Joanna James
A holiday in Gladstone is nothing short of epic. The perfect spot for a family vacation, the area boasts the best beaches in Queensland, stunning national parks to explore, and of course, the Great Barrier Reef in all its glory. Here are 5 stunning family attractions in Gladstone.
A kayak adventure is the perfect excuse for you to get the family to enjoy an adventure together. Check out 1770 Liquid Adventures offering one of the best experiences! On the tour, you get to explore the mangrove forests of Round Hill Creek where the estuary is sometimes visited by dolphins! So, do keep an eye out. Kids are kept well occupied and interested with the provision of an 'identification slate', where they cross off any wildlife they spot – A marvellous idea to keep the young ones interested! Your tour then stops at a lovely isolated sand bar for tea and sandwiches. Coupled with a swim in the warm waters, your tour ends with a leisurely paddle along the Seventeen Seventy waterway.
Plan a day out on the ocean by booking a cruise aboard an amphibious vessel, which can float on the water and drive on the land; a definite plus with the kids! The tour is all-encompassing and includes dolphin watching, sandboarding, exploring the lighthouse, and cruising the beach. Along the way, your guide will talk about the many adventures of Captain Cook, while tea and snacks promise to keep the hunger pangs at bay. Besides all the fun, the best family hotels Gladstone QLD has to offer are those featuring apartment-style accommodation. Ideal for that homely feel, some like Oaks Grand Gladstone are centrally located as well, giving easy access to Gladstone's many attractions.
The Southern Great Barrier Reef is easily accessible from Gladstone and exploring this portion of the Great Barrier Reef is a real treat – and no tour in Gladstone is complete until you do so. The Discovery Coast is also the closest access point to Lady Musgrave Island and a tour of the island will treat you to the thrills of snorkelling and swimming. Plus, you certainly must explore the island's inland lagoon; this water-filled haven is made up of 350 species of both hard and soft coral amongst which are found over 1300 types of colourful coral fish. But that's not all – kids will be fascinated to see their snorkelling tour being invaded by a couple of friendly dolphins and a lazy turtle or two.
This lovely walkway is only 400 metres in length but checking this out will certainly be worth your time. Set against and almost magical setting of the tall Paperback trees, the trail is well laid out with wooden walkways and stepping stones. Kids and nature lovers will love exploring this forest home that houses a variety of exotic flora and fauna.
Visit the Horizon Kangaroo Sanctuary to get up close and personal with iconic Australian critters. The place overlooks stunning Agnes Waters and a sanctuary of kangaroos of all sizes. Explore the place and learn about how the orphaned baby 'roos' are given a kind home and loads of loving care.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
