Gladstone Region Guides Attractions Events in Queensland

Agnes Water is Queensland's northern most surf beach and is last in a line of beautiful, unspoilt beaches that sweep up the coast from Bundaberg. Agnes Water and it's sister township of 1770 offer a range of activities and holiday ideas - from relaxing at the beach, Four Wheel Driving through rugged coastal national parks, estuary, beach and deep sea fishing - to enjoying a soft adventure tour aboard an amphibious LARC vessel. Agnes Water and the Town of 1770 is also one of the closest points on the mainland to the outer Great Barrier Reef, with three tours departing to either Lady Musgrave Island or Fitzroy Reef.

Agnes Water features accommodation, shops and eateries and services - all with a beachside atmosphere. The Agnes Water Museum house local history with interesting information of Cook and his voyage. Many beautiful architectural designed homes dots the cabbage palm covered hillsides all with a look reminiscent of the tropics of far north Queensland.

The surfing fraternity have long visited Agnes Water and a major event on the longboard circuit - the 1770 Longboard Classic - is held in March at Agnes Water beach. From Agnes Water - Four Wheel Drive trails extend south into Deepwater National Park and north into Eurimbula National Park - opening up coastal wilderness for camping and fishing.

The road to Agnes Water from Bundaberg is now completely sealed, with some unsealed and untarred sections between Agnes Water and Highway 1 at Miriam Vale.

Baffle Creek is situated between the cities of Bundaberg and Gladstone. Baffle Creek the major stream of the greater Baffle Catchment Area, enters the Pacific Ocean, between the Latitudes 24degrees, 10's and 24degrees, 45's. Baffle Creek is 117 kilometres long, with tidal reach of 35 kilometres which ceases at Essendean Bridge and it's catchment covers an area of some 2,934 square kilometres.

The Baffle Creek System is unique among Queensland Waterways, relatively undisturbed and boasting prolific bird, animal and aquatic life and situated in one of the most equitable climates on earth.

Located on the Dawson Highway, it's true that Banana is a 'don't blink or you'll miss it town', but that's one thing that makes taking a second look worthwhile. The people are 'fairdinkum' and really do give friendly advice with a smile. It's worth stopping for petrol or a drink and look at the memorabilia at the Banana Store.

Baralaba is located 146 kilometres south west of Rockhampton, off the Capricorn Highway. Baralaba is a small town in the heart of the farming and cattle district. The Dawson River flows through the town and great fishing can be enjoyed. There is a historical village to visit, a Farm Stay where horseriding is available, water sports on the river and a golf course, tennis courts and bowling green. The Baralaba Show is held in the first week of May, there is also an annual Art exhibition held in the town.

You cannot really miss Benaraby, as it sits at the southern entrance to Gladstone. It is a small community of 650 people and fairly well known to anglers, being the gateway also to Lake Awoonga which, has a pile of barramundi waiting to be caught. The lake is one beautiful place which must not be overlooked.

But back to Benaraby. The town has fuel, food outlets and general supplies for the traveller. There are also accommodation options.

Berajondo is situated between Lowmead and Rosedale and is reliant upon the Cattle Industry and a little timber cutting for survival. Berajondo is approximately 58 kilometres from Bundaberg and is the main turn off point from Lowmead road to Baffle Creek, Agnes Water and the Town of 1770 from the south.

Biloela is a growing rural town with a very diverse agricultural industry including cotton, sorghum, wheat, herbs and spices. The cattle industry is thriving with the largest number of cattle of any Shire in Queensland.

The Town is the centre of the Banana Shire. The name of the Shire came from a tan coloured bullock, named Banana, which worked on a property in the region in the mid 19th century.

Biloela's biggest attraction is The SILO. More than 28 metres high, it is filled, not with grain, but with an array of displays about primary industry. The SILO situated in Exhibition street gives an insight into cotton production, stud and dairy cattle, redclaw and ostrich farming, grain production and landcare.

Biloela came into being only in 1924 as an agricultural centre. Coal was first mined in the 1940s but was transported to Gladstone. First started by Theiss Brothers. Callide A commenced production over 30 years ago with two 120 Meg generators. Callide B came on line in 1988 with two 350 Meg units and Callide C with two 410 Meg generators and an overall consumption of about six million tonnes of coal from Callide Coalfields.

