Gladstone

Gladstone

Harbour city and stepping-stone to Heron Island and the southern Great Barrier Reef cays.

1 caravan park
8 articles
📷 9 photos
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Gladstone ( GLAD-stən) is a coastal city in the Gladstone Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, the Gladstone urban area had a population of 45,185 people. It is 517 km (321 mi) by road north-west of the state capital, Brisbane, and 108 km (67 mi) south-east of Rockhampton. Situated between the Calliope and Boyne Rivers, Gladstone is home to Queensland's largest multi-commodity shipping port, the Port of Gladstone. Gladstone is the largest town within the Gladstone Region and the headquarters of Gladstone Regional Council is located in Gladstone.

Background information about Gladstone adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Next 7 days at Gladstone

Live forecast from Open-Meteo. Updated each time the page loads.

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Best time to visit Gladstone

Based on 30 years of weather data. Sweet spot: Jun, Jul, Aug — mild temperatures, low rainfall and plenty of sun. Avoid Jan, Feb if you can — typically the wettest or hottest stretch of the year.

Jan
30°
23° low
114mm
Feb
29°
23° low
130mm
Mar
29°
22° low
86mm
Apr
27°
19° low
46mm
May
24°
16° low
39mm
Jun
22°
14° low
36mm
Jul
22°
13° low
29mm
Aug
23°
13° low
24mm
Sep
25°
16° low
22mm
Oct
27°
18° low
45mm
Nov
28°
20° low
39mm
Dec
30°
22° low
98mm
Daytime high (large) · overnight low (small) · monthly rainfall (blue bar). Climate normals: 1991–2020 from Open-Meteo's ERA5 reanalysis.

Beach & ocean conditions at Gladstone

Typical wave height around 0.9 m over the next two weeks. a wetsuit makes winter swims much more pleasant.

Avg wave height
0.9 m
Sea-surface temperatures from Open-Meteo's ERA5 reanalysis. Wave forecast from the GFS Wave model — check official sources before swimming, paddling or boating.

What else is around Gladstone

Points of interest within 25 km, pulled from OpenStreetMap. Distances are straight-line; check road access before heading out.

🏖️ Beaches (1)
🎭 Theatres, cinemas & markets (2)
Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Drive times to and from Gladstone

Real road distance and driving time to other destinations in the state. Click through for fuel estimates, suggested overnight stops, and tours along the way.

To Rockhampton
110 km · 1h 33m
To Bundaberg
185 km · 2h 30m
To Hervey Bay
285 km · 3h 48m
To Rainbow Beach
374 km · 4h 58m
To Noosa
427 km · 5h 41m
To Sunshine Coast
439 km · 5h 42m
To Mackay
445 km · 5h 49m
To Brisbane
527 km · 6h 49m

Photos from around Gladstone

Discovery Parks - Tannum Sands
Discovery Parks - Tannum Sands
park
Tannum Sands — Coastal Township & Beach Suburb of Gladstone
Tannum Sands — Coastal Township & Beach Suburb of Gladstone
article
Heron Island Fishing Charters
Heron Island Fishing Charters
article
Heron Island - Great Barrier Reef
Heron Island - Great Barrier Reef
article
Rockhampton Hotels & Motels
Rockhampton Hotels & Motels
article
Heron Island Travel Guide
Heron Island Travel Guide
article
Rockhampton Apartments
Rockhampton Apartments
article
Rockhampton Accommodation
Rockhampton Accommodation
article
Rockhampton Travel Information
Rockhampton Travel Information
article

