Queensland is often referred to as the “holiday state” because of its many exciting tourist destinations. Queensland has Brisbane, Cairns, Surfers Paradise, Fraser Island, the Whitsunday Islands, as well as access to the Great Barrier Reef. The state has a growing population of 3.6 million people, and receives thousands of tourists every year. People can’t resist Queensland’s natural beauty and great weather!
REGIONS OF QUEENSLAND Queensland can be divided into ten regions: Brisbane; Gold Coast; Sunshine Coast; Capricorn Coast; Fraser Coast; North Coast; Whitsundays; Tropical North Queensland; Darling Downs; and the Outback.
Brisbane Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, is a progressive cosmopolitan city with a population of 1.7 million people. Brisbane’s safe, multi-cultural environment has beautiful parklands, recreation areas, shopping districts, eateries, museums, and art galleries. If you want to go surfing while in Brisbane, the city is situated south of the Sunshine Coast and north of the Gold Coast.
Gold Coast The Gold Coast is the small coastal region that stretches from Brisbane to the New South Wales border. As one of Australia’s favourite holiday spots, the Gold Coast boasts 42 kilometres of sun-kissed beaches, beautiful national parks, endless theme parks, excellent shopping, and vibrant nightlife.
Surfers Paradise is one of the most popular destinations on the Gold Coast. Besides the attractive beachfront, Surfers Paradise has many arcades, shopping centres, restaurants, and plenty of accommodation. Surfers Paradise is also a mecca for nightlife. On every given night of the week, nightclubs and bars are filled with tourists and backpackers. Surfers Paradise is also close to many of the theme parks along the Gold Coast.
Broadbeach lies just south of Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast. Broadbeach is famous for its wide beaches, blue water, and adjoining parkland. Broadbeach is the home of the Kurrawa Surf Life Saving Club, and the area hosts the Australian Surf Lifesaving Titles each year. Broadbeach also has beachfront markets every first and third Sunday of the month.
Burleigh Heads is nestled beneath the rolling green Burleigh headland, studded with pines and pandanus palms. The curved beach of Burleigh Heads is an excellent place to surf or swim. The beach acts as a major venue for international surfing competitions each year.
Coolangatta is located on the southern end of the Gold Coast, on the Queensland and New South Wales border. Besides having some of the prettiest beaches in the area, the rugged headland of Point Danger offers excellent views. The gentle surf of Rainbow Bay allows for safe swimming for children. Coolangatta also has some excellent bistros and cafés.
Sunshine Coast The Sunshine Coast covers the coastline from the north of Brisbane to Cooloola National Park. The region has gorgeous national parks, undulating hinterland, and beautiful beaches. The friendly waves and the subtropical climate of the Sunshine Coast attract visitors at all times of the year.
Noosa is a popular, upmarket surfing town with glorious beaches, beautiful headlands, great shopping, and plenty of high-quality restaurants and cafes. You can enjoy the main beachfront, or you can also walk through the Noosa National Park and discover isolated surfing beaches and coves. Noosa attracts all sorts of visitors, from famous actors to backpackers, rich city-dwellers to surfing fanatics.
Mooloolaba is thriving coastal town along the Sunshine Coast. Mooloolaba has a beachfront location as well as a riverfront on the Mooloolah River. The area has great shopping, restaurants, and attractions such as Underwater World. Mooloolaba is also the finishing point for yacht races from both Sydney and Auckland.
Capricorn Coast The Capricorn Coast is situated on the Tropic of Capricorn along the central coast of Queensland. The Capricorn Coast has something for everyone—dazzling beaches, abundant national parks, Aboriginal history, sapphire gemfields, and beef and cowboys! The area is also a stepping-off point to the lower sections of the Great Barrier Reef.
Great Keppel Island, located just north of the Tropic of Capricorn, is covered in bushland and is surrounded by pristine white sand beaches. Great Keppel Island is a great place to snorkel, scuba dive, or just relax. You can also go on a camel trek across the island.
Bundaberg is most famous for Bundaberg rum. When visiting the small town, you can take a guided tour through the Bundaberg Distillery and taste the product. Bundaberg is also famous for its fruit-picking and turtle watching. You can take a Great Barrier Reef tour from Bundaberg as well.
Rockhampton is known as the ‘beef capital of Australia.’ Besides beef cattle farms and cowboys, Rockhampton offers historical buildings, art galleries, beautiful parks and gardens, and limestone caves.
Mackay is a major exporter of sugar cane. While in Mackay, you can tour the Farleigh Sugar Mill and the Polstone Sugar Farm. The area also has some great beaches and offers tours to the Great Barrier Reef.
Fraser Coast The Fraser Coast really revolves around Fraser Island. The region stretches from Rainbow Beach to Hervey Bay.
Fraser Island is a popular tourist destination for Australians and international visitors alike. As the world’s largest sand island, Fraser Island has been listed as a World Heritage Site because of its unique sand dune systems, rainforests on sand, pristine freshwater lakes, and diverse wildlife. To explore Fraser Island, you either have to hire your own 4WD vehicle, or go on an organized tour.
