1770 LARC Tour: Bustard Head Lighthouse, Sandboarding & Lunch

Summary

Queensland’s wild coast by LARC with sand dunes, lighthouse & stories

You’ll ride the bright pink 1770 LARC across tidal creeks and along wild coastline with a local guide who knows every story. Climb Bustard Head Lightstation for windswept views, explore its keeper’s cottage museum, try sandboarding on giant dunes after lunch, and end your day with billy tea as sunset colors spill over Eurimbula. It’s not fancy — just real Queensland adventure.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the color — that weird pinkish-orange of the LARC vehicle against the pale blue sky as we rumbled out of Agnes Water. It’s loud in a comforting way, like an old tractor or maybe a ferry you took as a kid. Our guide, Mark (who grew up here), kept cracking jokes about the “amphibious beast” as we splashed straight into the water. I could smell salt and eucalyptus drifting in from Eurimbula — it’s different from city air, somehow sharper but softer too.

We crossed these shallow waterways that looked endless at low tide. At one point a white-bellied sea eagle swooped right over us — Mark pointed it out before I even saw it. The big moment was climbing up to Bustard Head Lightstation. It’s Queensland’s only open lighthouse still working, and standing inside felt like stepping into someone else’s memory. There’s this little museum in the keeper’s cottage — old letters and photos, kind of haunting but sweet too. We wandered through the cemetery nearby; Mark told us stories about shipwrecks and storms. I didn’t expect to feel so much just looking at weathered headstones.

Lunch was simple but good — sandwiches and billy tea brewed over a camp stove (which tasted better than any café coffee I’ve had lately). After eating we hit these massive sand dunes — 35 meters high, apparently. Sandboarding is harder than it looks; I wiped out twice and got sand everywhere (still finding it in my shoes). Some local kids showed us how to do it properly, laughing when we tumbled down.

The ride back felt slower, maybe because everyone was quiet watching pastel colors stretch across the sky. Someone spotted dolphins off to the side but they disappeared quick. There was this easy silence with just the engine hum and wind; I still think about that view sometimes when things get noisy at home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Full-day 1770 LARC amphibious tour

• Check in at 1770 LARC office
• Cross four waterways by amphibious vehicle
• Edge along Eurimbula National Park
• Visit Bustard Head Lightstation and museum
• Hear stories at lighthouse cemetery
• Enjoy morning tea
• Have included lunch
• Travel to 35m sand dunes
• Sandboard and swim at dunes
• Drink billy tea or coffee
• Spot wildlife and hear local stories
• Watch sunset colors end the day

Top questions

How long does the 1770 LARC tour last?

This is a full-day tour departing from Agnes Water/1770.

Is lunch included on the 1770 LARC tour?

Yes, lunch as well as morning tea and billy tea or coffee are included.

Can children go inside Bustard Head Lighthouse?

No, children under 8 years old are not permitted inside due to building standards.

What activities are included on this day trip?

The tour includes visiting Bustard Head Lightstation, exploring its museum, sandboarding on dunes, swimming opportunities, and wildlife spotting.

Is there mobile phone coverage during the tour?

The Vodafone network is not available at this location.

Are vegetarian options available for lunch?

Yes, vegetarian options are available if requested at booking.

Does this tour include a local guide?

Yes, your day includes a local driver-guide who shares live commentary throughout the trip.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from Agnes Water/1770 check-in office, all activities like climbing Bustard Head Lighthouse (with some age limits), entry to the keeper’s cottage museum and cemetery walk, sandboarding on giant dunes after lunch (which is provided along with morning tea), plus billy tea or coffee brewed fresh by your local guide before heading back in the afternoon.