Tours are available from Tuesday to Friday at Callide B Powerhouse situated 17 kilometres from Biloela. For an overview of the mine, drive to Callide Mine Lookout, which has a spectacular view of Biloela and the mine areas. The vantage point gives people a fantastic view of the workings of the dragline, which is one of the world's largest walking draglines.

Visit nearby Kroombit National Park sandstone escarpment with spectacular views , subtropical rainforest and palm fringed waterfalls. Final resting place of the Beautiful Betsy, an aircraft which went missing in World War Two.

Back in the war years, Bororen was noted for its pies. Those on active duty almost considered deserting just to get their hands on a Bororen pie. In the 21st century, it's still worthwhile pulling over for a break. The local pub has a great atmosphere, country to its boots. The architecture is great.

The town, south of Gladstone, is quite well known these days for its cattle and timber industries. If you're in town on the right day and at the right time, you may even get to see the local woodsmith at work.

The town has a caravan park, covered picnic areas as well as facilities for that obligatory toilet stop.

Take a short drive south from Gladstone to the picturesque coastal communities of Boyne Island and Tannum Sands and you will experience a relaxed coastal lifestyle centred on attractive beaches, riverside walkways, parklands and recreational activities.

With a population of close to 8000, these 'twin' communities are linked by a bridge across the beautiful Boyne River.

Boyne Island - the island you can drive to - offers a quality mix of residential, business, shopping, industry and environment where foreshore parks overlook boats, outrigger crews and fishing on the calm river waters.

The island is also home to Australia's largest aluminium smelter - the State's largest user of electricity. It employs 1200 people to produce 490,000 tonnes of metal a year. You are welcome to learn more about this fascinating facility at the Smelter Visitor Centre.

Recently awarded 'Queensland's Friendliest Beach' and 'Central Queensland's Tidiest Beach', Tannum Sands is just nine kilometres from the Bruce Highway, and has long white sandy beaches perfect for swimming, sailboarding and surfskiing. The main beach has beautifully-landscaped parklands ideal for picnics and barbecues. Queensland Lifesavers patrol the main beach each weekend and all summer holidays, adding to the safe and relaxed holiday atmosphere.

With only a small variation in seasonal water temperatures, the waters of Tannum Sands and Boyne Island are perfect for year-round swimming. The area is a popular stopover for the winter 'migration' from the south!

Boyne and Tannum have more than 15 kilometres of walks known as The Turtle Way, winding beside the river through bushland, dunes and parks such as the Canoe Point picnic area and environmental park botanic walks.

At southern end of the Tannum main beach is Wild Cattle Island - an untouched, National Park sand island separated from the mainland by Wild Cattle Creek.

There is a string of tiny settlements heading south of Calliope which lead to an equally small township called Builyan. There is Taragoola, Barmundu, Boynedale, Wietabba, Nargoorin, Ubobo and Littlemore, not a bad track if you want to leave civilisation behind and to leave heavy traffic for others to battle.

At the southernmost point of that byway is Builyan, the town that fought off Telstra and saved its telephone box. That may not seem a big deal to city slickers, but out here at Builyan, it was worth fighting for. At last check, the box was still there and working. If the phone call is that urgent, there is a shorter route, travelling from Miriam Vale, heading west and onwards to Monto.

Calliope is a small country town 21 kilometres, or about 20 minutes, drive west of Gladstone. With a relaxed rural atmosphere, Calliope is surrounded by farms and a beautiful hinterland landscape.

The area boasts a national park of rainforests and native bush, horse riding trails, bush camps, historical homesteads and lookouts with spectacular views over the entire Port Curtis area.

With a population of 1700, the town of Calliope has country pubs, a country club with a challenging golf course, and village shops. Just north along the highway is the Calliope River Historical Village, taking you back many years to capture some of the early history of the Port Curtis area.

