Gladstone is an Australian city located some 550 kilometres by road north of
BrisbaneBrisbane is the state capital of the Australian state of Queensland and is the largest city in that state. With an estimated population of approximately 2 million, it is also the third most populous city in Australia....
and 100 kilometres south-east of
RockhamptonRockhampton can refer to:* Rockhampton, Queensland is a city in Queensland, Australia* Rockhampton City, Queensland, a suburb of Rockhampton, Queensland* Rockhampton, South Gloucestershire is a village in South Gloucestershire, England...
. The city is situated between the
Calliope RiverThe Calliope River is located in Central Queensland, Australia. The river rises in the Calliope Range inland from the industrial port city of Gladstone, flows past the town of Calliope, before emptying into the Pacific Ocean just north of Gladstone...
to the north and the
Boyne RiverBoyne River is a river in Queensland, Australia. It flows between the twin towns of Boyne Island and Tannum Sands. The river was named by John Oxley as it reminded him of the River Boyne in Ireland. A bridge was built to cross the river joining the two towns in 1980...
some 14 kilometres to the south. Between the two river mouths lies the deep water harbour for which the city owes its existence. The harbour is protected by a low island to the east called Facing Island and to the north by
Curtis IslandCurtis Island is an island in the southwest Pacific . It is a volcanic island with an elevation of 130 m and an area of 0.6 km². Together with neighboring Cheeseman Island it belongs to the Kermadec Islands...
.
The city's population stands at 31,028 (Jun 30 2006 estimate), of whom 3.5 percent are of
AboriginalIndigenous Australians are the original inhabitants of the Australian continent and nearby islands, and these peoples' descendants. Indigenous Australians are distinguished as either Aboriginal people or Torres Strait Islanders, who currently together make up about 2.6% of Australia's...
and
Torres Strait IslanderTorres Strait Islanders are the indigenous people of the Torres Strait Islands, part of Queensland, Australia. They are culturally akin to the coastal peoples of Papua New Guinea. They are regarded as being distinct from other Aboriginal peoples of the rest of Australia, and are generally referred...
origin, with the remainder being of primarily European descent.
Gladstone is an Australian city located some 550 kilometres by road north of
BrisbaneBrisbane is the state capital of the Australian state of Queensland and is the largest city in that state. With an estimated population of approximately 2 million, it is also the third most populous city in Australia....
and 100 kilometres south-east of
RockhamptonRockhampton can refer to:* Rockhampton, Queensland is a city in Queensland, Australia* Rockhampton City, Queensland, a suburb of Rockhampton, Queensland* Rockhampton, South Gloucestershire is a village in South Gloucestershire, England...
. The city is situated between the
Calliope RiverThe Calliope River is located in Central Queensland, Australia. The river rises in the Calliope Range inland from the industrial port city of Gladstone, flows past the town of Calliope, before emptying into the Pacific Ocean just north of Gladstone...
to the north and the
Boyne RiverBoyne River is a river in Queensland, Australia. It flows between the twin towns of Boyne Island and Tannum Sands. The river was named by John Oxley as it reminded him of the River Boyne in Ireland. A bridge was built to cross the river joining the two towns in 1980...
some 14 kilometres to the south. Between the two river mouths lies the deep water harbour for which the city owes its existence. The harbour is protected by a low island to the east called Facing Island and to the north by
Curtis IslandCurtis Island is an island in the southwest Pacific . It is a volcanic island with an elevation of 130 m and an area of 0.6 km². Together with neighboring Cheeseman Island it belongs to the Kermadec Islands...
.
