Gladstone (Tasmania)

Gladstone is a very small town in the north east of Tasmania, between Scottsdale and the coast (Tomahawk Bay is the nearest beach). It grew from the early days of gold and tin mining in the hills south west of the town.

There is no way of getting to Gladstone apart from by car, coming from Scottsdale, Weldborough, Bridport (via gravel road) and St Helens (via gravel road).

• Walking. There are a few old churches and miners' cottages in Gladstone. The town cemetery contains graves of pioneering families and Chinese miners from the 1880s. There are pleasant walks through the bush at the bottom of Chaffey Street, also numerous trails in the area between Fly By Night Creek (off Waterhouse Road) and the Mt Cameron Fire Trail (off Gladstone Road). Watch out for old gold mine shafts. (updated Oct 2017)
• Gemstone fossicking. There is a designated public fossicking area where Fly By Night Creek crosses Waterhouse Road, west of Gladstone.

• 🌍 Gladstone General Store and Post Office, 30 Chaffey Street, ☏ +61 3 6357 2182. 6am to 6pm low season. Basic shop, friendly people - it has basic groceries, and some hot fast food during the day. Newspapers available and petrol. But don't rely on this shop for extensive supplies (eg fruit and vegetables). (updated Oct 2017)

There are no restaurants in Gladstone apart from the Hotel listed below.

• 🌍 Gladstone Hotel, 37 Chaffey Street, ☏ +61 3 572 143. The hotel is a lovely old building on the main street. It has a bar with a big log fire in winter and they do large meals at night. The guests have their own sitting room with a wood fire and giant tv screen. No wifi at all. Mobile phone signal available through the Telstra network. $65-$80. (updated Sep 2017)