Gladstone Harbour, Queensland: A Comprehensive Guide

Gladstone Harbour is a significant industrial and commercial hub located on the eastern coast of Queensland, Australia. It's situated about 550 kilometers north of Brisbane.

The harbour is surrounded by a range of hills and mountains, providing a picturesque backdrop to the bustling port.

Gladstone Harbour is situated in a predominantly water area, but it includes two partially developed islands: Facing Island and Quoin Island, as well as a small part of southern Curtis Island.

Facing Island is approximately 14.2 kilometres long and protects the harbour from the Coral Sea. It has two passages to the sea, the North Channel and the Gatcombe Channel. The North Channel exits the harbour between Curtis Island and Facing Island, while the Gatcombe Channel exits to the south of Facing Island and Boyne Island.

The island has several notable points, including Northcliffe at its northern tip, Farmers Point at the north-west, and Gatcombe at the southern tip. None of these towns are fully developed, with typically half the blocks being undeveloped.

Here are the notable points on the island:

Quoin Island, located in the middle of Gladstone Harbour, is approximately 1.8 kilometres long and partially developed. It has residential lots in the north and a resort and turtle rehabilitation centre in the south.

The geography of the locality is quite unique, with a mix of water and land. Predominantly water, the area includes several islands, such as Facing Island and Quoin Island.

Facing Island is 14.2 kilometres long and protects the harbour from the Coral Sea. It has two passages, the North Channel and the Gatcombe Channel, which allow boats to exit the harbour.

The island has several notable points, including Northcliffe at the northern tip, Farmers Point at the north-west, and Gatcombe at the southern tip. These points are significant for navigation and orientation.

Quoin Island, on the other hand, is a smaller island located in the middle of Gladstone Harbour. It's approximately 1.8 kilometres long and has a unique shape, earning it its name.

The island is partially developed, with residential lots in the north and a resort and turtle rehabilitation centre in the south. The Quoin Island Turtle Rehabilitation Centre is a non-governmental organisation that helps protect turtles.

Here are the notable points on Facing Island:

Seagrass is a crucial part of Gladstone Harbour's ecosystem, with 14 monitored meadows covering an area of approximately 12,000 ha at peak distribution. These meadows are located in six harbour zones, including The Narrows, Western Basin, Inner Harbour, Mid Harbour, South Trees Inlet, and Rodds Bay.

Seagrass meadows provide important ecosystem functions, such as sediment stabilisation, nutrient cycling, and carbon sequestration. They also serve as nursery areas for juvenile fishes and foraging areas for dugongs, turtles, and large fish like barramundi.

The area and distribution of seagrass meadows can vary on an annual basis, which is why monitoring is essential. Seagrass meadows have been monitored in Gladstone Harbour since 2002, providing valuable insights into potential causes and trends regarding changes in the seagrass meadows.

Seagrass health is measured using three sub-indicators: biomass, area, and species composition. Biomass refers to the average above-ground biomass within a monitoring meadow, while area measures the total area of a monitoring meadow. Species composition looks at the relative proportions of different seagrass species within a meadow, with higher proportions of historically dominant species receiving higher scores.

Mangroves are coastal ecosystems that thrive in the intertidal zones of tropical and subtropical regions, where the ocean meets the land.

Mangroves are found in over 100 countries, with the largest areas in Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines.

These unique ecosystems are home to a diverse array of plant and animal species, including the iconic mangrove tree, which can live for up to 250 years in some cases.

Mangroves provide essential habitat for many marine species, including fish, crustaceans, and birds, which rely on their complex network of roots and branches for food and shelter.

Mangroves also serve as a natural barrier against storms and erosion, protecting coastal communities and infrastructure from damage.

The roots of mangrove trees can grow up to 100 feet long, allowing them to stabilize the soil and prevent erosion in areas with high wave energy.

Mangroves can store up to 5 times more carbon than terrestrial forests, making them a crucial component in the global fight against climate change.

Despite their importance, mangrove forests are under threat from deforestation, pollution, and overfishing, which can have devastating impacts on local ecosystems and communities.

Gladstone Harbour has a rich history dating back to 1802 when it was named by Matthew Flinders on his voyage on HMS Investigator. The harbour was originally called Facing Island, but it was later renamed Gladstone in 1847 after the British Secretary of State for the Colonies, William Ewart Gladstone.

The town of Northcliffe first appears on a 1912 survey plan, and the first Brisbane to Gladstone yacht race took place at Easter in 1949. The Gladstone Harbour Festival commenced in 1963, attracting an estimated 5000 people.

The harbour's economy is driven by key industries such as shipping, tourism, and commercial fishing. Shipping activity is measured by capacity utilization, with data showing a score based on a 10-year baseline dataset from 2013-14 to 2022-23.

Tourism expenditure in the Gladstone region is a significant contributor to the economy, with a score based on expenditure on hotel accommodation, food, and other local services relative to a 10-year average.

The history of the area is quite fascinating, and it all began with Matthew Flinders' voyage on HMS Investigator in 1801. He named Facing Island, which is located near the present-day town of Gladstone, on August 6, 1802.

Gatcombe Head, the southern tip of Facing Island, was also named by Flinders after Gatcombe House, the Hampshire residence of Vice Admiral Sir Roger Curtis. This was in recognition of Curtis' assistance with dockyard repairs to the Investigator in October 1801.

The harbour in the area was named in 1847, and it was later named Gladstone after the British Secretary of State for the Colonies, William Ewart Gladstone. This was a significant event in the area's history, and it marked the beginning of the Port Curtis settlement.

The town of Northcliffe first appears on a survey plan from 1912, and it's interesting to note that this was a relatively quiet time in the area's history. The first Brisbane to Gladstone yacht race took place at Easter in 1949, which was a significant event in the area's sporting history.

