Seventeen Seventy

Seventeen Seventy, also written as 1770 and also known as the Town of 1770, is a coastal town and locality in the Gladstone Region, Queensland, Australia. The town is built on the site of the second landing in Australia by James Cook and the crew of HM Bark Endeavour in May 1770 (and their first landing in what is now the state of Queensland). Originally it was known as Round Hill after the creek it sits on, the name was changed in 1970 to commemorate the bicentennial of Cook’s visit

I stayed at The Caravan Park and camped right next to the Bay. Its a great place for fishing and boating. There is a bush historical walking track along the shore telling the story of the different plants here and how they were utilised by Cook to feed and medicate the Crew. The area’s wildlife and vegetation have been preserved as far as possible, together with the area’s natural environment, and an outer surf and inner still water beach, is a tourist attraction. There are also day cruises and flights to the outer Great Barrier Reef, to nearby Lady Musgrave Island and Pancake Creek, and the nearby Bustard Head lighthouse

Seventeen Seventy can be reached by a sealed road from Bundaberg, 120 kilometres to the south, going through Agnes Water . The town sustains a small permanent population; a significant holiday population makes it to the area to take advantage of fishing, Great Barrier Reef trips and other water activities.

The northern tip of the peninsula is mostly with the protected area of Joseph Banks (Round Hill Head) Conservation Park (24.1600°S 151.8883°E)

The story goes that Cook went ashore near Round Hill Head with his botanist Joseph Banks and assistant Daniel Solander. It was only the second time he had set foot on Australian soil. Cook noted in his book many pelicans were there as well as a species of bustard which they shot and ate. The crew considered it the best bird they had eaten since leaving England and in its honour called the inlet Bustard Bay.

Today 1770 is an area with incredible wildlife, estuaries, coastal rainforests and national parks. It is famous for its spectacular sunsets. Other hidden gems include Round Hill Headland where you can see the anchor from the ‘MV Countess Russell’ that became wrecked in 1873. As well as secluded beaches in the nearby Deepwater National Park and Eurimbula National Park. Between November and January you can watch turtles come ashore and lay their eggs or snorkel among brilliantly coloured tropical fish.