This Easter, why not take a well-earned holiday in your own backyard?

Gladstone Regional Council is encouraging residents of the region to take a well-earned Easter break in their own backyard.

Spend the long weekend exploring our diverse landscapes from the reef to the ranges, or experiencing the region’s plentiful coastal locations, including O'Connell Wharf, home to the Brisbane to Gladstone (B2G) Village.

Whether it be attending the family-friendly Gladstone Harbour Festival, lining the banks of East Shores to welcome in the fleet from the 74th Gladstone Ports Corporation Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race or attending events within the B2G Village, there’s no shortage of things to do at Easter in Gladstone.

The festivities run from Thursday 14 April until Sunday 17 April, beginning with the free B2G Village Opening Party (4pm-10pm) and the start of the 60th annual Gladstone Harbour Festival, which is also free to enter.

The B2G Village Opening Party is a family-focussed evening featuring live music, food stalls and licenced bar providing an amazing atmosphere to kick start the long weekend.

The Gladstone Harbour Festival runs across all four days and will feature live music, entertainment, sideshow alley, markets, fantastic food and fireworks displays.

Good Friday (15 April) marks the start of another event steeped in tradition, the 74th Gladstone Ports Corporation Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race.

The race sets sail from Shorncliffe in Moreton Bay on Good Friday (15 April) with yachts expected to begin arriving in Gladstone the following morning.

Gladstone-based yachts Restless and Wistari are provisional entrants for the 2022 race, with the latter taking out the prestigious Courier Mail Cup last year.

While the spectacular sight of dozens of yachts leaving Moreton Bay is one to behold, Gladstone Region Mayor Matt Burnett said those who can’t witness the 11am race start can watch it at home via www.brisbanetogladstone.com, on the big screen at East Shores, at the Gladstone Harbour Festival’s GECC Food Court or at the Yachtsman’s Long Lunch.

“Gladstone Regional Council is proud to sponsor the live stream coverage of this great race with coverage beginning at 10am on Good Friday,” Councillor Burnett said.

“The live stream coverage will share expert analysis before and after the race start, plus a variety of different camera angles from the air to on the water.”

Coinciding with the race start is the Yachtsman’s Long Lunch (11am-3pm), a ticketed event set to be held at the B2G Village located on the bank of Gladstone’s Auckland Creek and directly across the water from where the Gladstone Harbour Festival will take place.

Festivities continue later that evening with the Festival of Summer Sounds concert, a rescheduled event from January 2022 that is exclusive for 13 to 17-year old’s and features a line-up of unearthed performers including headline act Thandi Phoenix and CQ-based musicians DENNIS., Jamie & Madi and Callan Reah.

Easter Saturday (16 April) will see a Harbour Cruise lunch take place. This is a new, ticketed offering designed to provide guests with a unique vantage point of Gladstone, the festivities and the race, by getting out on the water for an intimate and informative tour over lunch.

The famous Seafood Festival also takes place on Easter Saturday. This free event will provide people of all ages the opportunity to engage in the carnival atmosphere of the B2G Village with live music, numerous displays, children’s entertainment, prawn eating competition, crab races, bars and an array of seafood prepared in a multitude of ways.

Easter in Gladstone wraps up on Easter Sunday (17 April) with the free B2G Line Crossing Party (18+). The B2G Line Crossing Party will feature the trophy presentation and an opportunity for competitors, supporters and the greater community to come together and let their hair down to celebrate the finish of the 74th Gladstone Ports Corporation Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race.

Cr Burnett said it was great to see Easter in Gladstone festivities return after COVID-19 caused scaled-back celebrations last year and a complete cancellation in 2020. “Easter in Gladstone is a fantastic time of year and one that provides an experience for people of all ages and backgrounds,” he said.

“There’s always a buzz of excitement in the air – whether it be attending the family-friendly Gladstone Harbour Festival, lining the banks of Auckland Creek to welcome the yachts in or attending events within the B2G Village, there’s no shortage of things to do at Easter in Gladstone.

“I’m encouraging all Gladstone Region residents, from Raglan to Rosedale and from Boyne Island to the Boyne Valley, to spend their Easter in Gladstone – you’ll be glad you did.”

Visit www.gladstone.qld.gov.au/easter to discover everything on offer during Easter in Gladstone.