The city's population stands at 31,028 (Jun 30 2006 estimate), of whom 3.5 percent are of
AboriginalIndigenous Australians are the original inhabitants of the Australian continent and nearby islands, and these peoples' descendants. Indigenous Australians are distinguished as either Aboriginal people or Torres Strait Islanders, who currently together make up about 2.6% of Australia's...
and
Torres Strait IslanderTorres Strait Islanders are the indigenous people of the Torres Strait Islands, part of Queensland, Australia. They are culturally akin to the coastal peoples of Papua New Guinea. They are regarded as being distinct from other Aboriginal peoples of the rest of Australia, and are generally referred...
origin, with the remainder being of primarily European descent.
The City of Gladstone contains a land area of 128 square kilometres. In addition to the mainland area, the Local Authority Area contains fourteen (14) islands as well as part of Curtis Island.
History
Prior to European settlement, the Gladstone region was home of the Baiali (or Byellee) and
Goreng gorengThe Goreng goreng people are an Australian Aboriginal language group. The Goreng Goreng area is between Baffle Creek to Agnes Water, Queensland in the north, extending westerly as far as Kroombit Tops....
Aboriginal tribes.
In May 1770, the
HM Bark EndeavourHMS Endeavour, also known as HM Bark Endeavour, was a Royal Navy research vessel commanded by Lieutenant James Cook on his first voyage of discovery, to Australia and New Zealand from 1769 to 1771....
, under the command of
James CookCaptain James Cook, FRS RN , was a British explorer, navigator and cartographer, ultimately rising to the rank of Captain in the Royal Navy...
, sailed by the entrance to Gladstone Harbour under the cover of darkness.
Matthew FlindersCaptain Matthew Flinders, RN was one of the most successful navigators and cartographers of his age. In a career that spanned just over twenty years, he sailed with Captain William Bligh, circumnavigated Australia and encouraged the use of that name for the continent...
, during his 1801-1803 circumnavigation of Australia, became the first recorded European to sight the harbour in August 1802. He named the harbour Port Curtis, after Admiral
Roger CurtisAdmiral Sir Roger Curtis, 1st Baronet, GCB was an officer of the British Royal Navy, who saw action in several battles during an extensive career that was punctuated by a number of highly controversial incidents...
, a man who was of assistance to Flinders years earlier at the
Cape of Good HopeThe Cape of Good Hope is a rocky headland on the Atlantic coast of South Africa. There is a very common misconception that the Cape of Good Hope is the southern tip of Africa and the dividing point between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, but in fact the southernmost point is Cape Agulhas, about...
.
John OxleyThis article is about the person. For the Australian pilot ship, see John Oxley .John Joseph William Molesworth Oxley was an explorer and surveyor of Australia in the early period of English colonisation....
conducted further exploration of the harbour and surrounding countryside in November 1823. Oxley was dismissive of the region, noting the harbour was difficult to enter, the countryside was too dry, and the timber useless for construction purposes.
Nevertheless, a colony was eventually established at Port Curtis. Colonel
George BarneyGeorge Barney was an engineer and lieutenant governor of the Colony of North Australia.-Early life:George Barney was the son of Joseph Barney, drawing master at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, England, and Jane, née Chandler . He entered the army at 16 as second lieutenant in the Royal...
's expedition was eventful. On January 25 1847, the
Lord Auckland, carrying 87 soldiers and convicts, arrived off the southern entrance of Port Curtis and promptly ran aground on shoals off the southern tip of Facing Island. The settlers spent seven weeks on the island before being rescued by the supply ship
Thomas Lowry and delivered the intended site of settlement, the region now known as Barney Point.
On January 30 at a proclamation ceremony, Barney was officially sworn in as Lieutenant Governor of the colony of
North Australia-Territory:North Australia was a short-lived territory of Australia. On February 1 1927, the Northern Territory was split into two territories, North Australia and Central Australia. On June 12 1931, the two were reunited as Northern Territory...
. . The convict settlement lasted barely two months. A change of government in
BritainThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a sovereign state located off the northwestern coast of continental Europe. It is an island country, spanning an archipelago including Great Britain, the northeastern part of Ireland, and many small islands...
ordered the withdrawal of Barney and the settlers. However, interest in the region remained. By 1853, Francis MacCabe was surveying the site of a new town on the shores of Port Curtis.