Rainbow Beach is a tiny coastal town situated on the southern end of the Fraser Coast. The town gets its name from the multi-coloured sand cliffs that overlook Rainbow Beach. The town acts as one of the gateways to Fraser Island.
Hervey Bay is located on the northern-most point of the Fraser Coast. The main purpose of Hervey Bay is to act as a stepping stone to Fraser Island. Many Fraser Island tour operators are situated in Hervey Bay, and many of the hostels in the area organize self-guided tours to the island. Hervey Bay also offers whale watching tours during some times of the year.
North Coast The North Coast of Queensland has relaxing beaches, lush rainforests, and recreational attractions. The North Coast also offers easy access to islands and the Great Barrier Reef.
Townsville is large town with beautiful scenery, great shopping, and restaurants. In Townsville you will find the Museum of Tropical Queensland, the Townsville Museum, the Maritime Museum, the North Queensland Military Museum, and the Perc Tucker Art Gallery. Townsville also has an Omnimax Theatre and the popular Great Barrier Reef Wonderland, hosting the fantastic Reef HQ Aquarium. From Townville, it’s very easy to travel to Magnetic Island.
Magnetic Island is located off the North Coast, just a short ferry ride from Townsville. Two-thirds of Magnetic Island is protected national park; there are many bushwalking trails over the island. Magnetic Island also has wonderful beaches, offers fun water sports, and contains diverse wildlife.
Mission Beach is popular backpacker destination with sandy beaches, beautiful rainforests, relaxing café life, and great skydiving!
The Whitsundays The Whitsunday Islands are a group of 74 islands off the Whitsunday Coast. There are posh resorts on Daydream Island, Hamilton Island, Hayman Island, Hook Island, Lindeman Island, Long Island and South Molle Island. Many of the other islands are protected national park, so you can only visit them for the day or camp there overnight. You can camp on Denman Island, Henning Island, Hook Island, Lindeman Island, Long Island, North Molle Island, Planton Island, Shaw Island, South Molle Island, South Repulse Island, Tancred Island, Thomas Island and Whitsunday Island, but you have to buy camping permits from the EPA. There are many sailing trips, boat cruises, and ocean rafting trips around the Whitsunday Islands. The reef around the islands is a great place for snorkelling and scuba diving. You can book tours of the Whitsunday Islands at Airlie Beach, which acts as a gateway to the islands, as well as a backpacker haven renowned for its vibrant nightlife. One of the gems of the Whitsunday Islands is Whithaven Beach, a breath-taking beach with pure white sand and crystal-clear waters.
Tropical North Queensland Tropical North Queensland offers some of the world’s most beautiful natural attractions, from rainforests to reef systems, palm-fringed beaches to mangrove forests. Many people travel to Tropical North Queensland for a relaxing holiday or a romantic escape.
Cape Tribulation is the only place in the world where rainforest meets the reef. Listed as a World Heritage Site, you can walk through the lush Daintree Rainforest around Cape Tribulation or enjoy the serenity of the pristine beach.
Daintree is another great place to visit in Tropical North Queesland. Daintree offers beautiful rainforests and mangrove forests. You can take a boat cruise down the Daintree River and look for exotic birdlife and crocodiles.
Port Douglas is a luxurious resort town located north of Cairns. The town is renowned for its exclusive holiday resorts, expensive boutiques, and five-star restaurants. Port Douglas also has beautiful rainforests and beaches to explore.
Cairns is Tropical North Queensland’s tropical, laid-back, but modern city. Cairns began to thrive in the 1950’s and 1960’s with the success of the sugar industry. In 1984, the tourist floodgates were opened, and the tourism industry has thrived ever since. Cairns is the gateway to many exciting island excursions, rainforest safaris, and of course, Great Barrier Reef tours. However, many people journey to Cairns to enjoy its many shops, restaurants, and natural attractions.
Gulf Savannah is place of adventure with untouched bushlands, golden savannah plains and fossil sites. Gulf Savannah is rich in minerals and semi-precious stones, and is listed as a World Heritage Area for its fossil fields.
Cape York Peninsula has rugged mountains, grasslands, and rivers, all which you can explore by 4WD. Cape York Peninsula also acts as a gateway to the Torres Strait Islands, a place of interesting Aboriginal culture and history.
Darling Downs The Darling Downs are situated in Southern Queensland along the New South Wales border. The beautiful landscape of the Downs is extremely fertile agricultural ground, and many farms are scattered throughout the region. Darling Downs also has historic towns with old buildings, and hosts the only wineries in all of Queensland!
Outback The Queensland Outback starts at the Great Dividing Range and heads west to the Northern Territory and South Australian borders. Today, the Outback is easily accessible due to sealed roads and plenty of accommodation. In the Queensland Outback, you can go on 4WD tours, explore the national parks, learn about outback history, and enjoy a fishing trip.
