Tannum Sands, Qld

I always enjoy watching the landscape change when we are travelling. North of Bundaberg the terrain begins to become drier, the vegetation sparser and the roadside grasses taller. This is the start of the Dry Tropics and the appearance of the big solid Droughtmaster and Brahman cattle.

From the Bruce Highway it’s hard to imagine that there are beaches nearby, yet a swift righthand turn at the Tannum Sands billboard and you’ll find yourself in the attractive twin towns of Tannum Sands and Boyne Island situated at the mouth of the Boyne River. The Coral Sea sparkles in front of you and there are islands in the distance.

We like to stay at the Discovery Park on Millenium Esplanade. Our favourite sites are in the unpowered section at the southern end of the park abutting the bushland. There are a small handful of powered sites against the front fence as well. These sites are larger, border the bush and are just across from the beach and parkland. With scatty brush turkeys rushing about and wildflowers in the scrub, it’s a spot where it is easy to forget that you are in a caravan park.

The manicured beach parklands and walkway follow the beach from here up to the Boyne River several kilometres north. There are loads of grassy picnic spots, shady trees, beach showers, artworks and seating all of which make for an idyllic day at the beach.

The city of Gladstone is an easy drive away with everything that a city can provide. The Port of Gladstone is a busy one as coal comes in here from the mines of Central Queensland for export and to power the Boyne Island aluminium smelters. The city lookout on Auckland Hill gives some perspective on how large this port really is. Whilst in Gladstone Spinnaker Park on the waterway makes for a peaceful walk amongst green gardens and a chance to drool over the boats in the marina.

Lake Awoonga is another picnic spot not far from Tannum Sands. It’s a man-made lake of huge proportions and on the day that we visited we were joined by a family of sandwich loving kookaburras.

If you get the chance, do visit Tannum Sands it is a relaxing and a true beach holiday place. There’s plenty to see in the area for the active and plenty not to do if you’re so inclined.