Queensland Travel Guide

Whitsunday Islands

This group of roughly 160 beautiful tropical islands lies off the north-eastern coast of Queensland and is today one of the greatest tourist attractions in Australia, drawing more than 600,000 visitors a year. This aquatic playground lies 95 miles (150km) north of Mackay and 190 miles (300km) south of Townsville, which offer easy access to the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef. Holidaymakers flock to the adjacent mainland and island resorts to enjoy sailing, diving, exploring the reefs, or simply relaxing on thousands of sandy beaches. Seventy percent of the region has been declared a national or marine park. The main town in the area is the cosmopolitan resort village of Airlie Beach on the mainland that has a plethora of tour offices offering trips to the Whitsundays.

Fraser Island

This is the world's largest sand island, situated a two-hour drive north of Brisbane, which provides a unique ecological system of giant dunes, forests, streams and freshwater lakes. In 1993 it was placed on the World Heritage List and draws visitors wishing to explore the unique elevated lakes (there are more than 200 of them) which contain pure, acidic water that are so low in nutrients that few fish survive in them. The island, well covered in vegetation, is inhabited by bats, dingoes and more than 350 species of birds. It also features giant satinay trees that stand 60 meters high as well as several other rare and ancient botanical species. The island is 75 miles (120km) long and about 9 miles (15km) wide and can be explored on walking trails or by four-wheel drive. Accommodation is plentiful on the island in ecologically sensitive resorts.

Bowling Green Bay National Park

About a six hours drive south of Cairns lies Bowling Green Bay National Park. Covering 55,300 hectares, this is the largest National Park in the region, an area once home to the Wulgurukaba Aboriginal people who have left their mark in beautiful rock paintings. Bowling Green Bay National Park is sited between Townsville and Bowen and includes the Mount Elliot area and adjacent coastal wetlands, saltpans and mangrove swamps. Alligator Creek meanders through the park, with beautiful waterfalls and cascades crashing into deep pools, surrounded by tropical rainforest.

Magnetic Island

Magnetic Island was named by Captain James Cook in 1770 when he believed that the landmass of the island affected the magnetic compass on his ship, 'Endeavour'. More than half of the island, which is about five miles (8km) from Townsville, is a National Park known for its rugged landscape with granite boulders, hoop pines and eucalyptus trees. The island has 23 beaches and bays, some of which can only be reached on foot. There are more than 12 miles (20km) of walking trails marked out on the island. Part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park fringes the island, which is also home to the most northerly colony of free-ranging koala bears in Australia. The island offers a wide range of accommodation. Local transport is available on the island.

Hartley's Creek

This working crocodile farm is to be found on the magnificent coastal drive 25 miles (40km) north of Cairns. 'Hartley's Crocodile Adventures' is reputedly the best crocodile show in Australia, but the farm, sited under a lush rainforest canopy, hosts other wildlife too such as cassowaries, dingoes, snakes, koalas and lizards. It is the 'Crocodile Attack Show' however that draws the crowds who are enthralled as keepers hand feed the creatures and relate fascinating facts. High quality crocodile leather goods are also on sale.

Museum of Tropical Queensland

This fun museum is interactive and state of the art, designed to tell stories of the high seas like that of HMS Pandora, the ship that captured the Bounty mutineers before coming to grief on the Great Barrier Reef in 1791. The museum also details the natural and human history of tropical Queensland, and there is a fun science center included. The building is set on the water and includes a shop and cafe.

Quilpie Opals

Australia is known for producing the world's finest opals, with 95 percent of the world's production of these gems originating from rich mineral deposits in New South Wales, South Australia, and Quilpie in Western Queensland. Quilpie Opals has opened a retail store in Cairns, which also serves as an educational venue for visitors wishing to learn about the Australian national gemstone. The shop, which offers a vast selection of opal jewelry as well as souvenirs, also has a mini-theater where visitors can watch an informative video on opal mining, cutting and polishing.

