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Best of Queensland
Discover the best of Queensland, with several World Heritage-listed destinations, iconic outback towns steeped in history, the vibrant capital of Brisbane and so much more!
Brisbane
Set on the sparkling Brisbane River, metropolitan Brisbane is the capital of the sunshine state of Queensland. Full of wonderful architecture, a thriving and eclectic arts scene, boutique shopping and superb alfresco dining thanks to the year-round temperate weather.
Located on the banks of the Brisbane River, the premier South Bank precinct is the place to be for world-class dining, eco-driven markets, museums, relaxing walks through the lush parklands and its buzzing events calendar all throughout the year. It even has a pretty great beach placed like an oasis in the middle of the city, Street Beach, which can be visited year-round with a myriad of activities on offer. You don’t need to be an art lover to enjoy Brisbane’s vast array of museums, galleries and pleasing architecture. The Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) houses a collection of over 16,000 works of historical, modern and contemporary art in addition to an array of leading exhibitions, conveniently located at South Bank.
For the more adventurous you can climb the picturesque and iconic Story Bridge for panoramic views across the city skyline and further out to the Glass House Mountains in the north. Of course, Brisbane also has its own wheel, The Wheel of Brisbane, for more sweeping views of the city from the comfort of a climate-controlled gondola. The repurposed tram power station, now known as the Brisbane Powerhouse, is a successful conversion from pre-war industrial history into a hub for contemporary art, creativity and cultural innovation situated on the Brisbane River. Mount Coot-tha is an absolute must-see when visiting Brisbane. It provides the beautiful backdrop to the city and breathtaking views after a moderate ascent to the Lookout via the 5 kilometre Summit Circuit.
This is just the tip of the iceberg.
Far North Queensland
It’s where the World Heritage-Listed Great Barrier Reef and the World Heritage-Listed Daintree Rainforest meet and create a place unlike anywhere else in the world. Stretching from Mission Beach up to Torres Strait with many picturesque and relaxing destinations in between. Cairns is considered the gateway to this region and easily reachable with daily flights to and from Cairns Airport, the wonderful Spirit of Queensland rail journey between Brisbane and Cairns or by car on a spectacularly scenic road trip. Port Douglas is another popular base thanks to its abundance of accommodation and luxury resorts. Enjoy a relaxing meal at one of the many eateries such as Little Larder, Salsas and Melaleuca or try Hemingway’s Brewery on the wharf or Barbados bar for amazing cocktails. Plus, if you love a good market then don’t miss the iconic Port Douglas Sunday Market for fresh produce, food and shopping overlooking the ocean.
Fraser Island
The largest sand island in the world and certainly one of the most unique with the natural phenomenon of tall rainforests growing from sand dunes. The entire island is World Heritage-listed, recognised for its exceptional natural beauty, brimming with vast stretches of white sandy coastline, striking sand cliffs and azure ocean waters. It houses the purest strain of dingoes in Australia and is one of the world’s best destinations for whale watching as these majestic mammals migrate through here from August to October.
Fraser Island is teeming with natural beauty sites; Seventy Five Mile Beach being one of them. The picture of the sparkling Coral Sea meeting the vast stretch of sand is iconic to the island which also doubles as an official national highway and light aircraft landing strip! It is also home to the intriguing Maheno Shipwreck, with many a story to tell. Another idyllic attraction to visit is scenic Eli Creek, responsible for pouring millions of litres of fresh water into the ocean every hour. Popular for swimming, relax in the invigorating waters as you float downstream towards the ocean, with a boardwalk that follows the creek for a different perspective. Lake Mackenzie is a must. A picture-perfect clear lake surrounded by pure white sand, filled just by rainwater. This utterly beautiful and serene location is one of the most visited, and for good reason.
Longreach & Winton
Longreach, famous for the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame, Outback Heritage Centre and the Qantas Founders Museum, is the heart of the Queensland outback situated on the Tropic of Capricorn. It has a thriving cattle and wool industry and a fascinating history of Aboriginal culture, stockmen, and pioneers, not to mention it’s warm and welcoming country hospitality.
Just a couple of hours from Longreach is the dinosaur capital of Australia…. Winton in Central West Queensland! This is the home to the amazing Waltzing Matilda Centre and to the world’s only recorded evidence of a dinosaur stampede – the Dinosaur Stampede at Lark Quarry Conservation Park. More than 95 million years old, there are 3,300 stampeding footprints immortalised in stone and protected 110km south-west of Winton. This is an iconic National Monument not to be missed.
Bundaberg
Bundaberg is the historic sugar cane city that is the southernmost gateway to the iconic Great Barrier Reef and renowned as the home of Bundaberg Rum. Its golden sand beaches teeming with towering palm trees and temperate weather are a major drawcard for visitors year upon year in addition to the less coastal attractions such as Mon Repos Regional Park for the largest concentration of nesting sea turtles on the eastern Australian mainland. Or explore the city’s museums, cultural heritage and architecture and the appealing Bundaberg Botanic Gardens, home to the Hinkler Hall of Aviation.
Queensland is the ideal destination that caters for all interests and tastes. Embracing the outdoors, the vibrant cities and beautiful natural wonders with fine food, history, culture and diverse natural wonders, it will feed your senses.
Click here for our Queensland accommodation, tours and experiences or contact one of our friendly Short Breaks Australia team on 1800 810 910 or shortbreaks@holidaysofaustralia.com.au for more.
