Gladstone is an Australian city approximately 550 kilometres by road north of Brisbane and 100 kilometres south-east of Rockhampton.
Situated between the Calliope and Boyne Rivers, Gladstone is home to Queensland's largest multi-commodity port.
The city's population at the 2006 Census was 28,808, of whom 3.7 percent are of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander origin.
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.
Gladstone has direct access to Heron Island, Wilson Island and other islands from the marina and local airstrips.
Boyne Island and Tannum Sands
Boyne Island and Tannum Sands 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 and Tannum Sands are not part of the Gladstone township but are part of the Gladstone region and formerly 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 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 225 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 formerly part of the Calliope Shire.
State funding for tourism organisations in regional Queensland will be doubled to help prop up the ailing industry.
Premier Campbell Newman told the DestinationQ conference
in Cairns today the funding would increase from $3.11 million to $7
million through a redirection of resources as the industry struggles to
attract tourists.
But he says the government can't afford to just "throw
buckets of money" at the industry to help it compete with the high
Australian dollar and neighbouring countries.
"Simply preserving what we have will not meet the challenges of the future," he told the 300-plus crowd.
"We can't afford to sit with the status quo and it won't get us to where we want to go."
Mr Newman had campaigned about tourism being one of the
major pillars of Queensland's economy during the lead up to the state
election.
He told tourism operators the conference was about coming
up with a new way forward for the state's tourism as he promised to do
in his first 100 days in government.
Some of the conference's major focuses will include
reducing red tape, attracting and retaining skilled workers in the
industry, marketing strategies and how national parks were operated.
The forum, which several ministers including deputy premier Jeff Seeney are attending, was welcomed by tourism bodies.
Accommodation Association of Australia CEO Richard Munro
said it was important for frontline operators to be able to air their
grievances directly to government.
"It's important for governments at all levels to put in
place policies which promote investment in both existing and new tourism
accommodation products which do not adversely impact on operators", Mr
Munro said in a statement.
With the Maroons and Blues locked in State of Origin fever,
Queensland is preparing for Queensland Week, a celebration of the state’s
separation from New South Wales.
On 6 June 1859, Queen Victoria signed the Letters Patent
authorising Queensland’s independence. This day is now known as Queensland Day.
And the day we said goodbye to the Blues.
So while the Queen celebrates her 75th jubilee,
Queensland will turn the ripe old age of 153 (she’s looking pretty fine for an
old girl) and will celebrate with a week of activities from 2-11 June.
Here at Tourism Queensland we’ve compiled the ultimate Top
10 Queensland experiences that every Aussie should experience before they kick
the bucket.
1. Discover the largest natural wonder of the world
The World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef should be
experienced by everyone at least once. Dive with turtles and manta rays off
Lady Elliot Island, snorkel the spectacular Low Isles coral cay off Port Douglas,
take a romantic scenic flight over the iconic Heart Reef, or try a helmet dive
at Green Island.
2. Have an ‘Outback Eventure’
Queensland’s outback explodes into a dirt-busting riot of
colour, cowboys, horse races and oddly enough, operas, every year in
celebration of spring with a calendar full of quirky events. Meet the
friendliest of folk from the quaintest towns in the country at the Australian
Dunny Derby in Winton, the famous Birdsville Races, or Mt Isa Rodeo - the
largest in the southern hemisphere.
3. Go back to surfing’s roots
Pull on your boardies, grab your board and get out with the
pros at some of the most famous surf breaks on the planet. Home to the
Quiksilver Pro and a few of the world’s best surfers including Joel ‘Parko’
Parkinson and Michael ‘MP’ Peterson, the beaches from Dicky Beach on the
Sunshine Coast to the famous break at Snapper Rocks are where Australian surf
history all began.
4. Dive with minke whales
For six
weeks of the year Queensland offers one of the most life-changing experiences
in the country. During June and July, minke whales come to play in the
waters of the Great Barrier Reef and live-aboard vessels head out for a
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to dive and snorkel with these curious and
amazing sea creatures.