Tamborine Mountain

Tamborine Mountain is inland from the Gold Coast, about 21 miles (34km) northwest of Nerang and about 40 miles (62km) from Brisbane. It is a popular scenic drive destination, as the area includes seven national parks featuring a variety of sub-tropical rainforest. Mount Tamborine itself rises 1,837ft (560m) above sea level. The main Tamborine National Park covers a large section of the mountain offering walking trails through abundant rainforest and past waterfalls, with excellent picnic facilities. There are numerous art and craft galleries in the area, several restaurants and two wineries.

Wet 'n Wild Water World

This premier water theme park was recently voted Brisbane's best tourist attraction. Sited at Oxenford on the Pacific Highway in 20 acres of tropical parkland it incorporates a wave pool, children's pool, speed slide, toboggan ride and a variety of twisting slides - all supervised by fully qualified lifeguards and with the water heated year round. There are also barbecue and picnic facilities in the park, as well as a cafe and souvenir shop.

The Esplanade

The recently renovated Cairns Esplanade is the hub for visitors to the city, providing an entertaining promenade with numerous recreational opportunities, lined with a host of restaurants, bars and cafes. Apart from a safe, sandy swimming lagoon and vast lawns used for all sorts of purposes from picnics and barbecues to kite flying, the Esplanade features wonderful Saturday arts and crafts markets, spiced up by buskers and colorful street characters. There is never a dull moment on this lively foreshore.

Skyrail

The most popular tourist attraction in Cairns is the Skyrail rainforest cableway, which travels nearly five miles (7.5km) from the Caravonica Terminal, the gondolas gliding above the canopy of the rainforest over magnificent waterfalls and gorges, to the village of Kuranda. En route passengers can alight temporarily at two stations to explore the boardwalks that have been constructed in the heart of the forest. Interpretative centers have been set up so visitors can learn about the ecology, fauna and flora of the fascinating ancient rainforest. The return journey takes about two and a half hours, and the gondolas seat up to six people. Booking in advance is advisable.

Cairns Tropical Zoo

Hundreds of indigenous and exotic species of animals have been gathered in the Cairns Tropical Zoo to delight young and old, who can explore six hectares of tropical landscaped gardens and interact with the animals. Pet a koala or stroke a snake, and meet (not too close in this case) the largest living crocodile in the world, 'Sarge', who has lived in the park for more than 20 years. The zoo is dedicated to engendering a greater understanding of the wildlife of the area and promoting the preservation of their natural habitats.

Kuranda Railway

The 100-year-old Kuranda rail line stretches upwards for 21 miles (34km) from Cairns to Kuranda through tropical rainforest, winds through 15 tunnels and 98 breathtaking curves, and traverses 40 bridges, including one that spans the awesome Barron River Falls. The scenic trip is a must for all visitors to Cairns. The trip includes an educational commentary about the history of the line and the engineering feat of its construction. The journey takes about one hour, 45 minutes, one way. Advance booking is recommended.

Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park

The name 'Tjapukai' means 'people of the rainforest' and applies to the indigenous people who have inhabited the tropical region between Cairns and Port Douglas, and inland to Kuranda, for eons. About 20 years ago a group of entertainers established Australia's first aboriginal dance theater at the village of Kuranda, near Cairns, in a shopping center basement. Its popularity with tourists led to expansion into a fully-fledged award-winning 25-acre Cultural Park, which now draws the crowds at Smithfield, a few miles north of the city. Show business, in the form of history and dance theater, remains the basis of the attraction, and at the Camp Village visitors can interact with the Tjapukai and try out traditional activities like playing the didgeridoo and throwing a boomerang. The park also offers a nighttime show experience where the audience is swept up into the ancient rituals and ceremonies of the 'Dreamtime', including a dinner banquet of local food and wine.

Paronella Park

Magical Paronella Park was the imaginative brainchild of a young entrepreneur, Jose Paronella, who built his dream castle on this site near Mena Creek, about 75 miles (120km) south of Cairns, in 1929. Since then the castle has come to be regarded as an architectural marvel, today a top tourist attraction, which has been used as a set for several movies. The picturesque grounds, overlooking Mena Creek Falls, feature interesting forest walks, bamboo gardens, a secret garden and 'tunnel of love'. Cultural performances and guided walks are offered to visitors as part of the admission price. In 1997, Paronella Park was recognized as a historical treasure and listed by the National Trust.

