24 Hours In Beautiful Bowen

‍Have you only got 24 hours in Bowen?

Our guide will give you a perfect run down of all the things that must not be missed on your short but sweet trip into beautiful Bowen.

On the way into town make sure you stop at Bowen’s famous Big Mango, grab a photo with the North Queensland icon and order some delicious 100% mango sorbet. Bowen has many sites that cannot be missed. If you’re not sure what to do first, talk to the lovely and helpful staff at the Bowen Visitor Information Centre next to the Big Mango and they’ll point you in the right direction!

Explore By Land

If you prefer spending more time on the land, Bowen has many things to do to!

Movie lovers? Head down Bowen Summergarden Cinema. It is a beautiful old cinema that has been operating in Bowen since 1948. For film geeks or people seeking a relaxing afternoon out of the sun Bowen Summergarden Cinema is the perfect spot to watch all the newest releases in this gorgeous old-fashioned cinema.

Meanwhile, Mullers Lagoon offers a scenic walk around the lagoon with plenty of picnic spots at hand. There are also lots of little freshwater turtles in the lagoon that like to come and say hi.

Bowen is also home to beautiful murals. Scattered down Bowen’s main street wonderful murals about Bowen’s history are on view, ending at Bowen’s foreshore for Bowen’s newest mural.

For history buffs, nothing can top Bowen’s Historical Society & Museum. Full of information on Bowen’s Lighthouse, the iconic jetty, and Aboriginal culture.

On The Coast

Along Bowen’s coastline are fabulous, picturesque destinations that have you covered from breakfast to dinner.

Begin the day at Flagstaff Hill Lookout, a magical lookout gives you an entire view over Bowen and the whole area. You can look out all the way back to the Whitsunday Islands, Bowen’s Lighthouse, Cape Gloucester, Bowen’s Kings Beach and also Abbot Point. Why not pack a picnic and sit atop this scenic spot for a relaxing lunch with a view?

Down the hill and back to Bowen’s foreshore is where you can explore Bowen Jetty. Bowen Jetty was the first established port in North Queensland when Bowen was recognised as an excellent natural harbour due to its sheltered location. To function effectively as a port Bowen Jetty had to be long, to stretch past the mud flats and shallow waters. In 1865 Bowen Jetty was constructed and in the following years has seen numerous renovations and extensions. It is now a tourist destination in its own right and open for long leisurely walks or a spot of fishing.

A trip to Bowen would not be complete without trying some delicious fresh seafood, and Birds Fish Bar serves exceptional cooked seafood. Meanwhile Arabon Seafoods offers fresh cold treats, perfect for the barbeque or to eat chilled. You can enjoy the fresh seafood, freshly cooked to order whilst overlooking the harbour. A sensation for all your senses.

Complete your day in beautiful Bowen at the award-winning beach at Horseshoe Bay. For the adventurous at Horseshoe Bay there are two different walking trails. And for those that love snorkelling, this is the beach for you. There is an underwater sculpture called the ‘Bywa’ and it is a part of the coral restoration project. This man-made sculpture is a spectacular sight in the water and acts as eco-friendly coral nursery. Horseshoe Bay is also the last beach in Queensland that you can watch the sunset at, making it an ideal place to end your busy day.

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By Daniel Heggie

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