Maurice O'ConnellMaurice O'Connell was one of seven children of the Irish Nationalist leader Daniel and Mary O'Connell. He served in British Parliament as Member of Parliament for Tralee from 1832 to 1837, and from 1838 until his death.His brothers John, Morgan and Daniel were also MPs.-External links:* -Sources :...
was appointed government resident the following year, resulting in an influx of free settlers as land became available throughout the region. In 1863, the town became a Municipality with Richard Hetherington elected Gladstone's first mayor.
The fledgling town was named after the British Statesman William Gladstone and has a 19th century marble statue on display in its town museum..
Development of Gladstone was slow until 1893, when a meatworks was established at Parsons Point. In 1963, Queensland Alumina Limited established its alumina refinery on the site of the old meatworks. Gladstone's port facilities were expanded and the city launched into an era of industrial development and economic prosperity.
In the
sister city programSister cities, also known as town twinning, is an agreement between towns, cities and even counties in geographically and politically distinct areas to promote cultural and commercial ties...
, Gladstone is twinned with the Japanese port of
Saikiis a city located in Ōita Prefecture, Japan.As of 2003, the former city had an estimated population of 49,183 and the density of 249.19 persons per km². The total area was 197.37 km²....
.
Climate
Gladstone experiences a
tropical savanna climateTropical savanna climate or tropical wet and dry climate is a type of climate that corresponds to the categories Aw and As of the Köppen climate classification...
(
Köppen climate classificationThe Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by the Russian climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen himself notably in 1918 and 1936...
Aw) and is one of the southernmost places in Australia to have this type of climate.
Education
Gladstone has several primary schools (Clinton State School, Kin Kora State School, South State School, West State School, Central State School, St John's College, Star of the Sea, Trinity College and St Stephens Lutheran College(Prep-12)), three high schools (Gladstone State High, Toolooa State High and Chanel College), and one university campus,
Central Queensland UniversityCQUniversity is Australian public university based in Queensland. Its main campus in North Rockhampton Queensland, but it has operations throughout Asia-Pacific...
. It is also home to CQIT (TAFE) Gladstone Campus.
Recreation
It was once branded "Gateway to the
Great Barrier ReefThe Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for over 2,600 kilometres over an area of approximately...
" as it has access to Heron Island, Wilson Island and other islands from the
marinaA marina is a sheltered harbor where boats and yachts are kept in the water and where services geared to the needs of recreational boating are found....
and local airstrips.
Gladstone has much to offer both tourists and locals alike such as Gladstone Marina.
Parks
Spinnaker Park provides a small netted swimming area, shelters, and barbecues, and some great walking paths. At certain times of the day you may spot the pods of dolphins which frequent the harbour. From Auckland Point lookout one can view the harbour and get a look at the workings of a majour philip.
Established in 1988, the Tondoon Botanic Gardens incorporates more than 1,500 plant species but specialises particularly on those of Central Queensland region.
Boyne Island
Boyne IslandBoyne Island is a town in Queensland, Australia, 25 km south of Gladstone. It is located on the west bank of the Boyne River and is made an island by the adjoining South Trees Inlet. It is a twin town with Tannum Sands located directly across the river...
and
Tannum SandsTannum Sands is a coastal town on the Central East Coast of Queensland, Australia. At the 2006 census, Tannum Sands had a population of 4,139. The population of Tannum Sands and neighbouring twin town Boyne Island is approaching 10,000...
have grown in popularity because of their beautiful beaches and relaxed lifestyle. The Millennium Esplanade is a big attraction where there are lots of shelters, barbecues and walking paths, and long stretches of beach. Boyne Island is not part of the Gladstone township but is part of the Gladstone region and formley part of the Calliope Shire.
