Fantastic Discovery Coast Beach Holiday Destination twinned with the Town of 1770 in the Gladstone Region
Table of Contents
Welcome to my post about Agnes Water on the Discovery Coast in Queensland. If you are planning a visit to this fabulous coastal town I hope you will find it interesting.
For your reading convenience, this article has been broken down into the following sections:
1. Introduction
2. Where is Agnes Water?
3. How to get to Agnes Water
4. Best Time To Visit Agnes Water
5. What Facilities do they have at Agnes Water?
6. Tours and Excursions
7. Things to do at Agnes Water
8. Agnes Water Accommodation
9. Agnes Water Restaurants
10. Best places for Coffee
11. Final Thought
12. FAQs
Please keep on reading until the end to find out what makes it a fantastic Queensland beach to visit!
(This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you if you interact with them).
Read Time: 12 Minutes
Introduction
If you were to make your way north from Brisbane and past the Sunshine Coast and Fraser Coast, you’ll eventually find yourself at Agnes Water on the Discovery Coast.
Lying within the Gladstone Region – in close proximity to the Town of Seventeen Seventy – it’s important to note this coastal town is called Agnes Water and not Agnes Waters, as many people mistakenly refer to it.
Situated on the Great Barrier Reef’s southern end, this idyllic Queensland holiday destination that is perfectly suited for families and couples who want to spend a low key vacation relaxing on immaculate beaches and in tranquil inlets.
The excellent Agnes Waters caravan park is just one of several accommodation options available to those who want to spend some quality time here.
If you want to visit Agnes Water, you will be pleased to read that this fabulous coastal town is a fairly straightforward destination to get to via several forms of transportation.
Where is Agnes Water?
Agnes Water is a picturesque coastal town at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef.
It resides in close proximity to the town of Seventeen Seventy, which is famous for being the second landing spot in Australia of Captain Cook and his crew on the HMS Endeavour. As you might have guessed, that was in the year 1770, hence the name.
This area is part of the Discovery Coast and is located within the Gladstone Region. It is approximately a 5.5-hour drive north of Brisbane and is a popular long weekend and weekend holiday spot for city dwellers wanting to escape the rat race.
The closest cities to it are Gladstone to the north and Bundaberg to the south, both of which are about 90 minutes away by car.
Traditionally, the land on which Agnes Water resides is owned by the Meerooni tribe who are a part of the Gurang nation.
The first Europeans settled here in 1878 when the Clowes family came to run cattle. Not long after, they named the area after a coastal schooner called Agnes, who came a cropper in the Coral Sea shortly before they moved into the area.
Distance to Other Queensland beaches and destinations
How to get to Agnes Water
If you want to visit Agnes Water, you will be pleased to read that this fabulous coastal town is a fairly straightforward destination to get to via several forms of transportation.
The majority of visitors tend to drive here from either Northern New South Wales, the Gold Coast, Brisbane, and Sunshine Coast or down from Mackay, Rockhampton, or Gladstone.
Depending on their starting point, this typically involves going along either the M1/Bruce Highway, D’Aguilar Hwy, or Burnett Hwy. None of them are overly complicated routes. However, it is worth downloading the Waze app or using Google Maps to guide you.
For those who need, or would prefer, to fly, the nearest airport is Gladstone. The likes of Virgin, Jetstar and Qantas run regular flights to GLT from all over the country. You can check out the schedule here.
Once at the airport, you can hire a car from one of the many operators that operate desks there, including Hertz, Budget, Avis and Europcar. Alternatively, you can catch the Greyhound bus, which you can also take from several other destinations across the country.
The train is another viable option to get to Agnes Waters. However, you will have to go to Miriam Vale first or Bundaberg or Gladstone. From all of them you should be able to catch a taxi or bus, while you can hire a car from the latter two.
Best Time To Visit Agnes Water
The Gladstone region, has a sub-humid, sub-tropical climate, which is characterised by very hot and balmy summers and winters that are dry and mild. This means that the Agnes Water weather makes the coastal town a suitable destination to visit all year round. However, the time of year you go might impact the kind of experience you have.
During the summer months, the temperature regularly exceeds 30 degree Celsius and 70% humidity. So, you should stay out of the sun during the hottest parts of the day and make sure you drink plenty of water and stay well protected from the sun.
