GLADSTONE

Gladstone is located on the Central Queensland coast 520 kilometres north of Brisbane and is a city where tourism and industry are in harmony to retain a pleasant lifestyle and environment. The city has taken shape as one of Queensland's most interesting localities, and is the host to increasing numbers of tourists each year. Visitors often react with a pleasant surprise at what they find in this community, developed beside a deepwater harbour.

Some of the many attractions around Gladstone are:
Gladstone Marina - The Gladstone Marina is a modern complex for yachting and boating activity. The taste of the sea comes to shore with the fishing fleet that regularly brings in its catches of export-quality fish, prawns, sea scallops, bugs and crabs. The feature event at the Marina each year at Easter time, is the Gladstone Harbour Festival. The Marina is a striking backdrop for this event with the entertainment provided at the Marina Stage, along with rides and amusements, and fireworks. This is also the time of year that the Blue Water Classic - Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht race is held.
Heron Island - Heron Island is situated in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park just off the coast of Gladstone. The colourful reefs and coral cays around Heron Island provide opportunity for quality diving, as well as snorkelling and reef walking.
Tannum Sands Beach and Boyne Island - A short drive south of Gladstone, this attractive beach is ideal for swimming, sailboarding and surfskiing. The Esplanade is beautifully set out, with lovely gardens, picnic tables and barbeques. Boyne Island and Tannum Sands have a relaxed coastal lifestyle centred on the beach and riverside walkways, parklands and recreational opportunities.
Lake Awoonga - Lake Awoonga/Awoonga Dam is situated upstream of the Boyne River, and is a very poplular freshwater fishing and recreational spot. The Dam has been well stocked with Barramundi. There are excellent picnic grounds and barbeque facilities surrounding the Dam, as well as walking tracks and a variety of bird life and wallabies to see.

The Gladstone region is a key area in Queensland's and the nation's, economic developement, presently generating over one-third by volume of the State's exports. The Port of Gladstone is one of the largest ports on the eastern seaboard and handles more than 38 million tonnes of cargo each year. Protected by offshore islands, the natural deep-water port provides year-round access. There are many employment opportunities around Gladstone with a vast range of industry present in the city.

Visit Gladstone, and be surprised!!!