Things to do in Gladstone

To chat face-to-face to a local about all the best things to see and do in Gladstone, step into a Visitor Information Centre. 

Once there, Gladstone City is a destination in its own right, along with being the jumping-off point for some of the best island adventures on the coastline - Heron Island, and Wilson Island to name a few. Spending a day or two in Gladstone City? You’ll not only find plenty to see and do in town and the neighbouring areas, it’s also a foodie and craft beer lover’s delight where you’re assured to find a smorgasbord of incredible local flavours. 

Swim with turtles, see tropical fish and leave only footprints in the white sand of these tropical islands of the Southern Great Barrier Reef. 

Back on dry land, from Gladstone you can continue exploring the coastline by heading south to the coastal communities of Tannum Sands, 1770 and Agnes Water, and surrender to their slower pace. A little further south, time your visit to witness turtle hatching at Deepwater National Park, and explore the surrounding area towards Rules Beach on the coast and Baffle Creek with its pristine freshwater catchments that provide abundant opportunities for casting and canoeing. 

Down here, days are spent on the beach rather than back at home base, whether that be where you choose to pitch your tent, park your caravan or settle into more formal accommodation on the coastline.

Adventure abounds inland if you pay a visit to the Gladstone section of Kroombit Tops National Park, where sandstone escarpments, gorges, creeks and waterfalls provide a cool and welcoming retreat from the heat. 

As you explore its bumpy tracks by 4WD, expect an ever-changing scenery of cliffs, gorges, waterfalls and creeks. The only other locals you might see on your adventure are the wild horses who freely roam here.

Whether you choose to continue your adventure along the coastline, spend more time on the Great Barrier Reef or make a left turn inland, Gladstone promises a natural oasis, no matter which way you look.