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Gladstone City
1.9(15 reviews)

Gladstone City, QLD 4680

1.9(15 reviews)

Ranked 13th best suburb by locals in Fitzroy Region, QLD

Great for

  • Internet access
  • Parks and recreation
  • Schools
  • Safe and sound
  • Parking

Not great for

  • Nightlife
  • Public transport
  • Shopping options
  • Cost of living
  • Childcare

Who lives here?

  • Families With Kids
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Retirees

Reviews of Gladstone City, QLD

Editors Choice

"Great to raise a family"

Gladstone on the Central Qld coast has a beautiful harbour with fishing and boating being some of its attractions.It is a great place to raise a family and with the abundance of industry also offers great work opportunities. We chose to raise our four boys here with the last of them begining an apprenticeship this year. As a family we are never short of something to do. All sport is well catered for and we have been involved in swimming, touchfootball, soccer, hockey, surf lifesaving, cricket, motor cross riding, 4 wheel driving and the list goes on. You are living in an Industrial town and you have to be prepared for the good and the bad of this. We would not live anywhere else, all four boys have great jobs. Gladstone has a wide range of living alternatives with the seaside towns of Boyne Island & Tannum Sands offering beach living or if you prefer the country feel the town of Calliope and surrounds offers township or acreage living all within a short drive of the city. Nightlife for the younger age group is probably limited. Shopping is OK but not great. Sporting facilities are good and improving all the time. Residential investment gives good returns. Only a 1 hour flight to Brisbane. Gladstone has been good to us.

Who lives here?

  • Families with kids
2
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Editors Choice

"Gladstone - Great rest stop close to the water."

Gladstone is on the Central Coast of Queensland south of Yeppoon. From Gladstone it is a hop skip and jump to the many islands dotting the Great Barrier Reef. Tours are run daily. Enjoy the clean beaches or partake in some fishing. Fishing charters are readily available to suit most anglers. Gladstone offers many sporting clubs and associations and has a good sized entertainment centre as well plenty of shopping facilities. There is no end to the accommodation options at Gladstone, from backpacker hostels to motels, cabins and resorts and purchasing a property in Gladstone is still with reach whilst rentals are quite affordable.

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
0
Sterling Archer
Sterling Archer

Please provide said shopping facilities, as I've found not only the food basic but "kin kora" was the only said shopping centre.

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10th December 2023

"Not good at all but not the worst place"

Gladstone is a pretty bad town, nothing to do, everyone is up themselves and into each others business, industry all around polluting literally everything, lacking in job opportunities that aren't industry and just straight up lacking any opportunities' really, ive lived here 20 years and cant wait to leave, while its not the worst place it certainly isn't the best, i can say however that the town is relatively safe as you can safely traverse the town at nigh time without worrying about being attacked (unless you live in Barney Point) and there are some genuinely good people here hidden under all the toothless nuffies and dole bludgers, the hospital system however is the biggest joke i have ever seen, if you ever need to go there for any reason weather it be something minor or a life threatening injury just don't, they will end up killing you quicker than any injuries will. thats it really.

0
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10th September 2023

"Great for families but not for young singles"

I lived there January-September 2022. It was a great place for a young person to get back on their feet after living abroad. But it lacked the busy atmosphere, the social opportunités and career opportunities. I moved back to Sydney and never have been happier, I felt so stuck and isolated there. Also not many bulk billing services and lack of public transport for those who can’t drive.
Gladstone is great for families but not if you’d like the busy atmosphere of the city, career/education opportunities, social opportunities and connection to the rest of the world. Not for me but I wish the best for those who are thriving there.

Who lives here?

  • Families with kids
0
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7th September 2023

"Gladstone is a great place to live"

Immediate family lived there for several years. Great town, and they are planning to go back to retire. The air is clean, the town is attractive, it is no longer expensive as the boom has gone, heaps of amenities, decent schools, great restaurants. The moderators really need to do better with this page. These negative reviews give no details and seem fixated on one bad experience they themselves had (or maybe created). Please do better.

