How did the Town of 1770 get its name?

The Town of 1770 in Queensland is named after the year. Specifically, it is named after the year when Lt James Cook and the crew of the Endeavour visited.

Australia has no shortage of town names that sound unusual to the foreign ear, but most of these are of Aboriginal extraction.

One that most definitely is not, however, is the Town of 1770 in Queensland. So, how did a number become a town’s name?

How 1770 got its name

The name 1770 refers to the year, not a random number. This was the year that Lt James Cook and the crew of the Endeavour discovered the East Coast of Australia.

The first place they saw was Point Hicks in Victoria, and the first place they landed was Botany Bay in New South Wales.

Five reasons why a day tour to Lady Musgrave Island should top your wish list

A Lady Musgrave Island day trip is usually the highlight of a visit to 1770/ Agnes Water. Here’s why it’s so special.

The Great Barrier Reef is in excellent condition here – it hasn’t received the bleaching damage that other spots further north have.
This is stinger and crocodile-free territory – perfect for a summer trip.
Lady Musgrave has the only navigable lagoon on the Great Barrier Reef – the water colours are extraordinary.
That lagoon makes the water really, really calm for swimming and snorkelling.
You’re almost certainly going to see turtles.

Book your Lady Musgrave Island day trip over here.

The second place Cook landed in Australia

However, the second place Cook and the Endeavour landed in Australia was on the Queensland coast, in what was originally called Round Hill. This was in May 1770.

Therefore, the Town of 1770 gets its name from Lt James Cook and the Endeavour landing there in May 1770.

What was the original name of the Town of 1770?

The settlement was originally known as Round Hill, and it lies on Round Hill Creek. However, it was decided in 1936 that the name should change to acknowledge the historical significance of the location.

The official name of the town is Seventeen Seventy, but almost everyone uses the numerals instead.

What to book in 1770/ Agnes Water before you arrive

See the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef – on a Lady Musgrave Island day tour.
Hire a scooter – and pootle around the back lanes looking for kangaroos.
Kick back with sparkling wine on a sunset cruise.
(Highly recommended ✅) Travel on land and water, and try sandboarding – on a quirky full day amphibious vehicle tour.
Or take a shorter wildlife-spotting coastline tour, with lunch.
Get the best deals on your accommodation.

Where is 1770?

1770 is on the east coast of Australia, between Bundaberg and Gladstone in Central Queensland. It is on the same latitude as Lady Elliot Island, the southernmost point of the Great Barrier Reef.

Agnes Water Main Beach in neighbouring twin town Agnes Water is the northernmost surf beach in Queensland.

Things to do in 1770 and Agnes Water include sunset cruises, amphibious vehicle tours to Eurimbula National Park and Great Barrier Reef day tours to Lady Musgrave Island.

Good places to stay with pools include the 1770 Lagoons Central Apartments Resort, the Sandcastles 1770 Motel and the Agnes Water Beach Club.