Gladstone, Queensland, Maritime History, Waterfront Parks & Gardens

Wander * Explore * Discover
Oct 24, 2023
3 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

Gladstone, Queensland, Maritime History, Waterfront Parks & Gardens

Located around 518 kilometres north of Brisbane, Gladstone is often known for its industrial port — but there’s far more to this Central Queensland city than first meets the eye. Alongside one of the world’s largest bulk commodity ports, Gladstone offers beautiful waterfront parklands, impressive botanic gardens and a rich maritime history that reflects its close relationship with the sea.

During our visit, we discovered a surprisingly relaxed side of Gladstone, spending the day exploring foreshore parks, historic vessels and peaceful garden spaces that showcase the city beyond its working harbour.

Discovering East Shores Parklands

We started our day at the East Shores Parklands, a world-class waterfront recreational precinct overlooking the harbour. This thoughtfully designed space features meandering boardwalks, expansive green lawns, shaded picnic and barbecue areas, playgrounds and a popular water play park.

A café, landscaped gardens and a striking waterfall add to the appeal, making East Shores a perfect spot for families, walkers and anyone wanting to enjoy the coastal setting. It’s also home to several key attractions that highlight Gladstone’s maritime story.

Maritime History at the Waterfront

Within the East Shores Precinct, you’ll find the Little Sea Hill Lighthouse, a historic structure originally erected at Sea Hill Point on Curtis Island in the 1800s. Its distinctive hexagonal base makes it a unique and interesting landmark.

Nearby is the HMAS Gladstone II, a 42-metre ex-Royal Australian Navy Fremantle Class Patrol Boat now permanently berthed as a museum vessel. Guided tours run on weekends from 10.00 am to 3.00 pm, offering visitors a fascinating insight into life aboard a naval patrol boat.

Just a short walk away, the Gladstone Maritime Museum showcases an impressive collection of boats, navigational aids, shipwreck relics and detailed model ships, further bringing the region’s seafaring history to life.

Exploring the Tondoon Botanic Gardens

After exploring the waterfront, we headed inland to the Tondoon Botanic Gardens, located about six kilometres from the town centre on Glenlyon Road. Spanning 83 hectares, the gardens surround tranquil Lake Tondoon, which once supplied Gladstone’s drinking water until 1945 and is now an important bird habitat.

The gardens feature beautifully maintained lawns, striking wood carvings, an observation tower, playgrounds, picnic and BBQ areas, and a serene Japanese tea garden — making it an ideal place to slow down and enjoy nature.

Relaxing at Spinnaker Park

Our day wrapped up at Spinnaker Park, just four kilometres from the Gladstone CBD and nestled between the marina and the harbour. Open daily from 5.00 am to 10.00 pm, this scenic parkland is perfect for swimming, watching boats come and go, or enjoying a coastal walk.

We wandered along the Discovery Trail, a fun and educational one-kilometre walking track featuring six information boards that share fascinating facts about Gladstone’s key marine animals — a great activity for both adults and kids.

A Working Port with a Relaxed Side

The Port of Gladstone is one of the largest bulk commodity ports in the world, handling more than 30 different products and over 83 million tonnes of cargo annually. While the port plays a vital role in the city’s economy, Gladstone has successfully balanced its industrial identity with accessible green spaces, cultural attractions and waterfront recreation.

Why Visit Gladstone?

Gladstone may be a working port city, but it offers plenty of reasons to stop and explore. From peaceful parklands and botanic gardens to fascinating maritime history and coastal walks, it’s a destination that rewards visitors who look beyond the industrial skyline.

Whether you’re passing through or staying a little longer, Gladstone provides a refreshing mix of history, nature and waterfront experiences — all within easy reach of the Southern Great Barrier Reef.