Queensland
Covering around 715,000 square miles, with more than 8,000 miles of coastline, 1,711 beaches and 1,955 islands, Queensland is bursting with natural wonders, from the Great Barrier Reef to ancient rainforest and unique wildlife.
Highlights of Queensland
Stretching along much of Australia’s east coast, Queensland is home to some of the country’s best-known highlights, from K’gari, the world’s largest sand island, to the tropical gateway of Cairns.
Whether you want to sail around the Whitsundays and visit Whitehaven Beach, explore the Great Barrier Reef, or spend time in the laid-back city of Brisbane, there is no shortage of things to see and do in this vibrant part of Australia.
Brisbane
Known by the locals as Bris-Vegas or Brissie, Brisbane is a vibrant city that isn't in a rush. The friendly locals are always ready for a chat, the weather is warm year-round, and there are plenty of things to do and see.
Nearby, you can visit an assortment of islands such as North Stradbroke, South Stradbroke, Moreton Island, Bribie Island, and many other smaller islands, such as Coochiemudlo Island.
Within the CBD, there are so many funky and sophisticated neighbourhoods to explore. Nearby Southbank, you can visit the trendy West End. Here, you will find an eclectic mix of cafes and restaurants, designer stores, and food markets.
Be sure to pop by Fortitude Valley and discover the local markets on the weekend or an array of specialities at Chinatown. The Eat Street Market is also filled with local goodness and is located in Hamilton.
Other neighbourhoods to visit are New Farm, Kangaroo Point, Milton and Balmoral. Each neighbourhood is bursting with boutique stores, local cafes and much more.
Cairns
Cairns is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. An ideal destination to soak up the tropical weather. Take a wander along the Esplanade Boardwalk and try local ice cream. Visit a beer garden and meet the locals or try your luck at the casino!
If you are a nature lover, visit the Cairns Botanical Garden and marvel at rare and unique tropical plants. Or spend a day exploring the natural beauty of Kuranda's rainforest. The Kuranda Scenic Railway is the perfect way to absorb this special part of Australia.
From Cairns, you can conquer the Great Barrier Drive and visit the colourful town of Port Douglas. Be sure to stop by Mossman Gorge and cool off in natural rock pools. Keep your eye out for a platypus! Further inland, you will find the green rolling hills of the Atherton Tablelands. A stunning part of Queensland, where you can go waterfall hopping.
The Great Barrier Reef
The world's largest coral reef system stretches over 2300 kilometres and covers an area of approximately 348,000 square kilometres. The largest living ecosystem in the world can be seen from space and even has its own post box!
Truly one of Mother Nature's greatest creations, a place where you can discover 900 islands and over 2900 individual reefs.
Home to more than 1,500 species of fish, over 400 types of hard coral, seven species of marine turtle, and rare marine mammals such as dugongs, the Great Barrier Reef is one of the world’s most remarkable natural wonders. It is also home to giant oysters, which can weigh up to around 6 pounds and measure up to 14 inches in length.
Snorkel to discover this fascinating underwater world, or dive deeper into the Pacific Ocean for a closer look. If you would prefer to stay dry, step aboard a glass-bottom boat for views of the reef and its marine life. For a different perspective, take a scenic flight and admire its scale and beauty from above.
Whitsundays
Made up of 74 islands, the Whitsundays are a beautiful place to set sail and experience Queensland’s tropical outdoor lifestyle. Renowned as a popular yachting destination, this island group is ideal for slowing down, exploring by boat and soaking up the scenery.
Visit the famous Whitehaven Beach, renowned worldwide for its pristine white sand and crystal-clear turquoise water. Swim with turtles, relax on the beach, snorkel, swim, dive or wander around a secluded island.
Take a scenic flight and discover the Heart Reef or watch the sunset over the ocean. This part of Queensland is perfect for beach lovers and offers world-class accommodations and experiences.
K'gari | Fraser Island
Stretching for more than 76 miles along Queensland’s southern coast, World Heritage-listed K’gari, also known as Fraser Island, is the world’s largest sand island. It is home to more than 100 freshwater lakes, roaming dingoes, towering trees, shipwrecks and Champagne Pools. You may also spot whales or dolphins offshore or take a swim in the iconic Lake McKenzie.
Explore by 4WD along 75 Mile Beach, the island’s famous sand highway, or follow walking trails through native bushland to discover K’gari’s unique flora and fauna. For a longer adventure, the 56-mile K’gari Great Walk offers a memorable challenge. Watch the sunrise at Eurong Beach and end the day with sunset at Kingfisher Bay.
