An Industrial town in northern Queensland. A huge port.

The port which I gaze out to from a lookout, has mounds and mounds of coal waiting to be transported on huge ships and over on the other side of the lookout, iron ore awaits and a bit further on massive Grain silos. Not the prettiest town it has to be said.

My friend Martin said “I found Gladstone one of the most uninspiring places ever in QLD.  It simply has nothing to commend it and by 5.00pm everything has shut down for the day – except a few of the very average restaurants. I would be interested to hear if you found anything inspiring”.So I am hoping to find something that he might like. The port with a dolphin just visible in the river?

Let me start with a few human stories On the plane this morning was a frail lady who was on her way back home to Boyne island. She met her half Fijian husband who was a smelter and they came to Gladstone which is where he worked all his life. South from Gladstone are the picturesque coastal communities of Boyne Island and Tannum Sands. The island is also home to Australia’s largest Aluminium Smelter – the State’s largest user of electricity. It employs 1,300 people to produce up to 558,000 tonnes of Aluminium per year. She says its a quiet life but one which she enjoys and now calls home.

On one lookout we met a beautiful young woman, sparkling green eyes, tattoos down one half of her body. She was from the Gold Coast but came to visit her parents and decided this quiet existence was what was calling – she can afford to save here, whereas the Gold Coast had drained her of all her money, and with her elderly dog she has come back to live with the family. She says it has brought her closer to her family and when they all get together on their bush property near Mount Larcom they have a ball.

We walked along the Parklands on the East Shore and explored some of the beautiful buildings.

In the afternoon we went to another higher lookout with our local guide Kiran who is Fijian in origin. A loans officer in Suva and well established but he wanted to join the family so he came over to Australia and worked in an abattoir for 28 years. He was the perfect guide. He lived in Brisbane for many years but when the pandemic hit he saw his chance and bought his home up here for a good price. He says the town is crying out for more workers and jobs are plentiful.

We enjoyed the 360 views of Gladstone- off to dinner on the East shore – Aukland House home brewed beer and live music by the foreshore.

Botanic Gardens coming up.