Why 1770 Is One of the Most Unusual — and Worthwhile — Towns in Australia
I’ve traveled through a lot of small towns in Australia, but only one has a name made entirely of numbers. 1770 — that’s the town. And yes, it’s more than just a historical footnote.
It Starts Slow, and Then Slows Down More
There’s not much here, and that’s kind of the point. With just over 100 permanent residents, 1770 sits quietly between Bustard Bay and the Coral Sea. It doesn’t try to impress you. It just lets you be.
I arrived with my extend backpack — a 20L expandable pack that held my swim gear, camera, and just enough clothes for a few quiet days. The kind of setup that feels like a soft boundary: enough to move, but not enough to rush.
Mornings: Still Bays and Empty Beaches
I paddled a kayak before breakfast one morning. Calm water, no noise, just a few seabirds tracing the same routes overhead. Agnes Water, just next door, is great for surfing, but I preferred the slower side of things.
By midmorning, I was walking the quiet shoreline, eating pineapple with sand on my fingers. No pressure to do much. No pressure to post anything.
Afternoons: Islands and LARC Tours
This is also the launch point for day trips to Lady Musgrave Island. I joined a snorkel boat and drifted above coral, sea turtles grazing beneath me like they were in no rush either.
There’s also the bright pink 1770 LARC! Tour — a half-truck, half-boat that rolls right from the street into the water. Kids love it. I loved the way it made the coastline feel like an open-air storybook.
Evenings: Light That Doesn't Need Editing
Sunset here doesn’t need music or wine. Just a spot to sit. I laid out my jacket near the edge of the bay, and the colors turned slowly — from orange to gold to something I couldn’t name. That felt like enough.
🎒 What I brought: EXPED Extend Backpack 20L – minimalist, expandable, and perfect for coastal solo days where you never need more than one bag.
