Young travellers exploring Australia’s East Coast trail know about Fraser Island / K’gari and its drawcard as a large sand island. Yet many wander right past the striking sand dunes in Eurimbula National Park which are included in the Full Day Paradise Tour experience with 1770 LARC! Tours — and that’s a mistake. One full day, a pink amphibious vessel, remote beaches with no other way in, a sandboard under you, on back dunes above Jenny Lind Creek, bordering the Southern Great Barrier Reef, …… BLISS!
Quick Links
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- What You Actually Do on the Full Day Paradise Tour
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- Why the LARC Changes the Whole Day
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- Sandboarding at 1770
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- What to Bring and What to Expect
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- Frequently Asked Questions
What You Actually Do on the Full Day Paradise Tour
The Full Day Paradise Tour covers 27km of coastline between the Town of 1770 and Bustard Head Lightstation — beaches, headland, tidal creeks, and sandbars that all sit inside Eurimbula National Park and are completely inaccessible without the amphibious LARC capabilities.
The day includes:
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- Riding in the unique LARC vessel across the water and along remote stretches of beach
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- Sandboarding on the inland dunes with spectacular panoramic views, and none of the crowds of K’gari
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- A visit to Bustard Head Lightstation and INSIDE the working lighthouse tower, operating since 1868
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- Two meals, experienced skipper, tour guide and miles of coastline – all available for your enjoyment!
It’s a full day out, not a basic 45-minute cruise. If you’re spending a few days in Agnes Water or 1770, this is THE experience to build your stay around.
Why the LARC Changes the Whole Day
The LARC is an amphibious vehicle — it drives on sand, enters the water, cruises like a boat, and keeps going despite different terrain. At any moment you can be rolling along the beach, then turn into the ocean, sometimes catching people off guard!
That’s the adventure. The pink LARC hull against turquoise water, some spray, the reaction from everyone onboard. People who’ve done 20 LARC tours say it still gets them.
Beyond the novelty, this vessel is why the tour gets to the places it does. There’s no track, no 4WD convoy, no waiting at a gate. The robust LARC shows off more adventure and more unseen beaches than most visitors ever see.
Sandboarding at 1770
If you’ve ever done sandboarding, you know what’s involved. Hours in a 4WD, a lot of other people, short, downhill stretches, it’s worth doing — but it’s a production.
At 1770 LARC! Tours, sandboarding is one part of a full day tour, that also puts you inside an historic lighthouse tower, reading headstones of a small intriguing graveyard, and on beaches where the only other people there came on the same LARC as you. The back dunes above Bustard Bay may not be quite as famous as dunes on K’gari, Fraser, or Moreton Island. And they are also not as busy. WIN!
For young travellers doing the East Coast run, the Town of 1770 and Agnes Water is often only a one-night stop. This needs to change. The Full Day Paradise Tour is absolutely an excellent reason to stay longer.
What to Bring and What to Expect
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- Footwear: Closed shoes or sturdy sandals for the tour, and socks for the sandboarding during summer.
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- Sun protection: Reef-safe sunscreen — the team will remind you, because it matters here.
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- Water: Bring more than you think you need. It’s Queensland.
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- Camera or phone: The LARC entering the water is THE shot. Have it ready before you get on board.
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- What not to bring: Oversized bags or anything you’d be upset getting wet. Keep it light, think FUN.
- What to expect: This blog from a Gap Year guest will give you a great insight!
The tour departs from the 1770 Marina. Book ahead — the LARC has a set capacity and full day Paradise Tour spots fill faster than the shorter tours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Full Day Paradise Tour suitable for young adults or does it skew older?
The Full Day Paradise Tour gets a mixed age group, but it’s built for anyone who wants a physical, active, fun day — sandboarding, beach walking, and exploring the lightstation grounds. Young travellers who’ve done it consistently rate the LARC water entry and the sand dunes as highlights. If you’re after something different on the East Coast, this is truly it.
How does the sandboarding at 1770 compare?
The inland dunes are less well-known than others on the East Coast, which means fewer people and more runs downhill per person! These expansive, golden dunes rise up to 35 metres high. From the crest, you are rewarded with memorable, sweeping views. The clean, fine sand slopes down to the tidal Jenny Lind Creek, a perfect wash off after your sandy downhill run. At 1770, sandboarding sits alongside the LARC ride, the lightstation tour, and loads of remote beaches — all in one day, without the crowds.
What’s Bustard Head Lightstation and is it worth the full day?
The Bustard Head Light began guiding ships in June 1868 and is one of few lightstations in Queensland for visitors to be guided through. Walk the grounds, soak in the maritime memorabilia, visit the graveyard, go up inside the original cast iron lighthouse tower and from its balcony, look out over the same bay Lt James Cook anchored in, during his May, 1770 voyage up Australia’s east coast. Most people have never heard of it, and there is so much that makes it worthwhile to explore.
How long is the Full Day Paradise Tour?
The tour runs for 7 hours and includes two meals, usually morning tea and lunch. Check in and departure is from the 1770 Marina. Meals are consumed at a shaded picnic location in the National Park. Check the current departure time when booking directly with 1770 LARC! Tours.
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes. The LARC has limited capacity and the full day tour fills quickly, particularly in school holiday periods and long weekends. Book directly through the 1770 LARC! Tours website to secure your spot.
Agnes Water and the Town of 1770 is a 1.5-hour drive from Bundaberg and from Gladstone. Make sure you plan for more than one night. Other activities are included in this blog.