If you don’t feel like going to an island but still want to 4WD, you should consider a trip up north to the small and sleepy seaside town of 1770.
One of the best kept secrets are the remote beaches that you can only reach via 4WD tracks through Deepwater National Park. Deepwater Creek is one of Queensland’s only undisturbed coastal freshwater streams.
Road trip stops on the way to 1770
To get to 1770, you can take the M1 and A1 up north if you are coming from Brisbane, Gold Coast or NSW. If you want to plan some stops on the way, well, that is an interesting challenge.
You can stop at some of the popular beachy sites of the Sunshine Coast such as Moololaba, Coolum or Noosa. If you feel like looking at tourist attractions, consider a stop at the Big Pineapple, Aussie World, or the Bellingham Maze.
Feeling more like a remote adventure in nature? Take the detour up to Mapleton and Montville, enjoy the rural charm and cool off with a swim in the rock pools on the Kondalilla Falls Circuit. This is one of the nicest shorter hikes in the region and part of the Sunshine Coast Great Walk.
If you are on the road on a Wednesday or Saturday, stop by at the Eumundi Markets before heading out to Gympie.
Getting to 1770
After that, there are kilometres of road with not much to see. If you get excited about stopping in Bundaberg, that is an option. However, don’t expect too much as there aren’t too many exciting things to see or do.
From Bundaberg, it is another 1.5 hours’ drive (130km) to the Town of Seventeen Seventy (1770). If it is dark by now, make sure to turn on the GPS if your driver struggles reading street signs at night-time (or in general). You may miss the one turnoff which then will allow you to follow a road to 1770 which is a mix of paved road and dirt road. We were not sure if that was actually part of taking you back in time or just the Queensland government allocating resources elsewhere and leaving roads half finished.
Once you get to Agnes Water, make sure to stop at Foodworks or the Friendly Grocer. 1770 doesn’t have any grocery stores itself.
Things to do in 1770
1770 is a small, sleepy town with great fishing opportunities, some hikes and beaches. You can hire a tinnie at the 1770 Marina at the 1770 Reef shop for $30 per hour.
Alternatively, you can also join them for a day tour to Lady Musgrave Island or Fitzroy Lagoon. The team also offers a Pancake Creek Tour.
The Lady Musgrave Island tour includes the trip to the island, a guided tour on the island, a glass bottom boat trip to look at the reef, and snorkelling. We were lucky to see plenty of fish and to get very close to some green turtles. Make sure to book in advance to ensure that you get a spot.
Lady Musgrave Island itself is located in a lagoon where the water is very clear. These are great conditions for snorkelling along the Great Barrier Reef. The island itself is a coral island and is entirely developed out of coral polyps. Birds nest on the island between October and December which can make a trip to the island a highlight for birdwatchers but also very noisy.
If you feel like staying on land instead, you can for a beach walk and enjoy your morning coffee at the Holidays Café located inside the caravan park in Agnes Water.
Best sunset spot is at Katrina’s Bar 1770 at the Marina. Enjoy a drink while watching the sunset or get some fresh fish and chips next door at the Rusty Pelican.
If you feel like going out for dinner instead, the Agnes Water Tavern is the place to go for well-presented and delicious food.
4WD Opportunities in 1770
A well-hidden secret is the 4WD tracks at the back of Agnes Water. If you want to camp remotely on the coast, Deepwater National Park is a great place to go.
You will need a high-clearance 4WD to get to the camping area but the camp site itself has composting toilets, showers, picnic tables and tap water that requires treatment before drinking.
The access to the 4WD track coming from Agnes Water is off Springs Road and called Wreck Rock Road. It then takes you around 4km through the rain forest until you reach the Flat Rock day-use area. The long flat rock runs parallel to the shore and builds a rock pool that is perfect for kids to play in.
If you then follow the track further down south for about 2.5km, you will reach the Middle Rock camping area. Another further 3km down the track is the Wreck Rock camping area. Both are very close to the beach and offer everything you wish for when looking for a remote camping spot.
4WD Upgrades at ProSpark Auto Electrical
If you want to get your 4WD prepared for the next camping or off-road adventure, contact our team from ProSpark today on 07 5620 4999. Alternatively, you can check out our 4WD upgrades and canopy setups online. Send us a website enquiry to find out more or book in for your 4×4 upgrade appointment.
