AGNES WATER, often referred to as “The Byron Bay of the North”, has been drawing visitors from far and wide to its magnificent beaches and spectacular surrounds ever since 1770 when Lieutenant James Cook, botanist Joseph Banks, and some of their crew from the British ship Endeavour stepped ashore.

On 23 May 1770, in the middle of their voyage of exploration around the world, they had arrived near the mouth of a large lagoon along the eastern coast of a land they were investigating that was called New Holland.

A crewman shot an 8kg bird called a bustard and Banks declared that he had eaten no bird to equal its taste since leaving England more than two years earlier.

Cook – soon to be a captain – named the place Bustard Bay. The town that grew nearby is called Seventeen Seventy, after the year of the Endeavour’s visit, and next to it is the beautiful and historic settlement of Agnes Water, where investors have the opportunity to purchase a six-hectare holiday park with enormous development potential.

Agnes Water is situated between two major regional centres, an hour and a half from both Bundaberg and Gladstone, and 450 kilometres north of Brisbane.

The 1770 Southern Cross Travellers Retreat was previously a backpackers and hire business, and offers a 15-acre title of developed land with various buildings, operational business, dam and three-phase power. The freehold park is on sale at $3,500,000, but there are also 11 undeveloped acres adjoining the property on offer.

Tony Johnson from Tourism Brokers said the potential for the site was virtually unlimited. There are eight cabins, and three other lettable buildings, 12 powered caravan sites (two with slabs), as well as an unlimited number of unpowered camping sites. The present owners have been there for 20 years and have continually developed the accommodation.

The property, on Round Hill Road, has a central communal building comprising male and female amenities, kitchen, bar, and a massive undercover relaxation and entertainment area suitable for up to 250 people for functions.

The main house has four bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a lock-up garage that can fit three cars.

There is also an attached three-bedroom, one-bathroom residence and another attached two-room residence.

“The retreat also has a large machinery shed, and another large shed which was used as a mechanics workshop and for undercover vehicle storage, as well as various outbuildings,” Mr Johnson said..

“The dam there is never dry and holds 11 mega litres, supplying grey water and property irrigation. There are also 16 tanks of 6000 gallons that supply fresh water for drinking, and showering.

“Water is not a problem at the property which is important for any future development.”

Mr Johnson said the park was used as backpackers accommodation until COVID forced a change of operation.

He said it offered an “an amazing development opportunity for someone with vision”, and that subject to council approval the possibilities were “endless for an entrepreneur”.

“It could really be developed big time,” Mr Johnson said. “There are 26 acres in total less than four kilometres from the ocean.

“It’s a huge parcel of land and so many options for a new owner. At Agnes Water right now there are more than 1000 building developments that have either been approved or awaiting approval by the local council.

“There’s a new shopping centre that should be open before the end of the year only about 500 metres from the travellers retreat.

“So there’s a lot of infrastructure and money being spent in the area.

“It’s a signal that maybe it’s time to jump on this offer and look at the big picture.”