Public listings checked 25/10/2026. Dates use each event’s local time. Check organiser details before travelling.
Explore the region
Explore Gladstone and surrounding coastal towns. Agnes Water and Seventeen Seventy are longer day trips; island visits require transport checks.
Listings across Agnes Water, Boyne Island, Gladstone, Gladstone Central, Mount Larcom, Seventeen Seventy, South Gladstone, Tannum Sands, West Gladstone.
Attractions and places to visit
26 places in this selection. Opening hours, access and admission vary; check the place details.
Escape into nature at the Gladstone Tondoon Botanic Gardens, an 83-hectare oasis showcasing an impressive collection of native plants from the Port Curtis Region and Tropical North Queensland. Officially opened in 1988, the gardens offer a peaceful setting for relaxation, recreation and discovery, making them a favourite destination for both locals and visitors.
Wander through beautifully landscaped gardens, explore the tranquil Japanese Tea Garden, and follow the network of walking trails that wind through diverse plant collections and the natural slopes of Mount Biondello. At the heart of the gardens, Lake Tondoon - Gladstone's original water supply until 1945 - now provides an important habitat for a variety of freshwater birds and local wildlife.
The gardens are the perfect place to enjoy a picnic, with free electric barbecues, picnic shelters, tables, accessible amenities and a children's playground all available on site. Free guided tours are offered weekly, providing visitors with a fascinating insight into the gardens' unique plant collections, history and conservation values.
Throughout the year, the Gladstone Tondoon Botanic Gardens also host a range of community events, including the much-loved Ecofest, one of Australia's largest environmental awareness festivals held each June. Whether you're looking to immerse yourself in nature, enjoy a family day out, or simply relax in a beautiful setting, the Gladstone Tondoon Botanic Gardens is a must-visit attraction in the Gladstone Region.
Lilley's Beach is a hidden gem along the Gladstone coastline, offering a peaceful and rustic escape for those seeking adventure and natural beauty. Accessible only by 4WD, this unspoilt stretch of beach lies between the Boyne River mouth and the northern tip of Bangalee, providing an ideal setting for beachfront camping, fishing, and exploring.
Popular with locals and travellers alike, Lilley's Beach offers a genuine off-grid experience. There are no powered sites or facilities, so visitors need to be fully self-sufficient. What it lacks in amenities, it makes up for in serenity-campers fall asleep to the sound of waves and wake up to golden sunrises over the ocean. The area is a favourite for beach fishing, crabbing in nearby tidal creeks, and spotting marine life along the shoreline.
Permits are required for both vehicle access and camping, helping to protect the coastal environment and manage visitation sustainably. Visitors are encouraged to follow 'Leave No Trace' principles to maintain the pristine condition of the beach for future enjoyment.
Whether you're casting a line, relaxing by a campfire, or enjoying a long walk along the shoreline, Lilley's Beach provides a unique opportunity to reconnect with nature. It's a perfect spot for those who love adventure, solitude, and the raw beauty of Queensland's coast.
Canoe Point Beach and Parklands are popular recreational areas in Tannum Sands, adjacent to the Tannum Sands Main Beach. The area shows off Gladstone's unique natural environment with walking and bike trails, beachside boardwalks, bushland reserves and windswept dunes.
Offering shelter huts, wood-fired barbecues, playground equipment and opened grassed areas, the Parklands are a tranquil environment for the community to enjoy.
A short walk from the parklands is the Canoe Point Beach where kids and dogs can run free and enjoy the sunshine, sand and surf.
Alcohol is not permitted within the Parklands.
Only a short drive from the regional city of Gladstone are the picturesque, coastal communities of Boyne Island and Tannum Sands.
Serving these communities is Tannum Central Shopping Centre located an easy distance from the river and tourist park. The recently refurbished Coles store provides the ultimate in freshness and convenience alongside a mix of specialty stores.
Customers can grab a bite to eat, enjoy some retail therapy or take advantage of the services from Surf Dive N Ski, Tannum Nails and Spa, Commonwealth Bank, Industry Hair United, Australia Post, Liquor Stax, Healthcare Pharmacy and plus more stores opening soon.
At Tannum Central, customers have easy access and undercover parking making it the ideal retail destination.
For over 50 years, the esplanade beach areas of Tannum Sands has served as the principal destination for passive and active beachside pursuits for the Gladstone Region. Located just 20 kilometres south of Gladstone on the Central Queensland coast, this coastal foreshore area provides individual pavillions which provide intimacy and cool, weather proof refuges which make the most of the ocean views.
Kids will enjoy the amazing playground and flying fox, grassed areas for playing footy and pathways to enjoy riding scooters and bikes. The adults haven't been forgotten either, with free gas barbecue facilities. There are also a number of beach showers and toilet blocks for public use - all within a few steps of Tannum Sands main beach.
If you are feeling energetic take a walk up the stairway to Peter's Park where you will be greeted with a spectacular view of the Esplanade and Beach.
Lifeguards patrol the beach from September to May each year. The Tannum Sands Surf Lifesaving Club, located along Millennium Esplanade, is open to the public on weekends for meals and snacks.
The prominent and distinctive peak of Mount Larcom is visible to the north-west from most points in Gladstone, with its summit 632 metres above sea level.
Matthew Flinders noted it when he explored Port Curtis, naming it after Captain Larcom under whom he had served. Because of its profile, it is often call "The Lion Mountain", resembling a lion and lioness facing each other.
The prominent landmark provides a good ascent of two hours or so. The reward is a 360-degree view of the Gladstone area, rural lands and the harbour. On a clear day, you will see reef islands to the east and Rockhampton northwards. Mt Larcom is of volcanic origin, and your walk takes you through light eucalypt forest and grass trees.