Wet Tropics of Queensland

The Wet Tropics of Queensland is the oldest tropical rainforest still surviving on Earth and a World Heritage listed site containing the highest number of rare or threatened plant and animal species on the planet, as well as 13 different trypes of rainforest and 29 species of mangrove. Among the national parks included in the Wet Tropics are Barron Gorge National Park, Black Mountain National Park, Cedar Bay National Park, Daintree National Park, Girringun National Park and Wooroonooran National Park.

This unique area covers around 1,200 km of northern Queensland, and is visited by thousands of tourists who access it usually from Cairns, via Daintree Village. Visitors enjoy an unrivalled natural experience, from the beautiful golden beaches to hiking through ancient forest ecosystems full of gorgeous birds, primitive flowering plants, and fascinating animals like the estuarine crocodile.

Great Barrier Reef

One of the great natural wonders of the world, the Great Barrier Reef is as big as the total combined area of the United Kingdom and Ireland, and contains more than 1,000 islands, from sandy mounts to rainforest isles. Divers, snorkelers and nature lovers can reach specific sites by air or by water taxi. Non-divers can view this underwater world from a glass-bottomed boat. The Reef ecosystem has evolved over hundreds of thousands of years to give life to almost 7,000 species of plants and animals. It is home to some endangered species like the green loggerhead turtle, and is a breeding site for humpback whales. Visitors can either cruise the islands or make a base in Cairns or one of the many seaside towns along the Queensland coast. Visitors can access the Great Barrier Reef from numerous regions in Queensland, from the southern gateway of Bundaberg, Coral Coast and Country to Gladstone, Capricorn, the Whitsundays, Mackay, Townsville and Tropical North Queensland, including Cairns.

The Gabba

Named after the suburb of Woolloongabba in which it is located, and with a seating capacity of 42,000, the famous Gabba Cricket Ground is just a short bus ride from the city of Brisbane. Visitors can check out locals, the Queensland Bulls Cricket team or the Brisbane Lions Australian Rules football team, depending on when you choose to visit. Over the years The Gabba has hosted athletics, Australian rules football, baseball, concerts, cricket, cycling, rugby league, rugby union, soccer and pony and greyhound races. Those lucky enough to catch an international cricket match are ensured a great day out!

Queensland Maritime Museum

Located on the southern bank of the Brisbane River, the Queensland Maritime Museum was founded in 1971 and contains two exhibition buildings displaying historic sailing ships, tankers and cruise liners. It also includes a library, which exhibits documents, photographs and other artifacts relating to maritime history. Information is also provided on the 1,500 plus shipwrecks that have occurred along the Queensland coast, including the Great Barrier Reef.

Cape Tribulation

Located within the Daintree National Park and the Wet Tropics area of Queensland, the pristine and picturesque destination of Cape Tribulation is well worth a visit while traveling through Queensland. With the Great Barrier Reef just a short boat ride away, the oldest tropical rainforest on earth on your doorstep just waiting to be explored, spectacular beaches on which to stroll, world-class snorkeling, kayaking, jungle surfing, horseback adventures and the chance to spot the endangered cassowary, a large flightless bird, there is so much to see and do on a trip to Cape Tribulation.

Explore the rainforest from the treetops or horseback, take a cruise on the crystalline turquoise waters, relax on a river cruise and spot one of Australia's most famous predators, the crocodile, or simply relax and enjoy the breathtaking scenery that abounds. Accommodation such as resorts, self catering homes, bed and breakfast and camping facilities are available

The Strand

This 1.3-mile (2.2km) long tropical beach and palm tree-dotted promenade is one of Townsville's most popular attractions. Visitors can take a leisurely stroll, enjoy the scenery from their bicycles, take a dip at one of the safe swimming beaches or enjoy a picnic overlooking the ocean at one of the many designated picnic areas in the gardens. Families traveling with their children in tow can visit the nearby water park, while the trendy restaurants and bars that line the strip make a wonderfully romantic and picturesque setting at any time of day with views stretching out over Magnetic Island. The fourth Friday of each month also sees Strand Park used for night markets - a great place to pick up some unique souvenirs such as Aboriginal arts and crafts and boomerangs.

