How to Explore the Gladstone Region During Your Next Queensland Escape - Top Things to See and Do During Your Holiday to Queensland's Vacation Hub Gladstone

As one of Queensland's most popular tourist hotspots, Gladstone offers visitors a plethora of exciting activities and attractions. Blessed with natural wonders including stunning islands laden with sandy beaches, Gladstone is the perfect retreat for those who wish to truly get away from it all and enjoy a seamless holiday Down Under. From hitting the area's biggest highlights to taking part in exciting activities, here are some tips on making the most of your tour of Gladstone.

wood26, Looking north on the Tannum Sands Main Beach - panoramio, CC BY-SA 3.0

 1. Secure a Strategic Base

Those who wish to enjoy all that the Gladstone region has to offer should first and foremost secure a base hotel that offers easy access to some of the area's biggest attractions. Whether it's the Oaks Grand Gladstone Hotel or any one of the other luxury hotels in Gladstone QLD, one must consider the location of the venue and its proximity to the main beaches, activity bases and points of interest in the city. A convenient location will ensure visitors will have access to more of the region's top hotspots regardless of the duration of the vacation.

2. Beach It at Tannum Sands

Beach fanatics based in Gladstone must spend a day at Tannum Sands, arguably the best beach in the area. This beach is ideal for everything from family picnics to simply lounging around by the water. Some of the top things to do at Tannum Sands include water skiing and swimming. Those with a passion for sailboarding will also find this exquisite coastal heartland perfect for the activity. Occupying the southern shores of Gladstone City, the beach is a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of cosmopolitan life.

3. Hike in Calliope

Nature lovers and hiking enthusiasts alike will find that a tour of Calliope is perhaps the best way to spend their time in Gladstone. Offering visitors a plethora of scenic hiking trails with fantastic lookout points, a hiking adventure in this hinterland of Gladstone town is the perfect way to experience life away from the city limits. Seasoned visitors also like to go bush camping in the area while horse riding excursions and tours of the Calliope Central Shopping Centre and the Calliope River Historical Village can make a trip to this corner of Gladstone well worth the time.

4. Sign Up for an Island Hopping Tour

Although it may not occur to tourists upon first visiting this region in Queensland, the large number of islands surrounding Gladstone make it the perfect location to sign up for an island hopping tour. In fact, it is one of the most practical ways to explore the unusual geography of the region. Visitors can also sign up for snorkelling or scuba diving activities during their island-hopping excursions as locales such as Heron Island and Lady Musgrave Island are ideal for a host of water-bound activities. 

 5. Visit the National Parks

Gladstone is home to a truly impressive list of national parks that are ranked among Australia's top wildlife hubs for tourists. Must-visit national parks in the area include the Deepwater National Park and the Capricornia Cays National Park, both of which are havens for a number of endemic species found only in Queensland. Heron Island is also considered a part of the Capricornia Cays National Park where a whopping one hundred thousand birds are known to occupy the location.

 6. Take Part in Water Sports

Gladstone is a water sports lover's dream destination as it not only offers excellent weather and water conditions for scuba diving and snorkelling but also for surfing. Tourists who wish to learn how to surf will find that there are many surf schools in Gladstone that cater specifically for short-stay holidaymakers.