Sit back and relax in air conditioned comfort and view the inner workings of one of the world's largest alumina refineries at QAL. Taking in the sites from our lookout, South Trees wharf and through the plant, tours are held weekly as part of the Gladstone Area Promotion and Development Limited's (GAPDL) 'Industry Tour' initiative.

As one of four major industries providing visitors and locals with a free weekly tour of their operations, QAL tours have the added bonus of first hand information provided by your tour leader, a QAL retiree. QAL Retirees Club members have been leading the tours since 2004 and provide visitors with an informative and entertaining hour long tour of our operations.

In 2010, QAL partnered with Boyne Smelters Limited (BSL) to offer a 'Mine to Market' industry tour, taking visitors on a tour of QAL, the third largest alumina refinery in the world, followed by a tour of BSL, Australia's largest aluminium smelter. Visitors are able to learn in depth about the process of making aluminium and tour two parts of the three-stage process.

Tours depart the Gladstone Information Centre, Gladstone marina at 9:15am every Friday (excluding public holidays, December and January). Following the tour of QAL, the bus returns to the GAPDL information centre for a quick toilet break before proceeding to Boyne Smelters. The tour ends at GAPDL around 12pm.

Bookings are essential as seats are limited. For further information and bookings, contact the GAPDL on (07) 4972 4000.

Self guided touring options are also available with public access available to the lookout from 7am - 7pm. Situated off to the right just before the main entry to the refinery, the lookout provides visitors with a birds eye view of the refinery and Gladstone harbour. Informative displays explain the process and the scenery is spectacular, both day and night.