We have wanted to stay at 1770 or Agnes Water for many many years. The closest we got was a detour from the Bruce Highway to Agnes Water - mostly dirt road about 1997. Back then all the accommodation in Agnes Water was full and with 3 kids we didn't want to travel further along another dirt track to 1770.
This trip was different. We were happily surprised to see the road sealed all the way to 1770. We stayed just outside of Agnes Water, which was only a short drive away. There were shops, cafes, and lots of walks. Some of the walks were easy, some a little more strenuous. We did a few walks and recommend the Paperbark Forrest Walk, but there were also many coastal walks.
The coastal walk from the Captain Cook Memorial along the coast to the top carpark at the 1770 headland, called the Butterfly Walk - we didn't see any butterflies - was an easy, but long walk. The memorial is a landmark to show where Captain Cook - then Lieutenant Cook - landed on 24th May 1770.
Agnes Water Museum is a must. We don't do a lot of museums, and I'm not even sure why chose to do this one. The volunteer there was very informative and we had a lovely chat with him both before and after visiting the museum. The museum tells the story of the area, from the first inhabitants to individual stories, and although small it was one the most informative and interesting museums we have been to. I was happy to see a display of sewing and quilting. This beautiful cathedral window quilt was started by one lady and finished by another to display here.
I was even happier to see a large collection of Matthew Flinders history. Matthew Flinders chartered the coast line of Australia and sailed into Bustard Bay on 2nd August 1802.
The information Centre is across the road, and there is another lovely walk at the top of the car park.
We had been planning to go on the Amphibious bus, but after a little research we decided against it. The only water travel appeared to be little creek crossings while travelling up the beach. We do that all the time on K'Gari (Fraser Island), so we had lunch instead. Heaps of cafes and fish and chip shops around.
The beaches are beautiful but most are difficult to get to. Developers and Council seem to have made the real estate along the coast line more important than the locals and tourists visiting the beaches. In saying that all beaches are reachable, but many involve a long and sometimes steep walk.
The area is the ancestral home of the Meeroomi peoples, from Bundaberg to Gladstone. A very fertile area, European settlers used the land for grazing sheep and cattle. The clearing of the land for grazing developed the saw mill industry in the area. The area was called Bustard Bay by Captain Cook and Sir Joseph Banks in 1770 after seeing bustard birds, some of which were shot and eaten for dinner that next night.
In the 1870's settlers Daniel Clowes and his family set up a pastoral lease with a fresh water lagoon. He named the property Agnes Water possible after the schooner The Agnes that was lost at sea in 1873.
By early 1900's as the town grew, development started in the vicinity of Round Hill, named by Matthew Flinders in 1802. By 1936, the area 5km north of Agnes Water was named Town of Seventeen Seventy to commemorate the first landing place in Queensland by the then Lieutenant James Cook.
The two villages are 6km apart and located between two national parks. We travelled from Bundaberg along Tableland Road then on to Round Hill Road.
We looked at a few different options for camping, no free or donation camping, but there were a few reasonably priced camp sites. We chose Traveller's Rest 1770 and we definitely made a good choice. There were a few other vans already set up with a view of the pond, so we joined them.
We had a lovely 'happy hour' around a big stump that afternoon. Look at the view from our van.
Unfortunately the following day another van arrived and parked in everyone's view.
That was the only negative. It would be good if that area was fenced off and a few stumps to act as tables so all those staying in the park can enjoy the lovely view. The park had great amenities, mostly un-powered sites with a few powered sites. There were walking trails and guided walks and talks were available in the park. The owners were so helpful. It was a great park and we would definitely stay there next time.
The lily pads on the pond certainly make a pretty picture. I'm always so pleased to see quilts and old linens in museums.
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