history buffs love our area because of our connection to captain james cook but there is so much more to discover
Every May Cook’s landing is celebrated with a re-enactment on the 1770 foreshore complete with Gooreng Gooreng dreamtime stories, but if you’re not here in May, make sure you call into the Agnes Water Museum – you’ll be glad you did.
The Discovery Coast Historical Society can answer all your natural and human history related questions at the Agnes Water Museum, located in the Arthur Jeffrey Building on Springs Road. Browse through the extensive collections including indigenous artefacts, maritime history, geology and mineralogy, botany, marine biology, local history and the Bustard Head Lighthouse. There is even a small shop with locally produced books.
did you know?
- The traditional custodians of this land are the Bailai, Gooreng Gooreng, Gurang and Taribelang Bunda people.
- 1770 was only the second place in Australia (and the first in what is now known as Queensland) where James Cook made landfall – on 23 May 1770 (if you think the date should be 24 May – make sure you ask Museum staff why).
- Cook was a Lieutenant when he arrived. Later he was promoted to Captain.
- Cook had Secret orders (and the museum has a copy!)
- The town of 1770 was originally known as Round Hill. It changed to its current name in 1936.
- Agnes Water is named after a ship (called The Agnes) that was lost at sea in 1867. With the precise area unknown sailors would say “these are the waters where the Agnes was lost” and the name Agnes Water was adopted for the town in 1880.
agnes water museum
Open 7 days a week, 10am to 2pm
Cost: $5 per adult. Children under 15 are free if accompanied by an adult.
69 Springs Road, Agnes Water
(07) 4974 9511