Town of 1770 Beach, on the sheltered shores of Bustard Bay, is one of Queensland’s most scenic coastal gems. Famous as the place where Captain James Cook first landed in the state in 1770, it offers calm crystal-clear waters, golden sand, and stunning sunsets. A perfect mix of history and tropical relaxation, it’s ideal for swimming, kayaking, and reef tours to Lady Musgrave Island.

Town of 1770’s historic significance, stunning coastline, lush green headlands, and crystal-clear turquoise waters make it one of Gladstone’s most iconic and picturesque beach destinations. Elevate your Gladstone escape with these standout experiences:

Afternoon Coastline Tour • Southern Great Barrier Reef Snorkelling Day Trip • Beach, Lunch and Sandboarding

Book now and turn your visit to Town of 1770 into a world-class, bucket-list Gladstone experience filled with coastal beauty, reef adventures, and unforgettable island escapes.

🏖️ Why Visit the Town of 1770 Beach?

The Town of 1770 offers a rare coastal experience — calm, protected waters on one side and the open surf beaches of Agnes Water just minutes away. This dual personality makes it ideal for families, couples, and adventurers alike. Spend the day swimming, paddleboarding, or joining a reef tour, then unwind with a sunset picnic overlooking the bay. With history, nature, and the Great Barrier Reef all on its doorstep, 1770 is a must-visit on Queensland’s Discovery Coast.

🌅 Things to Do at the Town of 1770 Beach

• Swimming: Calm, shallow water ideal for families.
• Sunset Viewing: One of the few east-coast beaches where the sun sets over the water.
• Kayaking: Explore Bustard Bay’s mangroves and sandbanks by kayak or SUP.
• Fishing: Excellent shore and estuary fishing for bream and flathead.
• Sailing & Boating: Launch from the marina for reef and island tours.
• History & Culture: Visit Cook’s Landing Site and the Joseph Banks Regional Park.

🔵 Surfing at Town of 1770

Town of 1770 offers a super-relaxed, beginner-focused surf scene in the Gladstone region, with gentle beachbreaks and rolling sandbar waves in protected areas like Bustard Bay. The setup features small, forgiving rollers that break close to shore, ideal for learning in warm tropical waters with minimal crowds. While not a heavy-wave destination (swell often filtered by the northern reef system), it provides consistent small stuff year-round, plus options for SUP or longboarding on fat, easy waves — all with easy access from town and nearby amenities.

Ideal for:

• Beginners and first-timers in safe, mellow conditions (excellent for lessons and families)
• Small swell days (ankle to waist high) with windswell or light easterly pulses
• Forgiving beach and sandbar waves for building confidence
• Relaxed tropical sessions close to the beach, with sunset views and low competition

Always check local tides and wind — it can get choppy with onshore breezes, but the protected bay setup keeps things user-friendly. Not suited for big swells, but super consistent for skill-building and fun vibes.

🌊 Example forecast for 1770/Agnes Water

– northernmost surf beach in Queensland at Agnes Water (twin town with 1770); gentle forgiving beachbreak waves ideal for beginners/learners (great value lessons), fun for intermediates on better swells.

☀️Forecast updates on page refresh—check back for latest!

♦ Explore more surf breaks | Surfing Queensland →

🐬 Wildlife

The Town of 1770 is surrounded by rich marine and birdlife. Dolphins and turtles are often seen in the bay, while migrating humpback whales pass offshore between June and October. The nearby mangroves and sand flats attract pelicans, herons, and other shorebirds, while kangaroos and wallabies are occasionally spotted around the headland reserves.

🏕️Facilities & Accessibility

• 🚻 Toilets, showers, and shaded picnic shelters along the foreshore.
• 🍔 BBQs and picnic tables with ocean views.
• 🅿️ Free parking and easy beach access.
• 🚤 Public boat ramp and marina facilities.
• 🦽 Wheelchair-accessible paths and viewing points.
• 🐾 Dog-friendly zones with bins and bag stations.

🌤️ Best Time to Visit the Town of 1770 Beach

• 🌞 April to October: Ideal for sightseeing, reef trips, and mild temperatures.
• 🪸 Marine Stingers: Possible in summer; swim inside the bay.
• 🐋 Whale Season: June to October — great for spotting migrating humpbacks.
• 🌴 Year-round: Pleasant weather with warm water and sea breezes.

🗺️ Getting There

🚗 Driving: The Town of 1770 is located about 1 hour 30 minutes north of Bundaberg or 2 hours south of Gladstone via the Bruce Highway and Round Hill Road. The main beach is easily accessed from Captain Cook Drive, with sealed roads all the way into town.
🚍 Public Transport: Premier Motor Service and Greyhound Australia buses stop at Agnes Water, just 5 minutes away, with local transfers and taxis available to 1770.
🅿️ Parking: Free parking is available along the 1770 Foreshore, near the caravan park, marina, and lookout point.