Its worth noting that the summer months also encompass the rainy season, which means there is always the chance of sudden downpours and storms. Agnes Water accommodation prices can also be much more expensive at this time of year, especially during the school holidays.
Some of the best things to do in Agnes Water, such as kayaking, boating and canoeing take place in the shoulder seasons of March and April and October and November. Therefore, if these are activities you like to partake in. I would suggest this might be the optimum time to do it. Prices of holiday accommodation and units should be cheaper too.
During the winter months of June to August, you might also catch a glimpse of migrating whales going up to Cairns from Antarctica. You are also likely to see the best sunsets at this time of year too.
The beach of course is the main drawcard, and as it is patrolled by surf lifesavers, it is a good place for swimming. Just make sure you do this between the flags.
What Facilities do they have at Agnes Water?
Agnes Waters is one of the Southern Great Barrier Reef’s best beaches and it is well set up for tourists, due to it having a good selection of facilities and amenities for them to use.
While you’ll find limited parking at the main beach, as it is located just a short walk from the town centre, you should have no problems finding free parking there.
By the sand, there is a family-friendly area with barbecues and several picnic tables, some of which are shaded. There are also public toilets and shower facilities.
Between September and early May, the Agnes Water Surf Club patrols the beach. Their main building is conveniently situated on Surf Club Avenue, roughly 2km north of the main beach and about 50 metres from it.
Outside of these months, the beach is only patrolled on weekends.
Distance to other Australia Destinations
Things To Do in Agnes Water
When it comes to what to do in Agnes Water, there are plenty of options available to you.
The beach of course is the main drawcard, and as it is patrolled by surf lifesavers, it is a good place for swimming. Just make sure you do this between the flags.
With the sand stretching 6 km all the way to the 1770 Headland, it is a fabulous spot for walking. And if you make it all the way there, you could be rewarded during whale watching season, with the sight of humpbacks breaching and blowing in the Coral Sea.
Even if you don’t quite get there, after a couple of km, you’ll also be far enough away from the main crowds to enjoy a bit of space on the sand to sunbathe in peace.
Main Beach at Agnes Waters is also renowned for being the northernmost surf beach in Queensland, and it regularly holds events like the ‘Agnes Water Triathlon’ and ‘Reef2Beach Longboard Classic’. Just follow the local surfers on any given day to find the best spots.
Other aquatic pursuits you can enjoy include kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, wakeboarding and kitesurfing.
However, if that is too energetic for you, the beach is home to one of the best sunrises in Queensland. You’ll need to get there early to see it in summer though, as it often starts before 5 am.
Tours and Excursions
You’ll no doubt want to spend some quality time at Agnes Waters Beach. However, if time permits, you should also take the opportunity to check out other parts of the Discovery Coast.
The best way to do this is on some of the many tours and excursions that are offered in the area, and both Get Your Guide and Viator offer a good range of them.
If you are interested in going on any of them, outlined below are some of the most popular ones you can book:
Day Tour to Lady Musgrave Island
Scuba Diving at the Southern Great Barrier Reef Trip
Kangaroo & Sunset Scooter Tour
If you are looking for a place that serves the best Agnes Water coffee, there are a few candidates to choose from.
Agnes Water Accommodation
If you are after holiday accommodation, Agnes Water offers a variety of options to suit every traveller’s preferences and budget.
One of the best is the Reef Suite on Captain Cook Drive. It offers 4-star beachfront accommodation with an excellent range of amenities that include an outdoor swimming pool, restaurant and bar. Moreover, all of the guestrooms here have private bathrooms and a patio where you can relax with a good book or enjoy a bite to eat.
Another good option is the Sandcastles 1770 Motel. It is just a 5-minute walk to the main shopping precinct and offers direct access to the main Agnes Waters Beach. It has a nice mix of beach homes and garden villas with fully equipped kitchens, which makes it a great choice for those wanting to self-cater. Motel accommodation is also available at this property.
Elsewhere, the Escape 1770 Motel is perfect for couples who want to enjoy a peaceful getaway. This property does not allow kids or partying. But it does provide guests with rooms that have balconies that look out directly to the main beach.
For those with children, the NRMA Agnes Water Holiday Park should be on your radar. It offers a range of accommodation choices, including self-contained garden villas, caravan and glamping sites, and beach homes with fully equipped kitchens. This caravan park is directly by the beach and has a laundry facility and cafe.
