Visiting Joseph Banks safely

Getting there and getting around

• Locality map (PDF, 947.3KB)
• Joseph Banks Conservation Park map (PDF, 116.5KB)

The conservation park is located at Seventeen Seventy. Turn off the Bruce Highway at Miriam Vale and follow the signs to Agnes Water and on to Seventeen Seventy. The park is accessible from several access points along Captain Cook Drive.

Wheelchair accessibility

There are no wheelchair-accessible facilities or tracks at Joseph Banks Conservation Park.

Staying safe

Around water

• Always supervise children.
• Coastal and estuarine waters in this area can be treacherous—strong currents and sharks occur particularly around Round Hill Creek at Seventeen Seventy.
• Swimming is not recommended from beaches or estuarine waters in this area. Tragedies have occurred—these waters can be treacherous. Medical help or rescue can be hours away.
• The only patrolled swimming beach is the main beach at Agnes Water.
• Beware of marine stingers between October and May.
• Stonefish are common in the creeks.

Around cliff edges

• Uneven and crumbling cliff edges can be dangerous.
• Stay on the track and keep well clear of cliff edges.
• Supervise children at all times. Never let children run ahead of you.

Walking and picnicking

• Bring enough drinking water.
• Wear suitable closed in shoes.
• Wear protective clothing and insect repellent and sunscreen to avoid bites, stings and sunburn.
• Do not feed or leave food for animals. Human food can harm wildlife and cause some animals to become aggressive. Store food in lockable boxes.

Vehicle security

Thefts have occurred in this area.

• Lock your vehicle.
• Remove your keys.
• Remove all valuables—this includes garage remotes.

In an emergency

In case of accident or other emergency please:

• Call Triple Zero (000).
• Call 106 for a text-only message for deaf or speech or hearing impaired callers
• Advise the location and nature of the emergency.
• Stay on the phone until you are told to hang up.

The nearest hospitals are in Bundaberg and Gladstone.

For more information, please read the guidelines on safety in parks and forests.

Before you visit

Essentials to bring:

• Carry enough drinking water.
• Ensure you pack insect repellent, sunscreen and protective clothing to avoid bites, stings and sunburn.
• Binoculars are great for viewing wildlife from a distance and a camera is handy to capture moments of your holiday.

Opening hours

Joseph Banks Conservation Park is open 24 hours a day. For your safety, walk in daylight hours only.

Pets

Domestic animals are not permitted in Joseph Banks Conservation Park.

Climate and weather

The local area has a mild subtropical climate.

• Summer can be hot and humid even in the evenings; temperature range 15° to 33°C.
• Winters are pleasantly mild; temperature range 7° to 26°C.
• Weather forecasts are available from the Bureau of Meteorology.

Fuel and supplies

The closest fuel and supplies are available at Agnes Water, Seventeen Seventy, Miriam Vale and Bundaberg.

For more information see the tourism information links.