GLADSTONE QUEENSLAND

Centre of the Southern Reef - The Gladstone Region is a unique area of Queensland. At the heart of the region, the city of Gladstone overlooks its natural deep water harbour.

As the centre of the southern reef, access to Heron Island, Lady Musgrave Island and uninhabited coral cays, Gladstone offers visitors the miracle of the Great Barrier Reef.

A wide variety of restaurants and eateries cater to all tastes - from Australian tucker to Gladstone's famous mud crab and fresh seafood. Gladstone's Tondoon Botanic Gardens are one of Australia's few totally native botanic gardens. The display areas specialise in the plants of the surrounding and Tropical North Queensland regions.

The Gladstone Entertainment Centre, forms the focal point of the city's cultural activities. The Gladstone Regional Art Gallery and Museum is a colonial Georgian structure which houses three exhibition areas.

To the south lie the shires of Calliope and Miriam Vale with idyllic, secluded beaches and scenic National Parks. 1770 is the first place in Queensland that Captain James Cook stepped ashore. Boyne Island is renowned for its beautiful foreshore parks, while its sister city of Tannum Sands offers long sandy beaches for safe coastal recreation.

The reef islands within the Gladstone Region are true coral cays, and day trips are on offer to Lady Musgrave Island and Fitzroy Lagoon where visitors can enjoy diving, snorkelling, fishing, reef walking or exploring the flora and fauna.

The region has several impressive National Parks which add camping and 4 wheel driving to the adventures you can experience in the area.