The sunshine state’s only numerically named town is a paradisiacal delight for the travelling 4WDer and fisherman, and the coastal vibe is such that there’s plenty going on to keep the whole family entertained.
The weather up here is amazing right through autumn, winter and spring, and only really gets a bit too hot and sticky during the height of summer.
Be prepared to spend many, many hours exploring the endless sandy, pandanus-lined tracks of Deepwater National Park, and if you are able to tear yourself away from the tracks then you’d better get ready to have your arms stretched as the fishing up here is sensational!
If you’re planning an autumn visit, try to get up here in late May to catch the 1770 Festival for a dose of local art, culture and music – it’s a guaranteed fun weekend away and as good an excuse as any for a visit.
STUFF TO DO
4WDING: Deepwater National Park or bust. Take the turn off to the park just outside of Agnes Water and get ready for a fun day exploring the network of gritty coastal tracks.
There are plenty of extra soft sections and enough steep inclines to have you engaging low range more than once, and perhaps even needing to perform the odd light recovery.
FISHING is just too easy up here… seriously the place is a sort of anglers’ mecca! Try spinning metal lures at the Catwalk if you like manhandling pelagic brutes onto the ocean rocks, or for a more relaxed change of pace chase flathead, whiting and mangrove jack in Round Hill Creek (bring a crab pot or two if possible, as this estuary is teeming with muddies!).
SURFING is a bit of a novelty up this far north, but there’s a fun little righthander at Agnes Water that occasionally springs to life when the trade winds manage to push up a bit of swell – the perfect spot to push the kids onto a few peelers without worrying for their safety.
IMPORTANT INFO
LOCATION: A good 480km north of Brisbane – just jump on the Bruce Highway, queue up two of your favourite driving albums and you’ll be halfway there before you know it.
CAMPING is available right on the water at the 1770 Camping Ground, with powered and unpowered sites available as well as furnished cabins in case you don’t feel like roughing it. Check them out at www.1770campingground.com.au for more info and bookings.
FUEL is available in town at Seventeen Seventy and Agnes Water.
MORE INFO is available at www.discover1770.com.au
