Agnes Water and the Town of 1770 are two small towns on the Queensland coast: here you'll find the state's northernmost surf beach, boats head out to the coral island of Lady Musgrave, and the sun sets over the sea. Here you'll find all the checked spots from our map with tips.
Agnes Water lies off the Bruce Highway; coaches stop in town or run shuttles from the highway. By car it's about an hour and a half from Bundaberg. The Town of 1770 is a few kilometres further on a headland.
The climate is warm all year. For snorkelling on the reef, May to October is best, with clear water and no jellyfish risk; in summer turtles nest on Lady Musgrave. Agnes Water is surfable all year.
A small, relaxed hostel near the beach in Agnes Water — a good base for a surf lesson and a reef trip.
A campground in the bush near 1770, quiet and close to nature.
Agnes Water is Queensland's northernmost surf beach — further north, the Great Barrier Reef shields the coast from the waves. The beach is patrolled, surf schools are on site, and the soft waves are good for learning. Surfable all year.
A coral island with a sheltered lagoon at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef, by boat from 1770. Snorkelling you'll see corals, fish and turtles, and in summer the turtles nest on the island. Fewer crowds than the reefs further north. Best time May to October.
The Town of 1770 is one of the few places on the east coast where the sun sets over the sea. Watch from the beach in front of town or from Round Hill Head. The town is named after the year James Cook came ashore here.
A small, secluded beach with rocks south of Agnes Water. Unpatrolled — more for looking at and photographing than for swimming. The light is best in the morning.
A short boardwalk leads through a swamp forest of paperbark trees. It's most beautiful after rain, when water stands under the walkway. Free, in the morning.
A small harbour with a takeaway, where the reef boats leave for Lady Musgrave. The town is tiny — better buy food beforehand in Agnes Water.
Beginner surf lessons at Queensland's northernmost surf beach — the last chance before the reef shields the coast further north. Cheap and popular with backpackers on the east coast route.
Yes, Agnes Water is Queensland's northernmost surf beach, with a patrolled beach and surf schools.
By boat from the marina in the Town of 1770. The best time for snorkelling is May to October.
Because James Cook came ashore here in 1770.
All spots on the Agnes Water & 1770 map. Nearby: Bundaberg to the south and Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays to the north. The coast at a glance on the Great Barrier Reef Drive road trip.
Updated September 2026. Checked against official sources and operator websites. Prices, opening hours and seasons change — check before you go.