| Queensland is Australia's second largest state. | | | | crags. |
| Commonly called the -Sunshine State-, it boasts a | | | | - Known for being a swanky holiday resort, Noosa is |
| warm climate, tropical beaches, World Heritage | | | | one of the more sophisticated beach towns in |
| rainforests, a portion of the outback, the Great Barrier | | | | Queensland. Still offering activities like surfing, |
| Reef, cozy beach communities and Brisbane, the third | | | | horseback riding, sea-kayaking, diving and rock climbing, |
| largest city in Australia. | | | | it attracts travelers of all types and styles making for |
| Most visitors to Queensland arrive in Brisbane, as it is | | | | an enjoyable place to hang out. |
| the main gateway to this region. Brisbane is a city for | | | | Fraser Island is about 180 miles north of Brisbane. At |
| every traveler, offering an abundance of outdoor | | | | 120 km long and 15 km wide, it is one of the largest |
| activities, art galleries and museums, shopping, beaches, | | | | sand islands in the world. It is well known for its |
| fine dining and nightlife. | | | | beautiful white sand beaches, dense rainforests and |
| Here are some of the most popular attractions in | | | | over 100 fresh water lakes. Unfortunately the beaches |
| Brisbane: | | | | on Fraser Island are not safe for swimming due to |
| - South Bank is a community vibrant in arts and culture, | | | | strong undertows and tiger sharks in the area. There |
| situated on 16 hectares of waterfront property. It is full | | | | are many great swimming spots at most of the lakes |
| of outdoor markets, cafes, restaurants, walk ways | | | | including Lake McKenzie and Yankee Jack Lake. |
| and bike paths. And for those warm Aussie days, cool | | | | Just north of Fraser Island is Great Keppel Island. It's |
| off at Streets Beach by taking a dip in the swimming | | | | tropical climate and 17 km of fine, white sand beaches |
| lagoon. Home of the Queensland Art Gallery, | | | | have been attracting visitors for years. Since about 90 |
| Queensland Museum, Queensland Gallery of Modern | | | | percent of the island is covered in natural bushland, |
| Art and the Performing Arts Center it's a great | | | | there are many hiking options. Some of the many |
| destination with those who have art in their hearts. | | | | popular activities on the island include snorkeling, diving, |
| - Story Bridge: Bridge tours are available on this | | | | swimming, water skiing, and parasailing. |
| famous bridge. A guide will take you on a 2 ½ | | | | The Whitsunday Islands are described by many as |
| hour climb, almost a kilometer up the bridge, providing | | | | pure island paradise. They are made up of 74 islands, |
| stunning 360 degree views of the city, the Bunya | | | | however only 8 are inhabited. These beautiful islands |
| Mountains and the Brisbane River. | | | | are bordered by the Great Barrier Reef. Known for its |
| - Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is the world's first and | | | | spectacular sailing, scuba diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, |
| largest koala sanctuary. The Sanctuary offers | | | | golf and tennis, it's a great destination for the active |
| opportunities to get close to many different types of | | | | traveler. |
| Australian wildlife, including kangaroos, wombats, dingos, | | | | Cairns is a tropical relaxed city bordered by rainforest |
| and of course koalas! You can even experience | | | | mountain ranges on one side, and the Coral Sea on |
| holding a koala. The soft marsupial will cling to you like | | | | the other. It is the primary gateway to this area and |
| a young child; it is not your average animal! | | | | the Great Barrier Reef. |
| - Riverlife Adventure Center is a perfect way for any | | | | Here are some of the main highlights of Cairns: |
| outdoor adventurer to spend the day. Located on the | | | | - The Cairns Esplanade is an oceanfront promenade |
| edge of the Brisbane River, they offer rock climbing, | | | | full of restaurants, outside cafes, shops, waterfront |
| abseiling, kayaking, cycling and rollerblading. | | | | hotels and even a saltwater swimming lagoon. |
| - Moreton Bay Islands are just a short drive and ferry | | | | - Cairns features an abundance of adventure activities, |
