Gladstone Marina offers the boating fraternity a first-class base from which to cruise the Capricorn and Bunker Reef Groups of the Great Barrier Reef waters. With 320 mooring berths, a combination of fixed wharf and pontoon moorings, the Gladstone Marina moorings can cater to private, charter and service vessels.
Gladstone, the region’s principal city, grew up on the hills overlooking the focal point of its economic development, a natural deepwater harbour.
This city of Industry is located on the Central Queensland coast 550 kilometres north of the State’s capital, Brisbane and provides easy access to the most southerly part of the reef, basking in a sub-tropical climate with islands, waterways and beaches providing year-round boating, fishing, swimming and surfing. A large Charter Boat fleet operates from the world-class Marina.
The area also supports a key area of National and State economic development - the world’s largest alumina refinery, Australia’s largest aluminium smelter as well as the thriving fishing industry and growing tourism industry.
With the city’s history of economic development driven by a dynamic, growth-oriented community, the region is doubly aware of the fragility of its natural advantages. It has also been careful to accommodate the needs of a modern industrial centre while still maintaining the recreational lifestyle of a coastal resort.
A wide variety of restaurants and eateries cater to all tastes - from Australian styled foods to Gladstone's famous mud crab and fresh seafood. All types of accommodation are available including four-star motel properties, comfortable and affordable motels and caravan parks.
Call in today, and be surprised.
At the end of the main street is the Gladstone Yacht Club
The Gladstone Region offers visitors close access to The Great Barrier Reef. The clear aquamarine waters and the underwater miracle of the reef provide one of the best fishing and scuba diving locations in the world. A variety of resorts, family-style accommodation and a camping experience are available.
The region surrounding Gladstone is a diverse and fascinating one, with an adventurous outdoor flavour complementing the busy, urban environment.
Charter Boats are an important industry in the region with departure points at Gladstone and Town of 1770. Sportfishing means taking a trip to the reef to catch coral trout, red emperor and Spanish mackerel.
Visitors can also experience the excitement of annual events such as Gladstone's Harbour Festival, the Great Muddie Expo and the catfish fishing competition.
Tannum Sands & Boyne Island
The twin communities of Tannum Sands and Boyne Island are only fifteen minutes drive from Gladstone. Tannum, 10 kilometres off the Bruce Highway by sealed road, is a luxuriously long stretch of sandy beach. The Millennium Esplanade has beautiful landscaped parklands ideal for picnics and barbecues. Lifesaver patrols each weekend and all summer holidays make Tannum a great family swimming venue.
It’s also great for water skiing, sailboarding, surf-skiing and fishing. Tannum Sands and Boyne Island are linked by kilometres of pedestrian and cycle paths. Boyne Island, home of the aluminium smelter, is particularly known for its beautiful foreshore parks. It offers a quality mix of residential, business, shopping, industry and environment where foreshore parks overlook boats, outrigger crews and fishing on the calm river waters.
A variety of accommodation is available at Boyne Island and Tannum Sands including quality holiday units, beachfront motels and caravan parks.
The combination of the sheltered waters of Port Curtis, the marina basin and marina pen design allow for safe mooring even during inclement weather.
Lake Awoonga
This vast lake (the area’s water supply) provides a comprehensive recreation area about 30 minutes from the Gladstone. Nestled in surrounding hills, the Awoonga Dam precinct includes a tree-top restaurant and resident kookaburras. The grounds have picnic facilities, walking tracks, a kiosk/restaurant, caravan park and camping ground. Swimming is permitted either from the shore or from anchored pontoons, and a boat ramp provides access for sailing, fishing and skiing (permit required).
The lake area is a wildlife sanctuary - home and haven to varieties of birdlife, wallabies and turtles. You only have to take a walk along the water’s edge to get to know the natives better.
Calliope
Clde Hotel - Calliope Historical Village A journey 25 minutes west of Gladstone finds you at Calliope Village, where the early history of the Port Curtis area has been recaptured. The village contains an impressive collection of buildings from the early years, relocated and restored, including the Clyde Hotel, the Hazeldean Church, a country schoolhouse and pioneer residences. It is open every day for self-guided tours.
The town of Calliope, surrounded by farms and a hinterland landscape has a relaxed rural atmosphere. Enjoy horse riding trails and bush camps and take advantage of the historical homesteads and lookouts with spectacular views over the entire Port Curtis area. Fishing enthusiasts will find themselves well catered for with boat ramps provided at Boyne Island, Tannum Sands, Calliope River and the Narrows.
Nearby Castle Tower National Park, made up of granite outcrops covered in open eucalypt woodland, is recommended for keen, experienced bushwalkers.
Markets
Calliope Country Markets at Calliope Village near Gladstone boasts about 250 market, food, drink and produce stalls. The market opens at 8.30 am on market day. Take all the family for a day out. Make a note of these markets in 2005
The Port of Gladstone is one of Australia’s finest natural deep-water harbours. The Port of Gladstone is Queensland's largest multi-commodity port, handling over 30 different products. Major cargoes include coal, bauxite, alumina, aluminium, cement and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). The port has a total throughput of more than 100 million tonnes per annum.