Destination overview

Sun yourself on the golden sands of Surfers Paradise, snorkel through the technicolour treasures of the Great Barrier Reef and four-wheel drive Fraser Island. Explore the magical Daintree Rainforest with an Aboriginal guide or charter a yacht to the pristine Whitsunday Islands.  Enjoy relaxation in Noosa, frolic on the beaches of the Capricorn Coast and see dinosaur footprints near Winton. Visit wineries and rodeos in the country areas of Southern Queensland and go horse riding on Townsville’s Magnetic Island. However you experience Queensland, the landscapes and lifestyle will never leave you.

Queensland, Australia - where approximately 300 sunny days a year and a year-round temperate climate are a way of life. Is it any wonder that Queenslanders are so inviting and friendly?

In this vast state you'll find an amazing variety of experiences from World Heritage listed-Rainforests, to barren and sandy deserts and from tranquil tropical islands to the bright city lights. The idyllic climate means you'll be able to enjoy outdoor sports and alfresco dining at any time of the year you visit.

Forge lasting memories when you witness unique Australian wildlife in native habitats, attempt skydiving or even follow in the footsteps of early pioneers in the Outback. Step back in time as you view Aboriginal rock art or attend a local exhibition at a regional gallery. And then there's the shopping, a favourite past-time for many. Markets, galleries, high-end boutiques and shopping centres all combine into a basket-load of shopping pleasure, so no matter whether you're looking to splurge or are bargain hunting, you'll be satisfied with the endless choices.

Get ready to set your heart pounding with an exciting Queensland experience. Hours of sunshine and year-round tropical climates cultivate the Queensland people’s love of sports and recreation. Play at some of Australia's best championship courses designed by golfing legends, or watch a professional Aussie Rules, cricket or rugby game. Or, you can always dress to impress at the horse races.

Swim year-round in mild waters or kayak along ocean coves and spot dolphins as they swim by. Why not jet-ski around an island or take an exhilarating speedboat ride – this is the Queensland way of life, and it’s not hard to get used to. And don't miss Queensland's premier sailing destinations and dive sites which are world-renowned.

In Queensland you can abseil a city cliff or mountains in the Great Dividing Range, or go four-wheel driving in remote areas and feel the exhilaration as you race the tides along Queensland beaches. Hop on a motorbike on a working cattle farm, or travel through the heart of the state by camel. You can do all of this in Queensland as it offers plenty of challenges.

Forget dusty museums and a tired exhibit, Queensland’s arts scene is prolific. With accomplished artists and internationally-recognised art galleries, Queensland is quickly establishing itself as a leading destination for the arts. This development has been years in the making - thousands, in fact. Natural rock art galleries evidence Aboriginal artists from days gone by, or you can view more recent Aboriginal works at a gallery with the largest collection in Australia. Come and experience the cultural heritage of Queensland. Museums and memorials mark historic events and people to ensure they will not be forgotten. Former island convict settlements now reflect the hardships that early Australians endured, while gold-rush eras are remembered in old photographs reminiscent of times when towns tripled in size and everyone had gold fever.

Queensland is about fun for all ages. With theme parks galore and so many beautiful places to visit, you'll never run out of things to do. Experience the thrill of rollercoasters that climb high in the sky and plummet to the ground in seconds – or if that’s something only the kids want to do, you can sit back and just watch on.

Here you can swim with dolphins, and even sharks, or hand-feed a koala. Appreciate fearsome crocodiles in safety from behind a fence or let an expert handler show you a snake. Wildlife parks offer interactive experiences, night tours and behind-the-scenes glimpses.

And as for the food scene - Queensland offers a gourmet paradise with delectable, award-winning wines, organic produce and fresh seafood. Follow a food and wine trail and you'll be sipping on a Chardonnay or rolling a Shiraz around your mouth on a grape-fuelled adventure. Wineries are often located in picturesque settings and many offer the opportunity for picnics in grassy knolls overlooking vineyard slopes.

You will experience nature at its finest in Queensland. With five World Heritage-listed areas and kilometres of ocean and natural landscapes you'll be truly amazed at the picture-perfect scenery. Queensland's preserved sites are recognised for their irreplaceable beauty. The 3,000 individual reefs and coral islands of the Great Barrier Reef harbour thousands of fish and marine creatures. While the World Heritage-listed rainforests of the Wet Tropics and Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves encompass the north and south of the State.

Large tracks of significant dinosaur and fossil sites at Riversleigh in Mt Isa are testament to a former inland sea that once dominated Queensland's Outback. Just as the giant sand dunes and perched lakes of Fraser Island depict natural wonders like no other place in the world.

Queensland has an abundance of native Australian wildlife. Watch the progression of protected humpback whales on their journey along the Queensland coast, and hold your breath while they play during the winter months. You can access this awesome spectacle from numerous points along the coast from the Gold Coast to the Whitsundays.

Spot a platypus, or maybe another shy Australian mammal on a guided nocturnal tour, or experience a mob of kangaroos in the outback. The wildlife here is simply fascinating.

Australia’s second largest state is a land of natural treasures, cosmopolitan pleasures and refreshing hospitality. With so much going on in Queensland, you definitely won't run out of things to see or do, but you may run out of time.