Ahh, Gladstone – good to know you, but “Slim Pickins’” on things to do and see. The big deal here is that Gladstone is the beginning of the Great Barrier Reef in the Coral Sea. However, the city acknowledges that it is an industrial city with industrial ports. They try hard to provide experiences for cruise tourism – a whole schedule of things to do and where to go for the day! There is a hop-on hop-off bus, museums, a world class botanical garden (a little ways outside of town), and various tours of breweries, etc. Also, just outside the port, there is a waterside park where the city has set up all-day entertainment, kiosks with handcrafted items, and food/ice cream. So, it is nice that there is something to offer to incoming cruise ships. The water color is other-worldly here, an intro to the Great Barrier Reef! And walking along the bay, and taking some photos from the ship, was really the best part of Gladstone. Our photos are a mixed bag, as usual, of nature and of local flavor. Tonight, we head for Papua New Guinea!



















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