Riverway

This riverfront parkland that stretches along 6.8 miles (11km) of the Ross River with nodes at Pioneer Park, Loam Island, Apex Park and the Ross River Dam. It has fast become one of Townsville's most popular tourist attractions. Pioneer Park is where visitors can enjoy activities such as sport, entertainment, performing arts, visual arts, swimming in the two huge lagoons, dining and shopping at the village precinct and even picnicking and barbecuing along the picturesque shores of the Ross River.

Riversleigh

Australia's most famous fossil site, Riversleigh in north west Queensland is a World Heritage Site and is an extension of the Lawn Hill National Park. It contains the fossil remains of ancient mammals, birds and reptiles of Oligocene and Miocene age, which were found in limestone by freshwater pools, and in caves during the period when the surrounding ecosystem was evolving from rainforest to semi-arid grassland. Most of what is known about the evolution of Australian mammals in the last 30-million years comes from bones found at a single site in the Riversleigh fossil beds, half of which were unearthed in one hour. Species such as primitive koalas and wombats, huge crocodile and large, flightless birds and a range of ancestral thylacines (Tasmanian tigers) were discovered in Riversleigh.

Reef HQ Aquarium

The largest living coral reef aquarium, the Reef HQ Aquarium was built as part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. Featuring 130 species of coral, 120 species of fish and plenty of star fish, sea urchins, sponges and sea cucumbers, Reef HQ also features a predator exhibit, a children's section, a gift shop and café to enjoy. A trip to the Reef HQ Aquarium is a must for all visitors who plan on taking a reef dive at the Great Barrier Reef to learn more about the species of marine life they might encounter while on their dive.

Wildlife dome

This spectacular attraction is enclosed by a 65-foot (20m) high glass dome on top of Cairns' iconic Reef Hotel Casino and features exhibits and shows of some of Australia's most exotic and fascinating animals. Here visitors can learn more about these exotic creatures and is a fabulous introduction to the Wet Tropics Rainforest area around Cairns, preparing visitors for all the close-up encounters they may have with the indigenous wildlife. In this rainforest environment visitors can experience the thrill of birds such as parrots, cockatoos, lorikeets, doves and rosellas swooping freely overhead and come face-to-face with the adorable rainforest wallabies.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

The world's oldest and largest koala sanctuary, the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is home to more than just the cute and cuddly koala, but also to kangaroos, Tasmanian devils, wombats, echidnas and various species of reptiles as well as Australian parrots, cockatoos, kookaburras and cassowaries. Lucky visitors are actually able to handle the koalas here (for a fee) making this the only sanctuary in the world where this is possible - a dream come true for many. Feeding and petting is also permitted and is completely monitored, making this an ideal activity for families traveling with small children.

South Bank

The South Bank is a central Brisbane district packed with world class attractions and experiences for visitors. It attracts more than nine million people each year mostly to the South Bank Parklands, which were established on the former site of World Expo 88. The Parklands contain Australia's only man-made beach and lagoon, right in the heart of the City, known as South Bank Beach. There is also rainforest walks, picnic and barbecue areas and water features. One of Brisbane's most popular tourist attractions, South Bank is also home to the Queensland Cultural Center, which includes Queensland Museum, Queensland Art Gallery, the State Library of Queensland, the Greater Union Hoyt's South Bank Cinemas and the Queensland Performing Arts Center which all line the Brisbane River proudly. Shoppers and fashion lovers will enjoy Little Stanley Street where all the latest in fashion can be picked up from the boutiques and retails stores lining the strip. The South Bank Art and Craft Markets takes place every Friday night, as well as every Saturday and Sunday during the day. Visitors should head to the South Bank Visitors Center which provides information on current events; from cultural activities to accommodation options, to event information and details regarding restaurant and bar facilities.

Story Bridge

One of the oldest bridges in Australia, the Story Bridge is a 3,517-foot (1,072m) long cantilevered bridge which spans the Brisbane River, connecting Fortitude Valley to Kangaroo Point. Brave visitors who are certain they don't suffer from vertigo can climb to the top of the bridge and be rewarded with breathtaking views over Brisbane's cityscape. One of only three bridge climbs in the world, the Story Bridge is well worth a visit for those traveling through Brisbane.

