A Family Day Out In Bowen

With secluded beaches, a vibrant café culture and country charm, it is easy to see why Bowen is called the jewel in the crown at the top of the Whitsundays. Full of family friendly locations; picturesque bays, rock pools, playgrounds, waterparks, a quaint cinema and many delicious dining options – Bowen is a must-do day trip or weekend away.

Bowen Water Park
Located at Front Beach, Bowen Water Park is a free to use water park and is open all year round. It is safe and equipped with two water slides and a huge water bucket that spills down a huge amount of water, perfect for those hot days. There are BBQs and toilets conveniently located close by to the water park.

Birds Fish Bar

Bird’s Fish Bar is a family-owned business that offers the perfect family lunch or dinner. They supply Bowen families and visitors with fresh seafood that is caught locally, and it can be enjoyed in their outdoor dining area that overlooks the marina.

Bird’s Fish Bar recently won 2024 Bowen Business of the Year at the Whitsundays Tourism Awards, so get down there and enjoy the local seafood with those you love most.

Horseshoe Bay

This beach is a locals family favourite and for good reason. Horseshoe Bay is one of the
few places along the Great Barrier Reef where you can snorkel right from the beach.
Snorkelling is always a great family activity, offering little ones the opportunity to explore colourful corals and abundant marine life straight from the beach. Adding to the unique experience, try and spot the underwater sculpture, the Bywa. While you are there, make sure you call into Horse Shoe Bay Café for some refreshments.

The lookout walk is also a great family exercise and at the top of the lookout you can
look down at Horseshoe Bay, where you have just been snorkelling.

Surrounding Horseshoe Bay are some great rocks too, which are popular climbing spots
with kids.

Bowen Summergarden Cinema

For families seeking some shade and to escape the hot sun for a few blissfully cool hours, there is nowhere better than Queensland’s oldest cinema, Bowen Summergarden Cinema.

This cinema has character and charm and provides families, both visitors and locals alike, with an old school unique cinema experience that is unrivalled.

The Big Mango

A trip to Bowen is incomplete without a stop to The Big Mango, and it is hard to miss.
Before entering Bowen, a large 10-metre-high Bowen Mango towers over everything else in sight.

Australia’s known for its ‘Big’ things which are conveniently located to break up big drives. The Big Mango in Bowen can be found adjacent to the Bowen Visitor Information Centre, when you’re there you can chat to the great volunteers and they can help you create a Bowen family-friendly itinerary. A delicious tub of fresh locally grown mango sorbet is also a healthy treat for the little ones.

Quick Quiz
Can you find the Mini-Mango elsewhere in Bowen?

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