Seventeen Seventy (including Miriam Vale)
Small under-developed holiday resort town.
Seventeen Seventy is a small seaside resort noted for its pleasant beaches and good fishing. It is located 501 km north of Brisbane between Gladstone in the north and Bundaberg to the south-east. The most common access is via Miriam Vale which lies on the Bruce Highway, 63 km to the west-south-west of Seventeen Seventy. This road takes you straight through Agnes Water which is 6 km south of Seventeen Seventy. The road is sealed all the way from Miriam Vale except for approximately 2.2 km. It is sealed all the way from Bundaberg. Deepwater National Park, Eurimbula National Park and Round Hill Head are nearby.
On Wednesday 24 May 1770, Lieutenant James Cook anchored the Endeavour about 3 km off this part of the coast. The ship was 32 metres by 9 metres and weighed 374 tonnes. Provisions included 81 tonnes of water, 9.64 tonnes of bread in bags, 5460 litres of beer in puncheons, 4000 pieces of beef and 1.13 tonnes of raisins.
Cook went ashore near Round Hill Head with botanist Joseph Banks and his assistant Daniel Solander. It was only the second time during the voyage that he had set foot on Australian soil and his first venture on dry land at what is now called Queensland. The party landed within the south point of the bay where they found a channel leading into a large lagoon. Cook wrote: 'In this place there is room for a few ships to lie in great security, and a small stream of fresh water'. They noted many pelicans and, upon the shore, a species of bustard, one of which was shot. They considered it the best bird they had eaten since leaving England, and in honour of it they called the inlet Bustard Bay.
Cook's party did not see any Aborigines during their shore visit, but they did find campsites, fires and artifacts. From the ship, however, members of the Endeavour's crew observed about 20 members of the Meerooni tribe on the beach. The Endeavour set sail at 4.30 the following morning. 63 km from Miriam Vale (all but 5 km are sealed and this should be tarred by 2001), Seventeen Seventy has one of the most original (and unusual) names of any town in Australia. It was named - no prizes for guessing - because of Lieutenant James Cook's voyage up the east coast of Australia in 1770.
It was here that Cook made his second landing on Australian soil (his first had been at Botany Bay) and, if you are a patriotic Queenslander, it was here that the first European set foot on Queensland soil on 24 May 1770. This historic occasion is commemorated by the Captain Cook Memorial at nearby Round Hill Head.
Today the town is a small seaside resort which is noted for its pleasant beaches and good fishing.
Things to see:
Tourist Information
The Discovery Centre, located in Endeavour Plaza at Agnes Water, is a private visitor information bureau and can assist with accommodation, tour bookings and other local information, tel: (07) 4974 7570.
Be sure to pick up a copy of 'The Ultimate Survival Guide to Agnes Water & Town of 1770' from The Discovery Centre. It's a comprehensive guide on what to do, where to stay, where to eat, the best fishing spots, etc, and it also has excellent maps of the towns, beaches, coastal areas and of Round Hill Creek.
Round Hill Headland
At the end of the peninsula is Round Hill Headland where you can see the anchor from the 'MV Countess Russell' which, in 1873, was wrecked to the south, on what has become known as Wreck Rock (off Deepwater National Park).
It is particularly pleasant to watch the sun rise over the ocean and set over Bustard Bay from Round Hill Head. This is one of the few places in Queensland where the sun sets over the water.
Captain Cook Monument
The Captain Cook Monument is located on Captain Cook Drive on the way to Round Hill Headland.
The Turtles
One of the great natural wonders of this stretch of coastline occurs between November and January when the turtles come ashore to lay their eggs.