You can see a full list of all currently available Agnes Water beach holidays accommodation here.
Other Activities and nearby Attractions
Agnes Water Restaurants
If you are wondering where to eat, you’ll be pleased to read that there are several delightful Agnes Water restaurants and cafes you can visit for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
A good starting point for all three is Codie’s Place. During the day, it is a cafe that serves a range of classics, including a breakfast burger, crepes, and eggs Benedict. However, after 11:30 a.m., it turns into a fully fledged Mexican restaurant that offers a menu featuring quesadillas, burritos, nachos, and wings. It also has a terrific selection of burgers and pizzas for those who fancy something different.
Another excellent option is the stylish Plantation Bar & Restaurant. It presents a selection of contemporary Australian dishes that champion the region’s fresh produce, particularly seafood and beef.
If you want a nice, pub-style meal, you can’t go wrong with the Agnes Waters Tavern. It serves a fabulous range of steaks, burgers and fish dishes, which you can enjoy sitting at a beer keg table on a lovely wooden deck.
Elsewhere, Agnes Water Seafood is a terrific spot for fish and chips, while the Drift & Wood Restaurant & Bar is a nice upscale option if you fancy a more elevated dining experience. Their Chorizo & Prawn Egg Pasta Pappardelle is delicious.
Best places for Coffee
If you are looking for a place that serves the best Agnes Water coffee, there are a few candidates to choose from.
One of the most popular is Cafe Discovery, which is located in the Agnes Central Shopping Centre. It’s a nice, relaxing place to have a cappuccino or latte, and the staff are very friendly, too.
Elsewhere, you won’t get any prizes for guessing what Coffee & Cake Agnes Water offers. But if you head to the Endeavour Plaza on Captain Cook Drive, you’ll procure for yourself a very decent cup of java and maybe a nice sweet treat.
Another good option is the Holidays Cafe, which is right inside the Agnes Waters Caravan Park. It’s located on the beachfront and is a lovely place to bring your dog.
The aforementioned Codie’s Place is also a decent spot for coffee during the day, when it is a beachfront, surfy cafe.
Final Thought
As it is the northern-most surf beach in Queensland, Agnes Water (not Agnes Waters!) is worth checking out to have one last ride of the swell before heading up further north.
However, even if you are not a surfer, there is plenty to do in this part of the Discovery Coast.
The pristine beaches, beautiful azure waters and its position as a gateway to the Southern Great Barrier Reef, are all compelling reasons to stay for a while. And if that doesn’t grab you, then maybe, just maybe, the fabulous Agnes Water weather and an excellent range of tours and excursions you can go on will.
If not, you can always enjoy stunning sunsets, views of the migrating whales and a hip selection of cafes and restaurants that will leave your taste buds dancing with delight.
FAQs
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions you might have about this fabulous holiday destination in the Gladstone region of Queensland.
Where is Agnes Water?
Agnes Water is a charming coastal town about 475 km north of Brisbane in Queensland, Australia. You can reach it via a 5.5 hour drive along the Bruce Highway.
What Agnes Water Things To Do Are There?
For the visitor Agnes Water offers plenty of sites and attractions to enjoy. This includes activities like surfing, kayaking and SUP, snorkelling, beach relaxation, wildlife spotting, fishing and watching the sunrise and sunset.
Additionally you can also embark on various hiking and nature walks around Agnes Water Beach and the nearby town of 1770 and go on a scenic cruise or Great Barrier Reef Tours.
How Far is it from Brisbane to Agnes Water
Separated by some 475 km, it will take approximately 5.5 hours to drive from Brisbane to Agnes Water.
How Far Is it From Agnes Water To Bundaberg?
If you want to go from Agnes Water to Bundaberg the best way to get between the two is to drive via Rosedale Rose. It will take you about 90 minutes to complete this journey.
How Far Is It From Agnes Water To 1770?
From Agnes Water it will take you about 7 minutes by car to drive the 6 km to the Town of 1770.
Is the Agnes Water Caravan Park Open?
The Agnes Water Caravan Park - officially referred to as the NRMA Agnes Water Holiday Park is open throughout the year. As well as offering hook ups for your caravan or camp site they also have a range of other accommodation options including villas, cabins and glamping-style safari tent.
