Bowen
Australia has heaps more than the Big Mango!
You don't hear much about this town, but drive in and have a look
around and you'll be taken by surprise.
It is very laid back, has no
crowds, yet the scenery is fantastic. There are plenty of nice beaches,
parklands and walking/jogging tracks.
Pub by ibsut via Flickr.com
Museum, Murals and Other
Things to See
Bowen is known as the first town that was built this far up in in north
Queensland,
and the local museum in Gordon Street has great displays on its pioneer
history, including an old cottage with historical items and furniture.
Another museum - the Coral Sea Museum displays the town's involvement
in the Second World War.
A lot of the town's pioneer history is also displayed in the 26 murals
that are scattered around in the town's streets - most are in
an
easy
walking distance from each other in the blocks around Herbert and
Gregory Streets. There is also an Arts Centre with local art, sculpture
and pottery at Queens Beach.
The Australia Movie sign
by
Allan Henderson via Flickr.com
The
Australia Movie
Since 2007 when Nicole
Kidman and Hugh
Jackman
visited to film the movie "Australia", the town is
also known as
Bowenwood.
One of the town's many murals by PaulSh via Flickr.com
Although only the beginning and the end of the movie were filmed here,
Bowen is very proud of the
fact and you can read all about how it was done at the tourist
information
centre at Front Beach.
Haven't seen the
movie?
Get it, and watch it, it's a
great Aussie
Movie,
with a great Aussie actress!!!
Parts
of the movie were made in Bowen (which actually features the 1940s
Darwin),
and parts of it were made in the beautiful and wild Kimberley
region in
Western Australia. It's not only a great movie, it also shows you some
great parts of Australia.
Beaches, Parks and
Walking Tracks
in Bowen Australia
But there are more than the touristic things. The town's beaches are
fantastic, there are some very scenic coastal views and sunsets, and
there are plenty of parks and great walking tracks. The beaches include
Queens, Kings and Front Beach, Rose Bay, Murray Bay, Coral, Grays and
Horseshoe Bay. There are some great lookouts at Grays Bay, Horseshoe
Bay, Mt Nutt, Reservoir Hill and Flagstaff Hill. There are walks along
Kings, Queen and Front Beaches; from Hansen Park to Queens Bay; and the
best and a bit more challenging - the Cape Edgecumbe Walking Trail -
from Rose Bay to Horseshoe Bay past Mother Beddock lookout. And Mullers
Lagoon is in a central park great for birdwatching.
Coastal views by jwbenwell via Flickr.com
Other Things to See and Do
There are seven pubs and an RSL Club, cafes, restaurants and counter
food outlets, all serving lunch/dinner. There is the Summergarden
Theatre, Community and Sunday Markets, rodeo grounds and races held at
the Turf Club. There are fishing competitions, Family Expo and the
annual Agricultural Show.
Bowen is surrounded by a lot of fruit and vegetable farms and is very
popular with seasonal fruit pickers between April and November. It is
not a surprise then that Bowen's 'Big Thing' is the Big Mango.
Inland from the town are Collinsville
and the historical Bowen
River Hotel.
Below is a map of Bowen
Australia. You can double-click
anywhere on the map to zoom it in and see the places
closer. Drag the map to move around, and if you want to see the
satellite image with Google Earth, click on "Sat" in the top right hand
corner.
Note:
This site uses
British English, which is the English we use in Australia. You will
find words like "traveller", "harbour" and "realise", and they are all
correct in the language used in Australia.
Disclaimer: Although
best efforts have been made to ensure
that all the information on this site is correct,
gondwananet.com is not to be blamed should there be a mistake.
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