Curtis Island Gladstone is the big harbour island off Gladstone, reached by ferry to Curtis Island at South End. Most people come for Curtis Island camping, either the council ground at South End or the 4WD and boat camps inside Curtis Island National Park.

🏝️Why Visit Curtis Island Gladstone?

Curtis Island Gladstone is the big harbour island off Gladstone, reached by the ferry to Curtis Island at South End. People come for long east-coast beaches, 4WD tracks and Curtis Island camping, either the council ground at South End or the remote sites inside Curtis Island National Park. It is not a resort island. Bring what you need, book before you leave the mainland, and stay on the visitor side at South End and the east-coast parks.

🏖️Things to Do at Curtis Island

🏖️ Beaches — Swim at South End Front Beach or walk the unpatrolled east-coast sand. No flags. Watch swell and tides.
⛺ Curtis Island Camping — Stay at South End for toilets and a short walk from the jetty, or book Turtle Street, Joey Lees or Yellow Patch in the national park.
🥾 Bushwalking — Coastal tracks and dunes inside Curtis Island National Park. Carry water. Phone coverage is poor.
🎣 Fishing — Beach, headlands and the harbour edges. Check current size and possession limits.
🐢 Wildlife — Flatback turtles nest on eastern beaches around October to January. Capricorn yellow chat habitat is on the island. Stay off dunes at night in nesting season.
🏜️ Yellow Patch Sand Blow — Walk and climb the bright yellow dune. It is steep, soft and tiring in heat. Boat access only. Stay off dunes at night from October to January when flatback turtles nest.

🏕️Curtis Island National Park

🗺️ Where It Is — Curtis Island National Park covers the east-coast parks north of South End, not the industrial west side of the island.
🏕️ Park Camps — Curtis Island camping in the park is Turtle Street and Joey Lees by 4WD, Yellow Patch by boat only.
🚫 No Facilities — No toilets, no showers, no fires, no bins, no water. Bring everything. Pack rubbish out.
🐕 No Dogs — Domestic animals are prohibited in Curtis Island National Park and Conservation Park.
🐢 Turtles — Flatback turtles nest on eastern beaches around October to January. Stay off dunes at night.

⛺ Curtis Island Camping & Facilities

⛺ South End Camping Ground — Council camp about 1 km from the jetty. 20 unpowered sites, composting toilets, on-leash dogs, no wood fires.
🏕️ National Park Camps — Curtis Island camping in the park is Turtle Street and Joey Lees by 4WD, Yellow Patch by boat only. No toilets, no showers, no fires. QPWS permit required.
🚫 No Free Beach Camping — Camp only in a booked site and display your tag.
⛽ No Fuel — Fill on the mainland. South End has a limited store only.

🌤️Best Time to Visit Curtis Island Gladstone

🌤️ April to October — The most reliable stretch at Curtis Island Gladstone for dry camping and 4WD tracks.
🪼 November to May — Marine stingers are possible. There are no stinger nets.
🛟 Patrols — None. Swim at your own risk.
🐢 Turtle Season — Eastern beaches are nesting ground around October to January. Keep off the dunes at night.
🌧️ Wet Tracks — Summer rain can close or chew up the sand roads. Check park alerts before you load the ferry.

🐶 Dog Rules

🐕 South End Only — On-leash or tethered at the council camping ground. Clean up after your dog.
🚫 National Park Ban — Domestic animals are prohibited in Curtis Island National Park and Conservation Park, including Turtle Street, Joey Lees and Yellow Patch.
💩 Pick Up After Your Dog — Bag the waste and bin it at South End. Do not leave bags on the beach, dunes or park tracks.

🗺️ Ferry to Curtis Island

⛴️ Ferry to Curtis Island — Curtis Ferry Services vehicle and passenger ferry from Gladstone Marina to South End. Book the vehicle deck before you arrive.
🚤 Private Boat — Allowed. Yellow Patch is the usual national park boat camp and anchorage.
🗓️ Check the Timetable — Services do not run every day the same way. Confirm the live ferry times the week you travel.

