Queensland Top Ten

There’s a lot to get inspired about in Australia’s Sunshine State. From the Gold Coast to Cape York, Queensland‘s coast extends a dizzying 4,300 miles. It’s hardly surprising that it’s known for its beaches and laidback lifestyle, but that’s only scratching the surface of a state where the experiences are as diverse as the landscapes.

The coastline is peppered with resort towns and offshore islands including the largest sand island in the world, K’gari (formerly Fraser Island). The hinterland is lush green and wildlife rich. Venturing into Tropical North Queensland brings natural wonders galore in the form of one of the world’s oldest rainforests, the Daintree, and the world’s largest living organism, the unmissable Great Barrier Reef.

From icons to off-the-beaten-track gems, we’ve pulled together our top experiences that’ll have you reaching for your passport.

Australia’s icons don’t get bigger than this. Spanning much of the Queensland coast over 1400 miles and around 133,000 sq. miles, the Great Barrier Reef is a World Heritage Site of epic proportions. It’s the world’s largest coral reef system and is home to thousands of species of technicoloured fish, corals and molluscs. Turtles nest on coral cays, huge seabird colonies stake out the sands, humpback whales frolic in sheltered lagoons, and endangered dugongs find sanctuary in seagrass meadows.

With over 2,900 reefs it’s a haven for diving and snorkelling, though there are other ways to explore. Day boat trips particularly from Cairns and Port Douglas offer the chance to delve into this vibrant and mesmerising underwater world.

Aussie Travel Specialist, Lauren, made it a mission to witness the reef in all its glory without getting her feet wet, venturing by catamaran to an outer reef pontoon where a host of experiences were possible.

“I’ve snorkelled on the GBR previously, but on my last visit I preferred to opt for alternative ways to experience the reef. First off, a semi-submersible provided an underwater perspective where I delightedly watched brightly coloured fish darting in and out of the coral and marvelled at giant clams and huge table coral embedded in the ocean floor. I caught a glimpse of the vibrant reef which is so often only seen in photographs. It’s a true underwater forest!

Then after lunch I boarded a helicopter for an aerial perspective of the reef where astonishing sights awaited me. With cerulean hues beyond and below, the coral beneath was vast and took my breath away. Reef sharks could be seen gliding through the ocean and with the sunlight glistening off the water, this natural wonder was a sight to behold. The overall experience was one of the best I have ever had.”.

The ancient rainforest of the Daintree is an absolute must-visit of Tropical North Queensland. It is pure nature on an epic scale spanning 460 sq. miles and little has changed in the past 180 million years. At Cape Tribulation the two natural wonders of the reef and rainforest meet. It’s the only place in the world where two UNESCO World Heritage areas come together.

Wildlife in the Daintree is both big and beautiful. Here you’ll find crocodiles but also abundant butterflies. Plus, cassowaries, Lumhotz’s tree kangaroos, platypus and a multitude of birds among others.

There’s something infinitely fascinating about crocodiles, prehistoric predators that are more than a touch thrilling. A Daintree River cruise is the best way to encounter the region’s ‘salties’ as they bask on mudbanks and glide through the water.

By contrast, unexpected magic moments may come from seeing the colourful, delicate butterflies that call the Daintree home, such as the electric-blue winged Ulysses butterfly, magnificent against the green of the rainforest. A River Drift experience down the Mossman River might provide just such a moment and is an exhilarating way to explore the rainforest. Total immersion in the sights and sounds of this lush green environment.

Daintree National Park is also the perfect place to connect with the region’s Indigenous culture. A visit to Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre is one way to engage with the Kuku Yalanji people, the traditional custodians.

Inland from Cairns, the sprawling Atherton Tablelands are a haven of rainforest, rolling hills, cascading rivers, serene lakes and striking waterfalls, like picture-perfect Millaa Millaa. An oasis of calm away from the buzz of the city, the Tablelands make a great setting for a mini-road trip and segue nicely with Mareeba Tropical Savannah Wetlands Reserve. Renowned for its prolific birdlife, meander along walking trails in search of jabirus, black swans, pelicans, egrets, ibis, cormorants and darters.

