Enjoying Gladstone’s beautiful coastline comes with shared responsibility. Our beaches offer stunning views and great opportunities for swimming, fishing and family outings, but local conditions such as tides, currents, marine stingers and changing weather can present risks if you’re unprepared.
To ensure you enjoy your time at the beach, make sure you follow this advice.
- ALWAYS swim at beaches that have surf life saving patrols and only between the red and yellow flags
- Read the safety signs and understand the meaning of the flag colours which will explain the conditions of the water.
- If you are unsure about the conditions, ask a lifesaver or lifeguard before entering the water.
- If you are unsure about how confident you feel about the water, please stay in shallow water where you feel in control.
- Swim with a friend where possible.
- If you find yourself in trouble, stay calm and put your hand up for help.
- Always supervise young children in and around the water.
When visiting our patrolled beaches, you'll notice a variety of safety flags and warning signs. Learn what they mean by visiting
Surf Life Saving Queensland and help make every beach trip a safe one.
Rescue Tubes
Public safety rescue equipment tube boxes have been introduced at several key locations across the Gladstone region.
These boxes empower beachgoers with tools to assist in emergencies, complementing the efforts of our lifesavers and lifeguards.
What's inside
What’s inside?
- Rescue Tube
- Bleeding kit
- Resus mask
- Flippers.
When to use
- Someone is in trouble in the water
- No lifesaver or lifeguard is available
- No other flotation device, like a surfboard, is available
- You are confident in your swimming ability and a strong swimmer.
How to use
- Remove from box
- Place strap over head and one shoulder
- Swim to the person
- Tube will float behind you
- Approach the person, keep clear and push the tube towards them
- Instruct them to hold on and remain calm
- Hold onto the tube with the person
- Wave arm back and forward
- Wait for help or swim back to shore.
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More information
While this equipment is available for emergencies, the safest place to swim is always between the red and yellow flags, where professional lifesavers and lifeguards are ready to assist.
Report missing, damaged or used device
Understand the danger of swimming in Wild Cattle Creek at Tannum Sands.
Surf Life Saving Queensland and the Tannum Sands Surf Life Saving Club have some very important messages about swimming in Wild Cattle Creek.
Take a look at the video where an aquatic dye was released on an outgoing tide, demonstrating the dangerous rip, always present but often overlooked.
While the area looks like a safe and inviting place to swim, there is a strong underlying rip that can place you and your family in danger.
General warning signage is installed at Wild Cattle Creek to inform visitors of potential hazards and should be considered when accessing the area.
Wild Cattle Creek is an unpatrolled beach. Remember, if lifeguards can't see you, they can't save you. Always swim between the flags.