📍7 Best Things To Do In Agnes Water, QLD. 2025 Guide For Nature Lovers. (Attractions & Activities.) (2025.)
WONDERING WHAT THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN AGNES WATER ARE?
Tucked away between the regional cities of Bundaberg and Gladstone, the two major southernmost gateways to the magnificent Great Barrier Reef in sunny Queensland, Agnes Water is one of those spectacular places that perfectly epitomizes the idyllic Australian lifestyle. That is thanks to its many gorgeous golden beaches, breathtaking seascapes, incredible national parks and proximity to its closely associated neighbour, the outstandingly beautiful town of 1770, making the pair a phenomenal road trip destination that is well worth pulling off the Bruce Highway for.
From the rugged coastal views of the Discovery Trail Lookout that made my jaw drop to the stunning coves and headlands of the breathtaking Red Rock Trail to learning to surf in the state’s northernmost beaches, there are some incredible activities, attractions things to do in Agnes Water for nature lovers that you might not actually want to leave.
👉 My top 3 picks for what to do in Agnes Water, QLD:
- Watch the sunrise at the Discovery Trail Lookout.
- Hike the Red Rock Walking Trail.
- Visit 1770 & Joseph Banks Conservation Park.
Best Things To Do In Agnes Water.
1. Discovery Trail Lookout.
There’s no place as spectacular as the Discovery Coast Lookout to get acquainted with Agnes Water’s breathtaking coastal beauty. Nestled within the bushland behind the Visitor Information Centre, this spectacular elevated vantage point’s easy accessibility and close proximity to town is no indicator of what awaits because while ones that are close to urban centres aren’t often epic, that’s certainly not the case here.
The views from the fenced boardwalk platform and the open pathway leading to the edge of the headland have impressive visuals featuring steep rocky ridgelines dropping dramatically down to the ocean and hiding picturesque inaccessible coves in the immediate foreground and extending south. Meanwhile, the views northward distantly showcase the historically significant Bustard Head over at the neighbouring town of Seventeen Seventy.
This location is also the ideal spot to kick off the day, catching the sun rising over the ocean or searching for pods of playful dolphins swimming nearby throughout the year or majestic humpback whales performing various surface behaviours in the distance during their annual migration along the east coast of Australia.
2. Swim Or Surf At Queensland’s Northernmost Surfing Beach.
Main Beach.
One of the best things about visiting seaside towns is enjoying a swim or surf in the ocean waves, which is no exception at Agnes Water, however, two factors make doing so at its Main Beach more unique.
Firstly, it’s only one of two life-guarded patrolled beaches in the greater Gladstone region and the last one along the coast before it becomes Croc Country. This makes it feel much safer entering the water knowing that no human eater descendants of the dinosaurs are hanging around nearby, unlike Tannum Sands, which has signs indicating their potential presence near the Red and Yellow safe swimming flags.
As if to coincide with Croc Country beginning just a little further up like these fearsome predators atop the food chain don’t like waves, Main Beach is also the Australian East Coast’s northernmost surfing beach due to it being the place with the highest latitude that has decent swells, making it a great last hurrah to go surfing or a picturesque location to learn the craft, thanks to the gentle waves that lap at the shoreline.
3. Red Rock Walking Trail.
The highlight of my visit to Agnes Water was hiking the Red Rock Walking Track, which was a breathtakingly immersive way to become acquainted with the spectacular coastal beauty this beloved Australian town is renowned for
The gorgeous 6km return walk begins at the 4WD accessible car park off Springs Road, or 500m back at the parking lot for the Paperbark Forest Trail if you have a conventional vehicle, and takes you down a boardwalk through shady dune vegetation before reaching Springs Beach that you continue following to its southern end. Then there’s a vertical wooden sign to signal the pathway heads up onto the headland, and it’s from there on out that the scenery really unfolds with waves crashing at gorgeous rugged rock formations and spectacular coves with pristine beaches await you, making you feel like you’ve found exclusive, secluded paradise.
👉 Quick Guide To Agnes Water/1770:
- 🚗 Getting Around: Renting a car is the best & most convenient.
- 🌄 Must-Do Activities: Watch the sunset from the Discovery Trail Lookout, explore Joseph Banks Conservation Park, go on a LARC Full Day Paradise Tour & visit Lady Elliot Island.
- 🏠 Best Hotel: 1770 Getaway Villas.
4. Paperbark Forest Boardwalk.
Opposite the turn-off for the Red Rock Walking Trail is the beloved Paperbark Forest Board. Although it’s only a mere 400 long, this delightfully immersive circular trail features plenty of track variation, including boardwalks, stepping stones and water crossings as you navigate through this lush environment that is an important homeland for the local frog population.
Note: This beautiful walk has sadly been temporarily closed for quite some time now.
5. 1770 & Joseph Banks Conservation Park.
Nothing goes more synonymously with this gorgeous coastal town than its even more breathtaking and closely associated neighbour Seventeen Seventy, so a day trip over there is an absolute must.