Fishing enthusiasts are well catered for with boat ramps provided at Boyne Island, Tannum Sands, Calliope River and Lake Awoonga. Choice mud crabs and such fish as bream, salmon, whiting, cod and flathead can be caught from the Boyne and Calliope rivers and the many estuaries running from these rivers. Lake Awoonga is a prime location for catching barramundi, with the bonus of being able to fish for these well-known angler prizes year round.

Once a prosperous gold mining town, Cracow is located 154 kilometres south east of Biloela. Gold was discovered in 1850, with the Golden Plateau N.L Company operating the mine from 1936 to 1976. Once promoted as a 'ghost town' Cracow has recently been given a new lease on life with the reopening of the gold mine.

Much of Cracow can be enjoyed on foot, by taking a 'walking tour' of the deserted buildings in the main street, the cemetery and the abandoned grand hospital. Envisage how life was in this once vibrant and prosperous town. A visit to Cracow Hotel is an experience and tour in its own right. Enjoy country hospitality, a meal, a yarn and hotel's display of memorabilia dedicated to the pioneering stockmen and country 'larrikins'. Take a short drive to 'Cracow Beach' and marvel at the rare Livistonia Palms prevalent to the Dawson River area.

A splash of vivid yellow could be the clue that you're approaching the township of Dululu, which is located south-west of Rockhampton.

This is sunflower territory and late summer is the time to get the best out of the colour. It is also cotton-growing country with further competition for the country space coming from cattle. Little wonder there is only a relatively small number of humans taking up the remainder of available land. The little town has a beautiful old Queensland pub and for travellers there are camping facilities, along with a rest area with barbecue and picnic tables.

Eurimbula is most noted for being the home of Eurimbula National Park, which is characterised by rainforests, native shrubs, open heathland, swamplands, coastal vegetation, waterholes, plenty of native animals and birdlife including emus. There are some lovely secluded beaches which afford excellent opportunities for swimming and both beach and rock-fishing. Access to Eurimbula National Park is through soft sand but is suitable for conventional cars with high clearance during dry weather. A four wheel drive vehicle is recommended after heavy rain as the road may become boggy and includes several creek crossings. Do not attempt to tow a caravan into the area at any time.

The city of Gladstone is developed on hills overlooking the focal point of its economic development - the natural deepwater harbour. The dynamic, modern city of Gladstone basks in a sub-tropical climate with islands, waterways and beaches providing year-round boating, fishing, swimming and surfing. As the centre of the southern reef, access to Heron Island, Lady Musgrave Island and uninhabited coral cays, offers visitors the miracle of the Great Barrier Reef. A large Charter Boat fleet operates from the world class Marina.

A wide variety of restaurants and eateries cater to all tastes - from Australian tucker to Gladstone's famous mud crab and fresh seafood. All types of accommodation are available including four-star motel properties, comfortable and affordable motels and caravan parks.

Centre of the Southern Reef - The Gladstone Region is a unique area of Queensland - a region where opportunity awaits. This dynamic city basks in a sub-tropical climate with islands, waterways and beaches on the doorstep of the Great Barrier Reef. So many landscapes, variety and so much sunshine provide the visitor with endless opportunities.

At the heart of the region, the city of Gladstone overlooks its natural deep water harbour. 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. The spectacular cliffs of the Kroombit Tops are cloaked in diverse flora and fauna. Mount Castletower National Park lies at the base of Lake Awoonga with its impressive, yet rugged terrain. Deepwater and Eurimbula National Parks provide the contrast of open eucalypt and paperback forests with lush rainforests and quiet beaches.

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.

Heron Island is located just off the coast of Gladstone and boasts some of the best scuba diving and snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef. Heron Island is a coral cay, meaning it is completely composed of sand and coral fragments. The island is surrounded by 24 square kilometres of reef and boasts several nesting spots for green and loggerhead turtles.

Heron Island offers a unique experience where you can truly immerse yourself in the beauty of nature. Among the music of seabirds, tracks of turtles and multi-coloured clouds of fish, the feeling that you're a guest of nature itself is inescapable. Reef walking, viewing underwater life from the coral submarine, watching the sun set over the ocean - you become part of a community caught up in the timeless evolution of the world's largest living thing - the Great Barrier Reef.

There is one resort on the island, Heron Island Resort, which offers several standards of accommodation designed to suit all tastes and budgets.