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
0
The opinions expressed within this review are those of the individual and not those of Homely.com.au.
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"Any town is what you make of it"

I’ve been lucky enough to live and travel all over the world. From far outback QLD to Brisbane to London to Paris. And everywhere in between.
When I first moved to Gladstone I believed the bad PR. But I really love it now. You have to scratch the surface but I personally believe the positives outweigh any negatives. We just bought a house outright. Something we could never of done in Brisbane. Our street is obscenely quiet and my lifestyle is just what I want, peaceful, easy and relaxing.
Yes the real estates are rubbish and it’s not the best place to rent. I rented here and they’re really some of the worst agents I’ve come across. And yes industry is a major player here. But I can see QAL from my balcony (as well as the ocean and islands and boats) and I have my own air quality reader. I have never seen the reader produce a reading above ‘good’. Which means it’s always good. And even on its worst days, it’s just on a par with Brisbane!
This town, much like any town, is what you make of it. If you want night life and parties and stuff like that. It won’t be for you. If you want a quiet, private and peaceful life, it may be.

Who lives here?

  • Families with kids
1
The opinions expressed within this review are those of the individual and not those of Homely.com.au.
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"Don’t be put off by unhappy people, Gladstone is my home and proud of it!"

I have just found this site and am proud to be a 34 1/2 year long resident and home owner. I am selling my small acreage but only to pursue our dream of retiring in Agnes. I have raised 3 children and now have grandchildren growing up in Gladstone. These comments previously are very unfair, and offensive to locals - there are problems in every town if you go to those areas. The council has worked very hard to beautify Gladstone, and our parklands and waterfront/harbour has come along way. Great walking paths, botanical gardens, sporting facilities. Yes the main street area is not thriving but there are some great specialty shops around. Do your homework wwinarto, don’t go off a fews bad experiences. We love our home, my kids have employment and futures here.

Who lives here?

  • Families with kids
2
John Smithsonian
John Smithsonian

I love Gladdy. A great place to live. In my experience people who hate it have bigger issues than where they live.

freeshia
freeshia

We thinking moving to Gladstone in a year 2024. Just put an offer on a home up there. But need to sort stuff down here first. Tell me what is the average age up there. As we both not spring chickens anymore. hitting big 60. I need to know what sorta work is offer up there. Both of us done labourers jobs all my life..But age does catch up with u. Are their many support worker jobs up there? What about sewing machinists jobs? Not looking for full time work..casual suits me to a T. thanx

Albert Oteng
Albert Oteng

I am a Social Worker and I am considering taking a job in Gladstone. I have a new born and my wife who would like to work in Early Childhood. The negative comments nearly discouraged me, but happy to see positive reviews. We are hoping to start a life in a quiet area and buy our first home there. Any further honest review of Gladstone will be appreciated.

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"A vacuous pit of despair devoid of culture, class and cuisine"

I lived in Gladstone for 22 years. 5 years ago I decided to sell up and move.
I recently had to return to Gladstone for a function so I booked in to The Oaks behind The Grand Hotel. As I turned off the highway onto the road that leads to the brown dirty polluted atmosphere of Gladstone i noticed a dead cat, obviously decomposing, on the road outside the first housing estate lying there rotting amongst other accumulated rubbish.
Verges of dead spindly grass intermingled with litter greeted me as i continued towards the city.
I drove past old dilapidated buildings as i entered the outskirts on my way into the main street. As i drove along i saw an endless procession of empty businesses and ugly vistas. It was 2pm Saturday and as i turned left into Tank steet i noticed no people at all. All shops are closed and 'for lease' signs decorated many of them. Around the roundabout into Goondoon street (the main street of town) and i was greeted by more of the same. Nothing attractive caught my eye, no green spaces, no trees, no cars, no people.
Dead as a doornail.
No redeeming features.
After booking in and assessing my surroundings i figured I'd go out and get myself something to eat. Unfortunately at 2pm in Gladstone city on Saturday your only option is McDonalds as all other eateries are closed.
Not even a coffee is accessible unless you go to Maccas.
Well at least dinner with my friends isnt far away from my accommodation, off to Oak and Vine at 7pm.
We were seated and a drink order was taken by a pleasant young lady who didn't know that there were several different types of gin other than Gordons. Anyway that's all they had so a gin and tonic with lime was ordered.
The post mix tonic was flat and off and oops, the restaurant attached to a bottleshop is out of tonic.
The meals were expensive and awful.
Undercooked waygu, overcooked chicken and poorly cooked swordfish and overcooked sweetlip supposedly grilled but looked broiled.
Top that off with hard vegetables and watery sauces.
Anyway....we got a heavily discounted tab.

