FOCUS ON … GLADSTONE QUEENSLAND
You might know Gladstone as a mining city on the central coast of Queensland , but we sat down with Andrew Allen to learn a little more about this great city and the very interesting local real estate industry he has been part of his whole life .
Tell us a bit about the history of Ray White in Gladstone ?
The business has existed in the same location since 1972 and traded as Ray White since 1980 . Originally owned and operated by Edgar and Bruce Allen ( my Dad ), the business was the very first Ray White office outside of the White family ownership , essentially being Ray White ’ s first ever franchise . After my father ’ s passing in 2007 , I purchased the business alongside John Fieldus . Since 2008 , we have assembled a team of 30 real estate professionals across sales and rentals with 1,100 properties under management and turning over between 250 - 300 sales per annum .
And tell us a little about the city of Gladstone ?
We are a port city at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef . Known as an “ industrial metropolis ”, the Gladstone region is home to about 60,000 residents . With only a small population , Gladstone punches well above its weight in economic terms . We are home to the largest natural deep-water port on the east coast , creating a home for some of Australia ’ s largest manufacturing operations .
What are your favourite cafes and restaurants in Gladstone ?
• Fresh Fix , great coffee and casual dining in the busy ‘ valley ’ area of the Gladstone CBD
• Auckland House , a new cafe and brew house
• “ Yachties ” the ever reliable Gladstone Yacht Club
Can you share any local secrets ?
The ‘ Gladstone-ites ’ are familiar with Gladstone State High school , one of the oldest schools in Australia established in 1861 , but you know what they say , with great age comes great ... Ghost stories … There is an abundance of teeth chattering , nightmare-inducing ghost stories , originating from historical buildings and passed down through the Gladstone locals . Rumour has it Gladstone is on the list for one of the most haunted towns in Australia .
25km south of Gladstone ’ s city centre are the twin beach towns of Boyne Island and Tannum Sands . In 2018 it was granted with Queensland ’ s Cleanest Beach award . The fishing , crabbing and Tannum Sands Surf Club are a real highlight of the region .
But if you were to ask me what the true local secret would be , it is easy to identify the biggest secret of all , just how beautiful our region truly is .
What does an ideal weekend in Gladstone look like ?
There is a whole lot of mouth-watering food , drinks and activities to squeeze into a weekend in the greater Gladstone region .
Breakfast at Blend Cafe , in the slow-paced and incredibly tranquil Tannum Sands . The perfect avocado toast and fresh coffee is always and often enjoyed best , beach side .
Kroombit Tops is a national park that offers you a 4x4 track taking you right to the plane wreck of ‘ Beautiful Betsy ’ that went missing in 1945 . If a slower paced heart rate is what you ’ re after , the Toondoon Botanical Gardens offers a great picnic spot , and leaves plenty of room for the imagination with art , sculptures and plenty of wildlife .
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