Gladstone - Places to See

Tondoon Botanic Gardens
Having achieved most of its development since World War II, Gladstone's premier attractions tend to be either modern or scenic. There are the beautiful Tondoon Botanic Gardens, which are located south of the city centre along Glenlyon Road. Completed as recently as 1982 they cover 55 ha and include lakes, cascades, an herbarium and arboretum and an interpretive nature trail. For more information check out: http://www.gladstonerc.qld.gov.au/parks5Facilities/tondoon.html

Gladstone Art Gallery and Museum
Even more recent is the Gladstone Art Gallery and Museum which was opened in 1985. Located in the Old Town Hall (a typical solid civic building) in Bramston Street it hosts travelling art exhibitions as well as purchasing local art works and artefacts for an expanding collection.

Port Curtis Historic Village
Located 26 km west of Gladstone on the Bruce Highway is the Port Curtis Historic Village which includes an old railway station, a church, homes, the original Clyde Hotel (10 Mile Pub) and a Colonial Railway Carriage. It also includes a Tourist Information Centre. Open daily from 8.00am - 4.00pm. Tel: (07) 4975 7428.

Lake Awoonga
Lake Awoonga is located 30km from Gladstone and boasts excellent recreation facilities as well as spectacular lake and mountain views. There are numerous shelter sheds and barbecues, walking paths, playgrounds and a picturesque waterfall. Enthusiastic anglers come to lake Awoonga to catch the famed barramundi, of which over two million have been released into the lake. The largest caught weighed in at 29.8 kilograms. Approximately 300,000 fish are released each year, including 200,000 barramundi, 100,000 mullet and some mangrove jack. Lake Awoonga is the highest stocked lake in Australia for mangrove jack. Alternatively you can just sit back, relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery and wildlife. Plants in the water and river banks support the fish, eels, turtles, platypus and birds. Further from the water's edge snakes, geckos and lizards, frogs and mammals can be found. The nearby bushland holds a diverse range of native fauna. Bandicoots, melomys, kangaroos, greater gliders and yellow bellied gliders, and brushtail possums. Wallabies such as the agile whiptail and swamp wallaby can be spotted by keen observers. Most noticeable at Lake Awoonga are the numerous species of birds (almost 200). This means that around 25% of Australia's bird species can be found in the region. The Southern Squatter Pigeon is listed as vulnerable and of conservation significance and a further fifteen bird species are listed on International Migratory Conservation Agreement Lists. Lake Awoonga is arguably one of the most important near-coast bird refuges on the East Coast of Australia.

Quoin Island
Only 4 km from Gladstone is Quoin Island which lies at the entrance to Port Curtis. In recent years it has become the recreational centre for the city with attractive and clean beaches, bushwalking, and facilities for windsurfing, swimming, fishing and boating. The island also boasts tennis courts, a swimming pool, accommodation and a theatre restaurant.

Curtis Island
Further north is the huge Curtis Island which is 40 km from north to south and 20 km from east to west. It was first sighted by Captain Cook during his voyage up the coast in 1770. In 1802 Matthew Flinders named it after Admiral Sir Roger Curtis, the Commander-in-Chief at the Cape of Good Hope.

Gladstone Area Promotion and Development
If you are planning to stay in Gladstone it is wise to visit the Gladstone Area Promotion and Development (which includes Reef Adventureland Information) is located at 56 Goondoon Street and is well worth visiting. They have excellent maps of the area and detailed information on the cruises to the Great Barrier Reef. Tel: (07) 4972 4000.

Castle Tower National Park
Located to the south of Gladstone, visitors can make a climb to the top of this granite outcrop for excellent views of the district. However, this is a fairly strenuous endeavour and only for committed experienced bushwalkers. The environs consist of eucalypt woodland and dry rainforest along the creeks and gullies. For more information check out: http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/parks/castle-tower/index.html