Islands of Queensland
With 1,955 islands to choose from, Queensland is a wonderful destination for a tropical escape. K’gari, also known as Fraser Island, is the state’s largest island, covering around 710 square miles. Among the smallest are the Bird Islands in Far North Queensland, within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, which cover around 52 acres.
Other well-known islands to visit include Heron Island, Hamilton Island, Hayman Island, Orpheus Island, Daydream Island, Lady Musgrave Island and Lady Elliot Island. Each offers its own sense of tranquillity and tropical beauty, leaving you with only one challenge: choosing which island to visit.
Lizard Island
Discover a part of Australia that can feel like the edge of the world. With the Great Barrier Reef as its backyard, Lizard Island lies in the far north of Queensland and has 24 white-sand beaches to explore. With just one resort on the island, set within a national park of around 2,500 acres, it offers a real sense of seclusion.
Spend your days enjoying water activities such as paddleboarding, snorkelling and swimming, or simply relax in the sunshine beneath the shade of a palm tree. You can also enjoy fresh local produce at the island’s restaurant, with menus inspired by the region’s mix of cultures and coastal flavours.
Pumpkin Island
Experience a secluded tropical escape. Located in the southern part of the Great Barrier Reef is Pumpkin Island. Explore six hectares of untouched nature and gorgeous beaches.
Stay at an eco-friendly accommodation, which is wind and solar-powered. The island can only accommodate 34 guests. And if you are feeling generous, you can book the island privately for yourself and your friends!
Great Keppel Island
Discover the Southern Great Barrier Reef at Great Keppel Island. Located a 30-minute boat ride from the town of Yeppoon, this island escape is a wonderful addition to a Queensland holiday. Visit for the day or stay longer to explore its 17 pristine beaches, snorkel from the shore, watch the sunset or, for something more adventurous, try boom-netting.
There are plenty of walking tracks to enjoy and opportunities to spot Australian wildlife along the way. To walk around the island, allow around four hours for the 6.6-mile trail. For something shorter, there are also several scenic walks, including routes to the tip of the island and the island’s lighthouse.
Magnetic Island
If you love hiking and nature, Magnetic Island is a wonderful place to explore. The island has more than 15 miles of walking tracks and is home to around 500 koalas, making it a rewarding destination for wildlife lovers.
Spend your days enjoying water activities, sailing, or simply relaxing in a hammock beneath the shade of an eucalyptus tree. Pack a picnic for Radical Bay, admire the blue monarch butterflies on the Butterfly Forest Walk, and end the day watching the sunset at Horseshoe Bay.
Hamilton Island
Feel the glamour at Hamilton Island. One of Queensland’s local gems, this magical island is known for being one of the best diving spots in the world. Kayaking, paddleboarding, golfing, and hiking are just some of the outdoor activities that you can indulge in during your stay. Wake up with sunrise yoga and then relax at a luxury spa.
Soar over the island in a seaplane or get your heart racing on a jet ski tour. If you would like to see magical views over the island, conquer Flat Top Hill Lookout. Say G'day to koalas at Hamilton Island Wildlife or soak up the sunshine by the pool. Watch the sunset with a cocktail at One Tree Hill.
Food & wine regions
If you love good food and wine, Queensland has plenty to savour. From tropical fruit such as mangoes in Far North Queensland to the wine regions of the Granite Belt and South Burnett in the south-east, the state is full of local flavours and fresh produce.
Follow a culinary trail through award-winning restaurants, farmers’ markets, friendly cafés and roadside stalls. Queensland is also home to more than 100 wineries, spread from the Darling Downs and Sunshine Coast Hinterland to Brisbane and the Scenic Rim.
Stop by Sirromet Wines, a family-run winery located in the Bayside suburb of Brisbane. Go on a wine tour and enjoy a Tuscan-inspired lunch on the outdoor terrace. In Brisbane's backyard, visit the wineries of Mount Tamborine and enjoy a great day out with the hinterland as your backdrop.
With so much coastline, it is no surprise that Queensland is home to some of the best seafood in the world. Here, you can savour delights such as Mooloolaba prawns, Moreton Bay bugs, mud crab, barramundi, snapper, flathead, and much more. The locals love to enjoy fish & chips, beachside!
Granite Belt
Taste the local flavours of Southern Queensland’s countryside in the Granite Belt, where friendly communities, apple orchards and wide-open Australian landscapes create a memorable setting.