Lake Awoonga
A little further afield (25 km south of Gladstone) is Lake Awoonga. The recreation area has free barbecues, swimming, landscaped walking trails, as well as a cafe and caravan park. The lake has been stocked with several fish species since 1996, and over 2 million barramundi have been released. In addition to the fishing, Lake Awoonga has many natural attractions, especially the wildlife, with more than 215 species of birds (or over 27% of Australia's bird species) found in the region. Lake Awoonga is also the primary source of Gladstone's water supply. Awoonga dam is not part of the Gladstone township but is part of the Gladstone region and formley part of the Calliope Shire.
Shopping
Gladstone has a number of shopping precincts:
StocklandStockland may refer to:* Stockland, a multinational company.* Stockland, Devon, a small village in Devon, UK....
Gladstone (formerly the Kin Kora Mall, featuring a number of major national retailers); Centro Gladstone and Centro Gladstone Home (the first Home centre constructed by Centro); and Gladstone Central. There are also many smaller retailers located along Goondoon Street, the main street of town situated in the
CBDA central business district is the commercial and often geographic heart of a city...
.
Transport
Peak hour traffic along the Dawson highway (the main thoroughfare into the city centre for residents living in the outer suburbs of Clinton and New Auckland)Gladstone Regional Council has finished construction of a four-lane section of road, which was previously only two lanes (between the Chapman Drive roundabout and the Penda Avenue roundabout). A ring road system is being constructed, with Kirkwood road project and the Callemondah overpass, being completed.
It is also a major stop on the
North Coast railway line|}|}|}|}|}|}|}|}The North Coast railway line is a narrow gauge railway line in Queensland, Australia. It runs from Brisbane, along the Queensland coast to as far north as Cairns. The line is electrified between Brisbane and Rockhampton...
, with many long-distance passenger trains operated by
QRQR Limited is the company government-owned corporation responsible for the operation and maintenance of the railway system in the State of Queensland, Australia....
TraveltrainTraveltrain provides long range passenger rail services in Queensland, run by QR. Its flagships are the electric and diesel Tilt Trains, servicing Brisbane – Rockhampton and Brisbane – Cairns respectively...
stopping in the area. Freight trains also pass through the region.
Airport
Gladstone AirportGladstone Airport is located in the western suburbs of Gladstone, Queensland, Australia about 6km from the centre of the city.The main supplier of scheduled passenger air services is QantasLink, a subsidiary of Qantas...
is located in the western suburbs of Gladstone about 6 km (8 minute drive) from the centre of the city.
The main supplier of scheduled passenger air services is
QantasLinkQantasLink is a regional brand of Australian airline Qantas and is an affiliate member of the Oneworld airline alliance. It is a major competitor to Regional Express Airlines.-History:...
. Most services are non-stop to
Brisbane AirportBrisbane Airport is the sole passenger airport serving Brisbane and the third busiest in Australia, after Sydney and Melbourne Airports. Located in the suburb with the same name, the airport serves the city of Brisbane and the surrounding metropolitan area....
.
As of May 2009 Construction began the $65 Million upgrade to the Gladstone Airport. The upgrade will consist of a runway extention from 1635m to 1960m, additional car parking and a terminal upgrade which will now have passengers security screened before boarding.
Suburbs
The following is a list of Gladstone suburbs recognised by the
Committee for Geographical Names in Australasia.
- Gladstone City
- Barney Point (site of first settlement)
- Byellee
- Callemondah (primarily industrial)
- Clinton
- Glen Eden
- Kin Kora (site of main shopping centre)
- Kirkwood
- New Auckland
- South Gladstone
- Sun Valley
- Telina
- Toolooa
- Watson (primarily light industrial)
- West Gladstone
Notable people from Gladstone
- Paul Bishop
Paul Bishop, born in 1966 in Gladstone, Queensland is an Australian actor of television and theater, a Presenter and MC, and Company Director of ArtsEvolution.com.au Pty Ltd.He attended Brisbane State High School...
