Agnes Water is known as the northernmost surfing town on Australia’s east coast, providing a rare combination of excellent waves and direct access to the Great Barrier Reef. Along with mesmerising bluff walks, kayaking and fishing excursions, Agnes Water offers rich history on Captain Cook.
Things to do in Agnes Water
A perfect holiday destination for outdoor activities, Agnes Water embraces its coastal location with surf schools, kayaking adventures and stand-up paddleboard rentals. Head down to the main beach, positioned near the family-friendly Tom Jeffery Park, for some sunbathing or swimming in the cool Coral Sea. If the reef is on your bucket list, embark on a snorkel or scuba diving cruise from the neighbouring town of 1770.
Love to shop? You’ll find plenty of beach outlets and unique local boutiques around Agnes Water, including Reef 2 Beach Surf Shop and Red Cloud Jewels on Round Hill Road. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, grab a burger or seafood-inspired salad from Holidays Cafe or a gourmet tasting plate and craft beer from Codie’s Place.
Don’t forget to see the local wildlife at Horizons Kangaroo Sanctuary, nestled on a hill overlooking the Coral Sea and town below. Here you can see peacocks and kangaroos, including joeys, roaming and eating. Venture out on a deep-sea fishing charter for a slightly different wildlife experience, where you can reel in unique reef fish.
Learn about the town of Agnes Water through Indigenous and Islander artefacts, fossils and copies of Captain James Cook’s journals at the Agnes Water Museum. Afterwards, drive about 10 minutes to the Captain Cook Memorial, before continuing up to Bustard Bay Lookout and admiring panoramic vistas of windswept islands and beaches.
Getting around Agnes Water
Gladstone Airport, about a 1.5-hour drive away, is the closest airport to Agnes Water. Driving your own vehicle is the easiest way to get around, but there’s also a local 1770/Agnes shuttle that offers transfers between nearby towns.