Gladstone is an industrial city on the coast of Central Queensland, Australia. It has around 40 000 inhabitants, mostly of European descent. Being a port city, its local commerce is primarily industrial-based and include large-scale industrial plants include alumina refineries, aluminium smelting, heavy chemicals and shale oil.

It has several primary schools, three high schools (Gladstone State High, Toolooa State High, and Chanel College (private) ), and one university, Central Queensland University. It was once branded "Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef" as it has access to Heron Island and other islands from the marina.

There are environmental concerns over dwindling numbers of dugong, mangroves, and fish stocks and increasing urban expansion threatens native wildlife and flora. There is some air pollution from local industries, however, the water is generally clean.

Much of the city is passionate about sports, especially rugby league, horse racing, touch football and hockey. Notable tennis player Rod Laver is a local. There is a local saying: "Want to go for a lap?" (the lap is a night time drive along the mainstreet from the old Library to the Visions Nightclub at the Waterfront).

Persons of note from Gladstone

• Frederick Woolnough Paterson, (1897-1977), Australian politician
• Tony Martin, (Born 7th October 1978), rugby league player, NRL Premiership Winner (Melbourne), 2004 Auckland Warriors (Career Pts: 132)

See also

• Gladstone, South Australia