Agnes Water and the Town of 1770 are the East Coast's worst-kept secret. Small, genuinely beautiful, and stuffed full of activities that most people drive straight past on their way between Brisbane and the Whitsundays. Don't be that person.
1770 is named after the year Captain Cook landed here, making it the second place he stepped ashore in Queensland. It's also the northernmost surf beach on the East Coast, which matters if you've been planning to get a surf lesson in and haven't yet. (This is your last chance, by the way. North of here the reef gets in the way.)
The surf situation
Agnes Water has the best beginner surf breaks on the central Queensland coast. Consistent waves, sandy bottom, and instructors who've taught thousands of first-timers. If you're going to learn to surf on your East Coast trip, do it here. Lock in a lesson with us before you arrive so you're not scrambling when you get there.
The vibe (it's good)
These towns have an off-grid feel without actually being difficult to get to. Only 70km from Bundaberg and 60km off the Bruce Highway, they work as a weekend escape for Queenslanders and a proper mid-trip reset for East Coasters. The pace drops the moment you arrive. The sunsets over the bay are legitimately special.
Getting here and fitting it into your trip
If you're on one of our East Coast packages, accommodation and activities here may already be included. Check your itinerary. If you're doing your own road trip, Agnes Water and 1770 are an easy detour off the Bruce Highway and a very good reason to take it.
Browse activities above or head back to the K'gari Fraser Coast hub for what else is in the region. Rainbow Beach is worth a look too if you're heading north toward K'gari.
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