5. Take the plunge
A family trip to visit the Gold Coast theme parks is a rite
of passage for every teenager in this country. A mad few days swapping between
the sickening rides at Dreamworld, getting to your saturation limit at
Wet’n’Wild, or hanging with the polar bears at Sea World combined with too much
fairy floss and too many Dagwood Dogs makes for a perfect weekend! Or if you
really want to get the heart started, head to Cairns to the only bungy site in
Australia and trial their world-first jump menu.
6. Immerse yourself in Australian history
Discover the historical gems of Outback Queensland – learn
about bushrangers, shearers, stockmen and drovers at the Australian Stockman’s
Hall of Fame; or the history of QANTAS at the Qantas Founders Museum. Retrace the steps of Cobb
& Co. by travelling on the original mail route between Longreach and
Windorah on a fully-ladenstagecoach with Kinnon & Co; or visit the
world’s largest collection of Australian dinosaur fossils at the Australian Age
of Dinosaurs.
7. Taste-test true blue Queensland drops
The Bundy bear and the flashing XXXX sign winking out over
Brisbane are two of Queensland’s proudest icons. The two labels personify
Queensland’s laid-back attitude and larrikin nature and a visit inside the
hallowed walls of the distillery and brewery should be included on every
imbiber’s list.
8. Go camping on Fraser Island
Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world,
boasting ancient forests, one of the world’s most beautifully blue freshwater
lakes, Lake Mackenzie, and of course, kilometres of undulating sand dunes.
Whether you fly down them on a sand board, careen up them in a 4WD, or camp at
the base of them, this World Heritage-listed island is a must-visit for all
Australians.
9. Climb to record-breaking heights
Brisbane’s Story Bridge not only features in hundreds of
images of the beautiful city but it also boasts the achievement of being the
only bridge in the world to offer both a climb and an abseil experience. And
just down the road you can get even higher with Australia’s tallest external
building climb at SkyPoint on the Gold Coast.
10. Sail the 74 islands of the Whitsundays
The destination of choice for weddings, luxury holidays or
sailing adventures for people all over the world, the 74 islands that make up
the crystal blue Whitsundays are a mecca for sailors. Whether you want to be
spoilt on a luxury yacht, hire a bareboat with your mates or sail off into the
sunset with your lover there could be no better way to spend a holiday.
And one more for good luck…
11. Be a part of the seventh-straight win* with the third
State of Origin match at Suncorp Stadium on July 4.
DOZENS of people have been evacuated from their homes, hundreds of streets closed and Australia Day celebrations cancelled as drenching rain continues to fall across the Queensland.
Conditions are expected to worsen with creeks already breaking their banks, sending floodwaters into homes and businesses, the Courier-Mail reported.
Major theme parks Movie World and Wet'n'Wild have now been shut because of minor flooding.
The decision was made to close the parks as flood waters were close to or covering the car park and main gate areas, but managers anticipate they will reopen tomorrow.
As the 36-hour deluge continues to drown the southeast, the Bureau of Meteorology issued another warning to residents on the Gold Coast, Redland City, North Stradbroke Island and the Scenic Rim Council areas to brace for further flash flooding.
It said severe storm cells would produce very heavy rainfall and flash flooding over the next several hours.
Locations to be affected include Coolangatta, Comboyuro Point and Cape Moreton.
A severe weather warning remains current for the region, with the heaviest rain over southern Moreton Bay and the Gold Coast at 9am.
Falls of between 40mm and 50mm have been recorded over the last hour alone.
The highest rainfall totals for the past 24 hours to 9am include Lower Springbrook 313mm, Sugarbag Rd 287mm, Meridan Way 270mm, Bracken Ridge 265mm, Deception Bay 257mm and Redcliffe 234mm.
Water was released from Wivenhoe Dam this morning at 10am to counter rising water, with more expected if heavy falls continue.
The minor releases are aimed at reducing the dam back to full supply level within the next seven days according to Seqwater.
They will impact nearby Twin Bridges, Savages Crossing and Colleges Crossing the company said.
Urban flooding isn't expected as a result of this controlled release and residents should contact about road and crossing closures and other possible impacts.
