Things to do with kids in Gladstone & Agnes Water
The reef is close here. From the Town of 1770, day trips run out to Lady Musgrave Island, where you can snorkel in the lagoon and see turtles on most days. It is a long day of around nine hours, so it suits kids who are happy on a boat.
Agnes Water's main beach has lifeguards every day from September to early May, and a playground beside it. The easy Paperbark Trail has stepping stones and boardwalks through the forest. At 1770, the Butterfly Walk follows the shore up to the headland, and in autumn and winter you might see blue tiger butterflies. For a big adventure, the pink amphibious LARC drives over beaches and creeks to Bustard Head Lightstation, with sandboarding on the way back.
Around Gladstone, Tannum Sands has a patrolled beach and a flat riverside path for bikes. On weekends, kids can climb aboard the old navy ship HMAS Gladstone, but they need to manage steep ladders on their own.
48 family outings, waterfalls and walks across the region, sorted by drive time from Gladstone. Choose your suburb at the top to sort from where you are staying.
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Top things to do in Gladstone & 1770
Snorkel with turtles at Lady Musgrave Island
1770 Reef Eco Tours runs full-day trips from the Town of 1770 to Lady Musgrave Island and its lagoon, about 90 minutes each way. The day includes snorkelling, a glass-bottom boat and a guided island walk, and turtles are seen most days. Tours last about 8.5 to 9 hours, and departure times shift with the tides.
about 1.5 hr by boat from the Town of 1770
Island · Lady Musgrave Island
Photo: Hullwarren, CC BY-SA 4.0
Stay on a coral cay at Heron Island
Heron Island is a coral cay 72km off Gladstone, ringed by 24 hectares of reef and known for nesting turtles and seabirds. Visitors stay at the island resort and arrive by boat from Gladstone in about two and a half hours, or by helicopter. The boat doesn't run on Tuesdays or Thursdays, so plan your dates around it.
about 2.5 hr by resort ferry from Gladstone Marina (no ferry Tue or Thu)
Island · Heron Island
Photo: Ciambue, CC BY 2.0
Swim between the flags at Agnes Water
Lifeguards patrol Agnes Water's 5.5km main beach every day from September to early May, and on weekends the rest of the year. The patrolled southern end is relatively safe, but rips form once the swell tops 1m, especially at low tide. A playground, barbecues and showers sit beside the beach.
about 1 hr 30
Beach · Agnes Water Main Beach
Photo: User: (WT-shared) Inas at wts wikivoyage, Public domain
Follow the butterflies to the 1770 Headland
The 1.2km Butterfly Walk starts at the Captain Cook Monument and follows the creek shore to the headland, with views over Bustard Bay. In autumn and winter, blue tiger butterflies flock to the Town of 1770 on their migration. Allow at least 45 minutes, carry water and leave the dog at home.
about 1 hr 15
Lookout · 1770 Headland Lookout
Photo: Hagai Agmon-Snir حچاي اچمون-سنير חגי אגמון-שניר, CC BY-SA 4.0
Ride a pink LARC to Bustard Head
The full-day Paradise Tour crosses beaches and tidal creeks in an amphibious LARC to the Bustard Head Lightstation and its museum. After lunch, kids can sandboard down a 35m dune on Middle Island. Children under 8 can't climb the lighthouse tower; tickets were $179 for adults and $99 for children aged 4 to 14 in October 2026.
no public road: full-day 1770 LARC! tour from the Town of 1770
Heritage · Bustard Head Lightstation
Photo: Heritage branch staff, CC BY 3.0
Hop the stepping stones on the Paperbark Trail
This easy 400m loop in Reedy Creek Reserve, Agnes Water, winds through paperbark forest on boardwalks, stepping stones and water crossings. Listen for the clicks and hums of frogs as you go. Allow at least 45 minutes to take it slowly.
about 1 hr 30
Walk · Paperbark Forest Boardwalk
Photo: Julienicholls95, CC BY-SA 4.0
Swim and ride at Tannum Sands
Tannum Sands has a patrolled beach with eateries and takeaway shops nearby. From town, the 15km Turtleway follows both banks of the Boyne River to Boyne Island, past sculptures, mosaics and other public art. Bring the bikes for an easy family ride.
about 25 min
Beach · Tannum Sands Beach
Photo: wood26, CC BY-SA 3.0
Picnic and paddle at Lake Awoonga
Lake Awoonga's recreation areas are free, with picnic shelters, barbecues, boat ramps and playgrounds, including the one at Ironbark Gully. Families come to swim, paddle and kayak, and the lake is well known for barramundi. Riverston Bay has more waterfront space after recent upgrades.
about 40 min
Lake · Lake Awoonga
Photo: Magdalena B, Public domain
Climb aboard HMAS Gladstone
Tours of the museum ship HMAS Gladstone start from the Gladstone Maritime Museum on Flinders Parade, on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 3pm. Children must be able to climb steep vertical stairs on their own, and closed-in shoes with a heel strap are a must. Tours stop in wet weather and in high summer heat.
under 5 min
Museum · HMAS Gladstone
Photo: Vicki Nunn, Public domain
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Also in this region, more than 4 hours from Gladstone
Round Hill (no public road: full-day 1770 LARC! tour from the Town of 1770): Bustard Head Lightstation
Elsewhere in the region (about 2.5 hr by resort ferry from Gladstone Marina (no ferry Tue or Thu)): Heron Island, Lady Elliot Island
Drive times are estimated from the distance, so treat them as a guide. Tap a card for the full page.
Region boundary: ABS Tourism Regions 2021 (Tourism Research Australia), CC BY 4.0. Outings from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) and venues' own listings; nature spots from OpenStreetMap and park services.