Welcome to Quoin Island — a small, private island retreat in Gladstone Harbour, known for its turtle rehabilitation centre and peaceful sandy beaches. Accessible by boat, it’s a great location for wildlife spotting and private beach relaxation.
Beach Information
- 🏖️ Best Time to Visit: April to October for mild, dry weather.
- 🐠 Marine Stingers: November–May; no stinger nets.
- 🚩 Lifeguard Patrol: Not patrolled.
- 🐕 Dog Friendly: No — dogs prohibited.
- 🛠️ Facilities: Resort accommodation, event facilities, limited amenities.
- ♿ Accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible; boat access only.
- 🏘️ Closest Town: Gladstone — Distance: 5 km by boat.
- ✈️ Closest Airport: Gladstone Airport — Distance: 10 km to marina.
- 🌦️ Typical Weather: Subtropical; warm, humid summers, mild winters.
🌴 Why Visit Quoin Island
Quoin Island is a peaceful private island retreat in the sheltered waters of Gladstone Harbour, known for its turtle rehabilitation centre, calm sandy beaches, and exclusive eco-style accommodation. It’s a beautiful off-grid escape offering wildlife encounters, scenic shoreline walks, and a quiet island atmosphere just a short boat ride from the mainland.
🎣 Things to Do
- 🐢 Visit the Quoin Island Turtle Rehabilitation Centre (pre-booked tours only).
- 🛶 Enjoy calm-water activities like kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and relaxing beach swims.
- 🌅 Capture stunning views across Gladstone Harbour at sunrise and sunset.
- 🐬 Spot dolphins, turtles, and rays frequently seen near the jetty and shallows.
- 🏖️ Relax on quiet beaches perfect for peaceful reading, picnics, and low-key island time.
- 🌿 Explore the retreat’s walking paths and landscaped gardens (guest-only).
🗺️ Getting There
⛴️ Ferry: Quoin Island is located 5 km off the coast of Gladstone, accessible only by private ferry, charter boat, or water taxi. Transfers are available by arrangement with the Quoin Island Retreat and Turtle Rehabilitation Centre.
🛥️ Boats: Private vessels can reach the island in about 15 minutes from the Gladstone Marina or Auckland Creek, anchoring in calm weather just off the beach near the jetty.
🚗 Driving to departure point: From Gladstone CBD, it’s a 10-minute drive to the Gladstone Marina, where most boats depart.
🅿️ Parking: Paid and long-term parking is available near the marina and ferry terminal.
💡 Info correct at time of writing — check Quoin Island Retreat for transfer schedules, island access permissions, and event bookings.
💡 Local Tips
🐢 Quoin Island is home to the Quoin Island Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, dedicated to rescuing and releasing injured sea turtles — visits are available by pre-booked tour.
🌴 The island offers private accommodation, retreat facilities, and day events for groups and weddings.
🌊 The beaches are calm, with clear shallows perfect for kayaking and paddleboarding.
🐬 Dolphins and turtles are frequently spotted just offshore in the protected bay.
⚠️ Access is limited to guests and tour visitors — there is no general public access without prior permission.
🗺️ Nearby Attractions
Discover more of the Gladstone Region before or after your stay:
- Facing Island ➜ Long sandy beaches, 4WD touring, and great fishing.
- Curtis Island ➜ Remote camping beaches, wildlife, and lighthouse walks.
- Heron Island ➜ World-class snorkelling and diving on the Great Barrier Reef.
- Boyne Island & Tannum Sands ➜ Calm swimming beaches, foreshore parks, and local cafés.
- Gladstone Harbour & Marina ➜ Restaurants, bars, and scenic boardwalks.
📆 Events & Markets Nearby
Quoin Island offers a private, peaceful island atmosphere with no markets on the island, but easy access to Gladstone’s largest community events.
- 🛍️ Gladstone Marina Markets (monthly): Craft stalls, handmade gifts, plants, artwork, jewellery, and gourmet food options.
- 🎶 Gladstone Harbour Festival (Easter): A huge local celebration with fireworks, carnival attractions, food vans, markets, and stage entertainment.
- 🍲 Feast on East Markets (cruise ship days): Pop-up market stalls with gourmet street food, artisan goods, local produce, and coastal crafts.
- 🎨 Tondoon Botanic Gardens Events (seasonal): Garden markets, plant fairs, workshops, and cultural events.
- 🎄 Gladstone Christmas Markets (December): Festive markets featuring handmade gifts, decorations, treats, and family-friendly entertainment.
For a full list of what’s on in the region, visit the
👉 Gladstone Attractions | Best Things to Do Near Gladstone Beaches
🛏️ Accommodation
Quoin Island offers private resort-style accommodation exclusively for guests staying at the Quoin Island Retreat, featuring:
- Beachfront rooms and bungalows
- Retreat villas for couples and small groups
- Event and wedding accommodation packages
- Access to swimming pool, gardens, private beach, and retreat facilities
👉 Note: The island is private, and overnight stays are available only to booked guests. Day visits require prior permission.
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💡 Please note: Full names and emails are kept private — only your chosen Display Name will appear publicly with your review.
🍴 Places to Eat & Drink
Quoin Island offers a private island experience with meals available exclusively for guests staying at the Quoin Island Retreat. Enjoy freshly prepared dishes featuring local produce, buffet-style dining, and drinks overlooking the Coral Sea. Day visitors are encouraged to bring snacks or picnic items for their visit — then share your favourite food and drink experiences below!
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💬 Share Your Quoin 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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📸 Submit Your Beach Review
💡 Please note: Full names and emails are kept private — only your chosen Display Name will appear publicly.
💙 Explore More Beaches Nearby
Discover more of Gladstone’s nearby island escapes:
Facing Island ➜ | Curtis Island ➜ | Heron Island ➜ | Boyne Island ➜
🌊 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 and sunning from the Queensland Beach Guide team!