Perhaps the best way to experience the Tablelands is from above. Watching a miniature world awaken on a sunrise hot air balloon flight is one of life’s understated pleasures as Liz, our Head of Product, recalls.

“An early wake-up call, nervous anticipation, the roar of the propane burners breathing fire into the darkness… Before long we were airborne, floating serenely into the dawn as the sun rose above the horizon. We even spotted a mob of tiny kangaroos bounding over the plain, far, far below! What a magical way to start the day.”

You can’t get too much reef and beach exposure on a visit to Queensland and the white sand and turquoise waters of The Whitsundays offer a quintessential dose of both. Sitting off Airlie Beach, some 400 miles south of Cairns, these idyllic islands offer a little slice of heaven. Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island is the standout landmark of this tropical archipelago – over four miles of pristine white sand framed by crystal-clear, aquamarine water and verdant, green bush. It is, arguably, one of the most beautiful sights in Australia. Stand on the lookout at Hill Inlet and judge for yourself.

Day cruises and scenic flights from Airlie Beach are easy ways to explore – The Whitsundays from the air revealing another striking landmark in Heart Reef – but to really immerse yourself in this paradise setting, spend a few nights at one of the resort properties on Hamilton Island or go all in with a night at ReefSleep. A pontoon moored at Hardy Reef, Liz, found this to be “undoubtedly one of the most incredible places I’ve ever spent the night.”

“Surrounded by the ocean on all sides we were treated to the most spectacular sunset. After a hearty dinner I climbed into my ReefSleep swag – a cleverly designed tented bed on the upper deck of the pontoon. I gazed up at the vast canopy of stars above while the soft sound of the sea lulled me to sleep.”

Read Liz’s full experience of exploring the Whitsundays >

There is something special about visiting this sand island off the Fraser Coast. It’s a place that lingers long in the memory from the bumpy sand highway that is 75-Mile Beach to the tranquil calm of Lake MacKenzie, the atmospheric beauty of Eli Creek to the rock pools of Champagne Falls. Then there’s the ubiquitous photo op at Maheno Shipwreck.

76 miles long and only 14 miles at its widest point, rolling sand dunes blend with rainforest and colourful lakes. With no sealed roads, K’gari is an island to be explored by 4WD and a permit, making guided tours a good option. Swim in the lakes (ocean swims are ill-advised here), float down creeks, hike on the dunes and along forest trails and be on the lookout for dingoes.

Lauren was certainly captivated by its beauty. “My experience consisted of drives along the beach and inland 4WD tracks, swimming in the pristine lakes and meeting the dingoes (from afar). The true highlight for me was standing atop of Indian Rock and seeing the outline of sharks below cruising through the waters”.

Over 29 different species of whale can be found in Australian waters but it’s humpback whales that shine off the coast of Hervey Bay from July to November. Well-regarded as the top spot for whale watching in the country, the sheltered waters between Hervey Bay and K’gari provide ideal conditions for nursing humpbacks seeking warmer waters during the Antarctic winter.

Hervey Bay is known as one of the jump-off points for K’gari, but it’s also the world’s first whale heritage site offering some of the best encounters with humpback whales as thousands of these ocean giants congregate.

“I still vividly remember my first whale watching trip from Hervey Bay, over 25 years later” recalls Liz. “We were in a small boat, surrounded by curious humpbacks gliding underneath us then surfacing to breach nearby. It was absolutely breathtaking to see, hear and smell these incredible ocean giants so close.”

And it’s not only whales that enjoy Hervey Bay’s safe sheltered waters. It’s a year-round aquatic paradise perfect for swimming, diving, sailing, water sports and fishing. Dotted along the Hervey Bay Esplanade are cosmopolitan and alfresco cafes, shops, parklands, and a vibrant marina adding to the relaxed, holiday vibe.

Queensland’s Sunshine Coast delivers the iconic beach life that Australia is known for. An hour north of Brisbane, you’ll find laid-back resort towns, where the weather is warm and surf rolls on to golden sand beaches.