Somerset Dam has also made releases, after being at ``103.5% of its capacity,'' according to Seqwater.
North Pine Dam similarly made minor releases and Leslie Harrison Dam saw roughly the same level of releases at 2.00 pm yesterday.
Meanwhile ten other un-gated dams are spilling over across the southeast as rain continues to come.
Emergency services have performed 16 swift water rescues across the southeast of the state overnight while SES volunteers have responded to 290 calls for help.
Two women were reported missing after a car was found flooded in the Glass House Mountains with no-one inside, but police said they were found early this morning.
Last night, emergency rescue officers were called to Bellmere, north of Caboolture, after reports of people trapped in their cars by floodwaters.
Conditions are expected to worsen with creeks already breaking their banks, sending floodwaters into homes and businesses.
As at 5.45am Wednesday there are flood warnings for the Mary, Noosa, Maroochy and Mooloolah rivers, north of Brisbane and for the Albert and Logan rivers south of Brisbane.
Last night, emergency rescue officers were called to Bellmere, north of Caboolture, after reports of people trapped in their cars by floodwaters. On arrival, police found the occupants had managed to free themselves.
And a car was found flooded in the Glass House Mountains with no one inside. Ambulance and fire crews were called to Old Gympie Road for a water rescue about 8.30pm but the car was found empty.
Police were searching to determine whether anyone is missing.
Three people were forced to swim from their car at Kenmore Hills, in Brisbane's west, after being caught in waters yesterday afternoon, while an ABC childcare centre was evacuated on Zillmere Rd at Boondall, in the city's north.
Three people in Narangba were rescued after their house was flooded.
Rescue crews were called to a house on Moore Road in Kurwongbah in Brisbane's north at 8pm but were unable to find anyone in danger.
After a further street patrol, however, three people were found stuck in their house.
Earlier in the day, five children were reported trapped in chest-deep stormwater at Morayfield, north of Brisbane, prompting calls for closer parental supervision in waterways.
Evacuation centres were set up in Deception Bay and Narangba, also to Brisbane's north, last night.
The Gold Coast’s successful bid for the 2018 Commonwealth Games will provide a much-needed tonic for the tourism and accommodation industry said Tourism Australia managing director Andrew McEvoy.
Mr McEvoy said Queensland has endured its fair share of “setbacks and shocks” and the news will provide a much needed boost to the state’s tourism industry.
“This is great news for Australian tourism,” Mr McEvoy said.
"Australia has great events expertise and not only stages them well but is also very good at ensuring the best possible economic impact and capitalising on the global exposure those things generate.”
Mr McEvoy added the recent opening of the new Hilton Surfers Paradise Hotel, Peppers Broadbeach and the Sea Temple Surfers Paradise Resort adds to the tourism revitalization and infrastructure of the state.
“No doubt, this just the start of the Gold Coast’s renaissance.”
The Accommodation Association of Australia chief executive officer Richard Munro, said that hosting of the 2018 Commonwealth Games will provide a much-needed boost for the accommodation industry, as well as the wider business community.
“Having the 2018 Commonwealth Games will be a real fillip for local business, notably one of the most important sectors on the Gold Coast – the accommodation industry,” Mr Munro said.
“Preparing for and hosting this major event will inject confidence into the economy in south-east Queensland and will trigger further investment in tourism accommodation infrastructure in the region.”
Mr Munro added that accommodation and tourism operators embrace the chance to host international and domestic visitors and be given the opportunity to ensure there visit is truly unforgettable.
Tourism Queensland has launched a new AUD4 million campaign called ‘Vitamin Me’ promoting Queensland as the ideal destination to unwind and relax.
Kicking off the campaign's activities from 22 October, Minister for Tourism, manufacturing and small business Jan Jarratt said Vitamin Me highlighted the natural beauty that Queensland offered visitors.
“Vitamin Me is the name given to that feeling of relaxation you get from a Queensland holiday. It's a fun, creative idea that demonstrates why Queensland is Where Australia Shines,” Ms Jarratt said.
