Gladstone Airport has regular flights from Brisbane with QantasLink (about one hour). By road from Brisbane it is 550 kilometres north via the Bruce Highway — roughly six hours. If you are driving the coastal route, Gladstone makes a logical overnight stop between Brisbane and Rockhampton or Cairns.
The Queensland Rail Tilt Train connects Brisbane to Gladstone several times a week (journey time around five hours). Buses via Greyhound or Premier Motor Service also run the Bruce Highway corridor and stop in Gladstone.
Heron Island and Lady Musgrave Island are reached by ferry from Gladstone Marina; bookings are essential and should be made well in advance.