Named after Captain Cook’s first Queensland landing, the town of Seventeen Seventy is a laid-back coastal hamlet overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It was here that the HMS Endeavour landed in May 1770 and the original settlement became known as “Round Hill”. With its calm inlets, beautiful beaches and coastal forests, Seventeen Seventy is a deservedly popular getaway destination.
Rent a kayak or stand-up paddleboard to slowly explore the tranquil waterways of Seventeen Seventy at your leisure or follow the three-kilometre-long trail that connects Springs Beach to Red Rock Beach. In nearby Agnes Water is secluded Chinaman’s Beach, where you’ll find plenty of rock pools to explore.
Hidden just inland is the Paperbark Forest Boardwalk, a peaceful nature trail that winds its way through a coastal forest inhabited by butterflies, frogs and colourful fungi. For a more challenging hike, ascend to the Ganoonga Noonga lookout for sweeping views across the swamps and heathlands below.
Getting there
Seventeen Seventy is around 1.5 hours’ drive from Bundaberg and Bundaberg Regional Airport, which has flights to Brisbane and Lady Elliot Island. Regular buses connect to Agnes Water while renting a car gives you greater freedom to explore the region.