A haven for food lovers, the region is known for its locally grown produce, from cheese and chutneys to artisan products. The Granite Belt is also renowned for its distinctive wine scene, with unique varieties that are hard to find elsewhere in Australia. Follow the wine trail, or head into Girraween National Park for a scenic hike.
Coastal towns
With the second-longest coastline in Australia, it is no surprise that Queensland is home to an impressive collection of coastal towns. Here, you will find some of the country’s best-loved seaside spots, including Noosa Heads.
From Cooktown in the north to the Gold Coast in the south, there are countless opportunities to enjoy Queensland’s relaxed outdoor lifestyle by the sea.
Along the coast, you can visit Seventeen Seventy, Hervey Bay, Mackay, Gladstone, Townsville, Caloundra, Yeppoon, Mooloolaba and many more. Each town has its own laid-back coastal feel, with beautiful beaches, local character and a warm welcome.
Noosa
Discover beachside style and sophistication in Noosa, located in the southern part of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. The Noosa region brings together relaxed coastal towns, riverside areas and hinterland communities, creating a varied and welcoming place to explore.
A popular surfing destination since the 1960s, Noosa still attracts surfers from around the world to its famous breaks. It is also a gateway to the Cooloola Recreation Area, World Heritage-listed Great Sandy National Park and K’gari, also known as Fraser Island.
This captivating, laid-back region offers plenty to see and explore. Take a scenic country drive through small hinterland towns such as Boreen Point, Cooran and Cooroy, or visit the Noosa Everglades, one of only two Everglades systems in the world.
Enjoy boutique shopping and relaxed dining along lively Hastings Street, then dip your toes in the clear waters of Laguna Bay. On Noosa North Shore, you will find long stretches of white-sand beach, perfect for a quieter coastal escape.
Sunshine Coast
Just north of Queensland’s capital, Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast is a laid-back coastal and hinterland region stretching for around 37 miles along the coast. Known for its beautiful beaches, it is a popular place for surfing, swimming and enjoying Queensland’s relaxed outdoor lifestyle.
The Sunshine Coast is a place to slow down. Follow the local pace with long walks by the ocean, soak up the subtropical climate, and explore its shops, restaurants and cafés.
Nature lovers will also find plenty of national parks to visit, including Kondalilla National Park. As you travel through the region, look out for the famous Big Pineapple, built in 1971 and now one of Queensland’s heritage-listed icons.
Airlie Beach
Discover a laid-back Australian resort town, Airlie Beach. The gateway to 74 stunning islands known as The Whitsundays. This region is the perfect place to enjoy activities in the water in a relaxed tropical atmosphere.
Take a dip in the lagoon, stroll through boutiques and try some local fresh seafood at a bustling seafood cafe. Or have a picnic at one of the family-friendly beaches and parks.
Mission Beach
A patch of paradise, Mission Beach is a laid-back coastal escape where the pace is slow, the welcome is warm, and flip-flops feel like the natural choice. As one of the closest mainland access points to the Great Barrier Reef, it is also a great base for adventurous reef experiences.
Go snorkelling or diving, visit nearby Dunk Island, or explore this relaxed beach community by bike. You can also slow things down completely and unwind beneath the shade of a palm tree.
Mission Beach is home to the endangered cassowary, a large, colourful, prehistoric-looking bird. With a little luck, you may even spot one wandering through the gardens near your accommodation. For something a little different, take a short drive to the enchanting Paronella Park.
National Parks
With more than 1,000 national parks, Queensland offers no shortage of natural landscapes to discover. From ancient rainforests and sand islands to red-dirt deserts and dense forests, its national parks reveal an extraordinary range of colours, habitats and scenery.
Around Brisbane alone, you can find six national parks, each offering rewarding bushwalks and nature experiences. The Sunshine Coast region is also ecologically diverse, with seven national parks to explore. Further west, Munga-Thirri National Park is the largest in the state, located around 929 miles from Brisbane.
Lamington National Park
Uncover the secrets of a World Heritage-listed national park with a history dating back more than 225 million years. With densely forested mountains, tumbling waterfalls, ancient trees, unique wildlife and rich vegetation, it is a remarkable place to experience Queensland’s natural beauty.
With more than 99 miles of walking trails, there are plenty of ways to explore. Discover the magic of O’Reilly’s Tree Top Walk, where a suspension bridge allows you to experience the rainforest canopy from a different perspective. Head to Araucaria Lookout to see one of Australia’s largest remaining stands of hoop pine, or follow the Picnic Rock and Elabana Falls Walk, where you can rock-hop along the creek and look out for spiny blue crayfish in the water.
