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.
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