Beautiful Bowen – Your next escape!
Looking for your next holiday spot? Bowen is such a great little beach side town. You can relax and take it easy while checking out the beautiful beaches and islands of the Whitsundays. It is the perfect base for trips to Airlie Beach, as well as being 2.5 hours from Townsville and Mackay. There are a lot of roadworks either side of Bowen so the drive in and out is pretty average.
Beaches
The beaches are all beautiful in Bowen. It does have the nickname Blowin’ Bowen because there are often windy days here. But there are so many sheltered bays that you will always find somewhere nice. If you like paddle boarding, kayaking, jet skiing, boating, any water activities; then Bowen has a beach for you. The water is always turquoise blue and clear and you can swim to the reef just off the coast line. You can also just check out the coral as you paddle around above it. Do beware that we are in Stinger season now (September to April) and the irukandji are about. They are tiny jellyfish that are well known in the north for taking lives. You should wear a stinger suit or long tights/stocking and long sleeves while swimming to protect yourself.
Horseshoe Bay
Horseshoe Bay is a sweet little bay, it is quite sheltered and so the water is always pretty calm here. You will often find people having a swim here and sunbaking. There is a cafe here which is great, its always open, has live music on weekends. Its great for breakfast, coffee, lunch, dinner, drinks. Its also a great spot to paddle board.
Rose Bay
Rose Bay is another nice beach, its not as protected so usually feels the wind a lot more. It’s a good spot to take the snorkel out among the rocks and to access some of the reef.
Kings Beach
Kings Beach is the off leash dog beach, so one of my favourites. If its really windy you will see lots of kite surfers here. But on flat days its a perfect spot to go paddle boarding with your best mate.
Queens Beach
Queens Beach is nice, its an off leash dog beach also and probably the nicest one in town. If you walk all the way to the northern end, the beach meets the Don River. Watch out for crocodiles here as you are in North Queensland and this is a hotspot. They have turtles nesting on Queens Beach too. I haven’t seen it but i will be looking out for it this year!
Front Beach
Front Beach is great for dogs when the tide is out. There are big pools of water and you see a fair bit of life down there. We saw large groups of soldier crabs and heaps of starfish. Its a pretty spot to have a walk around, cruise under the jetty and even head up on the jetty. There is kids play grounds, water park and a skatepark here too so great for the whole family.
Wine, Dine and Coffee
Kevla
The best coffee in town and the nicest bunch of ladies working here. They use a good bean worthy of your money and they make nice snack foods. They have wraps, protein balls and healthy treats. There is a cute seating area inside with giant Connect Four and other games available. They are dog friendly in the outside area too.
Horseshoe Bay Cafe
This cafe does it all, from breakfast to lunch to dinner to late. There really is something for everyone. Its a beautiful spot, live music Friday to Sunday and a great big selection of cakes. Coffee is consistent, but its not really an exciting bean, but its a great venue with plenty to offer. Nice food on their menu too, scallop salad is my pick for dinner!
Le Sorelles The Sisters Cafe
This is a nice cafe, their coffee is okay, your average bland bean. They always have nice staff and you can get a proper breakfast here. They’re opening hours are sometimes limited, like they will close at midday sometimes which is just annoying. But the cafe itself is really nice, food is generally nice, but I hear mixed reports. They have a great enclosed dog area where you can take your hound and let them run. They also have a children’s play area which is pretty cool.
Birds Fish Bar Bowen
This place is awesome. Fresh seafood straight from the ocean cooked to your liking. They’re right on the marina and have outdoor seating that looks out to the ocean. We sometimes go around 11:30am and they’re throwing some fish guys out to the fish. There is this HUGE groper in the water, I am talking HUGE. There are stingrays, bulk fish and heaps of birds around. You can BYO here which is also cool. Definitely worth a visit for lunch or dinner!
Grand View Hotel
This is the busiest pub in town, its old school and quite big. It has a nice outdoor area and sometimes live music in the beer garden. There is a restaurant menu and the food is nice. They just got a courtesy bus which is great cause its hard to get a taxi in Bowen.
