Gladstone
The Gladstone Region is a unique area of Australia, in the state of Queensland, where tourism, major industry and quality of life co-exist in harmony. Covering the City of Gladstone, and Shires of Calliope and Miriam Vale, with a regional population of over 47,000, the region incorporates rugged national parks, long sandy beaches, picturesque islands and one of the seven wonders of the world, the Great Barrier Reef.
The region's principal city, Gladstone, 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, including Heron Island.
With a history of economic development driven by a dynamic, growth-oriented community, the region is keen to capitalise on its natural advantages. It can accommodate the needs of a modern industrial centre while still maintaining the recreational lifestyle of a coastal resort. Representing a key area of National and State economic development with major industry it includes the world's largest alumina refinery, Australia's largest aluminium smelter, a thriving fishing industry and a growing tourism industry.
Cycling
There are few cycling tracks in Gladstone, however most people tend to use the road when they decide to cycle.
Walking
Boyne Island Tannum Sands has 15km of walking paths along the river and beach areas - called "The Turtle way". One of these paths leads directly to the Smelter itself allowing employees to cycle or walk to work.
There are walking tracks located at Spinnaker Park behind the Kmart Shopping Centre, and across from the Duck Ponds in Glenlyon Street. The beach area at Tannum Sands also has some nice walking areas. Usual precautions should be taken when walking at night.
Holidays and festivals
Over the Easter long weekend, Gladstone plays host to two major events, the Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race and the Gladstone Harbour Festival - annual events that see Gladstone overflowing with tourists and visitors. The Harbour Festival is held at the Marina with lots of show rides and food stalls. The Harbour Festival comes to a close on Sunday afternoon with a parade of floats in Gladstone's main street. Look up http://www.gladstonefestival.com/ for more information.
The Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race is a popular event for all. The yachts usually arrive in Gladstone Harbour Sunday or early Monday, depending on the wind. Both Friday and Saturday nights, the Gladstone Yacht Club is the place to be for celebrating the race.
The Boyne Tannum Hook-up is held on the Queen's Birthday long weekend. This is a fishing competition open to anyone who wants to catch fish. There are prizes to be won, including boats and accessories.
For more information on Gladstone Region festivals and special events, go to www.gladstoneregion.com/Tourism/Calendar.htm.
Movies
Gladstone has a brand new 7 screen cinema complex including the luxury Gold Room. The theatre is located on Dawson Highway in Gladstone. For movie times go to http://www.gladstonecinemas.com.au/.
Performing arts
The Gladstone Entertainment Centre is located at 58 Goondoon Street, phone (07) 4972 2822 and is the venue for live theatre, entertainment, and conferences. Gladstone online lists the following performing arts groups in Gladstone.
Gladstone Light Opera Society
14 Morgan Street, Gladstone
Telephone: (07) 4972 3575
Web site: www.welcome.to/glos
Gladstone Musical Society
88a Oaka Lane, Gladstone
Mrs. C. Caird (President) (07) 4972 1898
Sylvia Hinschen (Secretary) (07) 4979 1528
Gladstone Symphony Orchestra Assoc Inc.
PO Box 1935, Gladstone
Viv Irwin (President), a/h hours (07) 4972 6426
Rus Tooker (Minute Sec) a/h (07) 4972 4435
GUESS Inc. (Gladstone's Unique Entertaining Stagecraft Society)
PO Box 1760, Gladstone 4680
Email: gladuess@hotmail.com
Workshops/stage productions (plays) for adults
Art galleries
The Gladstone Regional Art Gallery and Museum is located in Goondoon Street on the corner of Bramston Street. The telephone number is (07) 4976 6766. Some information about the Gladstone Regional Art Gallery and Museum from sunzine.net:
"The Gladstone Regional Art Gallery & Museum is a public institution established and funded by the Gladstone City Council. It is dedicated to promoting the visual arts and crafts for and by the communities of the Port Curtis region and Central Queensland in addition to acting as a focal point for the preservation and display of the region's history and cultural heritage. It houses, maintains and presents the city's permanent collection of Australian art and local history. Exhibitions in all display spaces are changed every four to six weeks and are accompanied by a programme of educational and social activities.
