I call this a Mini Cruise because it has all the properties of a big Cruise but was on a small ship and didn’t last very long. We were on a ship, we were in big waters, we made several ports of call, we had entertainment, and we had drinks. We also had a cabin but shared it with about fifteen other folks because there was just one cabin. So, what kind of cruise was this?
We took the Curtis Island Ferry from Gladstone Marina out to Curtis island. The ferry runs on a published schedule nearly every day and serves those people who live on several of the small islands off the coast of Gladstone, campers who wish to camp on the south tip of Curtis Island, and trades people who go out to the islands to build, repair, maintain the buildings that are on the various islands. We took the ferry just for the fun of it. We wanted to see where it went, what the Gladstone harbor was like, what the islands were like, spend an afternoon doing something different, and getting some salt air and sunshine.
The cruise lasted about three hours, had five stops, and we had a great time. The ship was a fair sized ferry that could haul maybe ten cars or so, had an upper cabin that had seating for about thirty people, and surrounding open deck space where yuou could enjoy the sea breezes and sunshine.
I’m not going to provide much more narrative. The pictures and a few captions should pretty well explain everything. I think there will be a wrap up at the end. Here we go:
That was our cruise. While we didn’t have a meal, Nancy did have a Corona and I had a Bundaburg Rum and Coke on the way back. We spent most of the time out on the upper deck, me taking pictures and Nancy enjoying the breeze and views. We had a delightful time and went to the Auckland House for dinner. All in all a good day in Gladstone.
Here’s a little info from Google about Gladstone harbor and the Islands we went to:
Gladstone Harbour is a locality in the Gladstone Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census, Gladstone Harbour had a population of 29 people. There are three towns in Gladstone Harbour, all on Facing Island: Northcliffe, Farmers Point and Gatcombe.
Although predominantly water, the locality includes Facing Island and Quoin Island (both of which are partially developed) and a small undeveloped part of southern Curtis Island which may be a separate unnamed island at high tide.
Facing Island is 14.2 kilometres (8.8 mi) long and protects the harbour from the Coral Sea. There are two passages from the harbour to the sea. The North Channel exits the harbour between the south of Curtis Island and the north of Facing Island, while the Gatcombe Channel exits the harbour to the south of Facing Island and Boyne Island.
There are three small towns on Facing Island:
- Northcliffe at the northern tip of the island
- Farmers Point at the north-west of the island
- Gatcombe at Gatcombe Head at the southern tip of the island
None of the towns are fully developed with typically half the blocks being undeveloped. Nonetheless the number of houses on the island is still high relative to the population, suggesting many houses are not permanently occupied but are “weekenders” or holiday homes.
The actual harbor at Gladstone is actually quite significant. More from Google:
Gladstone’s primary industries are mining-related. The Port of Gladstone is the fifth-largest multi-commodity port in Australia and the world’s fourth-largest coal-exporting terminal. The port consists of a number of wharves and terminal facilities. Boyne Wharf is used by the Boyne Island aluminium smelterand was opened in August 1982. The western harbour basin has been expanded, primarily to allow increased exports of liquified natural gas (LNG). Furthermore, in 2016, a plant was constructed on Curtis Island to produce and export LNG, a construction project that contributed heavily to city’s population and housing boom. Major exports include coal, alumina, aluminium, cement products, sodium cyanide and ammonium nitrate. Each year 50 million tonnes of coal passes through the port, making up 70% of the total exports.
Gladstone harbour is within the World Heritage Area of the Great Barrier Reef and has historically supported a thriving seafood industry. In August 2011, a Fisheries Queensland spokesman said they received reports of fish with milky eyes. A spokesman from the Gladstone Fish Markets claimed that diseased fish were still being caught in large numbers in November 2011. Losses to the local seafood industry have been estimated at A$36 million a year.
Gladstone is also a tourism destination, with cruise ships regularly docking at the port.
Sorry about the commercial but we are pleased to be part of Gladstone and have enjoyed our first year here. Looking forward to more. Thanks for coming along.
