Agnes Water & 1770 Hidden Gems – A Local’s Guide

There are plenty of lists and tourism blogs out there, telling you about the “top things to do” in Agnes Water and 1770. This isn't one of those.

After living here for more than 20 years, these are some of the places, little adventures and good value finds I’d tell friends about. Some are genuinely hidden, some aren't hidden at all, but they're all worth knowing about.

And before we start: none of the businesses mentioned here have paid me, asked to be included or offered me anything. These are simply places and things I personally like and recommend.

Well, except the kayak place. I am quite obviously affiliated with that one. Lol.

Agnes Water & 1770 hidden gems worth knowing about

So, here are my Agnes Water and 1770 hidden gems. Some well known, some a little harder to find, but all places or experiences I genuinely recommend.

Pick your own strawberries

If you're here during strawberry season, head out to Ron's Farm and pick your own. Fresh, sweet strawberries straight from the field and a great little outing, especially with kids during the September school holidays.

Local tip: Ron's is closed on Mondays.

Doesn't get much fresher than this. Pick-your-own strawberries at Ron's Farm.

Find some seriously good Japanese food

The little Japanese food van at the 1770 Holiday Village is one of those places you could easily miss, but shouldn't. It's a one-man show and the food is outstanding.

Local tip: Bring cash and order early. It's cash only, things can get busy, and he is usually closed on Tuesdays.

Have breakfast or lunch right by the beach

Holidays Cafe at the NRMA campground has a beautiful beachfront location and lovely food. And no, you don't need to be staying at the campground to go there.

Local tip: Take your time. Head to the beach before or after.

Best value hot chips in town – possibly all of Australia!

Yes. This is $4 worth of hot chips. Sauce included.

I actually think the photo makes it look smaller than it is!. This $4 serve of chips from the Rusty Pelican at the 1770 campground is easily enough for one person's lunch. Because sometimes all you want is some hot chips, right!? Right?!?!

Honestly, where else do you still get this kind of value?

And if you eat at the restaurant, the views over Round Hill Creek are pretty hard to beat.

Local tip: They're closed on Sundays, so plan your $4 lunch for another day.

$4 worth of hot chips. Sauce included. Million-dollar lunch spot.

Find a little bit of France in Agnes Water

Arôme Café is run by a proper French pastry chef and there are always some very tempting things in the cabinet.

Local tip: Don't decide what you're having before you get there. See what's on offer that day!

Visit our little local museum

The Agnes Water Museum is well worth a look, particularly if you'd like to know a bit more about the history of the area. It's not huge, but there's plenty packed into it.

Local tip: A good one to keep up your sleeve for a rainy day maybe. Although, that's also when it will be packed!

Go to the camping shop – even if you're not camping

This might sound like an odd recommendation, but our local camping shop has a surprisingly good selection of games: indoor games, outdoor games and things to take to the beach or play in the garden.

Local tip: Another good 'rainy day rescue' if you've got kids getting bored at the holiday house.

Have a browse at Make & Mend

If you like handmade, crafty and locally made things, have a wander through Make & Mend on Bicentennial Drive. It’s a lovely little shop and a good place to find something different while supporting local and regional makers at the same time.

Local tip: It’s a great little place for a browse, especially if you like discovering locally made and creative things and they sometimes offer workshops too.

Hire a bike

You can hire bicycles from Discover 1770, and it's a cheap and easy way to explore Agnes Water and 1770 at your own pace.

Local tip: Exlpre the Pole Art Trail by bike.

Make your kayak hire into an adventure

Okay, here's the one I'm definitely biased about.

Hire a kayak, pack some lunch and go exploring Round Hill Creek. Pick the right tide and you can stop on exposed sandbars, explore little beaches and poke around some of the mangrove channels. You can easily turn a few hours on the water into your own little expedition without spending a fortune.

Local tip: Ask us about the tide and wind before you plan your day. The creek changes enormously with the tide and we'll happily point you in the right direction.

And if you'd rather have someone else work out the tides and show you around, that's what our guided kayak tours are for.

Pick the right tide, find yourself a sandbar and turn a few hours of kayak hire into your own little adventure.

Saturday morning Workman’s Beach parkrun

Now, I should probably disclose that I don't run. I avoid running wherever possible and would much rather paddle somewhere!