One of the most intriguing parts about this place isn’t just that it’s the only location in the world that is a number. But it is also historically significant as it is the first place that Captain Cook (then Lieutenant) set foot on what would then become Queensland in you guessed it, 1770.
And he couldn’t have picked a better place to do it, because the headland that he landed on is now the Joseph Banks Conservation Park, one of the best national parks in the greater Gladstone regions and home to some of the most epic coastal landscapes in the state, making it the town’s unequivocal highlight. Better yet, it is super accessible, with a car park right near the end and several short walking trails leading to epic vantage points such as the Bustard Head Lookout right at the top and Wave Lookout on the eastern side.
Plus, thanks to its narrow, peninsula shape, and its northwest-facing orientation, it is also one of the few places on this side of Australia where you can watch both the sun rising and setting over the ocean, perfect for kicking off the morning and capping off the evening.
There are also lovely opportunities to swim in the waves on the eastern ocean side in the conservation park, or in the calm waters protected by the headland on the western side in both there and the town, which is also great for kayaking and boating.
6. Eurimbula National Park.
On the other side of Round Hill Creek is Eurimbula National Park, an expansive wilderness of pristine beaches backed onto unspoilt coastal lowlands, providing the perfect gateway for many outdoor adventures.
With a conventional vehicle, you can carefully drive to the Ganoona Noonga Lookout car, where the short but moderate 720m climb to a breathtaking natural viewpoint that showcases the breadth and beauty of this untamed landscape.
Unfortunately, that’s all you can see with a 2WD, as the rest of the roads are 4WD territory where you can reach the two southern campgrounds and spend the days and nights enjoying spending time at remote beaches and sparkling creeks that make this place a paradise for seaside loving outdoors people.
And if you have a boat, well, things just get even better, because with it, you can get to some of the most remote and spectacular areas this national park has to offer, such as Middle Island, which has the heritage-listed Bustard Head Lighthouse perched atop the summit, and unforgettable views overlooking the breathtaking Pancake Creek and the entire coastline south of it, back to 1770.
But even if you don’t have a rugged vehicle with off-road capabilities or a dinghy, kayak or canoe, to explore this wilderness on your own, there’s another way to see these incredible landmarks that combines the two. And that is with a classic amphibious vehicle LARC! Paradise Tour.
This iconic 7-hour adventure in a quirky and unique hot pink Lighter, Amphibious, Resupply, Cargo vessel formerly used in Vietnam takes you from the township, across Round Hill Creek and several other bouncy creek crossings between the national park’s long and beautiful beaches before eventually arriving at Middle Island where there are the epic aforementioned views and a guided tour of Queensland’s only still operating tourable lighthouse along with the associated cottage museum and cemetery which made for an unforgettable day trip I’ll never forget.
Planning Your Trip? These Are My Favourite Go-To Resources!
- For unforgettable experiences & activities, head to Viator first.
- Can’t go past Expedia for Accommodation and their 10% off members’ discount.
7. Deep Water National Park.
Adding another national park to a destination already jam-packed full of them, Deepwater National Park is another incredible seaside destination that outdoor enthusiasts seeking sun, sand and solitude will love. This stunning coastal paradise has even more long golden stretches of unspoilt sandy beaches along with some rocky landmarks dotting the majestic seascape, making it a lovely place to go for long walks or the beach and have deep, meaningful talks with your significant other.
And if you come during the turtle nesting season between October and December, you may even encounter female sea turtles coming up onto the beach at night to lay their eggs. There’s also January to March when the babies have finished incubating and emerging from their warm, sandy dens and make their way down the foreshore to the ocean, making for a magical night under the stars.
While you can approach from Agnes Water, it requires a 4WD to reach the Flat Rock Day Use Area and Middle Rock Camping Areas along the Deepwater Coastal Drive. However, if you only have a conventional 2WD, you can visit or stay the night arriving from the south to reach the Wreck Rock Camping Area. It was a little more narrow and rugged than I was expecting, and I couldn’t make the campground loop back to the main Coastal Drive road, so had to go back the way I came, even though the Queensland Parks website said it’s suitable, so just a forewarning.
Note: The turtle sightings here and on the mainland in general are not as prolific as their are at Mon Repos near Bundaberg or coral cays of the Great Barrier Reef, so if you want to SIGNIFICANTLY improve your chances of seeing them, plan a trip to Mon Repos Turtle Centre, a camping trip to Lady Musgrave or North West Island, or a luxury stay on Heron or Wilson Island.
Things To Do In Agnes Water Map.
Accommodation: Where To Stay In Agnes Water, Queensland.
- Budget: Coral Suite In Resort Complex.
- Mid-Range: The Summit 1770.
- Luxury: 1770 Getaway Villas.
Conclusion: What To Do In Agnes Water, QLD.
With its epic coastal scenery, breathtaking seaside trails and proximity to numerous national parks, nature lovers will find no shortage of unforgettable and outstanding things to do in Agnes Water that leave them with lasting memories of this idyllic hidden gem.