"The attractive eclectic styled building on the corner of Goondoon and Bramston Streets was built as an employment project in 1934. Now heritage listed, the free classical styled building was designed by Rockhampton architect, Ray Chipps."
Maritime museum
The Port of Gladstone was discovered and charted by maritime explorer Matthew Flinders in August 1802. After 200 years of fascinating maritime history, the museum is a collection of artefacts, memorabilia, and photos. Located in the George Young Building, Francis Ward Drive, Auckland Point. Telephone 0413 039 732.
Craft galleries
Cedar Galleries and Artist Colony is located on the Bruce Highway between Benaraby and Calliope. There crafts such as glass working, wood turning, lead lighting, blacksmithing, pottery, painting, and ceramics are presented. Telephone: (07) 4975 0444.
Historical village
The Calliope River Port Curtis Historical Village is located 25 minutes west of Gladstone. This historical village captures some of the early history of the Port Curtis area. It is a popular stop for Bruce Highway travellers passing through Calliope Shire. The village contains relocated and restored buildings from the early years such as the Clyde Hotel, the Hazeldean Church, a country schoolhouse, and pioneer residences. It is open every day for self-guided tours. The village also hosts one of Queensland's largest country markets on selected Sundays during the year. Telephone (07) 4973 2080 or (07) 4978 1486.
Childrens activities
The Police Citizens Youth Club (PCYC) of Gladstone can be contacted on (07) 4972 3122. In the Gladstone area there are three public swimming pools.
Gladstone Swimming Pool
60 Tank Street, Gladstone
Telephone (07) 4972 6822
Western Suburbs Swimming Club
180 Glenlyon Street, Gladstone
Telephone (07) 4972 8212
Tannum Sands Public Pool
Waratah Crescent
Telephone (07) 4973 8744
There is also a Toddler Pool at the Gladstone Swimming Pool.
Eating out
The "Restaurants" section of the Yellow Pages telephone directory has a comprehensive listing of restaurants in the Gladstone area. Some details are listed below:
Amici's Traditional Pasta & Pizza
111 Toolooa Street, Gladstone
(07) 4972 2082
China Garden Restaurant
19 Tank Street, Gladstone
(07) 4972 5044
Chinatown Restaurant
29b Tank Street, Gladstone
(07) 4972 3723
Dragon Garden Chinese Restaurant
40 Tank Street, Gladstone
(07) 4972 9998
Flinders Seafood Restaurant
Flinders Parade, Gladstone
(07) 4972 8322
"A licensed restaurant on the Gladstone waterfront overlooking Auckland Inlet, it offers indoor and outdoor eating, with seafood a feature. Air-conditioned. Cocktail bar. Vegetarian dishes."
Gladstone Golf Club-Bunkers Bistro
Hickory Avenue, Gladstone
(07) 4978 1200
Brass Bell Restaurant
Harbour Sails Motor Inn
23 Goondoon Street, Gladstone
(07) 4972 3456
Kalinda Restaurant
Awoonga Dam, Benaraby
(07) 4975 0155
"Extensive Breakfast and Lunch menu. Dinner bookings can be made for groups of 20 or more people. Table service. Fully roofed deck, Overlooking Lake Awoonga."
Kapers BYO Restaurant
124b Goondoon Street, Gladstone
(07) 4972 7902
"A compact non-licensed restaurant in the City Centre, it offers a varied menu. Dinner: Monday through Saturday (Lunches by arrangement). BYO alcohol. Air-conditioned. Vegetarian dishes."
Klickity's
Corner Far & Dawson Hwy, Gladstone
(07) 4972 4322
"Open every night for dinner, with an extensive a la carte menu."
