach

Stepping onto Agnes Beach is like stepping onto a beach straight out of a travel brochure, except it’s real and it’s yours. The main beach stretches for around 5km, running pretty straight until you reach Round Hill to the north. It’s a patrolled beach, which is great for families, and the water is warm and inviting for most of the year. There are only a handful of spots in the official car park so get there early, walk from your accommodation, or grab the first park you see nearby.

The beach is dog-friendly to the north of the flags as long as your dog is on a leash. Try to visit in the morning or late afternoon when the light is golden and the temperature is kind, because that Queensland sun will make short work of you in the middle of the day.

3. Explore Chinaman’s Beach

I’ll be honest, part of me doesn’t want to tell too many people about this one. Chinaman’s Beach is a less-visited, beautiful little spot a short drive south of Agnes Water town. Head past the library and police station, continue along Springs Road heading south and look for the access road on your left just past the desalination plant. The winding road opens up to sweeping ocean views that will have you desperate to jump in the water before you’ve even parked.

The beach itself has rocks to the left, perfect for on-shore fishing, and a long lovely stretch of sand to the right where you’ll often find only a handful of other visitors. The gate opens at 6am, making it an ideal spot to catch an early sunrise and a swim before the world wakes up. The beach isn’t patrolled, so it’s best suited to confident swimmers rather than families with young kids. Dogs are welcome on a leash.

4. Paperbark Forest Trail

The Paperbark Forest Trail is one of those spots that genuinely surprises people. Located a few kilometres from Agnes Water town on the right-hand side of Springs Road heading south, at Reedy Creek Reserve, it’s a 400m trail of stepping-stones and wooden walkways winding through towering paperbark tea trees. It feels like walking through an enchanted forest and I never get tired of it. Keep an eye out for butterflies, native birds and other local wildlife along the way.

It’s a lovely spot for kids and photographers alike. Pack strong insect repellent because the midgies and sandflies here are no joke, and visit either early in the morning or around sunset when the light filtering through the trees is at its most beautiful.

5. Spot local wildlife

Take a slow drive from Agnes Water town to the far end of Springs Road early in the morning or at dusk and you’re likely to spot kangaroos and whip-tailed wallabies grazing quietly beside the road. These animals have beautiful, gentle faces and, if you approach slowly and quietly in your car, you may be able to get close enough for a good photo before they hop off into the scrub. Depending on the time of year, you might also spot a joey peeking out from mum’s pouch. Approach respectfully and never try to hand-feed them.

6. Take a sunset kayak tour

1770 Liquid Adventures runs fully guided kayak tours exploring the waterways around the headland, drifting past Captain Cook’s landing spot, secluded beaches and the beautiful coastline of the Joseph Banks Conservation Area. The sunset tour in particular is something special, watching the sky change colours as you paddle with the chance to spot turtles, dolphins and other marine life along the way. Tours depart from a small beach 200m past the 1770 marina. Kayak hire is also available if you’d rather explore at your own pace.

7. Grab a great Aussie pie

Pop into the local Agnes Water Bakery and join the queue for some of the best pies in town. There’s always a line to get inside, and it’s no wonder why, as they serve delicious pies and other baked treats, including fresh bread. Located on Round Hill Road, it’s the perfect place to duck in and grab something to take down to the beach for lunch.

8. Visit the 1770 Distillery

1770 Distillery is a boutique distillery that uses locally grown fruits to produce a small range of genuinely lovely liqueurs. Located at 220 Bicentennial Drive in Agnes Water, it’s an easy stop and the kind of place that surprises you in the best way. You can sample from a handful of flavours including Sunset, a blend of grapefruit, bush lime and ginger; Pink Dawn made from plums, green apples and ginger; Strawberry Splash; and Daybreak, which combines orange, cinnamon, star anise and a few secret spices. The tasting experience is relaxed and personal, with the owners usually on hand for a chat. There’s also a nursery on site worth wandering through afterwards. Open Thursday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm.