, (1966 - ), actor,
- Kimberley Busteed
Kimberley Busteed is the 2007 Miss Australia representing Australia at the 2007 Miss Universe pageant. She is a model and receptionist from Gladstone in Queensland, Australia. She is a former teen swimming champion and surf livesaving competitor....
, Miss Universe Australia 2007.
- Tony Clarke
Anthony Richard Clarke, known as Tony Clarke, is an independent Northampton Borough Council councillor, previously a English Labour Party politician, and was Member of Parliament for Northampton South from 1997-2005.-Labour Councillor and MP:Before becoming an MP, Clarke had previously been a...
(1968 - ), AFL Player
- Shannon Long
Shannon Long is an Australian model and actress. She was chosen as Playboy magazine's Playmate of the Month for its October 1988 issue....
(1969 - ), model
- Chris Luder, (born May 17, 1979), a final 13 contestant from the 2005 Australian Idol Series.
- PJ Marsh
Peter-John "PJ" Marsh is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Brisbane Broncos of the National Rugby League. He has also played representative rugby league for Queensland in State of Origin. He is named after his uncle, Peter John Marsh, who was killed in a car accident...
, (Born February 19, 1980), rugby league player
- Tony Martin, (Born October 7, 1978), rugby league player,
- Frederick Woolnough Paterson
Frederick Woolnough Paterson was an Australian politician. He was the only member of a Communist party ever to be elected to a parliament anywhere in Australia.-Early history:...
, (1897-1977), Australian politician
See also
- Kroombit Tops National Park
Kroombit Tops is a national park in Central Queensland, Australia. Located between Monto and Calliope in The Boyne Valley, it is 399 km northwest of Brisbane. Cania Gorge National Park is located approximately 25 km to the south....
- Beautiful Betsy
Beautiful Betsy was the name of an American Liberator Bomber. The wreckage of the plane was discovered in what is now Kroombit Tops National Park, located in The Boyne Valley in central Queensland, Australia.-Fact sheet:...
- The Boyne Valley
- Monto
Monto is a town in Queensland, Australia, located on the Burnett Highway north-west of Brisbane and south of Rockhampton. The town was the administrative centre of Monto Shire. At the 2006 census, Monto had a population of 1,159.-History:...
- Calliope, Queensland
Calliope is a town located in Central Queensland, Australia. It is located near the junction of the Bruce Highway and the Dawson Highway, 20 kilometres SSW of the port city of Gladstone...
- Tannum Sands, Queensland
Tannum Sands is a coastal town on the Central East Coast of Queensland, Australia. At the 2006 census, Tannum Sands had a population of 4,139. The population of Tannum Sands and neighbouring twin town Boyne Island is approaching 10,000...
- Ubobo, Queensland
Ubobo is located south of Gladstone and Calliope along Highway 69 in Central Queensland, Australia. It is one of four small townships within The Boyne Valley along with Nagoorin, Builyan, and Many Peaks. It is part of the Gladstone Regional Council....
- Nagoorin, Queensland
Nagoorin is located in Central Queensland, Australia. It is one of four small townships within The Boyne Valley along with Ubobo, Builyan, and Many Peaks. It is part of the Gladstone Regional Council.-External links:**...
- Builyan, Queensland
Builyan is located in Central Queensland, Australia. It is one of four small townships within The Boyne Valley along with Nagoorin, Ubobo, and Many Peaks. It is part of the Gladstone Regional Council area.-See also:*Kroombit Tops National Park*Monto...
- Many Peaks, Queensland
Many Peaks is located in Central Queensland, Australia. It is one of four small townships within The Boyne Valley along with Nagoorin, Builyan and Ubobo. It is part of the Gladstone Regional Council.-See also:*Kroombit Tops National Park*Monto*Gladstone...
These above places are part of the Gladstone Region but were formerly part of the Calliope & Miriamvale Shires