Bowen – A Tropical Paradise For Families

With secluded beaches, beautiful bushwalks and lookouts, an historic jetty and nine caravan parks to choose from, Bowen is a great place for a family holiday.

It is particularly popular as the perfect weekend getaway from places within a 250km radius - Townsville, Mackay, Airlie Beach and the Burdekin.

And the Bowen Visitor Information Centre is the perfect place to get all the information you need when you arrive – and of course get a selfie with the Big Mango.

Bowen really is the hidden gem at the top of the Whitsundays, and the people are very proud of their good old-fashioned country hospitality.

With a tropical climate, the temperature from April through to September is usually no higher than 29 degrees and no lower than 15 degrees.

One of the best things about Bowen’s beaches, along with their natural beauty, is that they never seem crowded.

The most famous of these is Horseshoe Bay where you can snorkel directly off the beach and there is an underwater sculpture only about 50 meters from the shore.

Other beaches include Grays Bay, Rose Bay and Murray Bay which are all suitable for snorkeling and you can discover fringing reef right there.

You can go paddleboarding or kayaking at Gray’s Bay. There is also a free waterpark and swimming pool right near the town’s Front Beach.

If you are bringing the furry friends along, Kings Beach is dog friendly with an off-leash area.

As well as nine caravan parks, there are also motels, resorts and self-contained apartments available – plenty of accommodation options to suit all budgets.

Bowen has a rich history as it was proclaimed a town in the 1860s. The jetty at Bowen’s Front Beach is more than 150 years old and is a great place for a stroll. You may even see some turtles.

Bowen is also home to Queensland’s oldest cinema, Summergarden Theatre. This art-deco building has been operated by the same owner for more than 60 years.

Many famous movie stars have been there over the years – including Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman when part of the movie “Australia” was filmed in Bowen.

For those interested in street art, Bowen has 28 murals on buildings throughout the town – depicting the town’s history and culture.

If you are into bushwalking, the whole family will love Cape Edgecumbe Walking Trail from Horseshoe Bay to Rose Bay. The track offers breath-taking views and you can even check out a World War II radar site.

From Rotary Lookout, you can admire the view of Horseshoe Bay from above and it is the perfect spot for a family selfie.

There’s plenty on offer in Bowen for food lovers. As well as being Australia’s Mango Capital, it is the salad bowl of the north with tomatoes, capsicums and beans.

There is always plenty of fresh produce available over the winter months and Bowen’s seafood is second-to-none.

Bowen has wide streets and a real country charm about it.

You won’t be disappointed if you choose Bowen for your next family getaway.

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