Queensland - the red hot outback, the lush green rainforests, the golden beaches, the cool blue coast and sunshine, the living kaleidoscope of the Great Barrier Reef, and of course, the colourful towns and people. Queensland is big, bold, bright and beautiful, and without a doubt, it is the holiday capital of Australia. Stretching for more than 2000 kilometres, Queensland's east coast comprises the famous rainforests, beaches, bays, islands and the states most famous attraction, the Great Barrier Reef. Another of the state's greatest attractions is its wonderful climate. It's a land of long warm summers and short cool winters. With a typical subtropical to tropical climate, the seasons are not as distinctive as in the cooler climates of Australia's southern States.
Famous for its great weather and exciting events and cultural scene, Brisbane has a sophisticated, warm and friendly charm that will more than surprise. As Queensland's vibrant Capital City, Brisbane offers the very best in food, wine, arts entertainment and major sporting events with relaxed sub-tropical flair. Brisbane is also centre of a region rich in world class beach, river, rainforest and mountain experiences. Just one hour's drive from the intoxicating delights of the sub-tropical cityscape, you will discover the lush country hinterland, mountains and forests of South East Queensland Country or bask in the azure blue waters and white sandy beaches of the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast. Brisbane's own nearby aquatic playground, Moreton Bay and Islands, is the perfect place to explore or indulge in your favourite water sport.
The Coast with the Most! With gold sand beaches, action packed theme parks, wildlife sanctuaries, championship golf courses, fabulous shopping and rainforest hinterland, it really is the coast with the most! Located just an hour from Brisbane - it's a must destination for an overseas traveller. The Gold Coast is a holiday destination of wonderful contrasts - from the sophistication of Main Beach, the glamour of Surfers Paradise, action packed theme parks and wildlife sanctuaries to championship golf courses, fabulous shopping and rainforest wonderland right at the back door! The Gold Coast is Australia's theme park capital. A sweeping 70 kilometre coastline offers some 35 patrolled beaches that are among the best in the world. The beach front esplanades of vibrant centres like Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, Burleigh Heads, Palm Beach and Coolangatta, invite you to sit back, relax and soak up the fun and holiday atmosphere. There is more to Gold Coast than beachers and nightlife. Follow the road inland from the Gold Coast's beaches and a magical world unfolds. A world of tropical rainforests, mountain villages, and other hidden treasures that are all part of the Gold Coast Hinterland - the green behind the gold.
The Gold Coast offers accommodation to suit every budget, with a collection of luxury hotels, rainforest retreats, and apartments. There is a great variety of tours, and be sure to check out most popular ones at this site.
The Sunshine Coast boasts kilometre after kilometre of stunning beaches, crystal clear water and beautiful white sands. From Caloundra in the south to Fraser Island in the north, there's a spot to suit every taste - quiet north-facing beaches with gentle surf for families, through to famous surf beaches that attract board riders from around the world. Of course, not everyone enjoys non-stop sun, surf and sand. But on the Sunshine Coast, you'll find plenty of great ways to relax which don't entail getting wet, including the magnificent hinterland area with its arts and crafts trails, cosy bed & breakfasts, beautiful nature walks and awe-inspiring views. There's something for everyone on the Sunshine Coast. Close by is Noosa, one of Australia's best-loved resort towns. High above the surf and sand is the magnificent Blackall Range. There is a famous Australia Zoo - where you could get up close and personal with Australian reptiles. Most popular for its resorts tailoring for families. Be sure to visit Fraiser Island - located just off the coast from Hervey Bay, World Heritage listed Fraser Island will leave you feeling charmed and captivated. Spanning 124 kilometres and covering an area of 163 000 hectares, Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world and the only place on the planet where rainforest grows from sand. An ecological masterpiece of giant sand dunes, rainforests, streams and perched fresh water lakes, Fraser is a nature lover's dream. Its Aboriginal name "K'Gari" appropriately means paradise.
The Whitsunday region is one of nature's most remarkable gifts as it has been blessed with the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef along with many tropical islands and golden beaches including the famous Whitehaven Beach, regarded as one of the best beaches in the world. Ideal for swimming, its pure white sands slope to clear, warm, blue water, shallow and calm enough for snorkelling amid fishes and rays. For visitors this means that plenty of activities abound from beach games at island resorts and championship golf courses with a view, to the buzzing nightlife in the coastal town of Airlie Beach. Choose to sail in the calm waters, water ski, parasail, camp or enjoy the many facilities of an island resort. Nature's tropical selection of island and coastal delights awaits your selection.
Cairns - is the capital of Tropical North Queensland. A modern, sophisticated city, it is an ideal base to explore the wider region with front door access to the Great Barrier Reef, rainforest and outback. A great start to explore some of the best tours. The city itself is where much of the accommodation is situated with international standard restaurants, boutique shopping, modern art galleries and classy nightclubs to keep visitors entertained.
North of Cairns are the beaches such as Palm Cove, Trinity Beach, Kewarra Beach and Ellis Beach where palm trees hang lazily over the sandy beaches. Be sure to explore wonderful resorts and restaurants in the area.
Further north is the resort town of Port Douglas and continuing on you find the spectacular Mossman Gorge, World Heritage listed Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation. North of Cape Tribulation is the area Cape York and the Gulf Savannah renowned for its rugged coastline and wild and sparsely populated wilderness. From glamorous Four Mile Beach to the wilderness of Dickson Inlet, picturesque Port Douglas has become an international holiday mecca - just 70 kilometres north of Cairns. With nothing taller than a palm tree, development is low-rise, low-key and relaxing. It is regarded as the most popular base from which to explore the northern areas of the reef and rainforest coast of Daintree and Cape Tribulation.
Dazzling blue skies, long white beaches, coral reefs, vibrant green vegetation, and warm perfumed air are the common ingredients of a holiday in Cairns and the surrounding Tropical North region. The stunning array of things to do and see mean that there is something for everybody. Explore deserted ghost towns and small isolated communities that serve the mining, pastoral and fishing industries. Whatever a holiday means to you, from luxury island resorts to camping, from champagne cruising to white- water rafting, you'll find it in Queensland's Tropical North.