Gladstone

As the mainland centre of the Southern Great Barrier Reef, this area basks in an enviable sub-tropical climate with islands, waterways and beaches right on the doorstep of the Great Barrier Reef.

At the heart of the region, the city of Gladstone overlooks its natural deep water harbour, offering a boating paradise of clear calm waters, dotted with islands. To the south lie the shires of Calliope and Miriam Vale with idyllic, secluded beaches and scenic national parks.

The Town of 1770 was the first place in Queensland that Captain James Cook stepped ashore, but the region also takes in Boyne Island, renowned for its beautiful foreshore parks, and its sister city of Tannum Sands, with its 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. Visitors can enjoy diving, snorkelling, fishing, exploring the native flora and fauna of the region, and the careful practice of reef walking (being sensitive of the reefs fragility).

The region has several impressive national parks which add camping and 4WD to the adventures you can experience. 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.

Places to Visit

Places to Visit

Miriam Vale
Miriam Vale is located at the northern gateway to the Bundaberg Coral Coast and Country Region. 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.

Town of 1770
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.

Eurimbula National Park
Eurimbula National Park is the site Captain James Cook chose in 1770 for one of his first landings in Queensland. Today it is a paradise for bushwalkers, boaties and anglers. The 360 metre walking track to Ganoonga Noonga lookout offers views along the coast and across swamps and heathlands. Try beach fishing. At high tide, explore Eurimbula Creek by boat or canoe. Pitch a tent at one of Bustard Beach's shady campsites (toilets and limited water) or at Middle Creek (toilets only).