9. Try contrast therapy at Little Oasis

Little Oasis Sauna and Cold Plunge is a newer addition to Agnes Water and it’s a genuinely great one. Operating from a private, tranquil space in town, it offers self-led contrast therapy sessions that alternate between an infrared sauna and a cold plunge. It’s the kind of experience you tend to find in bigger cities but not usually in a small coastal town, and it’s done beautifully here. The space is calm, clean and thoughtfully designed. Book in advance as sessions are by appointment only, and bring your dog if you like because they’re welcome too.

10. Take an offshore fishing charter

Head out with Hooked on 1770 Adventure Tours for a reef fishing day on the Southern Great Barrier Reef. All gear is supplied and the local knowledge on the best spots is invaluable. Species like Nannygai, Sweetlip, Cobia, Mackerel, Parrot, Red Emperor and Coral Trout are all on the cards depending on the season and conditions. Full and half-day charters are available departing from the Town of 1770. It’s a fantastic day out whether you’re a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time.

11. Take a tour on the LARC

The LARC is one of those wonderfully improbable vehicles that drives across land and then plunges straight into the ocean without missing a beat. It’s a fantastic way to see another side of 1770 and the guides are genuinely excellent. The full-day Paradise Tour is the headline experience, taking you to the historic Bustard Head Lighthouse, which is the only operational lighthouse tower in Queensland open to the public. You’ll also get to sandboard down the towering dunes on Middle Island and cross four tidal creeks. Shorter options include a 1.5-hour afternoon cruise and a two-hour lunch tour. Book ahead during peak season.

12. Day trip to Lady Musgrave Island

Lady Musgrave Island is one of the most beautiful places on the Southern Great Barrier Reef, a pristine 45-acre coral cay surrounded by a 3,000-acre navigable lagoon teeming with marine life. It’s one of those places that stops you in your tracks the moment you see it.

Tours depart from two points depending on what suits your trip. If you’re based in Agnes Water, you can join a tour directly from the Town of 1770, a convenient option that gets you on the water quickly. My preferred way to do it, however, is to make the roughly one-hour drive south to Bundaberg and book through Lady Musgrave Experience, which departs from Bundaberg Port Marina at Burnett Heads. Their flagship full-day tour runs on a luxury 35-metre catamaran called Reef Empress and includes over four hours at their eco-pontoon, Lady Musgrave HQ, moored right in the lagoon.

Once you’re there, you can snorkel in crystal-clear water among turtles, tropical fish, manta rays and reef sharks, join a guided glass-bottom boat tour, or take a guided walk on the island itself. Morning and afternoon tea are included on the transfers, and a buffet lunch is served on the pontoon. Lady Musgrave Experience is multi-award-winning, Advanced Eco-Certified and consistently ranked among the best reef experiences in Queensland. It is, without question, one of the best days out in this part of Australia. Book well in advance, especially during school holidays and whale watching season between July and October.

13. Visit Cook’s Monument and see the butterflies

Head to 1770 and find Cook’s Monument along Captain Cook Drive, up the road from the 1770 Camping Grounds. A path leads down to the beach where you can swim or fish, or take the 2km walk along the headland to Round Hill Head, winding through beautiful coastal vegetation with lovely water views the whole way.

Each year from March to June, the 1770 Butterfly Walk comes alive with thousands of Blue Tiger Butterflies migrating through the area. The walk takes around 15 to 25 minutes, starting at the Captain Cook Monument and winding along the coast with stunning views of Bustard Bay. It’s an extraordinary and genuinely unique natural event, so have your camera ready. After the walk, continue on to the Headlands Lookout to take in panoramic views of the ocean.

14. Visit 1770 and Headlands Lookout

The views from the 1770 Headlands Lookout are among the best anywhere on this stretch of coast. Head up Captain Cook Drive where there’s plenty of parking, then follow the trails out to the headland. There are two main paths, one around 100m and the other around 350m, both easy and suitable for all ages. I recommend visiting in the late afternoon when the golden light is doing its best work and the temperature has dropped. From certain lookout points on the right day you might even spot humpback whales during migration season, typically July to September.