Bowen Hotel
This has recently been renovated and it looks nice inside but its just such a pub to me. If you want a chicken schnitty or steak and chips or wings – its the place to go. They have a great childrens play area inside so if you have children this is the perfect spot. There is a sports bar, TVs with the sports playing throughout, outdoor smoking area and pokies.
North Australian Hotel
This one is my pick for a good steak in town. They also do woodfire pizzas which are beautiful. It always busy, they use to have live music on a Sunday but not sure if they still do.
Queens Beach Hotel
This place is your average pub where all the tradies go after work. Food is average, last time I went I got the ribs and they weren’t hot so that was disappointing. Its pretty expensive too. Alright for a quick beer if you are nearby but I wouldn’t make it a destination spot.
Flagstaff Hill Convention Centre
This one just opened recently and I have to say I am disappointed really. It does say its a Convention Centre and that is 100% what it feels like. But I just think it could have been so great! Its very formal for no reason. Its a beautiful spot and worth going to for the view of the islands if nothing more. They serve Bounce coffee which is the most generic bean you will find in every average cafe in the north. Its palatable but it wont kick start your day in a hurry. They do sell nice Vietnamese food, rice paper rolls and Pho, along with other Vietnamese dishes and Vietnamese coffee. Nice enough, just not great, but the view is amazing.
The Cove
This is ranked as the nicest place to go in Bowen by a lot of people. Its a very nice setting, its at the bottom of the Coral Cove Apartments and they do lunch and dinner. I’ve been for lunch twice and they have tried to kick our group out twice before we even ordered. For no reason cause it is never full so it seems strange. At dinner time we haven’t been forced out so thats a bonus.
They have a small bar and the service always takes forever. We usually wait 20 minutes for them to come to the table after you are seated. They dont let you order from the bar which is annoying cause they take so long. But the food is nice when it comes out. The view is delightful here, you can sit outside and look out to the ocean. Hot tip – table 24 is perfect for date night cause it is right at the ocean and super pretty views.
The Yacht Club
This place needs a revamp. Its a great location, right on the marina and you can sit outside which is nice. We had a seafood platter and some champagne here and sat outside in front of the boats in the marina. They also have a big grassy patch with a picnic table. But could probably do with more than one picnic table but if you get in quick you can nab it! Basic bar and musky old interior.
Shopping
MMOKA
This is the cutest little women’s fashion boutique in town, it is located on the main st – Herbert Street. They stock brands like Nude Lucy, Sol Sana, Label of Love, All about Eve, The White Atire and many more. They even stock their own labels MMOKA and Immokalee Designs. Bonus, there is always friendly girls working that are happy for a chat. Check out their website https://mmoka.com.au.
KHub
You can’t go wrong with a KHub! It’s pretty small but they mostly have everything you need.
Live Life Well Chemist
They stock great little gifts and pretty things to buy. We’re very limited in Bowen when it comes to shopping so even the chemist gets a mention!
Feel like shopping?
Want more options?? Bowen doesn’t have much when it comes to shopping. Head to Proserpine for Colour Me Crazy and Airlie Beach for a day of shopping.
Hikes
Mount Mother Beddock
Mount Mother Beddock is a great walking track. There is a lookout about 300m in if you just want to have a nice view of the bay. Otherwise continue on the almost 4km trek up to the big rock which is Mother Beddock. From the big rock, you have views over Rose Bay and the town. You can walk down to Rose Bay from the top. There are a heap of stairs if you want to work off the cake you had at Horseshoe Bay Cafe. Or you can head back down the way you came and check out the other walking tracks. You will pass Murrays Bay which is a cool coral beach. The landscape changes quite a bit on this walk which makes it really interesting.
Want more?
If you head to Airlie Beach you can do the Honey Eater Trail, it is a challenging hike up to a beautiful look over Airlie, check out the link below for more.