Ms Jarratt said to celebrate the campaign, Tourism Queensland has developed a fun way for people to test their Vitamin Me levels in an online quiz, where participants go into the draw to win an AUD10, 000 Queensland holiday.
“There are also many Queensland holiday deals on offer, from short breaks and experiences to give a quick boost, to longer holidays to help maintain your Vitamin Me levels.”
Tourism Queensland chief executive Anthony Hayes said the campaign was designed to strengthen Tourism Queensland’s brand Queensland Where Australia Shines.
“As we near the end of the year most people’s energy levels are pretty depleted and the campaign is designed to hit domestic the market in the lead up to the summer holiday booking period by using a range of aggressive cinema, print, online and outdoor channels.
“Using fun, creative tools such as the online quiz to ‘test’ Vitamin Me levels is a great way to get people thinking about how they’re feeling right now and how much better a Queensland holiday will make them feel.”
A new whale documentary being filmed in Queensland could reach 2 million Malaysian viewers when it airs later this year. This week one of the largest television networks in Malaysia, TV3 begins filming on the Fraser Coast and other locations.
The humpbacks call Queensland home between July and November when they frolic in our calm, safe waters off the Fraser Coast.
The Fraser Coast has front row seats to some of the best whale action where you can experience humpbacks up close as they breach up out of the water or curiously swim alongside whale-watching boats.
The Malaysia TV3 network is focusing their documentary on the humpbacks which stay and play in Hervey Bay. As part of their filming schedule, the crew will also visit a Sunshine Coast zoo, theme park and markets as well as walk through a national park and taste the delightful local cuisine of the Sunshine Coast hinterland. The crew will be filming interviews with local whale experts, whale watching tour operators and tourism industry representatives, join several whale watching tours and take in the Hervey Bay landscape.
Queensland will host the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2012 for the first time ever in an event which will see the best young cricket talent in the world playing in Brisbane, on the Sunshine Coast and in Townsville next year, Premier Anna Bligh announced today.
Securing the event, through a partnership with Events Queensland, Cricket Australia and Queensland Cricket, represents a major milestone for cricket in Queensland - and it's only the second time in the event's 24-year history it's been held in Australia.
"This is great news for Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and Townsville because it will bring the best young cricketers in the world here to play locally," Ms Bligh said.
"This is a first for Queensland and it's the only the second time Australia has hosted the competition - the last time being in 1988 in Melbourne and Adelaide.
"This event will deliver an economic shot in the arm to the host communities and showcase Queensland to the world - attracting 400 players and officials from 16 countries and generating an expected 7,000 bed nights for the local tourism industry."
"In addition, it will be televised into the homes of cricket fans in more than 100 countries including in Asia, the UK and South Africa via broadcaster ESPN STAR Sports."
Sports Minister Phil Reeves said the event - held every two years - had also previously been held in countries including New Zealand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and South Africa.
"This is a truly international event that further cements Queensland's status as the Australian events state," Mr Reeves said.
"It's particularly exciting to be hosting it in 2012 because Australia is the current defending champion after winning the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup in New Zealand in 2010."
"Having this event here in Queensland as the chosen location in Australia next year is a vote of confidence in our ability to host major sporting events of international significance."
Ms Bligh and Mr Reeves thanked the ICC, Cricket Australia, Queensland Cricket and Events Queensland for their partnership which had delivered the event to Queensland.
Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland said: "The ICC U19 Cricket World Cup is the showcase event for best young cricketers in the world and is where the next Cameron White or Yuvraj Singh gets their first real taste of top-level international cricket.
"It was only a couple of years ago we saw Mitch Marsh captain the Australia Under-19 team to victory in New Zealand with talents such as Josh Hazlewood, Alister McDermott and Alex Keath alongside him.
"We are very grateful to Queensland Cricket and Events Queensland for their support in hosting this tournament and I think all the teams and supporters will enjoy their time in Australia's sunshine state.
"We are building towards hosting the senior ICC Cricket World Cup in 2015 and this tournament will play a big part in getting ready for that event."
