📍10 Best Day Trips From Gladstone By Car, Ferry & Boat Within 150km. (2025.)

WONDERING WHAT THE BEST DAY TRIPS FROM GLADSTONE ARE?
Nestled a third of the way up along Queensland’s breathtaking coastline, lies Gladstone, a vibrant industrial city contrasted with plenty of outstanding natural attractions including being one of the gateways to the southern Great Barrier Reef.
But that’s not all. Along with having several magnificent coral cays of the world’s largest marine ecosystem right on its doorstep, there are also many other excellent opportunities for day trips from Gladstone.
From the gorgeous golden beaches and remote camping opportunities of the greater region’s several breathtaking national parks to the spectacular side-by-side seaside towns of Agnes Water and 1770 to the lakes and mountains of the hinterland, there are plenty of unforgettable places to journey to and discover.
👉 My top picks for the best Gladstone Day Trips:
- Within 50km: Curtis Island.
- Within 100km: North West Island.
- Within 150km: Agnes Water & 1770.
Planning Your Trip? Use My Favourite Resources!
Tours/Experiences: I recommend Viator.
Accommodation: I recommend Booking.com.
Flights: I recommend Aviasales.
Car Rental: I recommend economybookings.
Best Day Trips From Gladstone Within 50km.
1. Curtis Island.
One of the things about Gladstone is that even though it’s right next to the sea, it has virtually no beaches. It’s very unAustralian if you ask me! However, on the flip side, it is home to an expansive harbour, and lying on the far side of that lovely body of water lies Curtis Island, one of the city’s must-visit destinations. This spectacular gem occupies a huge 676km2 of real estate just off the mainland and is home to some of the region’s most gorgeous beaches and breathtaking seascapes.
For most visitors, the 1 hour and 15 minute barge ride across with Curtis Ferry Services is the way to go as you can take your car across and explore the most terrain in the shortest time possible. (However, the northern parts are 4WD only.)
Alternatively, you can go across as a foot passenger, and walk your way around like I did (the northern half of the Oceanview track is stunning.)or cycle the extensive length of trails that occupy the Conservation Park on the island’s southern side. But whichever way you mosey around, make sure not to miss Connor Bluff Lookout, as it is one of the region’s most breathtaking lookouts, thanks to its twin views showcasing the beautiful sandy foreshore between the headland and the docking township of South End on one side and the rugged and rocky cliffs extending north on the other.
And if you own or hire a watercraft, along with seeing all the gorgeous coastline from the water, the peninsula at the top end has unforgettable boat-only accessible attractions such as Yellow Patch, a towering sand blow formation that provides the perfect opportunity for an exhilarating sand boarding session accompanied with stunning scenery as you go down.
- Distance From Gladstone Marina to South End: 14km.
- Minimum Time To Traverse: 1hr 20min.
- Other Places To Visit En Route: –
- Wanna Stay Longer?: South End Camping Ground. (Council.), Turtle Street Camping Area, Joey Lees Camping Area & Yellow Patch Camping Area.
2. Tannum Sands.
Back on the mainland, Tannum Sands is one of the best places near Gladstone to have a quiet beach day. This gorgeous small town south of the regional industrial city has a lovely laid-back atmosphere, a stunning foreshore esplanade with a scenic walkway free-to-use BBQs, shady or sheltered picnic tables and a gorgeous lookout at Peters Play Park.
But better yet, Tannum Sand Beach is the closest place where there is a fully-fledged beach scene that also has lifeguards seasonally patrolling it, offering the safest swimming experience for frolicking around in the ocean, especially on those stupidly hot spring and summer days!
I also loved strolling along the sand at low tide in front of Canoe Point Park, where the steep southern bank of the Boyne River and the exposed flats of the ocean-facing beach with the ships passing by the background created a dynamic scene.
Note: There is a sign warning of crocodiles in the area, making it even more important to stay between the red and yellow lifeguard flags if you still choose to go in the water.
- Distance From Gladstone: 27km.
- Minimum Time To Traverse: 27min.
- Other Places To Visit En Route:
- Wanna Stay Longer?:
3. Lake Awoonga.
Swapping the beach for lakes, the only one in the Gladstone region is Awoonga Dam and it has some of the best recreational areas I’ve come across in Australia.