Caravan Parks
I haven’t stayed at any of the parks – obviously because I live here. But I can give you my opinion of them living here and working here. Everything is so close in Bowen so it doesn’t matter where you stay. You can easily access the beaches and cafes.
Horseshoe Bay Resort
My top pick for you – Horseshoe Bay Cafe is a big draw card. Staying somewhere that is walking distance to the beach – there are two bays like literally across the road. It is also right next to Mount Mother Beddock walking trails and lookouts. There is an Indian restaurant and an Asian restaurant also across the road. There are some cute little private beaches if you follow the signs to the beach from the carpark across the road from the park. Great place to watch the sun set. This park is always packed out so make sure you book early to get a spot.
Wangaratta Caravan Park
Stay here if you like golf as it backs onto the golf course. The Queens Beach Hotel is across the road, skatepark behind it and you can walk to Queens Beach easily. Queens Beach is an off leash dog beach so great for the hounds. I do believe the park is dog friendly cause I always see dogs coming out of there.
NRMA Bowen Beachfront Holiday Park
This park is right on the water next to Hansen Park which has a nice walking track to Horseshoe Bay. The markets are also in Hansen Park on a Sunday. Looks like a nice park from the outside, I have not had a look inside.
Rose Bay Caravan Park
Looks a dive and is up for sale if you have a spare million dollars – it has potential to be great. It is across the road from the beach, so great location. Don’t stay here if you hate sandflies, this area is well known for being a breeding ground for them. Beautiful location but probably the rougher side of the beaches and bays. The wind really hits this side a lot more.
Harbour Lights Caravan Park
This one is the closest to the centre of town. Its okay, across the road from the Yacht Club, the jetty which is a nice walk, the marina. The waterparks on the front beach are great for kids, walking path all along the front of the beach area. You can walk into the pubs in town or out to Birds Fish Bar along the marina. You could also walk up Flagstaff Hill if you are feeling fit (its very steep). There is a cafe up there and an awesome view.
Tropical Beach Caravan Park Bowen
This park is nice, there are some awesome camp sites that are right on the water. The back of the golf course is walking distance and you can walk through to the club house. The markets are held every Sunday in Hansen Park which is 500m from this park.
Bowen Holiday Park
This one is on the highway south of Bowen. It’s okay if you are passing through and don’t want to come into Bowen. I wouldn’t recommend to stay here. There is nothing out here except a petrol station and its nicer to be near the beaches.
Bowen Palms Caravan Park
As with Bowen Holiday Park, on the highway south of Bowen. Average place and I wouldn’t bother.
Things to do
Parkrun
Every Saturday morning at 7am you can head on down to Hansen Park for Parkrun. Parkrun is a 5km run for all levels – you can walk it if you wish. Its a free event, family friendly and run by volunteers – check out more on their website https://www.parkrun.com.au/bowen/.
Sunday Markets
Every Saturday from 7am till 12pm you will find the Bowen Markets on at Hansen Park. They are getting better every time I go with more stalls. You can get Asian delights, bakery treats, amazing white soft bread. There is clothing, jewellery, plants, produce, books, face painting, chickens, live music and more. Check out this Facebook page for more https://www.facebook.com/bowensundaymarkets.
North Head Island
North Head Island is 1km off the coast of Bowen, you can kayak or paddle board over. Its a small island with a lighthouse that is cool to explore. Check out my post below for more information on it, but its a beautiful little adventure.
Don River Dash
The Don River Dash is one of the biggest sporting events in Queensland. Its held every year around August and draws quite the crowd. They have food stalls and merch tents, but mainly just grandstands of people watching. Groups of people also go along the river side all the way up and down the river to watch. It was a really cool vibe and cool to watch the insane cars and motos powering up the river bed. Check out this website for more information https://donriverdash.com.au/don-river-dash-2022/.
This post is a bit of a work in progress. This is where I live so I will continue to update it when I find new things in Bowen! So make sure you check back from time to time!
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