Scotties Bar & Restaurant
46 Goondoon Street, Gladstone
(07) 4972 9999
"A bar restaurant in the City Centre, indoor, outdoor dining. A la carte dining. Air-conditioned. Available for functions."
Escape Restaurant
23 Ocean Street, Tannum Sands
(07) 4973 7111
"A licensed first-floor restaurant close to the main beach, it offers a varied menu. Air-conditioned. Bar area. International cuisine with the Italian flavour." \
Thai Classic
28 Tank Street, Gladstone
(07) 4972 1647
Yachties Bistro
Gladstone Yacht Club
1 Goondoon Street
(07) 4972 8611
"Absolute waterfront position. Open 7 days for lunch & dinner. Extensive a la carte menu offering inexpensive meals specialising in seafood, pasta and steaks."
Botanical gardens
The Tondoon Botanic Gardens are located south of the city centre along Glenlyon Road. This is one of Australia's few totally native gardens, specialising in plants of the Port Curtis region and North Queensland. Entry is free. The 55-hectare garden features a lake with landscaped surrounds and the Mt. Biondello bush walk. Colourful birdlife, wallabies and turtles add to the display of flora. Picnic and barbecues are available, together with a visitor information centre and a kiosk with a wide viewing deck. The Botanical Gardens are open every day; make sure you take some bread to feed the ducks and turtles. Telephone: (07) 4979 3326.
Dams
Awoonga Dam created as the area's substantial water supply, provides an impressive recreation area about 30 minutes from Gladstone via Benaraby. It has picnic facilities, walking tracks, a kiosk/restaurant, caravan park, and camping ground. You can swim from the shore or from anchored pontoons, and there is a boat ramp that provides access for sailing, fishing, and skiing (permits required). Varied watercraft can be hired on weekends and organised fishing cruises are available. Beyond the Dam is the rugged Mt. Castletower National Park. The picnic area at Ironbark Gully is also popular. Telephone: (07) 4975 0155.
For more information, go to http://www.gawb.qld.gov.au/
Wineries
Gecko Valley Winery located on Bailiff Road, via 700 Glenlyon Road Gladstone is the place to visit for a little wine tasting and purchasing the local wine. Telephone (07) 4979 0400, or visit their website www.geckovalley.com.au/Store/.
The Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the treasures of the world, and it is located off the coast northeast of the Gladstone area. The Gladstone Marina is a departure terminal for visits to the Great Barrier Reef. Charter vessels are equipped to cater for divers and underwater photographers, and sightseers. For information on charters, check the Gladstone Visitor Information Centre located at the Marina Ferry Terminal, Bryan Jordan Drive, Gladstone. Their telephone number is (07) 4972 9000.
The following websites provide information about the Great Barrier Reef: http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/
http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/
http://www.greatbarrierreef.aus.net/
http://www.queenslandholidays.co.uk/
www.fodors.com/miniguides/
Heron Island
Heron Island, about a 1 hour helicopter ride from Gladstone or 2 hours by boat, is a great island to visit for a weekend or longer. Here you can go snorkelling, diving and reef walking on a guided tour. Heron Island is a jewel in a complex of reefs. It is known for quality diving, snorkelling, fishing, reef walking and nature walks. From a range of quality accommodation, you step straight to the reef where the waters are teeming with colourful life. Between October and March, Green turtles laying their eggs are joined by up to 100,000 terns and mutton birds nesting and raising their young.
For more information on Heron Island, here are a few websites:
Resort accommodations, descriptions: www.poresorts.com.au/home.htm
Helicopter flights to Heron Island and elsewhere: http://www.marineheli.com/
Charter boat operation: http://www.norvalcharters.com.au/
National parks
There are many National Parks in the Gladstone area: Deepwater National Park
Unspoilt stretch of coastline with high sand dunes backed by open forest and vine thicket with banksia heath to the west. Features Deepwater Creek, a pristine freshwater creek. Camping facilities, beach walking, canoeing, bird watching and turtle hatchlings (January to April), 4WDing and fishing. Contact Department of the Environment, (07) 4974 9350.
