Tucked away in the Gladstone region of Queensland along the east coast is the small, idyllic city of Gladstone. Mountain views, pristine aquamarine waters and peaceful surrounds make this coastal region a blissful escape for all who venture there.
Get your Gladstone hire car sorted at the airport and then take your pick of relaxed coastal boroughs – the pace here is calm and laid back, the scenery is breathtakingly spectacular and the stresses of the everyday melt away effortlessly in the tropical sunshine. Right in the centre of the Southern Great Barrier Reef, Gladstone is the perfect place from which to launch your tropical adventure.
Getting to know Gladstone
The Gladstone region has an unrivalled love for the sea, and it’s clear in their overt passion for water and marine activities. The greater region is also home to some of Queensland’s best beachside towns and the Southern Great Barrier Reef.
To take in some local culture you can check out the Gladstone Regional Art Gallery and Museum, which has a regular rotation of exciting special exhibitions and showcases the best of local art – it’s also a great place to get out of the sun and soak up some of the talent of the local area at the same time.
If you’re looking to get a closer look at the city’s water-loving reputation, then look no further than the natural deep-water harbour in the city centre, where the annual Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race is held each year during the Gladstone Harbour Festival.
Explore the Gladstone region’s hidden gems – Agnes Waters & 1770
There are plenty of beaches in the area, but the Agnes Water Beach often proves to be the most frequented. With its glittering white sand shores and crystalline waters, it's a great spot for water sport lovers and sand dwellers alike. Stand up paddle boarding, surfing and kite surfing are all popular activities here, as are the beachside yoga classes. Of course, with views like the ones on offer at Agnes Water Beach, you might want to spend your time just gazing out at the beauty of the area — and many visitors do. The waters here are uniquely clean, clear and refreshing, with the gentle swell providing beachgoers with a calm relief. The East Shores Precinct along the beach includes a water play park and some great picnic areas to sit and have lunch in; it’s also a perfect place for the kids to run around and play in while you relax and take in the view.
The town of 1770 , just a short drive from Gladstone, is in a truly unique position out on a peninsula that has it surrounded by ocean on three sides – it’s one of the few places you can watch the sun both rise and set over the ocean, guaranteeing you spectacular views all day long. At Reedy Creek Reserve you can experience the Paperbark Trail, where you can walk on raised stepping stones through the Paperbark forest, across suspended bridges and along boardwalks, spotting butterflies, birds and local flora as you go.
For more remarkable views of the shoreline, head north to the tip of 1770 and enjoy the bushwalking trail in Joseph Banks Conservation Park starting at the Captain Cook Monument Point. The walking trail takes around 20 minutes to walk; known as the Butterfly Walk, the trail winds its way through the hilly national park past several lookout points where you can get a high view across Eurimbula National Park and Bustard Bay, Bustard Head and Rodds Peninsula.
The 1770 Marina is also the easiest place from which to get a boat out to Lady Musgrave Island – an incredible and pristine near-deserted tropical island to visit where you can see the abundant reef marine environment from a glass-bottomed boat or on a snorkelling tour. For fishing enthusiasts, there are a number of offshore reef fishing charters.
Great places that lie to the west
Twenty minutes by car west of Gladstone you will discover Calliope – a quaint and picturesque town surrounded by lush rainforests. You’ll love seeing the historical homesteads and scenic lookouts here. This is a famous place for fishing – try and land a delicious barramundi at Lake Awoonga or go crabbing at Boyne River – either way the results are guaranteed to be delicious.
The rural township of Mount Larcom is home to spectacular views if you’re in the mood for a challenging trek – the panoramic views are well worth the climb. One of Gladstone’s most distinctive landmarks, Mt Larcom, which is often referred to as 'Lion Mountain’ by locals, is a majestic peak that resembles a lion and a lioness facing each other. It's around a 2-hour climb to the very top of Mt Larcom, but you'll be rewarded with 360-degree views of the city of Gladstone below. On a clear day you'll even be able to see the surrounding reef islands in the distance. There are plenty of shops and pubs to explore if a stroll around town is more your speed, and several fiercely competitive bakeries offering an array of tasty treats that will see that you are very well-fed.
With so much to see and do in Gladstone and the wider Gladstone region, it’s no wonder people return to the area year after year. Pick up a hire car in Gladstone Airport the next time you’re in town and make the most of your trip with ease.
