Top 5 Things to do in Gladstone – A hideaway in the Great Barrier Reef

Just across the water from Gladstone is another tiny island called Curtis. It is not in any sense a resort island and is not that well facilitated to accommodate tourists; however, there are a few places to stay and to eat. It is one of the few places visited by rare flat-back sea-turtles; usually between October and December. Besides the turtles, well its great place to simply relax and get away from it all. Go swimming in the clear ocean or do a little fishing or just enjoy the sun and laze on the dunes. There is a ferry to Curtis Island every day except Tuesday and Thursday.

Toondoon Gardens consist of over 80 hectares of luscious tropical, sub-tropical and dry-rainforest environment. The gardens house flora that thrives in these latitudes and also plants from the northern parts of Queensland. The botanical gardens include a Japanese garden, an orchid house and a visitor centre. There is a free guided tour available some mornings during the week. It's a must-visit while in Gladstone – a staple any nature lover's tour through Queensland. Be sure to try and catch a glimpse of the elusive Krefft's River Turtle that swims in the Toondoon Lake.

Lake Awoonga is a very popular recreational area located about 15mins outside of Gladstone. The lake was created by the damming of the Boyne River in 1984. Since then the lake has been stocked with Barramundi and landscaped picnic areas have been incorporated to the surroundings. There are a cafe, BBQ areas and many walking trails around the lake. It is also a great place to go bird—watching. It is a simple escape which offers a wholesome and feel-good vibe. You can even hire boats and various watercraft if you feel like heading out on the water.

Located 26km from Gladstone – Calliope Historical Village is mostly famous for its amazing market which is held 5 to 6 times a year; dates can be obtained on their website. However, regardless of the market walking through restored and renovated streets and buildings of the historical village is quite entertaining and can easily keep you occupied for an evening. The Raglan Memorial Hall and the Yarwun Station House are some of the more famous buildings located in the compound.

Gladstone actually has quite a few amazing cafes and restaurants including; Dock @ East Shore, Lightbox and Brass Bell you should definitely check out a few of these places and also try to visit the smaller spots to get a feel for the local cuisine. Most of the better high-end spots are located quite close to Oaks Grand Gladstone which is often mentioned as one of the best hotels in Gladstone, QLD. Check it out if you're planning a trip.