Gladstone, Port city in Queensland, Australia
Gladstone sits on the Port Curtis inlet of the Coral Sea and serves as a major industrial center with harbor facilities and aluminum smelters. Shipyards, warehouses and loading docks line the wide bay and shape the cityscape.
The settlement was founded in 1847 and named after British Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone. Economic growth led to its incorporation as a municipality in 1863.
The regional gallery displays works from the area and preserves the legacy of the Gooreng Gooreng, Toolooa and Meerooni peoples. Visitors can view contemporary exhibitions and learn how the original inhabitants shaped the coastal landscape.
The harbor handles coal, alumina and liquefied natural gas through modern facilities and ranks as Australia's largest multi-commodity terminal. Visitors can watch shipping activity along the wharves from public viewing points.
During World War II, the navy used the natural harbor as a gathering point for convoys heading toward the Pacific. The sheltered bay offered enough depth for large warships and supplied troop units on their way to combat zones.
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