The village of Jambin is located is located 29 kilometres north west of Biloela on the Burnett Highway. Originally set up as a supply depot for the railways, Jambin now forms an intricate part of the rich agriculture area. A visit to Jambin isn't complete without a stop at the local pub. Located on the Burnett Highway, the local pub is a popular spot for a cool drink and break in your journey.

Miriam Vale is located at the northern gateway to the Bundaberg Coral Coast and Country Region. The commercial and governmental hub of the 'Discovery Coast', Miriam Vale straddles the Bruce Highway 1. The town features a mixture of buildings, including some fine old structures in the timber 'Queenslander' style. The town is the jumping off point to both the coastal attractions with the twin town of Agnes Water and the Town of 1770 and the rural areas of Lowmead, Rosedale, Bororen and Many Peaks. The area's hills and mountains preserve some untouched wilderness for Four Wheel Driving and hiking - like the coastal Eurimbula, Rodds Peninsula and Deepwater National Parks, rugged Mount Colosseum National Park rising 470 metres just south of the town and the isolated rainforests of the Bilburrin State Forest.

The north bank of the Baffle Creek is a fisherman's paradise and the Bustard Heads lighthouse is a sight not to be missed whilst in the area. The waters off Turkey Beach in Rodds Bay are a dugong preservation habitat. Turtles nest of the areas beaches during the summer months.

At Miriam Vale, a handy information centre can give you all that you need to know when exploring the area. Accommodation can be found at most centres in the area.

Moura is located 200 kilometres south west of Rockhampton. Moura is a major cattle centre and also produces coal, cotton and grain. On route to Carnarvon Gorge and National Park, Moura has many facilities on offer to the traveller. Moura also hosts the annual Coal and Country festival which is held in August. The local airfield is usually used by the mine and emergency services, the Moura Hospital can be found on Nott Street. The town also has a motel and hotel, a bakery, cafes, Memorial Club and Bowls Club. There's also a 18 hole golf course and Olympic size swimming pool. You can also enjoy a spot of fishing off the pier. There's an IGA supermarket for groceries and a local service station to fill up at.

Off the Lowmead Road is the Rosedale turnoff, the one kilometre detour into the small rural centre of Rosedale is worthwhile, the township has a friendly country hotel and a general store which boasts a garden model railway. In the park there is an excellent amenities block with wheelchair access. By the electric rail line is a large water tower, a reminder of the steam era.

Rules Beach is named after the Rule family, one of the early pioneering families in the area, situated on the ocean front Rules Beach is some miles long and is the full distance between Baffle Creek and Broadwater creek. Rules Beach is the only beach left on the Discovery Coast on which you can legally drive a Four Wheel Drive vehicle, and is the way to reach the mouth of Broadwater creek by vehicle. Two camping areas are accessed from Rules Beach. Mouth of Baffle Creek is one kilometre south of the beach access point and Broadwater is seven kilometres to the north.

Rules beach is located only 50 minutes by air from the Brisbane International airport plus a short drive from the thriving Bundaberg city and just half an hour north is the discovery coast areas of Agnes Water and the Town Of 1770.

Tannum Sands is just nine kilometres from the Bruce Highway and just 20 kilometres from the city of Gladstone. Tannum Sands is renowned for its long white sandy beaches perfect for swimming, sailboarding and surf-skiing. Tannum Sands is home to 4500 people and is just a stone's throw from Boyne Island.

The twin towns of Tannum Sands and Boyne Island are linked by the John Oxley Bridge over the Boyne River, which is perfect for fishing, boating, outrigging, and water-skiing. The twin towns are also home to Australia's largest Aluminium Smelter, Boyne Smelters Limited. The smelter employs over 1200 people and produces 490, 000 tonnes of metal a year. The Smelter runs tours of the site on Friday mornings. For further information on these tours, contact the Visitor Information Centre at Ocean Street Tannum Sands.

Beautifully landscaped parklands and recreation facilities were created on this coastal foreshore area named Millennium Esplanade. Millennium Esplanade is on the main beach, where lifesavers patrol during Spring and Summer periods. With only a small variation in seasonal temperatures, the waters of Tannum Sands are perfect for year round swimming.

