Weekend Time

You may have heard that time runs a little differently in North Queensland… but what does that mean? Whether you’re planning a working holiday in North Queensland, or simply intending to take some time out here, things run to a slightly different schedule.

We work with the daylight

In both Winter and Summer our days are warm so we rise with the daylight and begin work early in the cool mornings. This means we slowly adjust to the heat as the day progresses. It also means we witness some pretty spectacular sunrises!

Afternoons are long and all yours

Starting the day early means finishing with plenty of daylight remaining and plenty of time for relaxing. Hit the beach, play sports or find a walking track to soak up some nature, there’s plenty of time before the sun sets. And when the sun does set, be ready! Over the hinterland or across a bay, our sunsets are just as pretty as the sunrise!

Commute time does not exist

That’s right! In North Queensland most work places are within a short drive of your accommodation. We do pity our Southern city dwellers and their hours spent commuting to and from work. Up here you spend less time travelling and more time chilling.

So, you’ve started a job in Queensland’s winter salad bowl – Welcome!

Bowen is pretty famous for her fertile soils and diverse range of produce, including, of course, the Bowen mango. But look toward the coast and there are days of adventures waiting to be enjoyed. These are our favourite beachy things to do in Bowen on your weekend off.

Find your very own beach

Yes, that’s right! With eight sandy beaches surrounded by fringing reef, you really can find your very own beach to relax on. Bowen is known as the Heart of Secluded Beaches and includes the iconic Horseshoe Bay, the picturesque Murrays Bay, adventure-lovers Rose Bay and sunset seekers Grays Bay.

Snorkel the fringing reef

Along the shores of Horseshoe Bay, Murrays Bay and Rose Bay is the fringing reef. Similar to the Great Barrier Reef, these coral gardens are home to many varieties of soft corals, tropical fish and our favourite – the nudibranch. Grab a snorkel and jump in for a closer look, you’ll be coming back for more every weekend!

Hike to the lookout for Insta-worthy views

Follow the trail behind Horseshoe Bay and you’ll arrive at the Horseshoe Bay lookout. This five minute climb is worth the puff, you’ll find vistas out to the islands and a birds-eye view of Horseshoe Bay and her stunning reefs.

Soak up the sunset with some fresh Bowen seafood

Head to Grays Bay around 5pm during winter and enjoy a sunset over the water. The bay faces directly west over Queens Bay, meaning the winter sun simply slips into the water and lights up the sky in every colour. Hot tip: pick up some fresh cooked seafood for a sunset picnic.