Things to Do in Agnes Water and 1770
Agnes Water and the Town of 1770 punch well above their weight for a small coastal town. There's genuinely great surf, reef trips to the Great Barrier Reef, a handful of iconic local experiences, and enough to fill a week without trying. Here's where to start.
Get Out on the Water
Lady Musgrave Island
A day trip to Lady Musgrave Island is one of the best things you can do on the Discovery Coast. It's part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park - a coral cay surrounded by a lagoon that's genuinely as good as it looks. You can snorkel, scuba dive, or just drift around on the glass-bottom boat. Tours depart from the 1770 marina and book out fast in peak season. Plan ahead.
The 1770 LARC! Tour
The LARC is an amphibious vehicle that drives straight into the ocean -- it sounds gimmicky but it's a genuinely fun way to see the coastline, including sections only accessible by water. A local favourite and a good one for families. You can book through Discover 1770.
Sunset Cruise
A sunset cruise from the 1770 marina is hard to beat. The headland at 1770 is one of the northernmost surf points on the Queensland coast and the sunsets are something else. Runs most evenings, weather permitting.
Kayaking and Paddleboarding
1770 Liquid Adventures runs kayak tours and SUP hire from the marina. The calm bay waters make it accessible for all fitness levels, and the early morning sessions are particularly good.
Fishing and Boating
The area is (obviously!) well set up for fishing - reef fishing charters operate out of the marina, and the rivers and estuaries around Eurimbula National Park are worth exploring by boat if you've brought one with you. Free parking for boats and trailers is available at Agnes Bush Cabins.
On Land
Agnes Water Beach and Surf
Agnes Water has one of the best surf breaks in Queensland and is one of the last surf beaches before you head north. The main beach is patrolled on weekends and school holidays. It's also just a great beach for a swim, a walk, or doing absolutely nothing.
Walking Trails
There are several walking trails around Agnes Water and 1770 worth doing. The headland walk at 1770 gives you views back down the coast that are hard to beat - and it's an easy walk. The area around Eurimbula National Park also has trails through coastal bush, just five minutes from Agnes Bush Cabins.
Bike Hire
Discover 1770 offers bike hire for half or full day - a good way to get between Agnes Water and 1770 without a car, and the roads are quiet enough to be genuinely enjoyable.
1770 Golf Course
The Town of 1770 has a small local golf course with a bar and store attached. Definitely worth a round if you play.
Day Trips Worth Planning
Lady Elliot Island
A step up from Lady Musgrave in terms of effort and cost, but Lady Elliot Island is one of the best dive sites on the Great Barrier Reef. Helicopter transfers are available. Worth it for the right traveller.
Heron Island
Another Great Barrier Reef island accessible from the region. Famous for turtle nesting season and exceptional diving. Book well in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Yes - day trips depart from the 1770 marina and run most days during peak season. The trip takes around two hours each way, so you'll want to book ahead. Spots fill up fast, especially school holidays and long weekends.
-
Book as early as you can, especially in peak season, because once they sell out, they sell out. The LARC tour and sunset cruises are also popular and worth booking ahead. Kayak hire and bike hire can usually be organised on the day.
-
It's about a five-minute drive. There's no public transport between the two, so you'll need a car, bike, or scooter, which you can hire in town. The road is quiet and the bike ride is very doable.
-
The 1770 marina is the closest mainland departure point to the southern Great Barrier Reef. Lady Musgrave Island is around 59km offshore - about 90 minutes by boat. Tours depart from the marina daily, weather and tides permitting.