Gondwana Rainforests of Australia

Formerly known as the Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves, the Gondwana Rainforests are so-named as the fossil records show that when Gondwana existed it was covered by the same kind of rainforests, which as are the most extensive area of subtropical rainforest in the world. Gondwana was a southern supercontinent that existed approximately 550 million years ago, about 250 million years before Pangaea. The reserve includes 50 national parks which include Lamington National Park, Mount Chinghee National Park, Springbrook National Park, Mount Barney National Park and Main Range National Park, amongst many others that lie on the New South Wales side of Queensland. There are very few places on earth that contain so many plants and animals which remain fairly unchanged from their fossil records.

Australia Zoo

Owned by Terri Irwin, the widow of the famous Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, the 40-year-old Australia Zoo won the Australian Tourism Awards for 2003-2004 in the category Major Tourist Attraction. Combining conservation and education, Australia Zoo offers its visitors an unforgettable and unique experience where they can hug a koala, hand-feed Asian Elephants, stroll with a Sumatran Tiger and marvel at the sheer size of the crocodiles launching from the water's edge. Featuring a wonderful variety of exotic and indigenous animals including dingoes, elephants, lemurs, otters, giraffe, exotic parrots, raptors and, of course, a fantastic display of crocodiles, tortoises and snakes.

Hamilton Island

The most developed of the Whitsundays, the privately owned Hamilton Island is also the most populated, boasting some of the most valuable real estate in Australia, and when you take a look at the breathtaking scenery and views, it's not surprising! With the Great Barrier Reef a short boat ride away, pristine and unspoiled surroundings and world-class accommodation and dining opportunities, Hamilton Island makes a great day or overnight trip for visitors to the Whitsundays. During peak season, September to January, it can become extremely busy, so if you're looking for a quiet retreat from the noisy crowds, come another time. Stroll around Marina Village window shopping and stop for a bite to eat, catch a golf buggy to the 'northern end' or simply relax on Catseye Beach and soak up the sun.

Whitehaven Beach

Whitsunday Island is a popular tourist resort island for both day and overnight visitors and is the largest and most popular island of the Whitsundays. Most famous for its 2.8 mile (4.5km) stretch of pristine sugary white sandy beach known as Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island's beauty is unbridled. Featuring the purest sand in the world (98% silica) the American government considered mining the sand from Whitehaven Beach for military purposes in the 1960s but, thankfully, this never happened and the beach is now protected under the national park. Many boats dock here daily bringing thousands of tourists to explore one of the most famous beaches in the world. Tongue Point features a wooden trail which stretches up to a lookout point over Whitehaven Beach - the ideal location for that picture-perfect postcard shot!

Airlie Beach

The gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and Whitsunday Islands, Airlie Beach is a small town in the Whitsunday region and is a fabulous place to enjoy the day and soak up all there is in this idyllic setting. With a great variety of activities to enjoy such as snorkeling, fishing, crocodile safaris and scenic flights of Whitehaven Beach, there's plenty to see and do in this laid-back and picturesque town. The vibe is simply electric with vacationers lining the streets, beer gardens overflowing and bars and clubs pumping until the wee hours. Travelers should be aware that the Irukandji jellyfish, which pack a powerful sting, pose a major threat to swimmers during the months of November to May when they abound in the water, but a medium sized swimming lagoon on the foreshore is the perfect place to cool off on a hot summer's day.

Sea World

One of Queensland's most popular attractions for visitors of all ages and an absolute must while on vacation with the kids in Brisbane, Sea World offers marine attractions, rides, shows and much more. Check out the ocean's most fearsome predator at Shark Bay, get up close and personal with Australia's only polar bears at Polar Bear Shores or check out the Fairy penguins in their -well - penguin suits, before taking a stroll through the Sea World Aquarium to discover Australia's exotic marine life. More adventurous visitors can climb aboard the Jet Rescue rollercoaster ride where kids can take an exciting journey to rescue the precious marine life - an exhilarating ride for kids of all ages.