For over 50 years, the Esplanade beach areas of Tannum Sands have served as the principal destination for passive and active beachside pursuits for the entire Gladstone Region, and the thousands of people that visit the area throughout the year.

The area has excellent accommodation options, including caravan parks, motels, holiday units and cabins. For further information on accommodation and things to see and do, contact the Tannum Sands Information at Ocean Street.

12 kilometres south of Biloela is Thangool, an important lucerne and grazing area for the Banana Shire. Thangool has its own airport and there are daily flights to and from Brisbane. Well known for its race track and bush race days, Thangool is a classic bush town with country people and country hospitality. Just a short drive from Mount Scoria, this beautiful town is known for its well-kept parks and gardens.

Theodore is located on the Dawson River 105 kilometres south west of Biloela. Theodore is named to honour the former Queensland Premier, Mr E H Theodore. It’s palm-lined roads are quite spectacular and the town is an impressive look-alike to the street plan of Canberra. It is the local tale that the town was architecturally designed by Walter Burley Griffin in the early 1920s before he went on to design Australia’s capital city, Canberra.

Today Theodore is the service centre for important irrigation and agricultural industries. Popular spots to visit at Theodore include the community managed Hotel-Motel, the Dawson River weir, Rose’s Garden, Junction Park, Glenmoral Gorge and the nearby historic hand built 'flagged' road, used by bullock wagons in the nineteenth century.

The Town Of 1770 is a picturesque seaside village surrounded on three sides by the Coral Sea and Bustard Bay. Historic as the second landing site of Lieutenant James Cook and the crew of the Endeavour in May 1770, the area is rich in wildlife and natural beauty and offers scenic vistas in every direction. The Joseph Banks Environmental Park preserves much of the peninsula with fauna and flora indicative of the area. Rugged granite rocky outcrops, both an outer surf and inner still water beach and holiday accommodation in houses, apartments and two caravan and camping parks cater for visitors. Two restaurants are located here as is a general store and small marina. Agnes Water township and beach is located eight kilometres south.

The Town of 1770 is also a departure point for day reef cruises and fishing charters to the outer Great Barrier Reef and day tours and wilderness camping transfers operate to nearby Lady Musgrave Island. Day tours also operate to Fitzroy Reef, Pancake Creek and the historic Bustard Heads lighthouse. For the camping enthusiast, four National Parks including Deepwater, Eurimbula, Mount Colosseum and Round Hill offer wilderness camping and hiking - all best accessed with a Four Wheel Drive vehicle or guided tour.

A completely sealed and tarred road reaches the Town of 1770 from Bundaberg, 120 kilometres to the south, with a partially sealed and tarred road access the town from Miriam Vale in the north.

Turkey Beach is a small township that sits in Rodds Bay, two hours drive north of Bundaberg, from Brisbane. Follow the Bruce Highway north, about 550 kilometres, which takes around six hours. The turn off is 10 minutes out of Bororen and the road is dirt, but it is generally kept in good condition.

At Turkey Beach there is a small shop which stocks the essentials, including fuel and ice. Accommodation is available, as there is no camping in the township, and there is a good boat ramp and a hard sandy beach to launch from.

This is dinkum, throw-in-a-line-and-put-your-feet-up-territory with large mangrove inlets, estuaries and creeks. Turkey Beach located at Rodds Harbour is also a dedicated Dugong Sanctuary.

Wilson Island is a beautiful coral cay which serves as a wildlife sanctuary on the Great Barrier Reef. Wilson Island is an important turtle and bird rookery fringed by a white coral beach and covered with pisonia forest. The wonders of the reef are just below the waterline.
There is limited accommodation on the Island.

Stop in at this small town south of Rockhampton. The butter factory may have closed down, as has been the case throughout much of rural Australia, but the little town of Wowan has kept its old butter factory alive via a very good museum. Known as the Old Butter Factory Museum, much of the area's history has been given to safe hands.

Part of that history deals with the greater role the town had back in its earlier days, in that in 1944 Wowan was the centre of local government.

History also recalls the input of the Chinese gold miners who worked the fields located about 10 kilometres out of town.