Seventeen Seventy, Queensland, Australia
Thank you Donelle for making us aware of the town of Seventeen Seventy. Maybe we would have picked something up from an Information Centre. Maybe not! It certainly is a very special little part of Queensland to visit. As it is school holidays we were unable to get into the 'Captain Cook Caravan Park' at Seventeen Seventy itself. But just 8 kilometres south on the Peninsula is 'Agnas Water' and we were able to get a powered site there. Trying to get into a caravan park in the area was our frustration on Saturday. We nearly decided to give up! But now we are so glad we didn't!
The town of 'Agnes Water' takes its name from a pastoral holding, first leased by Daniel Clowes in 1883. Daniel named the holding after the coastal schooner 'Agnes', which was lost at sea in the area. Daniel Clowes remained there until his death in 1891. There was a saw mill in the locality in the 1890s and the wide beach was a popular venue. It became a holiday destination, and weekend residences were built.
The town of 1770 was originally 'Round Hill' and the name was changed in 1970 to commemorate the 'Bicentennial of Cook's Visit'. All a bit confusing! However, the town was regarded as somewhat remote, and it was not until the road into the town was completely sealed in the mid 1990s that development really took off. 'Agnas Water' is the main shopping precinct for the two settlements and some of the names on the shops link themselves to 1770. As I said it is confusing and no doubt all want to associate themselves with the second landing of 'Lieutenant James Cook and the Crew of the Endeavour'.
1770 or Seventeen Seventy? Really Seventeen Seventy, but it is written both ways, in signage at the two towns. 1770 is close to the tip of the Peninsula on Bustard Bay. Caravans, campers, tents and boats were really packed into the Captain Cook Caravan Park at 1770. When Peter did eventually talk with a bloke there, he was very grumpy too! So we actually were happy that we didn't end up there. Both towns are nice relaxing holiday spots. When we went to have a walk around the town/settlement/village of 1770, and out to the tip of the Peninsula, the tide was out and it was all very rocky. There was only a small section on the beach that would have been suitable for swimming.
Where we stayed at 'Agnas Water' was really lovely. Just a short walk to the beach. In fact we could again see the ocean from the caravan window. There were so many young families there for the school holidays. Kids riding bikes around the park. We were surrounded by camper trailers and tents. It really made us feel quite homesick and we did reflect a bit on our camping and fishing holidays. Great times!
Once we were set up we even got our bathers on and had a swim. At Agnas Water there is surf. Not very big, so a great beach for kids to learn to surf. It is said "That this is where the Surf meets the Reef"! The beach is attended by Surf Lifesavers all year round. And they were doing their job too! And why wouldn't they be?
There was some young lads who had hired small rubber boats with paddles and they had drifted into the swimming area. Peter said to me to watch out as I was going to be hit in the head by one of the paddles. Next thing there was yelling from the beach from the surf lifesaver. He was indicating to the bloke in the boat. The young fella thought he could just go back to where he was supposed to be, but not so. The surf lifesaver made him come into shore and he gave him a dressing down!
We could have stayed longer at this 'Treasure' of a spot, but maybe we can work on 'There being another Time'! If there is a next time, we will ensure though, that it is not school holidays. Peter handled the challenge of getting the van in and out of our tight spot, amongst all those cars and children, very, very well. Gold Star Pete! 12 photos
The town of 'Agnes Water' takes its name from a pastoral holding, first leased by Daniel Clowes in 1883. Daniel named the holding after the coastal schooner 'Agnes', which was lost at sea in the area. Daniel Clowes remained there until his death in 1891. There was a saw mill in the locality in the 1890s and the wide beach was a popular venue. It became a holiday destination, and weekend residences were built.
The town of 1770 was originally 'Round Hill' and the name was changed in 1970 to commemorate the 'Bicentennial of Cook's Visit'. All a bit confusing! However, the town was regarded as somewhat remote, and it was not until the road into the town was completely sealed in the mid 1990s that development really took off. 'Agnas Water' is the main shopping precinct for the two settlements and some of the names on the shops link themselves to 1770. As I said it is confusing and no doubt all want to associate themselves with the second landing of 'Lieutenant James Cook and the Crew of the Endeavour'.
1770 or Seventeen Seventy? Really Seventeen Seventy, but it is written both ways, in signage at the two towns. 1770 is close to the tip of the Peninsula on Bustard Bay. Caravans, campers, tents and boats were really packed into the Captain Cook Caravan Park at 1770. When Peter did eventually talk with a bloke there, he was very grumpy too! So we actually were happy that we didn't end up there. Both towns are nice relaxing holiday spots. When we went to have a walk around the town/settlement/village of 1770, and out to the tip of the Peninsula, the tide was out and it was all very rocky. There was only a small section on the beach that would have been suitable for swimming.
Where we stayed at 'Agnas Water' was really lovely. Just a short walk to the beach. In fact we could again see the ocean from the caravan window. There were so many young families there for the school holidays. Kids riding bikes around the park. We were surrounded by camper trailers and tents. It really made us feel quite homesick and we did reflect a bit on our camping and fishing holidays. Great times!
Once we were set up we even got our bathers on and had a swim. At Agnas Water there is surf. Not very big, so a great beach for kids to learn to surf. It is said "That this is where the Surf meets the Reef"! The beach is attended by Surf Lifesavers all year round. And they were doing their job too! And why wouldn't they be?
There was some young lads who had hired small rubber boats with paddles and they had drifted into the swimming area. Peter said to me to watch out as I was going to be hit in the head by one of the paddles. Next thing there was yelling from the beach from the surf lifesaver. He was indicating to the bloke in the boat. The young fella thought he could just go back to where he was supposed to be, but not so. The surf lifesaver made him come into shore and he gave him a dressing down!
We could have stayed longer at this 'Treasure' of a spot, but maybe we can work on 'There being another Time'! If there is a next time, we will ensure though, that it is not school holidays. Peter handled the challenge of getting the van in and out of our tight spot, amongst all those cars and children, very, very well. Gold Star Pete! 12 photos
2025-05-22