Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
website for dates) at the Calliope River Historical Village, 26km south of Gladstone, are
hugely popular, attracting over 3000 people. Wander around the village's restored heritage
buildings and browse the 200-plus stalls of goodies.
LAKE
Lake Awoonga
Created by the construction of the Awoonga Dam in 1984, Lake Awoonga is a popular re-
creational area 30km south of Gladstone. Backed by the rugged
Castle Tower National Park
,
the barramundi-stocked lake has landscaped picnic areas, a cafe, barbecues, walking trails
and bird life. You can hire watercraft from
Lake Awoonga Boat Hire
( 07-4975 0930; tinnies half-
day $80, kayaks per hour $15)
and snooze lakeside at
Lake Awoonga Caravan Park
( 07-4975 0155;
www.lakeawoonga.net.au
;
Lake Awoonga Rd, Benaraby; 2 people unpowered/powered site $26/34, cabins from $70)
.
WORTH A TRIP
CURTIS ISLAND
Curtis Island
, just across the water from Gladstone, can't be confused with a resort island. Apart from swim-
ming, fishing and lolling about on the dunes, its main drawcard is the annual appearance of rare flatback turtles
on its eastern shores between October and January. Camping permits can be booked via
NPRSR
( 13 74 68;
www.nprsr.qld.gov.au
;
permit per person/family $5.45/21.80) or you can stay with the friendly folks at
Capri-
corn Lodge
( 07-4972 0222;
capricornlodge@bigpond.com
;
lodgings from around $80). They have a corner
store and a liquor licence. Curtis Ferry Services (
Click here
) connects the island with Gladstone every day bar
Tuesday and Thursday.
Tours
Gladstone's big-ticket industries, including the alumina refineries, aluminium smelter,
power station and port authority, open their doors for free
industry tours
. The one- or 1½-
hour tours start at different times on different days of the week depending on the industry.
Book at the visitor centre.
Various charters offer fishing, diving and sightseeing cruises to the Swains Reef and
1800 677 202;
Sleeping
