Queensland Invites You to Vacation Like the Aussies Do

There’s a reason Queensland is where Australians go for holidays.

Encompassing the powder-white sands of the Gold Coast, exciting and ever-changing Brisbane, the laid-back seaside towns of the Sunshine Coast, the breathtaking Whitsundays and the twin natural wonders of the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree rainforest, Queensland is a full Australia vacation all on its own. With nonstop flights connecting both the United States and Canada, it’s never ever been easier to set down in Brissie and begin an unforgettable trip to Australia in the Sunshine State. 

All that glitters is on the Gold Coast.

Departing every 30 minutes from Brisbane Airport (BNE), Queensland’s Airtrain makes it easy for those not renting a car to reach the Gold Coast in as little as 90 minutes. Once you’re there, it’s hard not to be mesmerized by the waves crashing on the seemingly endless white sands. But if you can tear yourself away from the beach, the Gold Coast lies at the foot of the world’s largest sub-tropical rainforest. Two regions that illustrated its beauty are Springbrook National Park, home to serene Pullingbrook Falls, and Lamington National Park, home to countless hiking trails, over 2300 species of wildlife, and even boutique wineries whose products you won’t find on North American shelves. 

Be sure to spend a few days on the Gold Coast proper as well. If you don’t have a fear of heights (or you want to conquer one), get a bird’s eye view of the region at Skypoint atop the iconic Q1 building in Surfers Paradise. Prefer to keep your sightseeing on ground level? Immerse yourself in nature at Burleigh Heads National Park, or let your imagination wander amid mind-blowing contemporary Aussie art at HOTA. Visit the Jellurgal Aboriginal Culture Centre and get to know the traditional custodians of the region. Feeding the colourful lorikeets of Currumbin Sanctuary is a decades-old Gold Coast tradition. Then, feed yourself with delicious eats from around the world at Miami Marketta. 

Whether you’re more into lazing on the beach with a good book, exploring the coast’s canals and waterways by kayak, spending a day with the local wildlife or just exploring the coast’s many shopping, dining and nightlife options, there’s something on the Gold Coast for everyone. 

Nature thrives in big city Brisbane.

Brisbane is one of Australia’s fastest-growing cities, and it only takes a day here to see why. With easy access to a wide range of outdoor activities and an equally rich local culture, including festivals, museums, theatres, live music, TV and film production (including the popular cartoon Bluey) and more, good things are on the rise in Brissie, especially leading up to the 2032 Olympic Games. A definitive Brisbane experience beloved by visitors and locals alike is to travel up the Brisbane River to Lone Pine, the world’s largest koala sanctuary and one of the few places in the world you can have your photo taken holding one of these adorable marsupials.  

Just offshore, Tangalooma Island Resort adds some variety to your Brisbane city break, offering the chance to feed wild dolphins, snorkel shipwrecks, go dune bashing on a quad bike, and so much more. Again, all ages are catered to here, and Brisbane’s year-round warm weather makes it a tempting escape at any time of year. In fact, you might favour visiting during Australia’s winter (June to October), when humpback whales migrate. 

Find Queensland’s gentler side on the Sunshine Coast and the Whitsundays.

After the big city excitement of Brisbane, your respite lies barely an hour’s drive north on the Sunshine Coast. Stretching from colourful Caloundra to the relaxing waterways of Noosa, the Sunshine Coast, like the sunny capital, offers superb hinterland with picturesque hikes and arts-loving towns.  

For even more seclusion and a splash of extra luxury, travel up Queensland’s coast to the southern tip of the Great Barrier Reef. Here, you’ll find the Whitsundays, a celebrated archipelago of pristine islands. Whitsunday Island is perhaps the most famous, partly thanks to Whitehaven Beach, often said to the most beautiful in Australia.  

Nature’s wonders await in North Queensland.

The Great Barrier Reef is one of Australia’s most famous natural attractions. As the largest coral reef in the world, it remains a colourful, living wonder of nature, and a snorkelling and diving experience like no other. You can also take in the reef from above on a scenic flight, or for something extra special, touch down for a picnic on one of the cays. While Cairns and Port Douglas are the most traditional ‘home bases’ for exploring the reef and other parts of North Queensland, Magnetic Island, a short ferry ride from Townsville, invites you to stay in the heart of the reef and explore some of its lesser-known wonders. Of course, it’s possible to visit both Magnetic Island and Cairns or Port Douglas in one trip, and once North Queensland works its magic on you, you may want to do just that.

The Great Barrier Reef is just one of two World Heritage Sites in this region. The other stretches inland, forming the oldest living rainforest on earth, the Daintree. One of the most beautiful regions in Australia, the Daintree boasts over 3,000 plant species, 315 species of mammal (about a third of Australia’s native mammal species) and over 450 species of birds, including the beautiful (if famously cranky) cassowary. It’s also an area rich in indigenous Australian tradition, having been home to the Eastern Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal people for thousands of years. An evening exploring indigenous culture through its art, music, dance, and food is a must-do while visiting North Queensland, whether it’s near the Daintree, or in the beautiful town of Kuranda, overlooking Cairns, the traditional home of the Djabugay people.

Notoriously friendly and easily reached via Brisbane International Airport, Queensland invites you to discover the natural treasures, ever-evolving culture and laid-back lifestyle that have made it the place where Aussies holiday.