Gladstone, Australia

Gladstone is the major port and commercial center for the discovery coast. It is located at the northern end and about 100 kilometers south of Rockhampton. Gladstone port services a major mining, agricultural and power generating area as well as being a processing and industrial city. It is home to large aluminium smelters, coal loading docks and engineering services. There is plenty of shopping and the city is always one of the economic leaders in the state of Queensland.

For the tourist the Great Barrier Reef lies offshore and one of its most popular destinations is Heron Island which is accessed by ferry or helicopter from Gladstone. It is also the jumping off point for a large fleet of recreational fishing charter vessels that take their clients to the Swains Reefs which lie well out to sea from Gladstone. This region is one of the icons on the sports fishing maps and sports fishermen flock here from around the world to try their luck. Gladstone itself has plenty of quality accommodation for those visiting on holiday or staying for a short time enroute to Heron Island or one of the great fishing charters.

There is also a large commercial fishery based out of Gladstone and many large trawlers operate from here catching scollops and prawns as well as many varieties of succulent table fish. There is a large marina complex that caters for all of these boats that is located right in the middle of the town. There are also a number of other reefs located out from Gladstone and some of these allow you to camp out on them. North West Reef, Masthead island, Lady Musgrave Island and several others have facilities that can be booked and local charter operators will provide transfers.

Gladstone is a vibrant, modern city with plenty of work and is a great place to live, so if you are heading north and looking for the ideal coastal destination, then call into Gladstone and have a good look around.