100 Best Towns In Australia #66 The Town Of 1770, QLD

An environmentalist’s dream on the Qld coast between Bundaberg and Gladstone, Seventeen Seventy sits perched north of Agnes Water along Captain Cook Drive, the state’s northernmost surfing beach.

Part of a (for now) largely untouched natural region, it’s a stepping off point to the Great Barrier Reef and is surrounded by four national parks. The town is renowned for its great fishing (charters can be hired from Seventeen Seventy Marina), but if you don’t manage to catch dinner you can always dine in one of the town’s two restaurants or pick up supplies at the general store. But be warned; there’s not much else in town (largely untouched, remember?).

For a truly historic experience here, plan your trip early and stay at Heritage Cottage. The first building erected on the headland, the cottage sits atop cliffs with sweeping views of the Pacific. If Heritage is booked, there’s a variety of other offerings, from camping to luxury serviced villas. The coastline drive from Brisbane is the best way to begin your Seventeen Seventy experience, but fly or drive, this little secret is definitely worth a visit. But hurry, before the secret’s out.

Where? // 130km (2hrs) southeast of Gladstone, the same northwest of Bundaberg.

Did you know? // Considered the “Birthplace of Qld”, the little town was named after the year in which Captain Cook first stepped ashore in the Endeavour.