Image credit: Tourism & Events Queensland
Best of Queensland
Discover the best of Queensland, with several World Heritage-listed destinations, iconic outback towns steeped in history, the vibrant capital of Brisbane and so much more!
Brisbane
Set on the sparkling Brisbane River, metropolitan Brisbane is the capital of the sunshine state of Queensland. Full of wonderful architecture, a thriving and eclectic arts scene, boutique shopping and superb alfresco dining thanks to the year-round temperate weather.
Located on the banks of the Brisbane River, the premier South Bank precinct is the place to be for world-class dining, eco-driven markets, museums, relaxing walks through the lush parklands and its buzzing events calendar all throughout the year. It even has a pretty great beach placed like an oasis in the middle of the city, Street Beach, which can be visited year-round with a myriad of activities on offer. You don’t need to be an art lover to enjoy Brisbane’s vast array of museums, galleries and pleasing architecture. The Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) houses a collection of over 16,000 works of historical, modern and contemporary art in addition to an array of leading exhibitions, conveniently located at South Bank.
For the more adventurous you can climb the picturesque and iconic Story Bridge for panoramic views across the city skyline and further out to the Glass House Mountains in the north. Of course, Brisbane also has its own wheel, The Wheel of Brisbane, for more sweeping views of the city from the comfort of a climate-controlled gondola. The repurposed tram power station, now known as the Brisbane Powerhouse, is a successful conversion from pre-war industrial history into a hub for contemporary art, creativity and cultural innovation situated on the Brisbane River. Mount Coot-tha is an absolute must-see when visiting Brisbane. It provides the beautiful backdrop to the city and breathtaking views after a moderate ascent to the Lookout via the 5 kilometre Summit Circuit.
This is just the tip of the iceberg.
Far North Queensland
It’s where the World Heritage-Listed Great Barrier Reef and the World Heritage-Listed Daintree Rainforest meet and create a place unlike anywhere else in the world. Stretching from Mission Beach up to Torres Strait with many picturesque and relaxing destinations in between. Cairns is considered the gateway to this region and easily reachable with daily flights to and from Cairns Airport, the wonderful Spirit of Queensland rail journey between Brisbane and Cairns or by car on a spectacularly scenic road trip. Port Douglas is another popular base thanks to its abundance of accommodation and luxury resorts. Enjoy a relaxing meal at one of the many eateries such as Little Larder, Salsas and Melaleuca or try Hemingway’s Brewery on the wharf or Barbados bar for amazing cocktails. Plus, if you love a good market then don’t miss the iconic Port Douglas Sunday Market for fresh produce, food and shopping overlooking the ocean.
Fraser Island
The largest sand island in the world and certainly one of the most unique with the natural phenomenon of tall rainforests growing from sand dunes. The entire island is World Heritage-listed, recognised for its exceptional natural beauty, brimming with vast stretches of white sandy coastline, striking sand cliffs and azure ocean waters. It houses the purest strain of dingoes in Australia and is one of the world’s best destinations for whale watching as these majestic mammals migrate through here from August to October.
Fraser Island is teeming with natural beauty sites; Seventy Five Mile Beach being one of them. The picture of the sparkling Coral Sea meeting the vast stretch of sand is iconic to the island which also doubles as an official national highway and light aircraft landing strip! It is also home to the intriguing Maheno Shipwreck, with many a story to tell. Another idyllic attraction to visit is scenic Eli Creek, responsible for pouring millions of litres of fresh water into the ocean every hour. Popular for swimming, relax in the invigorating waters as you float downstream towards the ocean, with a boardwalk that follows the creek for a different perspective. Lake Mackenzie is a must. A picture-perfect clear lake surrounded by pure white sand, filled just by rainwater. This utterly beautiful and serene location is one of the most visited, and for good reason.
Longreach & Winton
Longreach, famous for the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame, Outback Heritage Centre and the Qantas Founders Museum, is the heart of the Queensland outback situated on the Tropic of Capricorn. It has a thriving cattle and wool industry and a fascinating history of Aboriginal culture, stockmen, and pioneers, not to mention it’s warm and welcoming country hospitality.
Just a couple of hours from Longreach is the dinosaur capital of Australia…. Winton in Central West Queensland! This is the home to the amazing Waltzing Matilda Centre and to the world’s only recorded evidence of a dinosaur stampede – the Dinosaur Stampede at Lark Quarry Conservation Park. More than 95 million years old, there are 3,300 stampeding footprints immortalised in stone and protected 110km south-west of Winton. This is an iconic National Monument not to be missed.
Bundaberg
Bundaberg is the historic sugar cane city that is the southernmost gateway to the iconic Great Barrier Reef and renowned as the home of Bundaberg Rum. Its golden sand beaches teeming with towering palm trees and temperate weather are a major drawcard for visitors year upon year in addition to the less coastal attractions such as Mon Repos Regional Park for the largest concentration of nesting sea turtles on the eastern Australian mainland. Or explore the city’s museums, cultural heritage and architecture and the appealing Bundaberg Botanic Gardens, home to the Hinkler Hall of Aviation.
Queensland is the ideal destination that caters for all interests and tastes. Embracing the outdoors, the vibrant cities and beautiful natural wonders with fine food, history, culture and diverse natural wonders, it will feed your senses.
Click here for our Queensland accommodation, tours and experiences or contact one of our friendly Short Breaks Australia team on 1800 810 910 or shortbreaks@holidaysofaustralia.com.au for more.
Image credit: Tourism & Events Queensland