Among the most well-known visitor spots, Noosa is a lively seaside town with several sandy beaches and a lovely national park boasting coastal and bush trails where you might spot koalas. This is a place to kick-back, enjoying gentle walks, hanging out at the beach or wandering along the shops and cafes of Hastings Street.

The wider area is intersected by canals and rivers, with the dunes and lagoons of Great Sandy National Park and the Noosa Everglades to the north – one of only two on the planet!

However, the Sunshine Coast is more than just beaches and sand dunes. Heading south-west brings you to the Sunshine Coast Hinterland somewhere Liz highly recommends. “Tear yourself away from the beach and head into the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. Explore the colourful little towns of Maleny and Montville, and don’t forget to sample the amazing Maleny Cheese!”

Add an urban beat to your Queensland adventure with a few days in sunny Brisbane. The state’s capital has a creative and relaxed vibe, with a balmy climate that lends itself to outdoor living. Eating al-fresco is virtually obligatory with everything from high-end dining to street food. Take in the views from a rooftop bar, drop into QAGOMA – the Queensland Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art – and uncover hidden gems.

Among the city’s must-dos, stroll along the Riverwalk connecting the trendy suburb of New Farm with the city, grab a bite riverside at Howard Smith Wharves, paddle along the Brisbane River and brave the Story Bridge Climb. As Liz notes, “even if, like me, you don’t have a head for heights, the Story Bridge Climb is a great way to enjoy a different perspective over the Brisbane River and the city beyond. Nearby Mr Percival’s is the perfect spot for a celebratory post-climb drink.”

Birds are a big deal in Queensland. And when we say ‘big’ we mean it. Averaging 5′ 7″, cassowaries are the dino-bird of Tropical North Queensland. These flightless giants similar in size to emus are native to northeastern Australia and New Guinea. They have a formidable reputation and claws to match – don’t corner a cassowary – but they are largely solitary creatures. Roaming the rainforests around Daintree, Cape Tribulation and the beaches of the Cassowary Coast, be on the lookout for these distinctive big birds with the colourful neck and casque atop the head.

Birdlife in Queensland is also diverse. Nearly 700 species can be found in the state in a kaleidoscope of colour from the blue-winged kookaburra to the regent bowerbird, rainbow lorikeets to pink cockatoos. Include a stay at a secluded resort such as Rose Gums Wilderness Retreat in the Atherton Tablelands, where beautiful timber treehouses are located amidst 230 acres of private tropical forest offering an unforgettable bush experience. There’s plenty of opportunity to see some of the area’s 160 species of birds as well as musky rat-kangaroos, platypus, possums and other wildlife.

As Lauren puts it, “a stay at Rose Gums Wilderness Retreat is a real immersion into the rainforest around you. The incredible sound of birds in the morning is the perfect alarm-clock and I loved starting my day with a walk on the lookout for local wildlife”.

To feel a deeper connection to Queensland’s nature we highly recommend building in a stay at an eco-lodge into your adventure. Combing exceptional locations with comfort and authentic experiences, you’ll be immersed in your surroundings and perhaps add a touch of indulgence.

From simple glamping resorts like Habitat Noosa Everglades Ecocamp to unique and boutique properties such as Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa, there are a range of options.

One of our favourites is among Australia’s premier luxury lodges. Silky Oaks Lodge offers a unique way to experience Queensland’s tropical north. Spectacularly situated on the Mossman River, this eco luxury lodge is the ideal location to appreciate your tropical surrounds staying in one of the indulgent treehouses.

Travel Specialist, Eric found the experience unforgettable. “Silky Oaks offered exceptional food and genuinely warm, attentive service. One of my favourite moments was swimming in the clear water of the Mossman River at the bottom of the resort before heading out on a day exploring the Daintree Rainforest. An incredible way to start the day, surrounded by nature”.

Feeling inspired?

If you’d like to start planning your own tailor-made Queensland journey, browse our suggested itineraries, call us on 01737 214 250, or send an enquiry to our Aussie travel specialists to start discussing your options.