Bowen’s world class beaches at a glance

The afternoon is the perfect time to cool off at the beach. With seven of the most beautiful beaches you’ve ever seen all within 10 minutes’ drive of each other, the problem is choosing which one.

Bowen Foreshore

At the end of the main street, you will find Bowen’s stunning foreshore, an incredible playground of activity. Its expansive waters are a hive of water sports and a great place to spot turtles or step onto the sand flats and walk among the soldier crabs. Walk out on to the jetty, along the foreshore and to the harbour.

You’ll find a waterpark, skatepark and playground. Picnic tables and free barbeques are also available.

Horseshoe Bay

Bowen’s most iconic beach, Horseshoe Bay is protected by two granite outcrops creating a haven for swimmers, snorkellers, divers and fish. Aside from the reef fringing the Bay’s rocks, swimmers can also explore Bywa, a 3.4m high underwater sculpture which is part of the Whitsundays Ngaro Underwater Marine sculpture trail. The Horseshoe Bay Café serves a delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner and has a killer cocktail bar.

Murrays Bay

Nestled in between Horseshoe Bay and Rose Bay, Murrays Bay is one of those places that just feels untouched. You’ll find local runners completing their daily pilgrimage and the perfect location for finally reading that book and cooling off in azure seas.

Rose Bay

Don’t ask the locals if they like Horseshoe or Rose Bay better, unless you’re ready for an argument. Explore Rose Bay’s rock pools at low tide while you gaze out across views of Gloucester Island. This protected bay is popular for swimming, snorkelling and diving.

Grays Bay

Grays Bay is stunningly picturesque and an impressive sunset location. This wide bay is protected and home to a two-lane boat ramp, making it perfect for water sports, paddleboards, canoes or kayaks. Adjacent to Grays Bay is an Instagram perfect pocket beach with shaded picnic tables and free barbeques.

Kings Beach

This expansive beach is a little more castaway in style with views over Gloucester, Middle and Stone Islands. The beach offers the contrast of granite boulders and huge sweeping stretches of sand, dotted with the occasional fishermen or kite-surfer.

Queens Beach

Every King needs a Queen. The longest beach in Bowen, Queens Beach is popular for walkers taking advantage of its 5km natural walking track. You’ll find the mouth of the Don River and historic Yasso Point at one end and a large playground, skatepark, basketball courts, and the beginning of a bicycle circuit at the other.

Top 3 Kids’ Activities

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Playground Olympics, you could easily spend a day just visiting all the different playgrounds in Bowen, our favourites are the Harbour playground which is minutes’ walk from the foreshore skatepark and waterpark. Don’t forget there’s a little playground at Le Sorelle Coffee House (good for kids and parents). Go retro! Hire some skates and go for a sunset roller skate with the local PCYC from 5.30pm every Friday night. The skate rink has a view spanning across the foreshore and harbour. Go mango hunting. Don’t be fooled by the giant mango that sits on the Bowen foreshore, the real Big Mango is at the town’s entry. After your Instagram mango moment, head to the Information Centre for the best mango sorbet you’ve ever tasted.

The Bowen area is the ‘salad bowl of the north’. As well as the famous Bowen Mango which adorns local plates throughout summer, a tapestry of farms spread across the area providing an annual harvest of winter vegetable crops. Make sure you stop in at the marina for freshly caught local seafood from local boats. Take a look at your options at www.tourismwhitsundays.com.au/visitor-information/where-to-eat.

Top 3 Young Adult Activities

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Movie buffs shouldn’t miss the Summergarden Theatre. It’s Queensland’s oldest privately-owned cinema and is full of charm and character…as well as a series of blockbuster and family favourite movies. See who will be the first to spot all 19 murals chronicling more than 150 years of Bowen’s history.

Bring along your kayak or stand up paddle

board and take in the view of Bowen’s stunning beaches and bays from an all new angle. Grays Bay and the pocket beach are one of our favourite spots.