15. Learn to surf at Agnes Beach

Agnes Water sits at the northernmost surfable beach on Queensland’s east coast, which gives it a kind of quiet distinction among surfers who know their geography. Whether you’re a complete beginner or just looking to get back on a board, Reef 2 Beach Surf School offers lessons with experienced instructors who know the break well. You’ll be set up with a longboard and rash vest and given everything you need to catch your first wave. It’s a great way to get active and genuinely enjoy yourself in a beautiful setting.

16. Watch the sunset at 1770

Drive out to 1770 and find a place to park along Captain Cook Drive, then walk down to the boardwalk and onto the beach. There’s a fantastic spot on the rocks to sit and watch the sunset, and 1770 is one of only a handful of places on the east coast of Australia where you can watch the sun set over the water. It really is beautiful. Grab a cold drink, find a good rock and watch the day end. It’s also a perfect spot for a bit of late afternoon fishing or simply unwinding after a long day of relaxing.

17. Explore Deepwater National Park

Join a guided tour with Arty of Moondoggie Beach and Bush Tours and tap into his wealth of local knowledge. Each tour is tailored to your interests and takes you into the gorgeous Deepwater National Park to discover secluded beaches, hidden spots and incredible views. Activities on the day can include fishing, bushwalking, surfing, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding, all depending on what you’re after. Arty has a genuinely relaxed, down-to-earth approach and a real passion for this part of the world. It feels less like a tour and more like spending a day exploring with a knowledgeable local mate. Tours depart daily and Arty can collect you from your accommodation.

18. Explore the Agnes Water Museum

The Agnes Water Museum is a small but surprisingly rich look at the history of the Discovery Coast. Located in the heart of Agnes Water, it covers the story of the region from Captain Cook’s first landing in Queensland in 1770 through to the lives of the settlers and communities who shaped it. Entry is very affordable and it’s a great way to spend an hour, particularly on a hot afternoon when you want to escape the sun. If you’ve been on the LARC tour and want to understand more of the history behind what you’ve seen, this is the perfect follow-up.

Frequently asked questions about Agnes Water and 1770

How far is Agnes Water from Brisbane?
Agnes Water is approximately 500km north of Brisbane, making it around a five to six hour drive. It’s a popular long-weekend destination for Queenslanders and well worth the time on the road.

What is the best time of year to visit Agnes Water?
The dry season from May to October offers the most reliable weather and is generally considered the best time to visit. Whale watching season runs from July to October, which adds another compelling reason to plan your trip during this window. Sunset kayak tours are particularly good from April through September.

Is Agnes Water good for families?
Very much so. Agnes Beach is patrolled, the Paperbark Forest boardwalk is suitable for all ages, the LARC tours are a hit with kids, and there’s plenty of open space to spread out. The whole area moves at a wonderfully unhurried pace that families tend to love.

Can you surf at Agnes Water?
Agnes Water is the northernmost surf beach on Queensland’s east coast, which makes it a genuinely special destination for surfers. The break suits longboarders particularly well, and Reef 2 Beach Surf School offers lessons for beginners.

Is Agnes Water dog-friendly?
Agnes Beach is dog-friendly to the north of the flags as long as your dog is on a leash. Chinaman’s Beach also allows dogs on a leash. Little Oasis Sauna and Cold Plunge is fur baby friendly too, which is a lovely touch.

How long should I spend in Agnes Water and 1770?
A minimum of three to four nights gives you enough time to genuinely relax and work through the highlights. If you want to fit in a Lady Musgrave Island day trip, a LARC tour, a Moondoggie bush tour and a few days at the beach, four to five nights is a more comfortable amount of time.

Is there a Lady Musgrave Island tour from 1770?
Yes, tours do depart from the Town of 1770 to Lady Musgrave Island. My preference is to drive down to Bundaberg and join the Lady Musgrave Experience tour, which uses a larger, purpose-built catamaran with an eco-pontoon moored in the lagoon and a broader range of activities on the water.

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