Subject to fitness, generally five hours should be allowed to complete the climb. It is a challenging walk, and best climbed in the cooler months, with an early start to capture the best views. The walk and climb is steep in places and is not recommended for younger children. Please note that there are no toilet facilities.
It is advisable to check the local weather condition on the day of your climb as the peak can be shrouded in cloud.
Masthead Island is a remote coral cay located within the Capricornia Cays National Park, around 60 kilometres off the coast of Gladstone. As part of the Southern Great Barrier Reef, the island is surrounded by vibrant coral reef systems, offering exceptional snorkelling straight from the shore. Home to a variety of marine life, it's not uncommon to spot turtles, manta rays, and colourful reef fish in the crystal-clear waters.
Accessible only by private vessel, Masthead is a haven for experienced campers and eco-adventurers looking to disconnect from the modern world. The island is uninhabited and has no facilities, so visitors must be fully self-sufficient and respectful of the delicate environment. Camping is available by permit and is limited to preserve the island's natural beauty and ecological integrity.
Masthead Island is also an important nesting site for green and loggerhead turtles, with nesting season running from November to March. During this time, visitors can witness the magic of turtles laying eggs or hatchlings making their way to the sea — a truly unforgettable experience.
With white sandy beaches, shallow lagoons, and endless views of the reef, Masthead Island is the ultimate destination for those seeking solitude, natural beauty, and a deeper connection to the Great Barrier Reef. It's a bucket list experience for nature lovers, photographers, and anyone wanting to escape into paradise.
Book your daypass now!
Step into a living story at the Bushland Boardwalk in Agnes Water / 1770, Queensland where every footstep brings you closer to the heartbeat of the bush. This 386-metre, all-access boardwalk winds through a stunning pocket of native forest alive with colour, sound, and movement. But listen closely—it's not just birds singing here.
Native bees hum with purpose through the wildflowers, pollinating bush blossoms with quiet determination. From the tiniest blue-banded bee to the gentle stingless varieties, these local legends are the unsung heroes of the forest. Watch them flit between grevilleas, hover near honey-myrtles, and dance in sunbeams as if to welcome you to their world.
Birdlife is also abundant—rainbow bee-eaters, fairy-wrens, and honeyeaters are just a few of the characters in this natural play. Join a BushTracks Eco Tour and experience forest bathing like never before. Feel the bark, smell the earth, and lose yourself in the stories told by trees, insects, and the breeze.
Accessible, immersive, and unforgettable—this is not just a walk, it's a wild encounter.
At Little Oasis Sauna and Cold Plunge, they offer private, self-led contrast therapy sessions. You will have private access to a four-person, ultra-low EMF (low electromagnetic field) infrared sauna, 700 litre 2-person plunge pool and our natural fed chemical free outdoor shower to use at your leisure.
They can offer you session structures based on your specific health goals during your visit with them.
Whether you're looking for a break in the day to relax in the warmth of the sauna while shedding away toxins from the week or immersing yourself in a cold plunge to jump start your day, they have a combination of what you'll need to leave feeling: Relaxed. Refreshed. Refocused.
The sessions provide a personalised approach to enhance your well-being.
Agnes Water Beach is an unspoilt haven and Queensland's most northerly surf beach. Located just one hour south of Gladstone, the beach is famous for its picturesque surrounds, surfing, kitesurfing and stand up paddle boarding.
Each year in the sand and surf comes alive with exciting events including the 'Reef2Beach Longboard Classic' and 'Agnes Water Triathlon'.
Main beach is located a short walk from the Agnes Water town centre, or (limited) car parking is available near the beach.
When you've had enough of the white sands and blue waters, head to a nearby Cafe and enjoy the sensational Queensland weather.
Tucked away on Queensland's Discovery Coast in Agnes Water and the Town of 1770, Dive Spear and Sport takes guests beyond the usual Great Barrier Reef experience to some of the Southern Great Barrier Reef's most remote, pristine and uncrowded reefs.
Dive Spear and Sport is a small, locally based dive and snorkel operator that believes the best reef experiences are personal. Their trips are intentionally kept small, giving guests more time in the water, more space to explore and plenty of time with their passionate guides.
From vibrant coral gardens and curious turtles to schools of tropical fish and the occasional unexpected encounter, no two days on the reef are quite the same. Their experienced crew share the stories, wildlife and science that make this part of the Great Barrier Reef so special.
Reef conservation and education are part of everything Dive Spear and Sport does. Through citizen science, reef monitoring and marine conservation programs, the team actively contributes to protecting the places they take guests to explore.
Their custom-built vessel provides the freedom to explore a network of Southern Great Barrier Reef sites, away from the crowds and beyond the well-trodden tourist path.
Come for the reef.
Stay for the adventure.
Leave with a little more love for the ocean.
The exceptional beauty and biological diversity make the Capricornia Cays internationally significant. Their stunning white beaches and coral reefs are sure to leave a lasting impression.
Capricornia Cays National Park protects eight coral cays which rise just a few metres above the high tide mark - Lady Musgrave, North West, Masthead, Wilson, Heron, Erskine and Tryon islands and Broomfield Cay. Their biological diversity, exceptional beauty as well as the endangered plants and animals they protect make them internationally significant. The cays support the largest breeding population of endangered loggerhead turtles in the South Pacific.
A large percentage of the Great Barrier Reef's seabird species visit each year to nest. Go reef-walking, snorkelling, diving, birdwatching, boating or fishing. You can camp on two of the eight islands. Camping fees apply and bookings are essential. Book well in advance for school holidays. Take water and a fuel stove. Seasonal closures protect breeding seabirds, turtles and vegetation. Access to Tryon Island is restricted. Check restrictions on activities such as spearfishing, anchoring, fishing and collecting.
