Queensland is the second-largest state in the country in the northeast of Australia. It is surrounded by a 7000 km coastline and is most famous for The Great Barrier Reef – the world’s largest coral reef system. With tropical islands, pristine beaches, lush green rainforests, and vibrant cities, Queensland has become a tourist magnet. Travelers can enjoy exciting activities in Queensland ranging from whale watching, wine tours to snorkeling, surfing, and more.
Top 10 Things To Do in Queensland
Visit the heart of the Great Barrier Reef in the Whitsundays
Australia flows along very beautiful islands, which dot its coastline, but the most popular is Whitsunday, a group of 74 islands that lie in the middle of the Great Barrier Reef. Most of the islands have forested national parks that feature sandy white beaches and colorful cliffs. There are fully developed tourist islands such as Hamilton Island which cater to budgets from 4.5 stars to 7 stars. The budding Daydream Island is also a great place to base yourself on WhatsApp. However, if you want to taste the mainland, then visit Eyreli Beach. And if you are looking for luxury in isolation, the island of Heyman is for you.
Visit the Whitsunday islands and discover a new island every day. Enjoy its secluded beaches or explore the many dive and snorkeling spots. You can also take a beautiful flight across the islands to take in mesmerizing aerial views. Enjoy a picnic on Whitehaven Beach, one of the cleanest beaches in the world. And there is a beautiful flight above the rock of the heart.
Take a Self-Drive Trip along the Queensland coast
Queensland is the perfect place for a road trip with its diverse and spectacular natural beauty, smooth roads, and great connectivity. You can rent a car, a 4X4 or a camper-van, and travel on its winding roads. Throw in a 4WD and make the holiday more adventurous. There are many options to choose from, from red clay tracks to adventurous outbacks, from mesenteric coastal drives to heritage-listed rainforests.
One of the popular self-drive road trips is from Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast. Near Fraser Island in the north, there is a spectacular stretch of coastline 120 km from Brabi Island south of Rainbow Beach. The golden sand is surrounded by rolling green hills, quaint villages, and mysterious volcanic mountains. You can go up to Nusa to indulge in some hedonistic pleasures.
Another sightseeing tour is from Cairns to Port Douglas. The drive takes just over an hour in sandy stretches, with beautiful views of the Great Barrier Reef and lush green rainforests. You can go as far as Daintree National Park in Cape Clash.
Get a real taste of Australia in Brisbane – the capital of Queensland
The vibrant capital of Queensland is a booming river town, which rises high in the CBD and is surrounded by botanical gardens. A contemporary center of culture, art, food, and entertainment, Brisbane is also a gateway to the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.
Located on the banks of the Brisbane River, Howard Smith Wars is the city’s newest entertainment and lifestyle destination. The unique position of the site, under the Story Bridge, provides beautiful city and river views that add another cultural dimension to this vibrant city. Liked by its residents and visitors alike; It is the place to join and celebrate the best Brisbane has to offer.
The most volatile food market in Australia would be Eat Street Northshore. A waterfront setting of consumption and entertainment of about 180 shipping containers in Hamilton, and a 20-minute cab ride from CBS. A budget dining hub for the whole family, it offers beautiful sunset views over the river and the city skyline. It has two entertainment stages, an outdoor cinema, and a wide variety of international cuisine. Brisbane is truly the perfect place to sample Queensland’s awesome food and wine.
If you are a culture enthusiast in the South Bank, it has a cinematic hub, world-class museums, and local events. I do not remember when Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane. A 20-minute drive brings you to the world’s largest koala sanctuary, which houses more than 130 cuddly creatures.
Experience Snorkeling and Diving
Queensland is a diver’s paradise with its clear warm waters and rich marine life, providing year-round diving experiences. You can enjoy snorkeling and diving in the Great Barrier Reef or even shipwreck diving in southern Queensland. Opt for open water dives, night diving, specialist dive, and live rider travel, or even be PADI certified.
You can choose to take a riff cruise – a luxury sailing and snorkeling cruise. Where the rainforest resides, enjoy a unique snorkeling experience in the rainforest. Wherever you choose, a colorful kaleidoscope of shoals and sea creatures await you.
The Great Eight of the Australian undersea can be seen in the Great Barrier Reef including manta rays, sharks, turtles, giant clams, whales (humpbacks and minks), clownfish, potato cod, and Māori wrestling.
Bask at Queensland’s top beaches
Queensland is known for its miles and miles of sandy white stretches that will give you many pinch-yourself moments. Soak in the panoramic sea views, indulge yourself in luxury beach-side resorts, or enjoy exciting water adventures. Drive the Great Beach Drive from Sunshine Coast to Rainbow Beach in a 4X4, surfing on the Gold Coast, otherwise sit back and watch the sunset between the flowing palms of Palm Cove or Port Douglas.
