ALWAYS known as a hub of industry, Gladstone has surprising beauty and is Queensland’s premier harbour city. Just half a day’s drive north of Brisbane, it has golden beaches, easy access to the Great Barrier Reef and national parks and a superb sub-tropical climate.
The first place you should go when you arrive in town is the Gladstone Marina. It’s not just home to boats; the marina terminal is the headquarters of the Gladstone Information Centre. The information centre is open seven days and can give you details of all the attractions to see in the city and those in the surrounding region as well.
The marina has an Australian maritime theme and is an attraction in its own right. It boasts one of the highest boat ownerships of any community in Australia and is the departure point for charter boats and the catamaran that goes to Heron Island.
The marina has barbecue facilities, playgrounds, wheelchair access and boardwalk shops.
Find time for some culture at the Gladstone Regional Art Gallery and Museum. Situated on the corner of Gondoon and Bramston Streets, it offers free admission from 10.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Saturday.
Wander among some of nature’s beauties at Tondoon Botanic Gardens and experience the tranquillity of the Japanese Gardens.
Learn about the economic lifeblood of the region with industry tours that you can organise through the information centre. Gladstone has the largest alumina refinery in the world, the nation’s largest aluminium smelter, Australia’s largest cement operation, the largest power station in the State and the biggest multi-cargo port in Queensland.
Because Gladstone is a port city, it also provides access to some superb fishing.
If you have your cycle on board, there are bikeways on reserves and parkland. If you’re really keen, there’s always the Round Gladstone Trail!
A heritage walk circuit is an enjoyable way to see part of the city, and self-drive tours take you around the city and beyond to the area known as Gladstone Region. The region stretches from the ocean to the Great Dividing Range and beyond. It encompasses Gladstone city and the shires of Banana, Monto, Calliope and Miriam Vale, and offers sightseeing on a huge scale!
