Gecko Valley

Gladstone is one of the few Queensland cities that can boast about having a winery in its backyard. The unique coastal dry winter/dry summer climate in conjuction with wonderful sea breezes has created excellent conditions for wine grape growing.

Gecko Valley offers a wide range of wine styles to suite the wine connoisseur in most people. Wine tasting is available in the lovely air-conditioned tasting facility overlooking the vineyards. Not only can you sample these enjoyable wines, you can also purchase a bottle or five of that wine that suits your palaet. The facility also offers tea/coffee, snacks, souvenirs and wine appreciation merchandise.

Tondoon Botanic Gardens

Gladstone also features one of Australia’s few totally native gardens, Tondoon Botanic Gardens. It maintains a scientific collection from North Queensland and the Port Curtis Region. The gardens consist of 83 hectares offering a number of ecosystems, including a lake with forest surroundings as well as the Mt Biondello bush walk.

Using traditional construction methods, a Japanese Teahouse was added to the site in 2000 by Shiggeru Shimatzu. This was the first step in an ongoing project to construct a Japanese garden area.

The gardens play host to an array of colourful birdlife, wallabies, turtles, butterflies and other native fauna. There is a visitors centre and café with a wide viewing deck overlooking the lake, as well as picnic areas and barbeques, so you can sit down and take in the wonderful sights offered. Entry to the Gardens is free and "at no cost" guided tours are available by arrangement on weekdays.

Spinnaker Park & Marina

Award winning Spinnaker Park was officially opened in 2001. It was created by the Central Queensland Ports Authority and has become one of the most popular recreation areas of our city. It consists of 2.5 kilometres of educational walking tracks along the ocean wall and through native wetlands and ponds. This makes the park excellent for walking, riding or rollerblading.

Take a dip at the beached cove or enjoy a barbeque or picnic using the wonderful facilities provided. Its a great place to entertain. A short distance away you'll find the world-class Gladstone Marina. This also offers landscaped foreshores with barbeque and picnic shelters. Take a stroll along the walking paths to the mouth of Auckland Creek and do a bit of dolphin spotting. All this makes for a great day out at the Marina.

The Gladstone Visitor Information Centre and launch station for Heron Island are both located at the Marina as well as a selection of shops including a restaurant and café.

Gladstone Regional Art Gallery

Visit the Gladstone Regional Art Gallery to view one of the finest collections in provincial Queensland. Located in the heritage-listed Town Hall, built in 1934, the building has undergone many changes in its time. Over 50 years it has worn many different faces including council chambers, cinema and library.

It was converted to the Art Gallery and Museum in 1985. Having just undergone recent extensions and upgrades, it is now one of the most visually impressive landmarks in Gladstone. The Gallery and Museum holds permanent collections of Australian art, craft and local history. It regularly features exhibitions by both distinguished and local artists. Admission is free. Take the opportunity to check out the authentic Gladstone Bag and view the 19th century marble statue of the city’s namesake, William Ewart Gladstone.