The Big Mango Information Centre
Visit the Big Mango at the Bowen Visitor Information Centre, located just 4km south of Bowen on the Bruce Highway. Completed in 2002, the Big Mango represents the juicy, summer fruit that is locally grown and is aptly named the ‘Bowen Mango’. Great for a photo session.
There is a smaller Mango at the Information Kiosk located at Front Beach in town. Here you will also find the Bowen Sound Shell, Catalina open-air museum, walking paths, jetty and children’s playgrounds and skate park.
Back to Basics Fun is always free… where you can kick a ball around in the parks, catch a frisbie on the sandy beaches, spend hours swimming and loafing in the sundecks, feeding the birds and turtles at Mullers Lagoon, taking a bike ride along the many seaside walking tracks enjoying the fresh air, read a book under a shady tree in the park and so much more…
Sea, Sun and Sand
Be sure to visit the Horseshoe Bay lookout and continue around to Rose Bay, then uphill to Mother Beddock for spectacular views. The walk takes approximately one hour.
The Interpretive Centre on Flagstaff Hill features a restaurant, lookout tower and ample parking space. Flagstaff Hill provides the perfect photo opportunity of the surrounding islands and the Bowen township.
The newly redeveloped Front Beach features a water park for the kids and shaded BBQ areas to enjoy an afternoon picnic. Ask locals where scenes from the Baz Luhrmann epic ‘Australia’ were filmed.
Visit Queens Beach less than 200m from our doorstep. Build sand castles with the kids, frollick in the water, swing in the playground. A 3km seaside walking track and Bowen’s open air gym will satisfy all tastes.
Airlie Beach & Whitsunday Islands
The gateway to the Whitsunday Islands, Airlie Beach, is just a 45-minute drive south of Bowen. Many like to tackle the day trips to the islands from here to avoid the hustle & bustle of Airlie Beach itself. Visitors can explore the Whitsundays at a leisurely pace on a yacht or travel on a ferry to the resort islands of their choice or further a field to the Great Barrier Reef. All bookings can be made from the Bowen Information Centre 0747864222.
Bowen Cinemas
Bowen Cinemas (formally Bowen Summergarden Cinemas) is a slice of Bowen history being the oldest and longest running cinema in North and Central Queensland. It is walking distance from QBTV and film times and information are printed in the Wednesday edition of the Bowen Independent. Alternatively, visit www.bowencinemas.com
Bowen Golf Course
The 9-hole, 18-tee seaside golf course was established in 1928 with the Clubhouse open Tuesday to Sunday for casual drinks or a buffet meal in the restaurant on a Friday evening. The Clubhouse deck offers a wonderful view of the coast. The club also sports a Pro Shop that stocks equipment for hire and is home to the sporting legend Pro Corrine Dibnah.
Murals
Take the time to walk through the main streets observing the 19 murals painted by Queensland artists that portray Bowen’s history.
Information on the murals can be found on the council’s website (www.whitsunday.qld.gov.au/bowen-murals) or by asking a staff member at the Information Centre on the south-side of town, or the Information Kiosk at the Front Beach.
Bowen Stand Up Paddleboard
Bowen Stand Up Paddleboard are regulars around our beaching scenes teaching many this art and adding to the social culture. Boards are also available for use. Phone 0412 453 242.
Skydive Airlie
Skydive Airlie now have commenced tandem sky jumps and solo jumps out of Bowen and can be upgraded for a sandy beach landing. Phone 1300 759 348.
A Sample of Clubs Around Town
Bowen Bowls Club, Wangaratta Bowls Club, The North Queensland Crusing Yacht Club, The Dennison Football Club & Sporting Complex, Bowen PCYC, Bowen Art Society, Bowen Pistol Club, Bowen Turf Club, Bowen Woodturners Club, Lions Rotary RSL, Zonta Clubs, Bowen Touch Association, Bowen Horse & Pony Club, Bowen Polocrosse and more…
