Stretching from the vibrant capital of Brisbane in the southeast to the untouched rainforests of Cape Tribulation, Queensland is one of Australia’s most famous tourist destinations. It’s home to the Great Barrier Reef and the iconic Gold Coast, as well as the idyllic Whitsunday Islands and the lush forests of the Daintree National Park.
On the border with New South Wales lies the Gold Coast, renowned for its endless golden beaches and legendary surf. It’s just a short hop from Brisbane where outstanding museums, galleries and green spaces await on the beautiful Brisbane River. Continue north and you’ll arrive at the Sunshine Coast, which combines its magnificent coastline with an alluring hinterland, dotted with artistic villages, national parks and Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo.
Further up the coast is Hervey Bay, gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Fraser Island (the largest sand island in the world), as well as the charismatic towns of Bundaberg and Rockhampton. At the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef scatter the Whitsunday Islands, a short boat ride from Airlie Beach, with the coral reefs and islets of this immense ecosystem stretching north past Townsville to the tourist hub of Cairns.
In the far north is Cape Tribulation, renowned for its rainforest lodges, pristine beaches and eco-tourism activities, including jungle zip-lining and hiking along the Mount Sorrow ridge trail. While the coast of Queensland sees the majority of the state’s visitors, the inland region is also worth visiting, home to quintessential Australian rural towns, fun-loving locals and a rugged beauty.