Off to Lightbox for a drink and a bit of music.
And here, the experience of Gladstone just got worse.....poorly trained staff. Unsafe work practices. Awful music that sounded like one long bad song rouded off a long bad day.

Gladstone......1 star. And that's for the accommodation.

3
John Smithsonian
John Smithsonian

Glad you left

John Smithsonian
John Smithsonian

You sound obnoxious and boring.

The Fuzzler
The Fuzzler

At first I started to read a review then I noticed a decomposing story of drivel and conceit. The further I entered into the story the more I became acquainted with the writer.
I found them to be dirty, barren and empty of character. The deeper I dove into the rabbit warren of the reviewers mind I started to question the very existence of a town called Gladstone.
So I entered into the simple, unobstructed prose of the average reviewer and found a great little town called Gladstone... Seriously though, a round of applause to the up and coming Hemingway. Your first step into the world outside of your creative writing class has created some emotion.

amd1
amd1

Fuzzler, that was a great take down, very amusing :)

It's weird that the reviewer lived there 22.5 years but suddenly notices things he thinks are awful. Also strange he didn't mention that there is a Guzman Gomez for fast food, and several other restaurants including Thai restaurants, and that there are shops away from the main street.

felixb6

This is one of the most honest reviews I have ever read, when we drove in the first thing we saw was at way stop dumped dirty mattresses and tyres, my husband and I looked at each other and went ohh no. 14 months in a its only got worse

janef13
janef13

Felix. Havent you gone yet? Before you leave, can you pick up those mattresses and maybe a dictionary. Then, maybe youll be able to construct a full and coherent sentence. Lol.

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"Gladstone the worst city in Queensland?"

Moved to Gladstone City over five weeks a go with high hopes of a new life, good neighbours and affordable rent. From the 1st week in the townhouse in Auckland Street I was not able to get much sleep. Rowdy and noisy mothers on both sides of me with small kids. The house opposite kept playing loud music and having parties through the early hours of the morning. Nearly put myself into hospital and I went to the Rydges hotel a number of times to get some rest. I rented from a very bad real estate agency in Goondoon Street Gladstone. This was not Raine and Horne. I told the agency I rented from many times of the noisy bogan neighbours but they didn't care. Cruel and insensitive! I called the police many times. I'm finally getting out of here tomorrow and moving back to Brisbane on Thursday. Gladstone is a town of small mentalities, suppressive peoples and mental illness. Where the police go speeding down Auckland Street everyday racing to the next offense. Stay far away from Gladstone City. The place just isn't worth it.

6
leew22

This sounds really awful. I have heard some pretty bad things about Gladstone and the realestate agents there although realestate agents are pretty much the same no matter where you go however some are worse than others if that's even possible. I was considering moving there with several other people and investing in some property however after reading this review and a few other ones, I have decided not to go anywhere near Gladstone. I have heard that Raine and Horne are a "better" type of realestate agent however Gladstone sounds just awful.
Thanks for this review. Lee Watkins.

