Free things to do in Gladstone

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Danielle	 Reckless

By Danielle Reckless

A wilderness wonderland on the edge of the Southern Great Barrier Reef, Gladstone might be a little off the typical tourist radar, but it’s booming with adventures. And plenty won’t cost you a cent.

Come to explore the region, have a family getaway during school holidays, or spend a few serene days here as a pit stop on your east coast road trip.

Check out these free things to do in Gladstone for your next visit.

Have a splash at East Shores Precinct

Explore Gladstone’s newest playground for sweeping coastal views, picnics on the grass and a splash at East Shores Water Park. There’s plenty of space to play, whether you want to stroll the waterfront boardwalk or use the barbeques to cook up a dinner while watching the sunset.

The water play park is open from 9am - 9pm during the hotter months, and until 6pm in the cooler months.

Wander the garden path

Set upon 83 hectares, Tondoon Botanic Gardens is a great spot to spend the morning discovering cultivated gardens and wildlife nestled into Mount Biondello.

Take a stroll around the Japanese Tea Gardens, explore the numerous walking tracks and watch the freshwater birds at Lake Tondoon. Free guided tours of the gardens are available each week, and there’s also picnic areas with electric barbecues and a kids playground.

If you’ve worked up an appetite, stop for a decadent dessert at Savour the Flavour while you’re here – it’s one of Gladstone’s yummiest cafes.

Have a peak 

Mount Larcom | things to do Gladstone

Photo by @jottaburger

Looking for an adventure without the price tag? Summit Mount Larcom, the peak that can be seen from all over Gladstone. The popular hiking trail is a quick 15-minute drive from the centre of town and then about a two-hour climb to the peak. Most of the hike is a moderately steep walking trail, before a muscle-busting rock hop to the top.

Prefer great views without working up a sweat? Walk to Auckland and Round Hill lookouts, each boasting 360 degree views of the surrounding district.

Cast a line

Pack your rod and reel, as coastal towns Agnes Water and 1770 are some of Queensland’s best kept fishing secrets. Lake Awoonga is a hotspot for barramundi, so read up on this inland fishing guide before you head out.  

Take a dip at Tannum Sands

Take a stroll down the Tannum Sands Millennium Esplanade where golden coastline stretches in each direction. Go for a dip at the beach, then follow the winding paths through lush parklands, playgrounds, and barbecue areas overlooking the surf.

Cycle through an outdoor art gallery 

Jump on your bike to explore an art trail with a difference. The Boyne Tannum Turtleway Artscape is an ongoing community art project, so ride along the Turtleway Bikeway to check out the sculptures and mosaics that line the way.  

Discover the paperbark forest 

Paperbark Trail Agnes Water | free things to do Gladstone

Tiptoe along a path of wooden stepping stones along the enchanting Paperbark Forest Boardwalk

Head south to the Reedy Creek Reserve on the outskirts of Agnes Water, and immerse yourself in lush undergrowth as you weave your way along narrow boardwalks and water crossings through a light-filled forest of towering paperbark trees.

Spend a morning at the museum

Delve into the arts, culture, and a light history lesson of the area at the Gladstone Regional Art Gallery and Museum. Housed in the heritage-listed old Gladstone Town Hall, there’s exhibitions that change every 6-8 weeks and it’s both wheelchair and pram friendly.

Have a wild adventure

Kayaking in Deepwater National Park | free things to do Gladstone

Got a 4WD? Jump in and steer towards Kroombit Tops National Park.

Winding country roads will lead you to the Gladstone section of the Sandstone Wilderness, a district famous for its collection of unforgettable cliffs, gorges, waterfalls and creeks. Meander the rough terrain through the forest, then take a lunch break at Boyne Valley lookout.

Or switch standstone for sand and head to rugged Deepwater National Park. Here you’ll be greeted by unspoiled long sandy beaches, freshwater creeks and great fishing spots. Take a scenic drive through eucalypt woodlands and keep your eyes peeled for wallabies, emus and other bird life.

Have picnic, explore the rock pools, kayak or try a spot of fishing on the beach near the Wreck Rock and Flat Rock day-use areas.

If you’re lucky, you might even witness one of nature’s most fascinating spectacles. The beaches from Wreck Rock to Agnes Water are the only places on Australia’s mainland where the endangered leatherback turtle returns each year to nest. Look for nesting turtles on the beach from October to February, and hatchlings as they make their journey to the sea from January to April.

Take a DIY photo tour

A visit to Gladstone isn’t complete without a stroll around the marina and parklands to admire the boats moored here in the harbour.

For a photo opportunity worthy of wall-hanging status, travel down Alf Orouke Drive to Spinnaker Park, which looks back to the marina on one side and out to the surrounding islands on the other.

Keep your eyes peeled for whales

If you’re visiting during whale-watching season (July to October) don’t forget binoculars: you’re likely to see migrating humpback whales and their calves playing and feeding in these waters.

1770 Headland is one of the best spots to see them, where you’ll also score unforgettable views over Bustard Bay. If you’re an early riser, come to watch the sunrise to the soundtrack of the local kookaburras’ morning chorus.

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