| ride from Brisbane. Offering dozens of sandy islands in | | | | such as sky divining, bungee jumping, white water |
| the sheltered blue waters, Moreton Bay is a favorite | | | | rafting, and tours to the Great Barrier Reef. |
| getaway for Brisbane locals and visitors alike. Here | | | | The Great Barrier Reef is a must-see for anyone |
| you can feed the wild dolphins or make the rewarding | | | | visiting Australia. It the largest reef system in the world, |
| hike up to the summit of Mount Tempest. | | | | at more than 2,000 kilometers long. It is home to more |
| The Gold Coast is a very popular destination. In fact, it | | | | than 400 types of coral reef, fish and sea life. Take a |
| is where many Aussies go for holiday. With 70 | | | | tour by boat, plane, helicopter, or underwater |
| kilometers of sandy beaches, theme parks, restaurants | | | | observatories. To get a closer look at life on the reef, |
| and shopping, you can't go wrong. | | | | consider taking one of hundreds of snorkeling and/or |
| Here are some highlights of the Gold Coast: | | | | dive tours as it offers some of the best diving in the |
| - There are 35 beautiful beaches on the Gold Coast | | | | world. |
| boasting activities like sailing, scuba diving, snorkeling, | | | | Approximately one hour north of Cairns is the |
| speed boating, deep sea fishing, and simply enjoying | | | | sophisticated yet laid-back town of Port Douglas. Here |
| the beach. Some of the more popular ones are | | | | one can find the pristine 4 Mile Beach, many fine dining |
| Surfers Paradise, Coolangatta, Broadbeach and | | | | options, upscale boutique shops, and a variety of |
| Currumbin. | | | | oceanfront resorts and hotels. |
| - The major theme parks in this region include | | | | Kuranda is a vibrant little village hidden high in the |
| Dreamworld, Sea World, Warner Bros Movie World, | | | | rainforest and it quite famous for its markets. Making |
| Wet N Wild Water World and Currumbin Wildlife | | | | your way to Kuranda can be even more fun than the |
| Sanctuary. These parks are a wonderful way to bring | | | | actual visit. The two main options are: |
| out the kid in you! | | | | - Scenic Railway departs from Cairns, going through 15 |
| - The Gold Coast is home to some of Australia's best | | | | tunnels and over more than 30 bridges. |
| National Parks and Rainforests. Lamington National | | | | - Skyrail Rainforest Cableway runs between |
| Park is where you will find Australia's largest | | | | Caravonica to Kuranda, above the Barron Gorge |
| preserved subtropical rainforest. If you visit Lamington, | | | | National Park. |
| make sure to try the Tree Top Walk. It is an elevated | | | | Cape Tribulation is the most northern settlement in |
| track, 15 meters above the rainforest floor made up of | | | | Queensland. It is a beautiful, small village in the |
| 9 suspension bridges. This park also has many walking | | | | rainforest, where the rainforest literally meets the reef! |
| and hiking trails, and picnic areas complete with bbq's. | | | | Daintree Rainforest is the largest rainforest in Australia |
| - Also in this area are Springbrook National Park and | | | | and is over 135 million years old. It also has the largest |
| Tamborine Mountain. Both have a plethora of gorges | | | | and most diverse range of plants and animals on earth. |
| cascading water, interesting native flora and fauna and | | | | For visitors, it features hiking trails, camp sites, picnic |
| scenic walking trails. | | | | tables, swimming holes and beaches. Guided tours are |
| The Sunshine Coast is located just 1 hour north of | | | | available, including river tours on the Daintree River. |
| Brisbane. It is known for its 100 kilometers of gorgeous | | | | Look for our series of articles on the five other states |
| beaches and quaint villages. It is also home to the | | | | of Australia including Victoria, New South Wales, |
| internationally renowned Australia Zoo. | | | | Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia, and |
| Here are some highlights of the Sunshine Coast: | | | | its mainland territory, Northern Territory. |
| - Reaching into the sky at 500m, the Glass House | | | | Contact a Professional Travel Agent today to book |
| Mountains offer an array of hiking trails for all levels, | | | | your dream vacation to Australia! |
| picnic areas and amazing lookouts of the 16 volcanic | | | | |