David Harrison
David Harrison

Hello Lee I'm glad I could help. My stay in Gladstone Central Queensland has been extremely traumatic and I was living in extreme fear. I've never had a living situation as bad as this in my whole life. I have had to sell all my furnitures and whitegoods to get out of this town and have lost everything. Its left me in grief. I have also placed a review warning on the worlds largest international government Site 'Weixin' not to come to Gladstone City Central Queensland.

ginad11

Hi there, I have been here for 2 years, hands down the worst place Ive ever lived in Australia! Traumatic!
So much domestic violence etc.
Im getting out of here soon as I have a rental!

leew22

I've heard some terrible things about and particularly the realestate agents there. The bad news concerning Gladstone just keeps growing.

W Winarto
W Winarto

OMG this is sound terrible, I am just getting ready to put my house on the market to move to Gladstone ... I was planning just to buy without even inspect the house because of the Covid19, but now I have lots of concerns...thank you for sharing.

Chris Cornwell
Chris Cornwell

I was considering moving there from Melbourne, I have a friend up there, I was attracted by the cheap housing prices , I could buy something really nice up there but if its really that red neck and bogan I wouldnt be able to cope, so Ill probably give it a miss.

Sarah Jane
Sarah Jane

Do not come to Gladstone! Everything you are reading is true! It's horrible! I've never lived in such an awful place. The people are so rude, it's really terrible!!! They have a really bad attitude and go out of their way to treat you horribly. The health system is worse than anywhere I've ever been. The staff in many departments at Gladstone Hospital are rude, obnoxious and demeaning. They get away with it. I've made a few complaints because it's clear they're used to treating people like this and not complain. There's no bulk billing GPs either!!!! People are not friendly and just go out of their way to be nasty to you. This includes people in customer service. The town is dirty, shops are empty and shops open are basically Woolies, Coles and Aldi. Lots of domestic violence. Don't come here and don't move here!!!! Please listen because you'll regret it and be like me and others, stuck here until the lease runs out. Biggest mistake of my life moving here. I hope I save anyone from coming here. It's depressing and horrible.

John Smithsonian
John Smithsonian

So Ive lived in Gladstone for five years. Just bought a house in South Gladstone. Ive lived in Brisbane, Ipswich, Quilpie and London. I love it here. I agree agents are shit up here. But if you buy in a nice quiet spot, its pretty sweet. If youre looking for night life and fancy food. Probably not for you. If you want an easy, peaceful quiet life thats cheap and a stones throw away from some of the most beautiful spots in QLD then this is the place for you. And dont be daunted by shit about air pollution. I can see QAL from my verandah. I have an air quality reader. Its never gotten above a good reading and on a bad day is on par with Brisbane. Do your research. Take your time. And be realistic. A place isnt going to solve your problems. You bring them with you.

Rita Flores
Rita Flores

I grew up in Moe Vic. And let me tell you. This is the most bogan place I have ever lived. I have seen alot of Australia. But Gladstone is really special and not in a good way. ( Even local authorities warned me of this after needing to call them for protection from a pack of local Neanderthals who I dared to ask them to keep the noise down .

felixb6

Everything is true its heartbreaking its so sad, Gladstone is where your hopes and dreams come to die but I am sure as hell not going to die in Gladstone

amd1
amd1

So, you lived next to some bad neighbours and have decided, based only on that, to trash the town. You give absolutely NO information about the city except you had bad neighbours. Rightio, thanks mate.

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"Gladstone"

Well where to I start. The people were friendly when we got here. The more we are here the more I want to leave. Was in units where music was always loud no respect. Move into nice house. First week the neighbours music was so loud. They were so drunk in the end it turned into a brawl. Just want to leave this horrid place. Don't move here

Who lives here?

  • Singles
4
ronc3
ronc3

What area did you live in please, want to avoid them.

Sarah Jane
Sarah Jane

Don't move here!!! It's not worth it! Worst place I've ever been!!!

