GLADSTONE - CURTIS ISLAND. Queensland. Exploring the region's top highlights.

Situated on the mid-north coast of Queensland, Gladstone is among the most vibrant and industrious cities I've come across. With a population of nearly 35,000, it offers a captivating mix of cultures. Furthermore, Gladstone is famous for hosting Queensland's largest multi-commodity shipping port.

Taking a step back in time to 1770, Cook sailed into the entrance of Gladstone’s natural harbour ( Gladstone is sheltered to the east by several islands, Facing, Curtis and Quorn creating a massive sheltered bay ), but move the clock 30 years forward Matthew Flinders sailed into the same harbour and name it Port Curtis. It wasn’t until 1846 that Gladstone received its name after a British Secretary. In the coming years, Gladstone opened up a primary school and today it’s one of the oldest in the state of Queensland.

Over the next 100 years, the town struggled with little industry until 1949 when disaster struck in the form of a Cyclone that caused deaths and caused extensive damage to the town and its surrounds. Roll into 1960 and the export of coal soon had a boom effect on Gladstone, 1967, a local power station opened, then a rail line, and by 1970 the population had doubled.

Over the next 10 years, the town had massive growth with more coal facilities, power stations, alum smelter and exportation of gas. These days the export figures are huge and the commercial industry hugs the coastline for nearly 18 km. Now don’t think that Gladstone is all doom and gloom as within the area there are stunning beaches, Island getaways, heritage villages and because the mountains come right to the coast - there are plenty of lookouts to view the city.

With so much to do around town, a good base is needed so we headed to the boutique town of Boyne Island just 23 km south and set down at the peaceful Boyne Island caravan park. Boyne Island has 15 km of walking tracks throughout the town, along the river and up onto Canoe Point that will give you unrelenting views along the coastline or maybe the coastal plant walk along the dunes and onto the foreshore parklands.

Just a 5 min drive away is the stunning coastal town of Tannum Sands right on the ocean's edge. The parklands are perfect for an explore, maybe a midday BBQ or even a swim in the beautiful water nearby. At low tide, you can walk across the creek to Wild Cattle Island, which is also part of the National Park, so with everything protected here it is a pristine environment - just watch the tides as if you get stuck it may be a long wait till the next low.

We found the best way for an overview of Gladstone is to head up to Round Hill lookout where you will be gob-smacked at the amount of industry within the heart and along the shoreline of Gladstone. Up here you can complete the 5 min walk around the mountain where in every direction there are unbelievable views across the region to the coast and the mountains, a bonus is that the local council have installed extremely informative info boards on what you can see in front of you, with history, distances and photos form the past. Out to sea, it's amazing to see the amount of ships awaiting to be loaded.

30km west of Gladstone is Lake Awonga, and when full, it covers a massive 70 square kilometres where 200,000 fingerlings are released into the dam each year that include Barramundi, Mangrove Jack and Grey Sea Mullet.

CURTIS ISLAND 

One of my goals this time visiting Gladstone, was to head offshore and spend a few days exploring Curtis Island, which is tucked in the boundary of the Great Barrier Reef. It’s the second largest island off the east coast of Queensland after K’gari and relatively cheap to access.

Bookings and the hour ride across to Curtis ( and also Quorn and Facing ) is all done through Curtis Ferry Services that run multiple trips daily. The ride across is pretty relaxing on a good day, where you can walk around the barge and soak up the sun and watch the mainland from a different perspective and also when the islands come into view.

Curtis Island is pretty large at 54,000 hectares and has a mosaic of ecosystems across its vast landscape. With extensive mangrove forests, grasslands, tropical eucalyptus forests, tidal flats and more, it also has a vast array of animals on the island.

There are more than 80 species of reptiles, kangaroos and wallabies, birds, and it is home to the third largest Flatback turtle rookery in Queensland. Once thought to be extinct, a little bird called the Yellow Chat is now making a comeback on the island. Curtis Island was declared a National Park in 1992, but for 150 years prior, the island was used as a cattle breeding and fattening property known as Monte Christo which covered nearly two thirds of the island.

In 1920, a small settlement was established at Southend, where today several hundred people live and many do the commute to the mainland every day for work. Once on the island, you’ll need a 4WD to get around and explore its sheer ruggedness, like the newly cut in Ship Hill 4WD ridge-line track where at the last viewing point, it’s where Matthew Flinders stood in 1802 and looked down on his survey vessel, the Investigator.

He named it Ship Hill because he could see his ship, Flinders also charted Curtis Island, Gladstone Harbour and the Narrows while botanist Robert Brown collected new plant species on the island. Unfortunately, today, the view is over one of the three natural Gas plants on the island.

There are stunning coastline tracks to the north up to Cape Capricorn lighthouse, where three have stood on the site since 1875. Today's light was built in 1964, made of concrete blocks, replacing the past two, which were made of timber and iron. Captain Cook gave Cape Capricorn its name because it's literally on the Tropic of Capricorn.

Remote camping on the island is either on the beach at Turtle Street, more to the north there’s the stunning headland campsite called Joey Lees or back at Southend where there’s drop toilets and bins.

Curtis Island was a hidden surprise just off the industrial city of Gladstone, its quiet, quaint, with many hidden surprises. Just one tip tho, there’s no facilities, shops or services on the island so make sure you're well prepared, take the bug spray with you and enjoy one of Gladstone's best kept secrets.

 WHERE IS CURTIS ISLAND and GLADSTONE

The bustling city port Gladstone is 600 km north of Brisbane, right on the coast and with the beautiful Coral Sea at its doorstep. Curtis, plus an array of other islands, are just a short boat ride off the coast, with the Curtis Ferry service offering day trips out to the islands throughout the day. Gladstone has a large airport for the FIFO workers and the north coast railway runs, providing a rail service.

 WHAT TO DO IN THE AREA

Throughout the Gladstone shire there is plenty to see and do, whether it be in the tourism sector or one of the many industry tours. A perfect base to explore the outer islands, fish offshore or nearby Awoonga dam or maybe just enjoy a holiday by the sea, south at the stunning Tannum Sands. Gladstone is a busy town with a multitude of shopping centres, services and leisure centres. There’s plenty of camping options from top end caravan parks, bush camps and the local Showgrounds. Offshore the coastal camps are nothing short of stunning with amazing coastal sunrises and headland views.

OTHER FACTS

The Gladstone regional shore is often overlooked as just an industrial area, but there’s so much to see and do. Having a base in the area lets you scope out the amazing hotspots that surround the city. Online, The Gladstone Shire website ( https://www.gladstoneregion.info/ ) has the majority of local information you need. Getting offshore to the islands, the Curtis Island Ferry website ( https://www.curtisferryservices.com.au/ferry-timetables/ ) can steer you in the right direction. If visiting the islands, you’ll need to purchase a QLD parks pass for camping and access.