Campervan Travel on Queensland's Discovery Coast

Leaving Rainbow Beach in our motorhome we thought about whether we should just pass through Bundaberg and head on to our next holiday base, Agnes Waters. But me and my husband Bruce are big fans of Bundaberg Rum and have been keen to do a tour of the distillery for years. So we decided to drive the three hours to Bundaberg in the morning, do the tour, spend the night and then mosey on to Agnes Waters in the morning.
The drive is a pleasant one, and the early start we got meant the mist was heavy in the National Park forest around Rainbow Beach which was very scenic. After passing through Maryborough the countryside became very agricultural, and the lush vegetation is testament to the fertility of the region. We stopped in Childers for a drink, and took a moment to look at the shrine there dedicated to the young backpackers that lost their lives in the hostel fire here in 2000.
We reached Bundaberg in the late morning, and headed straight across to the distillery for our tour. They leave on the hour every hour, and you are advised to be there 15 minutes early and to wear enclosed shoes. Its just five bucks to go on the tour, and our two kids are under 18 so it was two bucks for them- not bad to find out how Australia's most famous spirit is made!
The tour is informative and fun, with options to test the finished product. It gave us the chance to stock up on a couple of bottles for our evening sundowners too!
Never having been to Bundaberg, we were at a bit of a loss as to what to do for the rest of the afternoon. Its a small town, geared heavily towards providing backpacker accommodation to the seasonal fruit pickers that come in to work on the surrounding farms. We booked into the Midtown Caravan Park Village, which is very central and had adequate facilities.
We asked a friendly local what would be the best way to fill our afternoon, and he pointed us in the direction of Mon Repos Beach, home to a famous turtle rookery. We did see a couple of big turtles gliding through the water, and spent the afternoon relaxing on the pretty beach before heading back to the caravan park for a couple of Bundy's and an early night!

1. Lady Musgrave Island- Take a day trip out to this magical island on the Great Barrier Reef, and snorkel or scuba dive the vast turquoise lagoon and the coral cay. Is accessed from 1770.
2. Turkey Beach- This delightful coastal village is on the shores of some amazing waterways. Enjoy the variety of fishing on offer here.
3. Explore the Eurimbula or the Deepwater National Park- dramatic landscapes, mangrove swamps and creek scenery will make your journey memorable.
4. Town of 1770 and Agnes Waters- More information on these below, but be sure not to miss their relaxed atmosphere and pristine beaches.
5. Baffle Creek- Satisfy your cravings for the outdoors on teh extensive estuaries and tributaries of the Baffle Creek River System.
6. Fitzroy Reef- Off the shoreline of 1770 lies 2000 acres of beautiful lagoon, the turquiose waters of which are home to amazing coral and fish species.
7. Bustard Head- you can take an eco tour in an amphibious vehicle of the stunning Bustard Head and its historic lighthouse.
8. Boyne Valley- on a drive through here you will discover tiny villages amidst rugged mountain scenery.
9. Miriam Vale- a large administrative town, Miriam Vale is a charming place to stopover and browse the quaint shops on main street.
10. Rodds Bay- near to Turkey Beach, this large bay is a dugong sanctuary where you will often bump into these mysterious mammals!

Its just over 130 kilometres from Bundaberg to Agnes Waters, and with each kilometre our excitement mounted! The Discovery Coast is so named because it is the first part of the Australian coast that Capt. Cook and his landing party came into contact with in the 1700's. The Town of 1770, which is just a few minutes north of Agnes, marks the spot where they first landed in 1770. They must have thought they had found paradise, with the white sandy beaches, palm trees and the rocky headland creating a picture perfect setting. We certainly did, as we drove into town in our campervan.
These twin towns are a relatively undiscovered tourist spot, but that is changing fast. Secluded and somewhat hidden away they were once a great spot for an isolated getaway, but word is spreading about their beauty and the special coastal atmosphere here, and the tourists are starting to flock in. We couldnt get any accommodation in Agnes, so headed up to 1770 and booked into the Captain Cook Holiday Village, which has great views of Bustard Bay.
Obviously one of the chief attractions of the area are the stunning beaches, which definitely meet all the criteria of a tropical paradise. Agnes is the location of the last surf beach on the Queensland coast, any higher and the Great Barrier Reef stops the waves from reaching the shore. My son Derek enjoyed the last chance for a surf while the rest of us enjoyed the peaceful beach!
The Great Barrier Reef is accessible from here, and there are charters available to head out there for scuba diving and snorkelling. Most people choose to take a charter to Lady Musgrave Island though, as a visit to an island this unique really is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Draped in thick green rainforest, and bordered by a sandy white beach, this island sits on the edge of a large and sheltered coral lagoon that is home to hundreds of species of marine life. Its perfect for scuba diving and snorkelling, and the safe conditions mean even novices can enjoy the underwater delights of the lagoon! Glass bottom boats also do tours here, so everyone really does have a chance to experience the lagoon.
Back on the mainland and there are two National Parks you can explore in your camper, Eurimbulla and Deepwater. We decided on Eurimbulla, for no reason in particular, but were delighted with the isolated feel of the park. The landscape seem to change with every kilometre, from mangrove estuaries to windswept coastline to thick rainforest vegetation. There were rudimentary campsites in the park, and you have to pay the rangers to camp there so remember to check in at the range station. A night in the park was a special bush experience, and just showed to us how beneficial travelling in a motorhome is- the freedom to explore is yours!
You cannot help but leave Agnes and the Town of 1770 more relaxed than when you arrived. There is so much to do and see, but none of it requires much effort. The friendly locals make your stay even more special, and chances are you will stay a lot longer than originally intended!

Continue with us on our journey as we head to Rockhampton and Mackay.