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"FIFO town - suitable for workers, not for families"

A town with mostly men / tradies doing the fly-in fly-out work. Increasing traffic, increasing rents / housing prices becoming more unaffordable than bigger regional centres and suburbian capital cities. Aggressive rental agents push up rents every 6 months by 20% making living here unaffordable for a average single income family.
Gladstone is OK if you are a cashed up blu collar worker taking advantage of the BOOM, but good luck if you're looking for affordable accomodation. Grocery prices are also increasing beyond the average so cost of living hse been going up.

There are lots of pubs who cater for the male workers. Not much else in town if you're looking for any reasonable restaurants, entertainment or culture.

Great for

  • Plenty of work - if you're a blue collar worker

Not great for

  • Cost of living and accomodation
  • Noise and air pollution increasing
  • No culture, entertainment or shopping

Who lives here?

  • Singles
3
Rianni

I was interested to read your comment as my husband so desperately wants to move to Gladstone for work, living around industrial area I guess, he said its a beautiful town and I would love it.
My concern however is our 3 children, 2 of which have behavioural/learning disorders and need a very good paediatrician and doctor as we review them and medication every 3 months. I also see a psychologist as does my eldest daughter and it seems to me that these medical things are not so available at their best up there. We are living in Tweed Heads, border of NSW/QLD with the beach 4 mins away....I have lived here all. My life and don't want to leave but the work for him is just not here really. He can go away to work but we really don't want that either.
I have heard plenty that Gladstone, just like the mines is not for a family man and I'm able to now show him your recent comments. Thanks for being honest.

W Winarto
W Winarto

Very interesting reviews ... I just want to know when was your review taken please as I am interested to move up that way (dated 11\11\19)

janef13
janef13

I live in Gladstone town. I have done for five years now. In South Gladstone near Barney Point Beach which is apparently the dodgy area. I lived in London for 10 years, Brisbane for 8 and Ipswich and Quilpie too. My honest opinion is this town is what you make of it. Its not expensive any more cause the mining boom is done and dusted and its mostly just decent hard-working folk living a simple life. Like anywhere in the world, you get Riff Raff. But if youre willing to look past a couple of cosmetic things (I actually love QAL at night and in London Battersea Power Station was my fave building) then you realise its a pretty nice place to live. With regards to air pollution. Thats a fallacy. Its actually extremely clean air up here because industry get fined a motza if they mess up. You can download an app and see Gladstones air quality in relation to the rest of the world. Ive never seen it get bad enough thats its worse than Brisbane. It certainly isnt as bad as the air quality on the London Tube! Give it a try. You might hate it, but I love it and am proud to call Gladstone home.

Casey Hauenschild
Casey Hauenschild

Clean air? R U blind by any chance?

Sarah Jane
Sarah Jane

Medical system here is atrocious!! If you need any proper medical support avoid this town.

John Smithsonian
John Smithsonian

The air pollution you see isnt the problem. And the medical system here has proven to be fabulous for our needs. As I said. This place is what you make of it.

John Smithsonian
John Smithsonian

Also I can see QAL from my balcony as I have my morning coffee. I can also see the harbour and all the ocean and islands. I have an air quality reader. It has never gone above good and on its worst days is on a par with Brisbane. I find the people who hate Gladstone are usually unhappy in themselves. A place doesnt bring you joy. You do.