Capricornia Cays National Park
Lady Musgrave Island is an 14-ha coral cay of the Bunker Group, Surrounded by a coral reef with a circumference of 8 km, it is noted for its plenitude of brilliantly coloured tropical fish, its hard and soft corals, casuarina and pisonia forest, white sandy beaches, and its nesting turtles and seabirds, particularly the terns which nest here on a seasonal basis. Bush camping is permitted on the island but there are no shops and no facilities (come prepared for self-sufficiency with fresh water and a fuel stove) and spaces are limited so bookings are required. It can also get noisy during the tern nesting season. Bushwalking, nature study, reef walking, diving and snorkelling can all be enjoyed. Bookings can be made on 1317468. For more information check out: http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/parks/capricornia-cays/camping.html
Lady Musgrave Barrier Reef Cruises provide day trips to Lady Musgrave Island. A day trip includes the options of snorkelling off a floating pontoon, scuba diving (for an additional fee), or simply viewing the reef via the semi-submersible, which offer views from two metres below the waterline, or the glass-bottom boats. Other activities include fish feeding, island walks with commentary, a seafood lunch and morning and afternoon tea. Reef walking shoes and sunscreen are provided. The cruises depart from the Town of 1770. Boardings are at 8.00 a.m. for a 8.30am departure and the vessel returns at 5.00 p.m. The cost, at November, 2010, is $175 for adults and $85 for children (4-14 years). Bookings can be made in The Discovery Centre’ (tel: 07 4974 7570) on Endeavour Plaza, or by freecall, tel: (1800) 072 110 or check out: http://www.lmcruises.com.au/
National Parks
Nearby are both Deepwater National Park and Eurimbula National Park which are characterised by rainforests, native shrubs, open heathland, swamplands, coastal vegetation, waterholes, plenty of native animals and birdlife including emus. There are some lovely secluded beaches which afford excellent opportunities for swimming and both beach and rock-fishing. For further information on both parks go to the entry on Agnes Water which is the departure point for any potential visitor.
Fishing
Rock fishing, surf fishing, estuary and reef fishing available either privately or through commercial operators (see entry on Tours, Cruises and Hire Services below for further information).
Tours, Cruises and Hire Services
1770 Adventure Tours offer half-day, full-day, and overnight guided tours which explore the area around 1770 and Eurimbula National Park. They also hire out canoes and bicycles, tel: (07) 4974 9794 or check out: http://www.1770tours.com/
1770 Environmental Tours offer tours on board the award-winning LARC (lighter amphibious resupply cargo vessel) to historical Bustard Head lighthouse. They run various tours that operate of specific days. There are also one-hour sunset cruises on the LARC to Eurimbula National Park which depart daily of demand at 4:30 p.m., tel: (07) 4974 9422 or check out: http://www.1770larctours.com.au/
1770 Marina Boat Hire facilitate fishing and mud crabbing in Round Hill Creek. The waters are safe waters and no licence is required. The best time for boating is two hours either side of high tide. There is day-hire for $95 or half day for $65 and the boats are 5 hp outboards, tel: (07) 4974 9227.
Discovery Coast Catamaran Hire are located on the foreshore at 1770, tel: (07) 4974 9686.
Sport Fish 1770 offer half and full-day trips to nearby reefs and islands in a fast, safe and comfortable boat accommodating up to four passengers. Indulge in offshore sport, game, reef and fly fishing, tel: (07) 4974 9686.
Dive 1770 have courses and dives on the Great Barrier Reef. Contact (07) 4974 9359. Reef Jet travels to Fitzroy Reef Coral Lagoon for a full day of snorkelling and/or diving, as well as glass bottom boat and reef education experiences. tel: 1800 1770 11.
