Starting 2014 in Agnes Water and the Town of 1770

The new year brought in a family adventure in Agnes Water and the town of 1770, Queensland. Agnes is the Byron Bay of 30 years ago, prior to the influx of yuppies and yet without the hippies. It is a quaint surfside town located in the Southern Great Barrier Reef region ( 1.5h drive North of Bundaberg and South of Gladstone).

It is a small town with small town charm: we found that the locals took their time with us and enjoyed learning about our adventures.
Agnes Waters’ caravan park was our home for over a week and oh what a location to be in! There are few caravan parks that have such close proximity to such a pristine beach (read more about Agnes Water Caravan Park)

Sipping down a coldie in front of our Coromal we relax in knowing that we have 9 days of ‘What do we do today’? ahead of us. His and hers interests aren’t too dissimilar however it does revolve around the children’s needs wants and whether are nights are interrupted by the sounds of needful toddlers.

On the first morning we are awoken by a lovely little girl who tells us that the birdies are now awake and that we should also be up in search of food since mummy once told her that once the birdies are asleep it is time for her to sleep. So as any 3 year old does, she figured out that when the birdies wake up our family needs to do the same! Shame mummy didn’t explain to her that Queensland does NOT have daylight savings yet…

From our deluxe recliners we can see the surf rolling in off the point. Dad is quick to get his SUP off the roof, unpacked and out on the water.
Mum’s on the lookout for the buckets and spades for a pre-breakfast play on the beach. The sun is peering over the rocks, the sand is not yet burning our feet and the beach-side coffee shop in soon to open.

After our morning beachside adventure breakfast is made on our BBQ and we set off for a morning coffee. In talking to the owner of the Agnes Water Beach Cafe she tells us that she has just taken ownership 3 week ago. Shame we have already had breakfast because our cafe-neighbours’ blueberry pancakes pile looks moth watering.

A quick resupply of baby bottles, nappies and sunscreen, we once again set off to the beach and pitch our sunshade close to the lifeguard’s gazebo which Nigel the lifesaver has just set up and is now determining the best place for the yellow and red flags.
We approach Nigel and ask him about currents and the safety aspects of swimming at Agnes Water Main Beach. He goes on to tell us that Agnes is the last surf beach before the reef.
Read the full interview here.

As Agnes finds into our pores, we find ourselves stress and worry free. The glint in our eyes to relocate in this beautiful central Queensland region – with this idea we gave a quick call to Cam from Cam Realty, the only mobile real estate agent in town. He offered to come down caravan-side and have a chat with us. He added the icing to the cake in our interest of setting up home in Agnes.

Read full interview with Cam from Cam Realty here.

During a paddle-board adventure in the calm waters of 1770, we encountered an unusual amphibious craft navigating the waterways and beach. Without hesitation after our SUP Safari we made our way to the 1770 LARC! office at the marina and booked ourselves on a tour for the following day.
We arrived at 3pm for our 1h afternoon cruise on one of 2 LARCs used by the company. Our particular one for the day is the Sir Joseph Banks. After a quick safety briefing, we are off. Neil our master for the day and owner of the business is a character.

He has a love for his big pink machines and the environment which they traverse. Highlights of the trip include the land to water spashdowns, seeing the wildlife it its natural environment and hearing Neil’s take on life.

 Read Neil’s interview here.

We feel we have truly found our slice of paradise in this part of central Queensland..

Key facts about Agnes Water and 1770

• The region has Queensland’s only operating lighthouse open to the public.
• It has Queensland’s only day cruise access to the Southern Great Barrier Reef (Lady Musgrave Island).
• Agnes Water has no stingers and no crocodiles (definitely  not irukandji as water temperature is cooler).
• Cooler water temps also promote growth of marine life, i.e. noticeably larger than in reef in Tropical North Queensland – great plankton sizes, giant manta rays & sea creatures on the Southern Great Barrier Reef and around the islands.
• The Town of 1770 is ‘Birthplace of Queensland’ as it was the second landing, after Botany Bay, of the Endeavour when then Lt James Cook (later Capitain) sailed the east coast of Australia.
• One of very few places on the east coast to see the sunset over the ocean.
• Has Australia’s first LARC tour business
• The region is often referred to as “The twin seaside villages of the Town of 1770 and Agnes Water…”