💡 Info correct at time of writing — check Curtis Ferry Services and Gladstone Regional Council for current ferry schedules and island access conditions.

💡 Local Tips

📦 Pack In Pack Out — National park camps have no water, toilets or bins. Bring all drinking water and take rubbish home.
🧭 South End First — Front Beach and the council camp are the 2WD-friendly end after the ferry. The park starts once you drive north.
🚫 Stay Off the Industrial West — LNG plant land is not the visitor park. Keep to South End and the east-coast parks.
📡 No Reception — Do not rely on a phone at Turtle Street, Joey Lees or Yellow Patch.
🐊 Be Crocwise — Treat creeks, mangroves and the harbour edge as crocodile country.

📍Nearby Attractions

🏙️ Gladstone — Mainland shops, fuel and the marina. The ferry crossing is not a 2 km hop.
🏝️ Facing Island — The sibling harbour island on the same ferry service. Fishing and camping, separate page.
🌳 Tondoon Botanic Gardens — Gladstone garden stop if you have time before or after the ferry.
🏖️ Boyne Island and Tannum Sands — Sealed mainland beaches south of Gladstone if the island ferry is booked out.

📆 Events & Markets Nearby

⛵ Gladstone Harbour Festival — Usually Easter in Gladstone, with fireworks, marina markets and the yacht-race crowd.
🛒 Gladstone Curtis Markets — First Sunday most months at Gladstone Centre Plaza.
🌱 Tondoon Botanic Gardens Markets — Third Sunday each month in Gladstone.
📅 Confirm Before You Go — Months stay the same. Exact days change. Check Gladstone What’s On the week you travel.

For a full list of what’s on in the region, visit the
👉 Gladstone Attractions | Best Things to Do Near Gladstone Beaches

🏕️Accommodation Near Curtis Island

• ⛺ Designated beach camping zones (permit required)
• 🏡 Holiday stays and hotels in Gladstone before ferry transfer
• 🛻 Self-contained camper options (with 4WD access)

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🍴 Places to Eat & Drink

Curtis Island is a remote and peaceful destination, so visitors should bring their own food and drinks when exploring the island. There are no cafés or restaurants on the island itself, but nearby Gladstone offers plenty of dining options before or after your visit. Enjoy a picnic by the beach or a meal overlooking the mainland harbour — then share your favourite food and drink experiences below!

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🧭Plan Your Trip to Curtis Island

Curtis Island is the ultimate adventure escape just off Gladstone. With long wild beaches, 4WD camping, bushwalking trails, and sea turtle nesting sites, it’s a destination for those who love nature and the outdoors. Accessible only by ferry or private boat, the island offers a truly remote Queensland experience where the rainforest meets the reef.

💬 Share Your Curtis Island Beach Photos & Reviews

📸 We’d love to see your favourite moments from the Gladstone Region and its nearby islands! Upload your photos, share your experiences, and leave a review to help other visitors discover this stunning part of Queensland’s Southern Great Barrier Reef.

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💙 Explore More Beaches Nearby

Discover more of the Gladstone Region’s coastal beauty:
Lilley’s Beach ➜ | Tannum Sands ➜ | Boyne Island ➜ | Agnes Water ➜

🌊 About This Beach Directory

🌴 Note: This directory doesn’t include every beach in Queensland — there are simply too many! We’ve selected the most significant and unique beaches based on a range of factors including natural beauty, accessibility, and local popularity.

💌 If you think we’ve missed one that deserves to be featured, we’d love to hear from you!

📧 Email us at Admin@QldBeach.com with your photos and tell us why your favourite beach should be added.

☀️ Happy surfing, swimming and sunning from the Queensland Beach Guide team!

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_{Last updated: June 2026}

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