Car Hire Gladstone Airport

Get your Gladstone hire car sorted at the airport and then take your pick of languid costal boroughs – the pace here is laid back, the scenery is 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.

There are plenty of beaches in the area, but the Agnes Water Beach often proves to be the most frequented. With its glittering white shores and crystalline waters, it's a great spot for water sport lovers and sand dwellers alike. Stand up paddle boarding, surfing and kitesurfing 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 East Shores Precinct along the beach includes a water play park and some great picnic areas to explore, it’s a perfect place for the kids to play while you relax and take in the view.

To take in some local culture you can check out the Gladstone Regional Art Gallery and Museum has a regular rotation of exciting special exhibitions and showcases the best of local art – it’s a great place to get out of the sun and soak up some of the talent of the local area at the same time.

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. At Reedy Creek reserve you can experience the Paperbark Trail, where you can walk on raised stepping stones through a Paperbark forest, across suspended bridges and along boardwalks, spotting butterflies, birds and local flora as you go.

1770 is also the easiest place from which to get to Lady Musgrave Island – an incredible and pristine place to visit where you can see the abundant tropical marine environment from a glass-bottomed boat or on a snorkelling tour.

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 is often referred to as 'lion mountain' by locals, the majestic peak 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 picturesque Gladstone below. On a clear day you'll even be able to see the surrounding reef islands. There’s 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 will see you very well fed.