Queensland Cricket CEO, Graham Dixon, said: "Queensland Cricket is thrilled at the decision to bring the ICC U19 World Cup to our State, and especially with the decision to play in two important regional centres, Townsville and the Sunshine Coast, with the resulting positive economic impact on those areas."
"The support of the State Government and Events Queensland will enable Queensland to provide an international showcase around this tournament, which has grown into a significant event on the world cricket stage.
"Queensland Cricket is acutely aware that the ICC World Cup will be staged in Australia and New Zealand in 2015 and so tournaments like the Under-19 World Cup are an important proving ground for us, and for Cricket Australia, as it gets closer to hosting that major event.
"The support of government at all levels will be a vital part of our collective preparations for 2015, but I know that Queensland Cricket is looking forward to working closely with all of our stakeholders to make the Under-19 World Cup a memorable and successful event."
The event will be held in August next year. Further details of venues, ticket sales and match timings will be announced closer to the tournament.
The tournament will be the ninth ICC U19 Cricket World Cup which started in 1988 with the inaugural event in Melbourne.
Australia has won the event three times - taking home the inaugural title in 1988, then again in 2002 and also last year's event in New Zealand.
Over 1000 people were polled in a survey conducted by Britain’s top cheap flights comparison site Skyscanner, that examined various components of a holiday including the quality of accommodation, food, length of flight, weather, duration, motivation for the trip, travelling companions as well as details of planning and paying.
Further and longer = happier!
Skyscanner's study showed that people are happiest when they go abroad and the further away the better, with six of the top ten happiest holiday destinations being long haul. The survey also revealed that those who were most happy had been away for the longest period.
The countries ranked in order of happiness were:
1) Australia 2) Canada 3) South Africa 4) India 5) France 6) Thailand 7) USA 8) Italy 9) Portugal 10) Greece 11) Spain 12) Turkey 13) Germany 14) UK
Psychologist Cliff Arnall, speaking on behalf of Skyscanner, explained the reasons behind the findings: "As great as holidaying in the UK can be, most people enjoy experiencing somewhere different with a better climate. Short haul trips to Europe can offer this but they are also now relatively common. Long haul holidays tend to be for longer periods of time and have greater impact because they are seen as more special than staying in the UK or catching flights to Spain, for example."
Overall, 69% of those surveyed were ‘ecstatic' or ‘very happy' about their last holiday. This is due to the fact that people enjoy the relaxation achieved by a holiday says Mr Arnall: "Two thirds of working people dislike their jobs and many resent the routine associated with the predictable, mundane nature of things at home. Being on holiday is an ideal escape from this and is both stimulating and relaxing."
The study also revealed that, contrary to popular belief, money can in fact buy happiness; those who had spent more than £3000 per person on their holiday were the most happy. This ties in with the longer haul destinations, and may also in part be due to the type of trip; for example a honeymoon or a ‘once in a lifetime' voyage has extra special meaning and is likely to cost more.
A sense of sharing was also important, with the happiest people making a joint contribution in planning and paying for the trip. "Holiday planning, especially when done jointly, is a very satisfying activity. As long as all concerned feel they are making a contribution and having their views taken into account then planning is both enjoyable and makes people feel emotionally closer to each other." says Mr Arnall.
The survey showed that it takes more than just money to make a happy holiday; the choice of travel companion and socialising once there is also significant. Those who had holidayed with friends and also made new friends whilst away, were happiest. How visitors are treated by their local hosts also affected happiness; the more welcoming and friendly they are, the better the experience.
Good weather was also important to achieve maximum satisfaction while on holiday. This is especially relevant for those living in the UK where the climate is unpredictable and a common cause of complaint. Therefore the guarantee of sun (or snow) is a vital factor in holiday happiness.
Expectations and the planning of a trip also affected satisfaction. Rather than having heightened expectations that were then dashed, the survey found that those who had planned a long time in advance were happiest.
Mr Arnall explains: "Booking ahead provides two very important positives; something to look forward to and something to tell other people about. People who have booked ahead well in advance have the satisfaction (and some might say smugness!) of knowing exactly where they are going and when.
Telling other people about nice things you are going to do is a crucial part of boosting self-esteem and achieving social status."