💡 Info correct at time of writing — check Gladstone Regional Council and local visitor centres for current road and access information.

💡 Local Tips

🌴 The Town of 1770 is one of Queensland’s most scenic seaside villages — known for calm swimming beaches, glorious sunsets, and historical significance as Captain Cook’s first Queensland landing site in 1770.
🚤 Launch from the marina for day trips to Lady Musgrave Island or scenic 1770 LARC! amphibious tours along Bustard Bay.
🌅 Enjoy sunset picnics on the western beach — one of the few east-coast spots where the sun sets over the ocean.
🐬 Dolphins and turtles are regularly spotted in the calm bay waters.
🍹 The 1770 foreshore features cafes, restaurants, and a relaxed small-town charm perfect for families.

🧭Nearby Attractions

• 🏖️ Agnes Water Beach: The most northern surf beach on the Queensland coast.
• 🌿 Joseph Banks Regional Park: Coastal walks and lookout points.
• 🏝️ Lady Musgrave Island: Coral cays, snorkelling, and reef tours departing 1770 Marina.
• 🪶 Bustard Head Lighthouse Tours: Scenic 4WD tours to Queensland’s first coastal lighthouse.

📆 Events & Markets Nearby

The Town of 1770 (Seventeen Seventy) hosts some of the region’s most popular coastal markets and annual themed events.

• 🛍️ Agnes Water Community Markets (Sundays, seasonal): Handmade crafts, jewellery, coastal art, produce, plants, fashion, and gourmet food stalls.
• 🎨 Discovery Coast Markets (monthly): Local arts and crafts, homewares, garden plants, baked goods, and unique handmade items.
• 🎶 1770 Festival (May): A major regional celebration featuring live music, historical reenactments, food stalls, markets, workshops, and cultural entertainment.
• 🍲 Captain Cook Food & Wine Events (seasonal): Pop-up dining, tastings, food stalls, and local culinary showcases.
• 🎄 1770 Christmas Markets (December): Festive coastal markets offering gifts, decorations, food stalls, and holiday attractions.

For a full list of what’s on in the region, visit the
👉 Gladstone Attractions | Best Things to Do Near Gladstone Beaches

🏡Accommodation Near Town of 1770

• 🏕️ 1770 Camping Ground & Caravan Park – beachfront sites and cabins.
• 🏠 Holiday homes and boutique apartments overlooking the bay.
• 🏨 1770 Lagoons Resort & Spa (Agnes Water) – luxury resort with pool and restaurant.

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🍴 Places to Eat & Drink

The Town of 1770 and neighbouring Agnes Water offer a relaxed food scene with ocean-view restaurants, beachside cafés, and laid-back pubs. Enjoy fresh local seafood, wood-fired pizzas, or sunset drinks at one of the waterfront venues overlooking Bustard Bay.

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🧭 Plan Your Trip to the Town of 1770 Beach

The Town of 1770 is where Queensland’s rich history meets tropical adventure. Perfect for kayaking, reef tours, and watching the sunset over calm waters, it’s a highlight of the Discovery Coast. Whether you’re exploring nearby Agnes Water, cruising to Lady Musgrave Island, or simply relaxing on the sand, 1770 offers one of the most peaceful and picturesque getaways on the Great Barrier Reef coastline.

💬 Share Your Town of 1770 Beach Photos & Reviews

📸 We’d love to see your favourite moments from the Gladstone Region and its nearby islands! Upload your photos, share your experiences, and leave a review to help other visitors discover this stunning part of Queensland’s Southern Great Barrier Reef.

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💙 Explore More Beaches Nearby

Discover more of the Gladstone and Southern Great Barrier Reef region:
Agnes Water ➜ | Rules Beach ➜ | Tannum Sands ➜ | Lilley’s Beach ➜

🌊 Explore More Surf Breaks

➤ Surfing Queensland ➜
🏄‍♂️ Surfing Gold Coast ➜
🏄‍♀️ Surfing Sunshine Coast ➜
🌴 Agnes Water Surfing ➜
🌊 Beginner Surfing ➜
🎓 Learn to Surf ➜
🔥 The Superbank ➜

🌊 About This Beach Directory

🌴 Note: This directory doesn’t include every beach in Queensland — there are simply too many! We’ve selected the most significant and unique beaches based on a range of factors including natural beauty, accessibility, and local popularity.

💌 If you think we’ve missed one that deserves to be featured, we’d love to hear from you!

📧 Email us at Admin@QldBeach.com with your photos and tell us why your favourite beach should be added.

☀️ Happy surfing, swimming and sunning from the Queensland Beach Guide team!

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_{Last updated: June 2026}