Springbrook National Park
Located in the Gold Coast Hinterland, around 62 miles south of Brisbane, Springbrook National Park is a nature lover’s paradise. One of Queensland’s five World Heritage areas and part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, it is known for its ancient landscapes, lush rainforest and striking natural beauty.
With a history dating back more than 100 million years, the park is home to waterfalls, lookouts and a variety of hiking trails. Here, you can admire the remnants of one of Australia’s ancient volcanoes, choose from short walks, or take on the Warrie Circuit, roughly an 8-mile day hike through the park. Along the way, you can enjoy waterfalls, fresh creeks and unique flora and fauna.
Local gems
While the highlights of Queensland are absolutely stunning, the local gems are also waiting to be explored. Some, even more beautiful and without the other tourists, enjoy this part of the world as the locals do.
From Cape Tribulation in the north to Burleigh Heads in the south, get off the beaten path and experience the authenticity of Queensland.
Scenic Rim
Discover wild nature, rugged mountains, rare flora and fauna, natural swimming pools and spectacular hiking trails in the Scenic Rim. This beautiful part of Queensland is home to six national parks, luxury lodges and excellent locally produced food.
Within the Scenic Rim region, around 56 miles south-west of Brisbane, you will find Mount Barney National Park. This World Heritage rainforest area was once part of a large volcano, which erupted around 24 million years ago.
Today, you can hike, swim, fish, dive, snorkel, canoe, kayak, cycle, horseback ride, or take a relaxing scenic drive through this scenic part of Queensland. End the day beneath a blanket of stars in the night sky.
Atherton Tablelands
Surround yourself with rolling green hills, plunging waterfalls, volcanic crater lakes, welcoming country towns, Aussie pubs and fresh country air. The Atherton Tablelands sit around 19 miles inland from Port Douglas and are also within easy reach of the Daintree Rainforest.
At around 2,470 feet above sea level, the region is cooler than the neighbouring coastal towns, making it a refreshing place to explore.
Visit the natural thermal pools at Innot Hot Springs, or stop by local craft distilleries and wineries, where mango wine is a regional favourite. Keep an eye out for the area’s abundant wildlife, which includes platypus, wallabies, kangaroos, lizards, frogs, snakes and a wide variety of birdlife.
Mareeba Wetlands
The Mareeba Tropical Savanna and Wetland Reserve is better known among locals as the Mareeba Wetlands. The wetlands lie on the traditional land of the Aboriginal Muluridji people. Here, you can leave the bustle behind and discover the wildlife of the Australian Outback.
The Mareeba Wetlands are approximately an hour's drive from both Cairns and Port Douglas. The nature reserve is maintained by a wildlife expert from Cairns and the voluntary organisation, The Wildlife Conservancy.
For more than ten years, they have been working on the development of the nature reserve. You can support the work of The Wildlife Conservancy by becoming a member, a volunteer, or merely by visiting the nature reserve.
It is an excellent collaboration between tourism, education, and nature conservation.
Montville
Discover art galleries, boutique stores, cosy coffee shops, handmade local crafts and more in Montville. Located in the Sunshine Coast region and perched on the Blackall Range, this pretty hinterland town is one of Queensland’s hidden gems.
Join a wine tour and enjoy the local wine scene, or pack a picnic and head to Kondalilla National Park. Cool off with a swim beneath a waterfall, or follow one of the many walking trails, including the Hinterland Great Walk, a 36-mile route with spectacular views across the hinterland.
Maleny
Discover one of Queensland's local gems, Maleny. A Sunshine Coast hinterland town that is bursting with colour, style, and quirky locals.
Picture-postcard perfect, you will find rainforests, scenic spots, bush walks, waterfalls, dairy farms, breweries, local arts and crafts, and an array of dining experiences.
Tamborine Mountain
Leave the coast behind and head inland from the Pacific Highway to discover Tamborine Mountain, a peaceful hinterland escape surrounded by rainforest. With its subtropical highland climate, shaded walking trails and wide-reaching views, this charming area feels wonderfully removed from the busier coastal towns.
Explore local art galleries and craft stores, visit the cuckoo clock shop, taste locally made ice cream or enjoy a relaxed high tea. You can also stop for a meal at The Polish Place, where clear days bring sweeping views towards the Gold Coast.
Sample the wines at Witches Falls, then take a walk through Tamborine National Park, Queensland’s oldest national park.
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