Frequently asked about Gladstone

Where is Gladstone?
Gladstone is in Central Queensland, Queensland, Australia. The destination guide above maps the area; the drive-times panel further down lists distances to other Queensland destinations so you can pencil it into a longer itinerary.
When is the best time to visit Gladstone?
Based on 30 years of climate data, the most comfortable months at Gladstone are typically July, August, June — milder temperatures, lower rainfall, and longer sunshine hours. February tends to be the trickiest month weather-wise. School holiday weeks (Easter, late June–early July, late September, mid-December–late January) get busy and prices rise, so shoulder season is usually the sweet spot if you're flexible.
What's the weather like in Gladstone?
Summer daytime highs average around 30°C and winter overnight lows can drop to about 13°C. Annual rainfall sits at roughly 707 mm spread across the year. The climate panel above breaks every month down — daytime high, overnight low, monthly rain, sunny days — so you can match the trip to the weather you want.
How do I get to Gladstone?
Most travellers arrive by road. From Rockhampton it's about 110 km — roughly 1h 33m of driving via the main highway, conditions permitting. The drive-times panel above lists travel time and distance to every other Queensland destination so you can sketch out a road-trip route. Check road conditions in winter if your route crosses high country, and plan for breaks every ~2 hours.
What are the top things to see in Gladstone?
Well-known spots within day-trip range include Gladstone Regional Art Gallery and Museum, Auckland Point Lookout, William Golding Memorial Lookout, Mount Rollo, Mount Martin. The "What else is around" panel above lists every named point of interest by category — lookouts, peaks, waterfalls, museums, beaches — pulled straight from OpenStreetMap. Click any name for the location, opening hours and directions.
Where can I stay near Gladstone?
We list 1 caravan and holiday park in and around Gladstone above — powered sites, cabins, glamping, and big-rig-friendly options. Pet rules, dump points and shaded sites are noted on each park's page. For hotel-style stays, the Drive Times panel makes it easy to base yourself in a nearby town and day-trip in.
How many days should I spend at Gladstone?
Most travellers spend a day at Gladstone to cover the highlights without rushing. There are 0 bookable tours and experiences, 0 attractions and 5+ named viewpoints/landmarks listed for the area on this page — plenty to fill a weekend, more if you slow down and explore the outer reaches.
Is Gladstone good for families with kids?
Yes — there are 1 family-friendly attractions, museums and family destinations within easy reach (zoos, aquariums, interactive museums, family-friendly theme parks). The caravan parks section above flags parks with playgrounds, kids' pools and family cabins.
What day trips can I do from Gladstone?
Within ~2.5 hours' drive: Rockhampton, Bundaberg. The drive-times panel above lists every nearby destination with road distance and travel time — pick one, drive across in the morning, and you're back for dinner.
Is there public transport at Gladstone?
Coverage varies — major destinations have train and bus links from the closest capital, but smaller regional towns rely on infrequent coach services. The most reliable way to explore the wider area is a hire car or your own vehicle. If you're using public transport, plan around the timetables and check the night before you travel; rural routes are often once or twice a day.
Is Gladstone accessible for wheelchair users and reduced mobility?
Major town centres, museums and built-up tourist precincts at Gladstone are usually accessible; bush walks and lookouts vary widely. The OpenStreetMap data underneath the "What else is around" panel records wheelchair access on individual sites — click through to any place's page for the specific accessibility info. For tours, check the operator's website or call ahead; most reputable operators publish their access details.
How much does a trip to Gladstone cost?
Budget travellers can do Gladstone on roughly $120–180 per person per day (caravan park, cooking your own, free walks); mid-range $200–350 (hotel, paid attractions, eating out once a day); higher-end $400+ (boutique stays, tours, fine dining). Fuel is the big variable — Australia's regional driving distances add up. Tours and attractions in the listings above show prices in AUD where the operator publishes them.
Will I have phone signal at Gladstone?
Most named destinations in Queensland have at least Telstra and Optus coverage in town. Coverage drops off quickly outside built-up areas — particularly in national parks, valleys and along long stretches of highway. If you're heading into remote areas, download offline maps before you leave, tell someone your itinerary, and consider a PLB (personal locator beacon) for serious bush walks.

All tours in Gladstone

No tours matched to this destination yet.

Caravan parks nearby

Discovery Parks - Tannum Sands
Discovery Parks - Tannum Sands
Tannum Sands · Gladstone Regional
★ 4.3

Nearby destinations

Heron Island
Heron Island
Capricornia / Southern GBR
Rockhampton
Rockhampton
Central Queensland
Bundaberg
Bundaberg
Wide Bay-Burnett
Bargara
Bargara
Bundaberg / Coral Coast
Hervey Bay
Hervey Bay
Wide Bay-Burnett
K'gari (Fraser Island)
K'gari (Fraser Island)
Wide Bay-Burnett

Gladstone travel articles

Tannum Sands — Coastal Township & Beach Suburb of Gladstone
Tannum Sands — Coastal Township & Beach Suburb of Gladstone
Tannum Sands is a relaxed coastal township 20km south of Gladstone, with a long protected swimming beach, the Boyne River estuary, and easy access to Heron and Wilson Islands on the southern Great Barrier Reef.
Heron Island Fishing Charters
Heron Island Fishing Charters
Heron Island Fishing Charters The waters surrounding Heron Island are within the Great Barrier Reef marine park and are subject to the restricted zones set out in the Great Barrier Reef marine park zoning guides. Charter boats operate out of Gladstone into this section of the reef. Trips are also av
Heron Island - Great Barrier Reef
Heron Island - Great Barrier Reef
Heron Island is located on the Great Barrier Reef and is famous as an exclusive natural wonderland - a true coral cay. The island is located 72 kilometers northeast off the coast of Gladstone, Central Queensland. Some of the world's finest reef diving can be found on Heron, there's a choice of fanta
Rockhampton Hotels & Motels
Rockhampton Hotels & Motels
Sundowner Rockhampton Rydges Gladstone Hotel Centre Point Motor Inn Comfort Inn Rockhampton [Choice Hotels]
Heron Island Travel Guide
Heron Island Travel Guide
Heron Island is located right on the Great Barrier Reef off Queensland's Discovery Coast. It is accessed from Gladstone. It is one of the few coral cays right on the Great Barrier reef that have a resort on them. It is ideal for diving and beach relaxation. The resort is excellent. This Travel guide
Rockhampton Apartments
Rockhampton Apartments
Click here for A List of Accommodation Apartments at Rockhampton Villa Mar Colina Metro Hotels & Apartments Gladstone
Rockhampton Accommodation
Rockhampton Accommodation
Click here for A List of Accommodation Rockhampton Yeppoon and Gladstone accommodation will provide a great choice for you. In the cities you will find a choice of excellent hotels and motels as well as plenty of great backpacker hostels. In Yeppoon there is a realy good choice of apartment style ac
Rockhampton Travel Information
Rockhampton Travel Information
Click here for a list of places to stay Rockhampton and Gladstone are Australia's only city's on the Tropic of Capricorn and offer a delightful mix of culture and action. The area is rich in Historic Colonial Architecture. Rockhampton hosts many festivals and events including Rocky Rodeo, Gray Mardi