Boyne Island Queensland Australia

Take a short drive south from Gladstone to the picturesque coastal communities of Boyne Island and Tannum Sands and you will experience a relaxed coastal lifestyle centred on attractive beaches, riverside walkways, parklands and recreational activities.

With a population of close to 8000, these ‘twin’ communities are linked by a bridge across the beautiful Boyne River.

Boyne Island – the island you can drive to – offers a quality mix of residential, business, shopping, industry and environment where foreshore parks overlook boats, outrigger crews and fishing on the calm river waters.

The island is also home to Australia’s largest aluminium smelter – the State’s largest user of electricity. It employs 1200 people to produce 490,000 tonnes of metal a year. You are welcome to learn more about this fascinating facility at the Smelter Visitor Centre.

Recently awarded ‘Queensland’s Friendliest Beach’ and ‘Central Queensland’s Tidiest Beach’, Tannum Sands is just nine kilometres from the Bruce Highway, and has long white sandy beaches perfect for swimming, sailboarding and surfskiing. The main beach has beautifully-landscaped parklands ideal for picnics and barbecues. Queensland Lifesavers patrol the main beach each weekend and all summer holidays, adding to the safe and relaxed holiday atmosphere.

With only a small variation in seasonal water temperatures, the waters of Tannum Sands and Boyne Island are perfect for year-round swimming. The area is a popular stopover for the winter ‘migration’ from the south!

Boyne and Tannum have more than 15 kilometres of walks known as The Turtle Way, winding beside the river through bushland, dunes and parks such as the Canoe Point picnic area and environmental park botanic walks.

At southern end of the Tannum main beach is Wild Cattle Island – an untouched, National Park sand island separated from the mainland by Wild Cattle Creek.