Queensland boasts some of the best beaches in the world! Be it the famous Whitehaven Beach at Whitsunday or the famous Newday Beach on Fitzroy Island. The stunning Whitehaven Beach, soaked in turquoise water, spans 7 km. Dig your feet in its soft powder sand, and head to the best photo at the nearby Hill Inlet Lookout. Nude Beach is just a 45-minute ferry ride from Cairns on Fitzroy Island and a trek through lush rainforests brings you to this scenic expanse.
Some other popular beaches where you can also try your hand at surfing are Surfers Paradise Beach on the Gold Coast or Nusa Main Beach on the Sunshine Coast.
Go whale watching in the Gold Coast
If you are fascinated by these bizarre aquatic creatures – Queensland is the perfect place to go on a whale watching tour. There is a period between June to November when you can see different types of whales along the coastline. The humpback whale, which is about 11 elephants in size, is most active on the surface and is an admirable sight to behold.
The warm coastal waters of Queensland are a migration site for humpback whales from Antarctica. Of these, about 17,000 whales migrate from June to November and are growing every year. These whales can be seen along the Gold Coast during this period. Whale-watching cruises are very popular here at this time. Many of them offer a complete luxury experience with a guaranteed whale watching experience.
Humpback whales can also be seen along the Sunshine Coast from July to October. You can spend a day snorkeling with these lovely creatures here. Minke whales can be seen around the Great Barrier Reef sometime between June and July.
Have fun at the Theme Parks
The Gold Coast is the theme park capital of Australia, making it a popular destination for families and youth. Queensland has world-class theme parks with crazy rides, fun slides, and lively entertainment options for everyone. From Dreamworld to Wait for n Wild in the Gold Coast in Coomera, from Warner Bros. Movie World to Sea World and White Water World, you’ll be spoiled for choices.
Get an adrenaline rush on a roller coaster ride, or discover the world behind your favorite movies, or watch amazing shows that captivate you. With wild animals, ranging from swimming with dolphins, petting tiger cubs, raising cute cuckoos, or encountering polar bears.
Tour a National Park
Queensland is blessed with over 1000 parks and forests, and it is easy to migrate in the lap of nature. Get out for your beautiful forest trails and great walks. Mix in amazing underground lava tubes, or explore its magnificent springs. You will also encounter many of its indigenous wildlife.
Its two rainforests are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Daintree Rainforest is one, and is also the oldest rainforest in the world, which is said to be 135 million years old! The second is the Gondwana rainforest, which is the world’s most widespread subtropical forest. It has spectacular hiking trails with waterlogging.
Take the Gold Coast Hinterland Walk that stretches 54 km. An ancient volcano, the rainforest passes through the hills and Lamington and Springbrook National Parks. Go for the Sunshine Coast Hinterland or Trekkers’ favorite – the spectacular Culula Wilderness Trail.
Soak in the Aboriginal Art & Culture
Queensland is where Australia’s indigenous culture is violated. The tribal and Torres Strait culture of the country is more than 40,000 years old and is still practiced today. The dance, art, and traditional feast of these people are still alive here. You can take a tribal tour to get the first experience of people and their culture. Also, you can see a sputtering of his works at various places.
Soak in a unique cultural experience at the Tajapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park in Cairns, which narrates stories of tribal and Torres Strait people through music and dance. Enjoy the art, performance, food, and dance of the tribals. Take in an interactive session at the Dreamworld Corobore, which shows Australia’s indigenous people and their close connection with land and animals.
Mossman Gorge joins a tour directed by tribals at the Dreamtime Center and listens to their ancient stories and legends. See their important sites and trees, and gain many insights into their daily lives. Also, enjoy the beauty of the stunning rainforest.
Must visit Cairns
The cairn is famous as the natural capital of Australia thanks to easy access to the country’s two World Heritage Sites and major attractions – The Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. He also makes it the adventure capital of the country and is influenced by the experiences of nature and adventure.
You can visit the SkyRail Rainforest Cableway, which offers a scenic 7.5 km ride above the World Heritage Area Baron Gorge National Park. Elsa visits a Daintree River Cruise, which goes to Crocs or Smithfield Mountain Bike Park. Have some family fun at the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon, which is lined with cafes and bars, and a swimming lagoon. Head to Cairns Zoom and Wildlife Dome. It offers zip lining and rope climbing, with interactive koala and crocodile shows. There are so many things to do in Cairns.
How to Reach Queensland
To reach Queensland you can take a direct flight to Brisbane, Cairns, or Gold Coast. These cities have international airports and are well connected to most major cities around the world as well as within Australia. There are 14 other regional airports for internal flights if you are traveling from another part of Australia. Self-drive car hire is another popular way to travel from within the country. You also have options for bus, train, and ferry/cruise to reach Queensland.
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