Motels
Colosseum Motel
Bruce Hwy Miriam Vale
Seventeen Seventy QLD 4677
Telephone: (07) 4974 5244
Rating: **
Mango Tree Motel
Agnes St Agnes Water
Seventeen Seventy QLD 4677
Telephone: (07) 4974 9132
Rating: **
Miriam Vale Motel
Bruce Hwy Miriam Vale
Seventeen Seventy QLD 4677
Telephone: (07) 4974 5233
Rating: **
Hotels
Agnes Waters Tavern
Tavern Rd Agnes Water
Seventeen Seventy QLD 4677
Telephone: (07) 4974 9469
Miriam Vale Hotel
Bruce Hwy Miriam Vale
Seventeen Seventy QLD 4677
Telephone: (07) 4974 5209
Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
Bustard Bay Bed & Breakfast
Endeavour St
Seventeen Seventy QLD 4677
Telephone: (07) 4974 9639
Rating: **
Hoban's Hideaway Bed & Breakfast
2510 Round Hill Rd Agnes Water
Seventeen Seventy QLD 4677
Telephone: (07) 4974 9144
Rating: *****
The Top Spot Bed & Breakfast
Woodrow Dve Agnes Water
Seventeen Seventy QLD 4677
Telephone: (07) 4974 7023
Apartments
Agnes Palms Beachside Apartments
Captain Cook Dve Agnes Water
Seventeen Seventy QLD 4677
Telephone: (07) 4974 7200
Coolabah Holiday Accommodation
Captain Cook Dve
Seventeen Seventy QLD 4677
Telephone: (07) 4974 9098
Holiday Homes & Units
Richardson & Wrench
Endeavour Plaza Agnes Water
Seventeen Seventy QLD 4677
Telephone: (07) 4974 9499
Shoreline Realty
Captain Cook Dve Agnes Water
Seventeen Seventy QLD 4677
Telephone: (07) 4974 9600
Holiday Flats & Units
1770 "Beach Shacks"
578 Captain Cook Dve
Seventeen Seventy QLD 4677
Telephone: (07) 4974 9463
Facsimile: (07) 4974 9463
Rating: ****1/2
Cottages & Cabins
1770 Holiday Cabin Retreat
2276 Round Hill Rd Agnes Water
Seventeen Seventy QLD 4677
Telephone: (07) 4974 9270
Rating: ****
The Beach Cottage
Captain Cook Dve
Seventeen Seventy QLD 4677
Telephone: (07) 4974 9180
The Headland Holiday Cottage
Tupia St
Seventeen Seventy QLD 4677
Telephone: (07) 4974 9215
Lodges & Chalets
The 1770 Reef House
8 Endeavour St
Seventeen Seventy QLD 4677
Telephone: (07) 4974 9463
Facsimile: (07) 4974 9463
Email: beachshack@1770.net
Web site: http://www.1770beachshacks.com
Rating: ****1/2
Green Turtle Lodge
Graham Colyer Dve Agnes Water
Seventeen Seventy QLD 4677
Telephone: (07) 4974 9600
Sir Joseph Banks Lodge
Captain Cook Dve Agnes Water
Seventeen Seventy QLD 4677
Telephone: (07) 4974 9502
Sovereign Lodge
Elliott St
Seventeen Seventy QLD 4677
Telephone: (07) 4974 9257
Zamia Lodge
Zamia Court Agnes Water
Seventeen Seventy QLD 4677
Telephone: (07) 4974 9600
Caravan Parks
1770 Camp Ground
Captain Cook Dve
Seventeen Seventy QLD 4677
Telephone: (07) 4974 9286
Rating: **
Agnes Waters Caravan Park
Jeffery Court Agnes Water
Seventeen Seventy QLD 4677
Telephone: (07) 4974 9193
Captain Cook Holiday Village
Captain Cook Dve
Seventeen Seventy QLD 4677
Telephone: (07) 4974 9219
Rating: **
Camping & Other
Deep Water & Eurimbula National parks
Seventeen Seventy QLD 4677
Telephone: (07) 4974 9350
Lady Musgrave Island
Seventeen Seventy QLD 4677
Telephone: (07) 4974 9077
Restaurants
1770 Store "The Tree"
Captain Cook Dve
Seventeen Seventy QLD 4677
Telephone: (07) 4974 9599
Aggie's at the Agnes Water Tavern
Tavern Rd Agnes Water
Seventeen Seventy QLD 4677
Telephone: (07) 4974 9469
Agnes Water Chinese Restaurant
Agnes Water Shoping Centre Agnes Water
Seventeen Seventy QLD 4677
Telephone: (07) 4974 9062
The Deck Bar & Bistro at Captain Cook Holiday Village
Captain Cook Dve
Seventeen Seventy QLD 4677
Telephone: (07) 4974 9157
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