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 7002.

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.

Lady Musgrave Island 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 (07) 4971 6500.

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 1770 on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Boardings are at 7.00 a.m. for a 7.30 departure and the vessel returns at 5.00 p.m. The cost, at March 31, 2003, is $139 for adults and $71 for chidren (4-14 years). Bookings can be made in The Discovery Centre’ (tel: 07 4974 7002) on Endeavour Plaza, or by freecall, tel: (1800) 072 110, or by emailing info@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 7068.

1770 Environmental Tours offer tours on board the award-winning LARC (lighter amphibious resupply cargo vessel) to historical Bustard Head lighthouse. They run the tour of Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. There are also one-hour sunset cruises on the LARC to Eurimbula National Park which depart most days at 4:30 p.m., tel: (07) 4974 9422.

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 are day-hire or hourly rates 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.

	Tourist Information
	Discovery Coast Information Centre Roe St Miriam Vale Seventeen Seventy QLD 4677 Telephone: (07) 4974 5428
	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