Wantonmien
Contributor
Hi all,
Moved to Gladstone recently with work, saw the signboards on the way up the highway proclaiming "Gladstone - the Gateway to the barrier reef" - and on first few days scoured google, maps, info centres and all over and totally amazed to find there isn't a single dive centre in Gladstone, nor so far as I can tell a single dive boat (except ferry to Heron Island) offering dives out around the close by islands or GBR - or if there is it is very well hidden !!
2 hours drive North from Gladstone up to Yepoon - Keppel island is a short distance offshore & I'm told a few years back had awesome diving, but - amazed again, not a single dive centre to be found in that area, nor a boat offering dives around Keppel island - or if there is they are very well hidden !!
2 hours drive South from Gladstone - Agnes Water, dive centre that I'm told used to be there is gone, and no other dive centre, nor regular boat offering dive trips (except tourist day trip to Lady Musgrave island).
So options within 2 hours drive from Gladstone -
- Ferry to Heron Island goes daily, but timings mean if you want to head for a dive or two, you need to stay overnight on the island.
- Ferry from town of 1770 offering tourist trips to Lady Musgrave, where you can get two dives in.
And those are the only "Gateways" to the GBR within 2 hours either side of Gladstone - Amazing and disappointing :depressed: if one considers it is just onshore from the GBR !
2.5 hours South in Bundaberg there is one dive centre offering shore dives, plus there are flights to Lady Elliot but to dive there you need to stay overnight.
If anyone by chance could advise if there is a hidden dive centre or dive boat operating within close reach of Gladstone, or how to get to dive around Keppel island - then I'd be forever be in debt to you - Or if anyone is thinking of opening a dive centre where one is needed - look this way !
Cheers
Moved to Gladstone recently with work, saw the signboards on the way up the highway proclaiming "Gladstone - the Gateway to the barrier reef" - and on first few days scoured google, maps, info centres and all over and totally amazed to find there isn't a single dive centre in Gladstone, nor so far as I can tell a single dive boat (except ferry to Heron Island) offering dives out around the close by islands or GBR - or if there is it is very well hidden !!
2 hours drive North from Gladstone up to Yepoon - Keppel island is a short distance offshore & I'm told a few years back had awesome diving, but - amazed again, not a single dive centre to be found in that area, nor a boat offering dives around Keppel island - or if there is they are very well hidden !!
2 hours drive South from Gladstone - Agnes Water, dive centre that I'm told used to be there is gone, and no other dive centre, nor regular boat offering dive trips (except tourist day trip to Lady Musgrave island).
So options within 2 hours drive from Gladstone -
- Ferry to Heron Island goes daily, but timings mean if you want to head for a dive or two, you need to stay overnight on the island.
- Ferry from town of 1770 offering tourist trips to Lady Musgrave, where you can get two dives in.
And those are the only "Gateways" to the GBR within 2 hours either side of Gladstone - Amazing and disappointing :depressed: if one considers it is just onshore from the GBR !
2.5 hours South in Bundaberg there is one dive centre offering shore dives, plus there are flights to Lady Elliot but to dive there you need to stay overnight.
If anyone by chance could advise if there is a hidden dive centre or dive boat operating within close reach of Gladstone, or how to get to dive around Keppel island - then I'd be forever be in debt to you - Or if anyone is thinking of opening a dive centre where one is needed - look this way !
Cheers