The town of Farmers Point was named in 1961, and the town of Gatcombe was named in 1967, taking its name from Gatcombe Point.

The economic performance of Gladstone is a story of ups and downs, with key industries like shipping, tourism, and commercial fishing playing a significant role.

Shipping activity in Gladstone Harbour has been steadily increasing, with a capacity utilization estimate suggesting a strong performance in the 2022–23 financial year.

Tourism in the Gladstone region has also seen significant growth, particularly since 2017 when cruise ship expenditure was included in the indicator. On average, tourists spend a substantial amount on hotel accommodation, food, and local services.

The commercial fishing industry in Gladstone has been performing well, with fishing effort and the value of the landed catch in key sectors like net fishing, pot fishing, and otter trawling showing significant growth relative to the 10-year average.

The total value of commercial fishing in Gladstone has been estimated based on catch data and average prices for each species group, with the three fisheries sectors weighted by their relative contribution to Gross Value Production.

The unemployment rate in Gladstone has been lower compared to the rest of Queensland, indicating a relatively strong employment situation in the area.

Gladstone Harbour has a small population, with a significant decline in numbers between the 2016 and 2021 censuses.

The population of Gladstone Harbour dropped from 29 people in 2016 to 24 people in 2021.

This decline is notable, and it's worth considering the implications for the local community and economy.

Mud crabs are an iconic species in Gladstone Harbour, with their health being a major community concern due to high rates of rust spot disease.

Their abundance is estimated by catch per unit effort (CPUE), which can be highly variable due to factors like capture technique and crab distribution.

Changes in abundance may indicate changes in fishing pressure, habitats, or recruitment levels.

The sex ratio of mud crabs is also an important sub-indicator, as it assesses the ratio of legal-size male crabs to female crabs of the same size.

In Queensland mud crab fisheries, it's illegal to take female crabs, so changes in the sex ratio can indicate changes in fishing pressures.

Only male crabs dig burrows, while female crabs often migrate offshore to spawn.

The prevalence of rust lesions, or rust spots, is a significant health concern for mud crabs in Gladstone Harbour.

Rust spots were first reported in 1994 and are not infectious, but their cause is still unknown.

The prevalence of rust spot is calculated by comparing the number of crabs with rust lesions to the total number of mud crabs caught at each monitoring zone.

Gladstone Harbour has a tiny population, with only 29 people calling it home in the 2016 census.

The population has actually decreased since then, with the 2021 census showing a population of just 24 people.

This small number of residents can make a big impact on the local rental market, where every tenant matters.

Here are the population figures for Gladstone Harbour over the past few years:

As a result, landlords and property managers in Gladstone Harbour need to be flexible and understanding when dealing with their tenants.

Renting a house can be a daunting task, especially for first-time renters. The top-rated house rentals are often those in desirable neighborhoods with good schools.

In areas like downtown Denver, renters can expect to pay upwards of $2,000 per month for a 2-bedroom house. This is significantly higher than the national average.

House rentals in areas with high walkability scores tend to be more popular among renters. A walk score of 80 or higher is often a key factor in determining a house's desirability.

Renters in cities like Portland and Seattle often prioritize amenities like in-unit laundry and a private balcony. These features can increase the rental price, but they're essential for many renters.

The average rent for a 3-bedroom house in the suburbs is around $1,800 per month. This can be a more affordable option for families or those who need more space.

Gladstone Harbour is a major commodity export facility, with many ships transiting the harbour every year. The port facilities, however, are not located within the locality of Gladstone Harbour itself, but rather in the surrounding land-based suburbs.

A vehicular and passenger ferry runs services from Gladstone to Farmers Point on Facing Island, and then to Southend on Curtis Island, operating on five days of the week as of April 2019.

The Port of Gladstone is a major commodity export facility, making it a hub for maritime activity in the area. Many ships transit the Gladstone Harbour every year.

The port facilities are located within the land-based suburbs of Gladstone, not within the locality of Gladstone Harbour itself. This is because the locality boundaries are established offshore.

A vehicular and passenger ferry runs services from Gladstone to Farmers Point on Facing Island and then to Southend on Curtis Island. This ferry operates on five days of the week.

Dredging is a critical aspect of the Gladstone Harbour development, but it comes with significant environmental concerns.

The dredging will continue until at least 2015, causing long-term environmental effects.

This massive development includes dredging to allow large LNG vessels through the harbour, which is situated within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

Gladstone is known for its massive tides, making it a legitimate concern for the dispersal of dredge spoil into the nearby Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

Dredging will smother the sea grass beds, which will take several years to recover after dredging stops.

Hundreds of workers and materials need to be ferried to Curtis Island daily, generating significant vessel traffic in the harbour.

Gladstone Harbour is a popular cruise ship destination, with many vessels passing through its waters every year. The harbour's strategic location makes it an ideal stop for cruise ships traveling between Australia and the Pacific Islands.

The harbour's rich history and cultural significance are also major draws for tourists. Gladstone's Tondoon Botanic Gardens are a must-visit attraction for nature lovers.

Gladstone's vibrant arts scene is another reason to visit. The Gladstone Regional Art Gallery showcases local and national art exhibitions throughout the year.

Visitors can enjoy a range of water activities, including fishing and boating, in the harbour. The harbour's calm waters make it an ideal spot for families to enjoy a day out on the water.

Gladstone's nearby islands, including Curtis Island, offer beautiful beaches and scenic views. Curtis Island is also home to the Curtis Island Lighthouse, a historic landmark that's a must-see for anyone interested in maritime history.

The harbour's proximity to the Great Barrier Reef makes it an ideal base for snorkeling and diving trips. Visitors can explore the reef's vibrant coral and marine life on a guided tour.