Eurimbula National Park
Visitors to Eurimbula can observe mangrove fringed estuaries, freshwater paperbark swamps, and coastal lowland eucalypt forests with weeping cabbage palms to tall rainforest with towering hoop pines. Camping, boating, fishing, bushwalking and hiking (e.g., To Ganoonga Noonga lookout), 4WDing. Contact Department of the Environment, (07) 4974 9350.
Kroombit State Forest and National Park
Kroombit Tops State Forest is 34,400 ha of forest adjoining Kroombit National Park. The park is an elevated sandstone plateau with steep escarpment, lush rainforest, and spectacular views. Access 85 kilometres south-west of Gladstone. 2WD to park; 4WD within park. Kroombit Tops is clearly visible from many parts of the region. The spectacular cliffs of the eastern escarpment are a particularly prominent landmark. Kroombit Tops is, in fact, a large plateau cloaked by a dense and diverse forest flora which together with the ragged sandstone topography gives rise to spectacular scenery. Kroombit is ideal for a full day trip or overnight bush camping. No facilities. Day visitors require a forestry permit. Camping permits are required for camping. Contact: Department of Natural Resources, (07) 4931 9815 and/or Department of Environment, Gladstone, telephone (07) 4972 6055.
Mt. Larcom
This is a mountain near Gladstone which is popular for sturdy climbing bush-walks along a marked trail.
Mt. Colosseum National Park
Dominating the skyline, Mt. Colosseum is clothed in eucalypt woodland and open forest on its lower slopes and dry rainforest with emergent hoop pines on the upper slopes. Access: 13 kilometres south of Miriam Vale via Agnes Water Road. Bushwalking, a mountain climb, 4WDing and camping. Permits required. Contact: Department of Environment, Agnes Water, telephone (07) 4974 9350.
Castle Tower National Park
Energetic climb to the summit of Mt. Castle Tower through open eucalypt forest and dry rainforest is rewarded by panoramic views over Boyne Valley and Gladstone. The highlight of this park is an impressive granite outcrop from which the name is derived. Access: 40 km south of Gladstone, Bruce Highway, turn-off at Iveragh. There are no developed camping grounds but the park is suitable for experienced "walk-in" campers. Visitors must take adequate provisions, including water, as no facilities are provided. Permits required. Contact: Department of Environment, Gladstone, (07) 4972 6055.
More National Park Information
The above are just a sampling of the national parks available for visits by persons living in the Gladstone area. For more information about these and other parks, visit www.env.qld.gov.au/environment/park/.
Sports
There are many sports available on offer in Boyne / Tannum with teams training in Boyne / Tannum and playing against other teams in Gladstone. Examples of the sport on offer in the area include; golf, tennis, swimming, lawn bowls, all football codes, soccer, baseball, softball, netball, basketball, touch football and hockey. Tannum Sands also has a Surf Lifesavers club and there is an Archery Club - Gladstone Bowhunters Association with their practise range located at Awoonga Dam Tannum Sands has a squash centre; telephone number 4973 7082. Gladstone has a Tenpin Bowling Alley located on Benaraby Road, Gladstone. Gladstone Tenpin Bowl is open 7 days, and their telephone number is (07) 4979 1164. You can also find other indoor sports like Indoor Cricket, Indoor Netball and Indoor Volleyball. Call the Harbour City Indoor Sports Centre in Goondoon Street, (07) 4972 3511.
Tae Kwon Do, Judo, and Karate are also available in Gladstone at various clubs. One club to offer martial arts including kickboxing and freestyle martial arts is the Gladstone Martial Arts Academy located at the corner of Toolooa and Short Streets, Gladstone, phone (07) 4972 9700. Gladstone also has a Marching Girls squad.