We had been to 1770 and Agnes Water on our big trip around the country in 2018. That post is here.
Much of what we had sought to do in 2018 up in Queensland had been denied us because of wind, rain and flooding. But for our visit here back then the weather was beautiful. As it was this time around.
Kerry’s snippets in fuchsia
Getting There
We arrived at 1770 from Bondoola on Thursday 27 Jun 2024 and left on 29 June, heading for home. Kerry’s back was getting more painful and she needed to see a doctor. I had 2 physio sessions so far – at Emerald and again at Mission Beach, but it was getting worse again.
History
First Nations
Prior to British colonisation Agnes Water, and still today, this area of central Queensland is the ancestral homelands of the Meerooni clan, Part of the larger Gureng Gureng nation that stretched along the coast from Bundaberg to Gladstone. This area enjoyed a fertile environment that supported a huge variety of wildlife, with fishing an important economic activity. The Meerooni have a long history of culture and tradition which is still continued today by First Nations people who call that country home.
I saw this interesting plaque at Wreck Point near Yeppoon – not the same people as here at Annus Water but I would guess it would also apply here for the Meerooni people.
Whilst at Springsure on this trip I also found some excellent information panels about the first Nations people in that area – around Emerald. I am guessing that life here would be pretty much the same as in that area. To read about these people, and particularly their use of plants for food and medicines, click here.
The way of life of the First Nations generally people can be read here in the first 5 or so pages after page 3 of that booklet. This is a generic assessment, not one specific to an area. Click here.
There was terrible conflict between the First Nations people and the British settlers in relation to access to land across the country – although I could not find any major such conflict for this area on the web. In other areas there were terribly tragic events that were commonplace as the British commandeered the land, and used the Native Mounted Police to clear the lands of the traditional owners. This is very well documented in the booklet Aboriginal people in Queensland: a brief human rights history issued by the Anti-Discrimination Commission Queensland, Click here.
British Colonial Times
Agnes Water
This sown is said to have been so named in honour of a coastal schooner, the Agnes, which was lost at sea in 1873, somewhere, it is believed, out to sea from the surf beach.
The area was used for sheep and cattle grazing from the 1850s especially around Turkey Beach, some distance to the north. In acknowledgement of the dangers of the area for coastal shipping, a lighthouse was constructed at Bustard Head, becoming operational in June 1868. Sawmilling was also an important industry in the area, especially in the period leading up to 1900.
Over time, the area became increasingly popular with holiday homes and weekenders being built, in particular from the 1970s, although the first residential subdivisions date from the 1930s.
Reflecting this growth and development, the Agnes Water Surf Life Saving Club was established in 1989, the State Primary School in 1990 and the Agnes Tavern in 1993.
Much of the area’s natural beauty has been preserved through the establishment of Eurimbula National Park, covering more than 23,000 hectares and the nearby Joseph Banks Environmental Park, located on the headland originally known as Round Head.
In the 2021 census, the locality of Agnes Water had a population of 2,729 people.
1770
The town of Seventeen Seventy is named because on 24 May in that year, James Cook, captain of the Endeavour, came ashore and landed on the beach of Round Hill Creek in the vicinity of the present village.
Cook left the ship for the shore and made their first landing in what is now Queensland and their second landing in Australia (after Sydney). Cook made eleven landings on the eastern seaboard and ten of these were in Queensland.
To read more about the colonisation of the area click here.
Day 1 – Thursday 27 June 2024 – To the Reef Van Park
The drive from Bondoola to 1770 is a 257km drive down the Bruce Highway. The Highway has a poor reputation but it is generally ok – lots of passing lanes and truck stops, but fewer rest areas than we are used to in NSW. We skirted Rockhampton and Gladstone before reaching Miriam Vale and the turnoff to the coast. Again the countryside was quite pretty.
We stopped at Miriam Vale to get a few Crab Pies, but they weren’t as tasty as they were back in 2018 sadly. But we did take away a few pies for dinner.
We were at the Reef Caravan Park which was very spacious and with pretty good facilities. It is a bit out of town – next to the golf course. We were able to order fish and chips for dinner that night delivered to the camp kitchen. Excellent!
Day 2 – Friday 25 June 2024 – Looking around
We drove to 1770 and parked near the cafe – which looked a bit of a mess. We then walked along the foreshore.
Then we came to the 1770 van park – we were so glad we had not gone there – it is packed with vans so close to each other.
We continued our walk up to the Cook monument.
From there we checked out more of the foreshore beaches before I went back to get the car.
We then drove up to the Headland Lookout.
I went up to the Bustard Bay Lookout – more great views.
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From there Kerry drove to the cafe for a hot chocolate and I walked back along the foreshore to meet her there.
From there we went to Anges Water. It was pretty busy but a really good atmosphere.
For the rest of the afternoon we spent our time getting ready for the drive home – some 590km.
To see the photos from this post click here.