John Smithsonian
John Smithsonian

Sarah. It looks like you may be a former employee of the hospital. Were you fired per chance? Because your comments are all very health amenity focussed and quite scathing. Like youve had an insider experience of the staff. And not as a patient (which I have been). Soemtimes

felixb6

John Smithsonian I feel really sad that you think a place doesn't bring you joy it definitely does you need to be happy in your space and enjoy your community

janef13
janef13

Felix. I feel sad for you that you think happiness doesnt come from within. I dont need your pity.

janef13
janef13

Your community is what YOU make of it Felix. If you are unhappy within. You will be unhappy with everything and anything. Locations. Things. These are not important. You know how I know? Ive lived all over the world. Learn to love yourself. I look forward to reading the scathing review of the next town you move to. And the next. And the next. Maybe then, youll realise it is you that is unhappy. I hope you find peace.

amd1
amd1

I really wish the moderators would properly moderate. This site is supposed to offer helpful information about towns - the constant moaning because you were sacked from the hospital, and whining because you had a bad neighbour - these are NOT what people need to know. Individual peevishness and fights with your neighbours aren't important or relevant.

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"You must earn good money to live here."

Gladstone has changed little in twenty years and desperately needs an infrastructure injection. The local council has a small town mentality and is out of it's depth when it comes to improving the lifestyle of the area. Despite the industry that is present and the high employment and wages there is nothing to do in the town, shopping is akin to some outback town with a corner store and there is an over-supply of males and a shortage of females. The realestate agents are impolite, borish, ignorant and exploitive. Most retail outlets of any kind, restaurants included, have poorly trained staff who seem more concerned with their social lives than providing service. In short, the only reason to live here is if you work here, the only thing to shop for here is food (anything else requires a trip to somewhere else) otherwise choose to live somewhere else.

3
John Smithsonian
John Smithsonian

As someone who has lived in some outback town (Quilpie) with two stores, I can promise you it is absolutely nothing like that. Ive also lived in London for ten years. A town is what you make of it. If you cant see whats positive about being here, the problem possibly lies with you. Not the place.

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"Still good bargains available"

I have lived in Gladstone for 11 years & watched it grow. It is an excellent area for familes with wonderful sporting facilities and excellent private and state schools. Shopping is ok, but Rocky is an hour's drive if one wants a big shopping trip. Gladstone is very pretty with an attractive harbour, it has many attractive homes, lots of views and hills, it also has a feeling of prosperity, is clean and modern, not like some depressed towns I have seen. There is a wonderful entertainment centre which provides some cultural life as well as an excellent art gallery currently hosting a major exhibition, there are also many restaurants to chose from. The botanic gardens are lovely to visit and there is also a modern library which is well used. There are many scenic and interesting places to visit around Gladstone, and it is an excellent spot for boaties and fishermen, not far from Heron Island. Altogether Gladstone is great for most people. I live on top of one of the hills and have wonderful views and sea breezes.

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
0
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"A great place to live if you just want a boring old life, town probably be dead B4 you"

Well what can I tell you about Blackbutt, except it is a terrible little town a getting smaller by the day as more stores close down. Been here 2 long myself so we are outa here if we can ever sell the house.
LOL

2
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"3 eyed fish"

The pity about Gladstone is that it's got the potential to be a great city. But it just doesn't live up to it. Maybe it's the footy obsessed townsfolk who all look agahst at the thought of attending a cultural event. Maybe it's the generations of families that have all married into each other and need some fresh blood. Or just maybe, it's the horrendous industry that looms large over the city and fills the place with toxins and smog. It has a lovely marina area, some good sailing opportunities and a lookout of silos. Forgive me, childhood home, but Gladstone just reminds me of the Simpsons' episode about the 3 eyed fish

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
4
searching
searching

Good review, sounds about right, I am trying to think of something positive......... still thinking, ah yes good public swimming pool and library facilities.

SarahT1

Dont be daunted by the massive industry in Gladstone..we were so very worried about it re effecting our kids health...we have done extensive research and it turns out Gladstones air pollution is well within the safe limits. If you love fishing and snorkelling in your spare time...Its absolute paradise..heron island 2 hours boat trip!

W Winarto
W Winarto

3 Eyed Fish hahaha

John Smithsonian
John Smithsonian

Positives... cheap lifestyle, on the doorstep of some amazing islands and beaches, quiet life if you chose wisely, private and not on the tourist trail.

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