'''Gladstone''' is a town in Queensland on th coast betweeb Bundaberg and Rockhampton
Get in
By plane
'''Gladstone Airport (GLT)''' is around 5km from the city centre.
Qantaslink has services connecting to Brisbane. There is also the daily ''all stops'' flight north to Rockhampton, Mackay, Townsville and Cairns. There is little competition on the routes into Gladstone, and prices can reflect this.
Jetstar and Virgin Blue fly to Rockhampton, a bit more than an hour away to the north. It is possible to pick up unlimited kilometre car hire in Rockhampton.
The airport has a cafe, and has about the only cappucino you can find after about 2:30pm in Gladstone.
Car hire is available at the airport, Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Thrify and Budget all offer service. Taxis are available outside the terminal.
By car
Gladstone is a diversion off the Bruce Highway A1 between Bundaberg and Rockhampton.
By train
The railway from Brisbane to Rockhampton stops in central Gladstone. Tilt train and other services are available.
By bus
Get around
By car
Gladstone is easily navigable by car, and car hire is available at the airport and downtown.
By bike
Gladstone has a variety of cycleways, and most roads are generally cycle friendly if you avoid the major highways. The topology of the city, with a hill running parallel to the city centre and the harbour, is worth considering if planning to cycle. If you follow the harbourside, it is going to be flatter.
See
Gladstone is an industrial centre. Is has attractions for people who like to see views over heavy industrial landscapes. It has gardens and a pretty marina district. It also is surrounded by areas of natural beauty. Gladstone harbour is the largest natural harbour in Australia.
Tondoon Botanic Gardens. 61 7 4971 4444. ntil 5:30 in winter, 6pm in summer. ree. Expansive gardens, with a choice of many botanical walks, including wet and dry rainforest. Short walks take around 30 minutes. Clearings with picnic areas. Viewing platform, lakes. Kiosk/cafe over the man-made pond. A cycle lane and cycleway extend from the city the 8km south to the gardens. Don't forget insect repellent for the mosquitoes.
Marina Parklands. ree. The corner of Gladstone Harbour that has the marina, has been improved, as a recreation area. There are gardens, playgounds, and a paved walking esplanada by the side of the water. There is also a coffee shop and kiosk. This area also has the ferries to the reef and Curtis Island, and the tourist information centre.
Auckland Point. short distance from the city centre, at the end of Auckland Road.. ree. The view gives an overview of the layout of Gladstone, from the sweeping harbour and harbour islands, to the heavy industry surrounding it. You can see all the way from Queensland Alumina, across the harbour to the coal and other ports, to the marina, and out to the power station, mountains, and islands. There is a cafe at the top, with mains around $10. The cafe is good value, but it is open erratically. The locally produced guidebooks say open from breakfast to 5pm, but only really count on it being open for lunch. A waterfall falls down the cliff front at Auckland POint, but like so much of central Gladstone is human engineered. It is lit up with green and white lighting after dark, and it is an interesting place to go for a walk at night.
Queensland Alumina. Queensland Alumina is one of the largest Bauxite to Alumina processing refineries in the world. It unloads Bauxite from