Situated at the Southern end of the Great Barrier Reef system, Gladstone is one of Queensland’s best-kept secrets, with beautiful beaches, coral reefs, myriad of islands and sand cays, national parks and a largely undeveloped coastline. The barrier reef and islands have created an extensive flats system with Permit, Longtail Tuna, Herring, Queenfish, Golden and Giant Trevally all available on fly.
With plenty of accommodation options in Gladstone and along the coast, you can enjoy your time off the water in the bustling city which is Queensland’s largest multi-commodity port, or take day trips to the beautiful Herron and Lady Musgrave Islands to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef.
Inland, Lake Awoonga is one of Queensland’s premier Barramundi impoundments which can also be targeted with your guide including the numerous coastal rivers with Barramundi to over a meter in length not uncommon.
Just south of Gladstone is the stunning Agnes Waters and town of 1770, with good beaches surf breaks and stunning coastal walks.
Gladstone has a diverse range of accommodation options that we use from private house stays for larger groups and families and hotel options in the city centre.
Gladstone is well situated with easy access from Brisbane Airport and is an ideal getaway for couples and small groups for a week or extended weekend city escapes.
There are also a number of villa and self-catering options on the water around Tannum Sands to allow a skiff collection from the beach each morning and a quick trip to the flats to maximise your fishing day.
These villas are basic but a perfect base to hit the water, with one or two-bedroom options, BBQ facilities, deck and range of amenities, beaches, cafes and hotels within walking distance.
With a great range of dining options throughout including brilliant seafood and seasonal produce from around the region, Gladstone has more to offer than just great fly fishing.
Gladstone has a good range of fly fishing options, and probably best known for the local population of Queenfish, Golden Trevally and Barramundi available both in the deeper channels and flats to the inland lakes and river mouth systems.
This variety means that if the saltwater conditions are not favourable, then you can fish the impoundments and rivers for the opportunity to catch Barramundi in excess of one meter in length. The typical size of the Barramundi in Lake Awoonga and local rivers are around 70cm, which provides great sport and aerial acrobatics on fly.
It’s the Queenfish in the Salt however provide some of the best aerial excitement while on the flats, Giant Trevally, Longtail Tuna, Permit, Giant Herring and Golden Trevally are all available.
Gladstone Fly and Sportfishing captain Justin Nye has over 20 years of fly fishing experience in the region and provides a great day out on the water with personalised transfers and airport drop-offs if required. He also readily takes our clients on short tours of the region when not on the water, and is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the wilderness, local fish management programs and community fly fishing competitions in the region.
Typical days are 8 am-4 pm, from the comfort of his custom-fit Sportfishing vessel with casting deck and electric fitted. Includes return transfers, lunch and refreshments and loan fly fishing gear if required.
As per all Fly Odyssey bookings, we will provide you with a comprehensive and detailed pre-trip fly fishing guide prior to departure.
Gladstone is located a short 1-hour flight north by domestic flight from Brisbane or just over 3hrs north of Sydney. If driving from Brisbane allow around 6 hours to travel the 515kms or talk to us to arrange a multi stay itinerary along the coast, including Hervey Bay and Fraser Island.
Let us do the groundwork for you.
Our tailored fly fishing and accommodation itineraries are designed with you in mind to suit your preferences. They are also quoted in your local currency with very favourable exchange rates.
Fly Odyssey has access to the best guiding and lodging rates, suitable tides and updated availability to this destination which can vary throughout the season.
This includes flight bookings, transit accommodation, transfers and a host of non-angling activities and experiences.
We specialise in family, couples and group stays to the region, and our long involvement with our partners on the ground will ensure you are well looked after both on and off the water.
This includes extended coastal stays north around Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays, or south around Fraser Island, Brisbane and the Gold Coast region.
Please enquire for the latest rates and availability, including information on any applicable special offers.
CONTACT OUR AUSTRALIAN OFFICE
CONTACT OUR UK OFFICE
Creating and sharing memorable travel experiences with our clients and friends provides us with genuine satisfaction. All of our trips are bespoke, tailored to your needs, and we always love hearing all about the adventure on your return.
Our knowledge of travel logistics saves you time, and our highly experienced team is here to ensure it’s spent on the water and not at the desk or on a long flight connection that you didn’t require. Since 2006 we have developed a valued client-base that has travelled to all corners of the globe.
We are a fully-accredited travel agency, where all of our flights, accommodation and associated travel bookings are made in-house, which means that you pay less. We have access to a huge range of specials, deals, great volume pricing and excellent currency exchange rates which allows us to pass these benefits directly onto you.
On the fishing front, our extensive expertise and experience around prime seasons, species, moon-phases, tides and personalised customer service is centred around one principal – preparation. This includes detailed gear and equipment lists, the fly patterns, transfer details, up-to-date fishing reports and some of the finer aspects that can often be overlooked.
We travel extensively and understand that your free-time is important. Just as we all understand from experience, that the key to a successful trip is pre-trip preparation.
Our highly experienced team has fly fished the world for the last 25 years, and we understand the considerations and gear needed to turn a good fly fishing trip into a great one.
Fly fishing and travel is our passion. It’s all we do.
The Montebello Islands, lying some 120 nautical miles North-West of Ningaloo Reef and Exmouth in Western Australia, are a sub-tropical.
Learn MoreOne of the final frontiers of fly fishing, the Cape York Peninsula, including Weipa, is very hard to beat with.
Learn MoreAn Australian tropical hideaway located in the Indian Ocean of north West Australia, Cocos Keeling Islands has an expansive flats.
Learn MoreThe Exmouth and Ningaloo Reef World Heritage coastline offers fly-fishermen an excellent opportunity to enjoy world-class fly fishing, including Permit,.
Learn MoreSituated at the Southern end of the Great Barrier Reef, Gladstone is one of Queensland’s best-kept secrets. With beautiful beaches.
Learn MoreKnown as the whale watching capital of the world, Hervey Bay located 360km north of Brisbane is also the birthplace.
Learn MoreHinchinbrook Island is an impressive backdrop to one of Australia's best saltwater fly fishing destinations. Home to an array of.
Learn MoreCairns, Port Douglas and the magnificent Daintree Rainforest lie adjacent to the northern region of Australia’s Great Barrier reef, a.
Learn MoreThe Wessel Islands and east Arnhem Land is one of Australia’s and the world’s truly remote saltwater fly fishing destinations..
Learn MoreThe beautiful Whitsunday Islands in central Queensland have a diverse saltwater fishery with excellent holiday options for the whole family.
Learn More