Best Things To Do in Bowen, Queensland
When you think of the Whitsundays usually your mind is filled with pictures of The Great Barrier Reef and Whitehaven Beach, but there is so much more to explore in this tropical region!
Bowen Qld is in the Whitsundays in North Queensland and is home to the Big Mango, award-winning beaches and some super friendly locals. Offering a dazzling and diverse range of environment, from produce filled farmland to secret coves boasting the sparklingly turquoise seas that can only be explained as surreal.
We recently spent a few days exploring this amazing coastal town, where there’s a purity in the air, palm trees are of abundance and every day you will discover a new hidden gem!
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Best Things To Do in Bowen, Queensland
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How to get to Bowen Qld
I flew directly from Sydney with Jetstar they operate a direct flight from Sydney, Brisbane & Melbourne to Whitsunday (Proserpine) multiple times a week. Head to skyscanner.com to check the latest Jetstar Deals to the Whitsundays.
Whitsunday Transit specialises in Whitsunday Coast airport transfers. They met our flight at Prosperine and drove us into Bowen, the drive from the airport takes about 55 minutes. Your transfer will be by modern air-conditioned luxury coach. Whitsunday Transit is available for picks up and drops off at your hotel at any time.!
Best things to do in Bowen Qld
Flagstaff Hill
Flagstaff Hill offers a 360-degree view of beautiful Bowen. Binoculars are mounted so you can get a superb view of the small bays and the newly renovated lighthouse. There is also a cafe on the hill called 360 on Flagstaff Cafe but is currently closed due to Cyclone Debbie. The cafe creates jobs for local people and supports Aboriginal, Torres Strait and South Sea Islanders by promoting their arts and crafts through the café!
Head Downtown
Bowen is widely known for its murals, there are 28 displayed throughout the streets of Bowen and depict the diverse history. Drop into the pub for a beer and a chat with the locals. Also home to Baz Luhrmann’s production of the movie Australia, the main strip was covered in dirt for the cattle to run through the street!
Horseshoe Bay
My favourite bay in Bowen and rated in the top 11 beaches of Australias! This secluded cove is perfect for relaxing, snorkelling or paddling boarding. Head up to the Rotary Lookout where you will be rewarded with views of the surrounding Bays.
Big Mango
The big mango represents the fruit which is grown in Bowen, Located at the Bowen Information centre on the Bruce Hwy. The big mango sits 10- metres height and has been standing since 2002 despite a PR stunt which involved Nandos stealing the mango as part of a promotion!
Grays Bay
One of the most picturesque bays in QLD! Perfect for kids, paddling boarding and swimming as it is quite sheltered. There is a boat ramp, free BBQs, a playground and all shaded under big trees. We were treated to a sunset cruise around the bay which made for some epic photo ops!
Lighthouse Walk
There are only a few times a year when this is done, as the tide is low enough to walk from the shore out to the lighthouse. It’s a big community event where all of Bowen gather and walk over to the lighthouse. This year on 24 June is the official opening celebrating 250 years anniversary and the recent renovations.
Hikes
There are many walks on offer in Bowen, to suit all fitness levels! Sandy beach tracks to more advanced trails with elevations, taking in grander views of the bays. Don’t miss the Cape Edgecumbe talking trail! It is around 2.5km and you will be rewarded with stunning views of Horseshoe Bay, Rose Bay and Murray Bay!
Where to stay in Bowen Qld
There is a great selection of beach houses on Air BnB for as little as $70 a night! Use this link to sign up and receive $50 off your first booking!
A Holiday in Bowen is a unique experience thanks to the diverse range of accommodation to suit any budget combined with unbeatable views. I stayed at the BIG4 and my cute little cabin had beach views and was surrounded by paradise palms. It was around $130per night, with 3 beds ( 1 large double and bunks) and all the amenities to make your stay super comfortable including a coffee machine, YES THANKS! You may also want to look into the below hotels which are a tiny bit more expensive but a little more luxurious!
–Rose Bay Resort
–Sky view Unit
–Horseshoe Bay Resort
Where to eat in Bowen Qld
Le Sorelle- The Sisters Coffee House
52 Richmond Rd, Bowen QLD 4805 | Instagram
Le Sorelle means the sisters in Italian. The coffee house is run by the three sisters who are dedicated to providing Bowen with the ultimate coffee house. The restaurant is a part of a small florist and a delicious little fudge bar. Boasting incredible customer service, delicious coffee, generous meals and perhaps the best chips I have ever eaten (big call, I know)! A must stop if you are in Bowen!
Birds Fish Bar
Henry Darwen Memorial Drive Bowen, Queensland, 4805 | Instagram
Bowen is home to some of the freshest produce in the country! Grab a bite to eat at Birds Fish Bar and experience the delicious local caught seafood. Overlooking local fishing boats, this family-owned fish and chip shop has recently renovated its outdoor area.
Meraki Whitsundays
1 Horseshoe Bay Rd Bowen, Queensland, 4805 | Instagram
Tucked away under the tree of Horseshoe Bay this stunning little cafe is a perfect stop for a coffee and brunch! The staff go above and beyond to make sure everything is perfect for you! If you are there for breaky get the beans, they were seriously scrumptious!
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14 Responses
What an intriguing place – gorgeous photos, the ones of the giant mango make me giggle! The beach hut accommodations look really cute.
Bowen sounds like an amazing place to visit! We are heading to Australia in July so we will have to check it out! There definitely seems like there is plenty to do to keep us busy!
It looks stunning here. I haven’t made it further north than Sydney but one day I will get there. I like the idea of the lighthouse walk or if not I would love to do some of the other hikes. I too though will be enjoying some time at the stunning beaches 🙂
There is still soooo much of Australia I need to explore! And I must hurry up to visit this area since a huge charcoal mine project has been approved not far from the Great Barrier. I want to see the Whitsundays when they are still pretty! Very cute accommodation proposals, by the way, loved the colorful bungalows
Really enjoyed reading about this beautiful part of our world and I can’t wait to see these places in your post and maybe stay in that cute cabin ,Thank you
I haven’t been to Australia yet – I’m missing out, clearly. Such a beautiful looking area! Silly me, I wondered what the Big Mango was when you first mentioned it… gotcha. This area looks perfect to chill out in after seeing all the usual places.
You had me at MANGO! Why have I never heard of this little gem before I wonder?! Love the look of those rainbow cabins too…perfect for family!
We are going to Australia very soon! Cheers for sharing some awesome ideas, we’ll be sure to check them out!
Absolutely love the Whitsundays, wish I’d made it to Bowen.. next time!
Beautiful photos! Glad to see it is doing well, post-cyclone. Definitely a place I need to revisit 🙂
I’ve read a lot of articles about Australia, but this is the first time I’ve ever seen the giant mango. Hilarious! The food looks delicious and I would definitely want to stay in those cute little colorful cottages.
Always love to read about Australia and look at the pictures of its stunning landscapes. I would love to get on to Flagstaff hill and feast on the incredible views. Especially the bays and the lighthouses. Have this strange fascination for lighthouses, find them so romantic and charming.
Have never been to Whitsundays but it certainly does look so beautiful, and i’m so attracted to that big mango! 😉
Those cabins are so cute! I’ve never heard of Bowen and the Whitsundays are definitely on the list. I live in the US but go to Australia every couple years to visit family.