Riverstone Bay and Ironbark are the highlights with many, many well-spaced sheltered picnic tables and exposed BBQs scattered harmoniously into the natural landscapes offering a secluded experience and lake or forest views for every group. The former also has a small waterfall nearby to give an even more tranquil feel to this already gorgeous laid-out place, while 2/3 lookouts allow you to appreciate the dam wall architecture from both sides.
As for the good stuff, the water activities, there’s a world of opportunities to explore. There’s a zone in front of day-use areas dedicated to going bananas in the water, with two floating pontoons to facilitate your swimming and stand-up paddleboarding escapades. (I also recommend pool inflatables!)
Further out, just about every watersport is allowed. From boating, jet skiing, water skiing and boarding, sailing, kayaking, kitesurfing and more, Lake Awoonga is the perfect place to go for tranquil paddle or wind-powered adventures or exhilarating high-octane experiences! It all depends on what you can bring to the game!
- Distance From Gladstone: 22km.
- Minimum Time To Traverse: 23km
- Other Places To Visit En Route: –
- Wanna Stay Longer?:
Best Day Trips From Gladstone Within 100km.
4. Kroombit Tops National Park.
For those thirsty for a remote hinterland adventure, Kroombit Tops National Park is Gladstone’s go-to. Located 88 km from the city, this breathtaking expanse of geologically unique wilderness has one of the region’s most fascinating and poignant pieces of history: the mangled ruins of the “Beautiful Betsy, a World War II Liberator bomber that crashed there in February 1945 but was only found in August 1994. It’s a hell of a sight to see, but the park’s offerings don’t stop there.
Put your car’s ruggedness to the test with 4 long and challenging 4WD routes that allow you to access this national park from different directions and reach the WWII Bomber Wreck trailhead for a fun but intense day out on the road.
But even if you don’t have a vehicle with off-road capabilities, that doesn’t mean you can’t visit, as you can still get to the breathtaking Kroombit Tops Lookout from Calliope along Tableland Road, although you will have to drive extra carefully, especially in the last 4km to the viewpoint. But once there, you’ll be greeted with spectacular views of the mountainous Boyne Valley, which makes the trip up well worth it.
- Distance From Gladstone: 88km.
- Minimum Time To Traverse: 1hr 40min.
- Other Places To Visit En Route:
- Wanna Stay Longer?: Griffith Creek Camping Area.
Best Day Trips 150km From Gladstone.
5. Agnes Water & 1770.
Less than a 125km drive south of Gladstone, lies two of Queensland’s most prolific coastal towns. Agnes Water and 1770 are some of the state’s most revered seaside destinations thanks to their idyllic lifestyle, relaxed atmosphere and spectacular seascapes, which a lovely lady I encountered on three occasions said was the first time she’d seen somewhere more beautiful than Cairns, where she was from.
That’s incredibly high praise! And I can certainly agree with her. But just in case you need more incentive to make these places one of your top priority day trips from Gladstone, both feature magnificently rugged coastlines and headlands with several gorgeous hidden coves, with 1770’s Joseph Banks Conservation Park and Agnes Water’s Discovery Trail Lookout having the most unforgettably breathtaking lookouts in the region, while the latter’s Red Rock Walking Trail just as incredibly scenic, so you’ll want to keep your cameras out.
Furthermore, these places provide excellent swimming and watersport opportunities too. Main Beach at Agnes Water is lifeguard patrolled and Queensland’s northernmost surfing beach, making it great for swimming, boogie boarding and surfing in the waves, while Round Hill Creek and Bustard Head have calm water perfect for floating around, stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking, giving visitors the best of both worlds.
- Distance From Gladstone: 124km.
- Minimum Time To Traverse: 1hr 30min.
6. Eurimbula National Park.
For those seeking unspoiled beaches, Eurimbula National Park starts just across from 1770’s Round Hill Creek and stretches all the way north to and including Middle Island, covering an extensive area of pristine coastal real estate.
This place is only possible to explore with 4WD or boat. However, if you have both, that’s the best way to go about it as there are long stretches of beach, several creeks, an epic natural lookout and Queensland’s only still-operating lighthouse that you can tour inside, along with plenty of birdlife to encounter and occasionally the odd emu, so keep your eyes peeled!