But Workman’s Beach parkrun is a relatively new addition to Agnes Water and I think it's a great little community initiative. It's completely volunteer-run and happens every Saturday morning. The free, timed 5 km course takes you through the coastal bushland around Workman’s Beach, and you can run, jog or walk it.

Local tip: The briefing starts at 6:50am for a 7am start and visitors are very welcome. And apparently walking is perfectly acceptable. Which actually makes the whole thing considerably more appealing to me.

Find yourself an empty beach

If you've got a 4WD, spend a day exploring Eurimbula or Deepwater National Park. Even during the school holidays, you can often walk a short distance along the beach and suddenly have an enormous stretch of sand almost entirely to yourself.

Local tip: Don't stop where everyone else stops. Walk a little further.

Even in the school holidays, it doesn't take much to find a beach with nobody else on it.

Watch hundreds of rainbow bee-eaters

If you're visiting between August and January, head to the SES grounds and look for the rainbow bee-eaters. They nest around and in front of the stage (behind where the markets are held) and there can be hundreds of these beautiful little birds flying around.

Local tip: Look at the ground as well as the sky. They nest in burrows, so watch where you're walking and give the nesting areas plenty of space.

Rainbow bee-eaters arrive in large numbers during nesting season. Photo: Susan Ibbs

Go stargazing at 1770 Headland

Everyone goes to the 1770 Headland for the view, but go back after dark and it's a completely different experience. On a clear night it's a fantastic spot for stargazing.

Local tip: Check the moon. Go around a new moon, before the moon rises or after it has set and you'll see far more stars.

Walk the track most visitors don't

There's a lovely bush track running from Workman's Beach past Chinaman's Beach and on towards Springs Beach. It's much quieter than some of our better-known walks, particularly once you cross the Chinaman's Beach access road and continue south. This is a mostly sandy track and not suitable for wheelchair access or prams. It's a bush track.

Local tip: Don't turn around when you reach the road to Chinaman's Beach. Cross it and keep going. The second section is one of the nicest bits.

 The shady walking trail between Workmans Beach and Springs Beach – one of my favourite quiet walks in Agnes Water.

Explore the other side of the mangroves

Here's one that really is hidden. Between the SES grounds and the council depot there's a track leading into the bush. It takes you around the other side of the mangroves opposite some of the areas we paddle and towards Tom's Creek and the saltmarsh. Great for bird spotting.

Local tip: This isn't a manicured tourist walking trail. Wear sensible shoes, take some

water and treat it as a proper little bush wander.

Go to the local markets

The markets at the SES grounds are genuinely good. There's a big variety of stalls, plenty of handmade and locally produced things and lots of different food rather than 15 stalls all selling the same thing.

Local tip: The markets are on from 8am–12pm every 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month, and every Sunday during the school holidays. If you're visiting during bee-eater nesting season, have a look for them while you're there too.

Take a drive into the hinterland

Got a bit more time? Head inland along Blackmans Gap Road towards Many Peaks. It's a beautiful drive and a completely different landscape from the coast.

Stop at the Many Peaks Hotel for a cold drink and something to eat, then continue on to the rail trail and walk part of the old railway line through the tunnels.

Local tip: Don't rush this one. Make a half or full day of it and just go for a wander.

Stretch your legs on the Boyne Burnett Inland Rail Trail and explore some of the old railway tunnels near Many Peaks.

Go looking for wild kangaroos

If seeing a kangaroo in the wild is on your Australian holiday wish list, you don't necessarily need to go very far.

Take a slow drive through some of the quieter parts of Agnes Water, particularly The Ranches and Cove Estate, and keep your eyes open.

Local tip: Early morning and late afternoon are your best bet. Drive slowly, they're wildlife, so obviously they don't stick to the itinerary.

Take a slow drive around the quieter parts of Agnes Water and keep your eyes open – you never know who you'll find.

And finally...

There are plenty more little corners around Agnes Water and 1770 that could have made this list and I'll probably think of three more as soon as I publish it.

But that's half the fun of this place. Get away from the obvious spots, take your time, walk a little further, explore a side track and see what you find.

And if you discover a little local gem I've missed, let me know. I might need to add it to the list.