Joseph Banks Conservation Park

Bustard Bay lightstation

The Town of 1770 /  Agnes Water, a little known gem of a destination on the central Queensland coast, is home to a fleet of novel but very practical amphibious vehicles that are used to take guests on full day part-land, part-sea coastal adventures.
The tour begins at 9am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays (more tours are scheduled during school holidays) from the Marina at 1770 where the bright pink ex-army Larc vehicles are boarded. The Larc then travels along the coastline of Eurimbula National Park, crossing four tidal creeks, before four wheel driving up the steep climb to the historic Bustard Head Lightstation. Well versed guides provide an informative commentary on the area's abundant wildlife and the history of Bustard Bay.
The tour includes Morning tea, picnic lunch with billy tea, coffee and LARC juice, an historical and environmental commentary throughout the journey, an interpretive tour through the head lighthouse keeper’s cottage at Bustard Head and a guided walk to the light-station graveyard. The adventurous can participate in sand-boarding down the towering dunes of Middle Island.

Eurimbula National Park: this National Park is the site Lieut. James Cook chose for his first landing in Queensland back in 1770. Today it is a paradise for bushwalkers, boaties and anglers. The 360 metre walking track to Ganoonga Noonga lookout offers views along the coast and across swamps and heathlands. Joseph Banks Conservation Park's rocky headland is bounded by ocean on the east and estuary to the west and provides magnificent views north across Eurimbula National Park to Bustard Head and Rodd's Peninsula. The National Park is a favourite spot for beach fishing and at high tide, Eurimbula Creek can be explored by boat or canoe (not included on this tour). The park is 14 kilometres west of Agnes Water.

Afternoon Cruise: An afternoon Larc cruise is available daily and subject to demand. This cruise operates between 4.30 and 5.30pm, allowing guests to experience the peaceful solitude and changing moods of the tropical paradise that is 1770. The cruise takes in the magic of Round Hill Creek and Eurimbula National Park with its wildlife and magnificent views of Round Hill Head and the coastline.

Prices, more information:

The Larc Amphibious Vehicle: The LARC-5 (Lighter Amphibious Resupply Cargo) is an aluminium hulled Army amphibious vehicle developed in the US in the 1950s to ferry supplies from ships to shore. Its total possible load is 5 tonnes (hence the five after LARC). Although no longer manufactured, all three sizes LARC-5, LARC-15, and LARC-60's still see service both within and outside the military. The maximum speed of the LARC on land is 40 km/hr and approximately 11 km/hr (6 knots) in water. The vehicle is powered by four 265 horsepower GMC marine diesel engines. Each engine drives one wheel on land. The two engines on each side are coupled to drive one of the twin propellers in the water.