However, if you don’t have one or either of those things, I can’t recommend the 1770 LARC! Paradise Tour is enough! It’s an exciting and engaging full-day trip in a quirky, hot pink historic amphibious vehicle that’ll take you along the beach and bouncily across 3 stunning creeks to Middle Island where you’ll get a spectacular view overlooking Pancake Creek and a guided tour of the Bustard Head Lighthouse and heritage museum. Plus, you get morning tea and lunch, so everything’s taken care of. All you have to do is enjoy the ride!
Note: This is the only company I’ve ever come across where they don’t have the full base cost listed as the main price you find on some third-party websites. Check the “what’s included” section where you usually find the optional extras for the mandatory fees that you’ll have to pay on arrival.
- Distance From Gladstone To 1770: 132km.
- Minimum Time To Traverse: 1hr 40min.
- Wanna Stay Longer?: Eurimbula Creek Camping Area, Middle Creek Camping Area.
7. Rockhampton.
If you’re craving more of a city scene, Rockhampton, around 110 km north of Gladstone, has some fantastic attractions that make it an excellent day trip destination. If you love historic buildings and their old-world charm, a stroll through the CBD will take you past some gorgeous architecture of yesteryear.
Going back even further in time, the Dreamtime Cultural Centre offers hands-on interactive experiences showcasing the fascinating culture and traditions of Indigenous Australias that have been passed down throughout the centuries.
If you’re also craving some nature scenery, Rockhampton has some great places to reconnect with the environment without straying too far. The top must-visit is Mt Archer National Park, which lies right on the city’s doorstep and has some beautiful walking trails along with some gorgeous lookouts, with the highlight being the Nurim Circuit Elevated Boardwalk which has the Central Queensland destination on full display!
- Distance From Gladstone: 110km.
- Minimum Time To Traverse: 1hr 20min.
8. Capricorn Caves.
If you’ve ever wanted to visit the underworld, you can take a trip into the subterranean world of the Capricorn Caves, where intricate networks of limestone caves invite visitors to marvel at their million-year-old formations with a guided tour.
For something even more intimate, crawl and squeeze your way through a claustrophobiac’s definition of literal hell by embarking on an adventure tour where navigating through dim lights and narrow passages will soon have you challenging your physical and mental limit!
- Distance From Gladstone: 137km.
- Minimum Time To Traverse: 1hr 45min.
- Other Places To Visit En Route: Rockhampton.
9. Yeppoon.
If you’re still feeling those coastal vibes, Yeppoon, not west of Rockhampton is another iconic Queensland town that definitely makes the list of the best day trips from Gladstone.
What gives this place its elite status is not only does it have the gorgeous Capricorn Coast National Park showcasing its epic seaside scenery, but the free oceanside infinity pool overlooking Main Beach is just top-tier, giving every visitor the 5-star treatment.
Plus, this place is also the gateway to Keppel Island Group, which is part of the Great Barrier Reef, which you can day trip to, spending time exploring its pristine beaches and snorkelingl with beautiful marine creatures such as beautiful sea turtles, friendly reef sharks, majestic rays and tonnes of colourful fish.
- Distance From Gladstone: 150km.
- Minimum Time To Traverse: 1hr 49min.
- Other Places To Visit En Route: Rockhampton.
10. Lake Monduran.
In the opposite direction, Lake Monduran is the biggest lake in the neighbouring Bundaberg region and is another lovely place to spend time out on the water in the hinterland. Tear up the water on a jet ski or grab from mates or family members and make some memories watching them perform sick tricks or epic stacks as they try to master new water skiing and wakeboarding moves, or take a much more peaceful approach by going kayaking, sailing or kitesurfing.
- Distance From Gladstone: 154km.
- Minimum Time To Traverse: 1hr 50min.
Conclusion: Best Gladstone Day Trips.
From catching the ferry across to the harbour to Curtis Island, visiting the idyllic coastal towns of 1770, Agnes Waters and Yeppoon and discovering Australia’s only still operating tourable lighthouse in Eurimbula National Park and the wreck of a World War II Bomber in Kroombit Tops National Park, there are many fantastic days trips from Gladstone to take to add to your Central Coast adventure.