John and Jill Nth QLD Travels: Bowen Nth QLD

We found Bowen has many hidden features. It has many lovely beaches and many are sheltered. We stayed at Wangaratta Caravan Park which is quiet & next to the Golf Course. We were glad we didn't choose a shady site under a gum tree as a branch fell on our neighbours 4WD. Thankfully no one was hurt & it was still drivable.

We had a wonderful time snorkelling just off the beach at Murray Bay. Murray Bay is reached by a track over some large boulders. We swam at Horseshoe Bay it was too windy to snorkel while we were here. Maybe next time! We saw lots of hard & soft coral on the rocks: purples, oranges, greens, pinks, boulder coral, stag horn, lettuce, plate corals, to name some. We also saw some lovely brightly coloured small fish. It was low tide and good visibility so we could see the coral really well. There were only a few people there which was great. Unfortunately the other days we were here were very windy so water was too choppy for snorkelling.

We enjoyed the 360 degrees views of Bowen & nearby islands from Flag Staff Hill Lookout, despite the wind, & good coffee. Some regulars at our park called it " Blowin Bowen." We did a short walk from Horseshoe Bay up to a lookout with views of Horseshoe & Murray Bays. We had beautiful lunch at The Cove, a restaurant next to the Horshoe Bay Resort with fantastic views of the sea.