By having an average of 9 hours of sunshine every day, Queensland justifies its nickname ‘Sunshine State’, with every right. It is a vast country that offers so many things to do, so everybody can find at least a few things of interest. It is a country that is home to five II World Natural Heritage sites, including the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree National Park. Besides these, it is also a country beaming with diverse and spectacular coastline, rainforests, rock formations, mountain ranges, waterfalls, idyllic tropical islands as well as historic and bustling cities. Some of the amazing and unforgettable things to do in Queensland include snorkeling, swimming, surfing, fishing, hiking and boating – just to name a few.
1. Explore Diverse Marine Life On The Great Barrier Reef
One of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World – the Great Barrier Reef is one of the best places to visit in Queensland. It is the largest coral reef system and it stretches for over 1400 miles. It encompasses an abundance of coral beds, plenty of lush islands and sand isles, all surrounded by bright blue water. It is an interesting tourist destination as you can swim there, go kayaking or boating or even take a helicopter ride over the reef for the most scenic view of this one-of-a-kind natural phenomenon. It is something so stunning that it simply can’t be described with words.
2. Visit The Magnificent Daintree National Park
Another World Heritage-listed site is the Daintree National Park. As this park is the world’s oldest tropical rainforest, it is also home to plenty of indigenous plants and animals. Some of the most popular tourist attractions include hiking, birdwatching and spending the night in an eco-treehouse lodge. Tourists also enjoy taking a boat down the Daintree River – which is quite an adventure as you get to see some scary crocs along the way! Another tourist option includes safari tours in amphibious vehicles as well as tropical fruit tastings. If you’re quite an adventurer, you can also go ziplining through the rainforest or horseback riding.
3. Enjoy A Unique Deep-Sea Fishing Experience
People who enjoy fishing appreciate the peace and serenity which they feel by being next to the water. However, deep-sea fishing is a whole new experience. If you’re a fan of ordinary fishing and you enjoy this experience, you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to try one of the Gold Coast fishing trips and enjoy the deep sea fishing experience. These trips exist to take you to an adventure offshore, where you get to enjoy being in the open sea, looking at the flocking seagulls, listening to the waves, observing and hopefully catching some of the most fascinating fish species.
4. Get A Tan On One Of The Many Spectacular White-Sand Beaches
When in Queensland, you shouldn’t miss on the spectacular white-sand beaches it offers. There is an abundance of them! For example, Rainbow Beach was ranked number 5 by Huffington Post on their list of the nine of the most incredible beaches in the world. Besides the sandy coastline, calm and crystal-clear water, it is special because it’s one of the few places where you can go horse riding. Other must-see beaches include beaches such as Airlie Beach, Whitehaven Beach, Casuarina Beach, Cooya Beach, Nudey Beach and Noosa Main Beach, among others. All the beaches offer spectacular scenery and views as well as white sand and see-through turquoise water, with beaming beach life offering plenty of cafes and restaurants as well as outdoor activities.
5. Hit The High Waves At The Surfers Paradise
If you’re looking for fun beach action, you should head south to the Gold Coast and Surfers Paradise. It is a spot that offers high and exciting waves for all those adventure-seeking surfers and soft sandy beaches for those who want to chill and sunbathe. There are some fantastic theme parks in this area, wildlife sanctuaries, jet-boat rides as well as golf courses. It is a tourist magnet as it contains the three essential features including the sun, sand and surf. It offers plenty of kid-friendly stuff as well.
6. Check Out The Town Of Cairns
Cairns is a city located in the far north of Queensland and it is quite a popular tourist destination. It is often described as a calm, peaceful, friendly town with palms lining up in streets, with plenty of green spaces and colourful gardens. It also offers beautiful beaches, wonderful bays, blue lagoons and kids’ playgrounds. There are plenty of day trips starting from Cairns. One of them is surely the Kuranda Scenic Railway or the Skyrail cableway which offers impressive views over the surrounding countryside and the World Heritage-listed rainforests of Barron Gorge National Park.
7. Discover Insta-Worthy Whitsunday Islands
Whitehaven Beach in the insta-worthy Whitsunday Islands is a definite show-stopper. To explore its beauty to the fullest, it’s best to take a cruise or a scenic plane flight. The Whitsundays encompass 74 stunning islands, which lie just off the state’s central coast. They are a paradise for people who enjoy and like wildlife, nature, water sports and adventures. These islands are an attraction as they are continental islands i.e. summits of coastal range emerging from the sea. The islands offer plenty of resorts.
8. Hike Through The Splendid Lamington National Park
A gorgeous and diverse World Heritage Area, the Lamington National Park is just a 2-hour drive south from Brisbane. Due to its specific position, located on the Lamington Plateau of the McPherson Range, amid the remnants of an ancient volcano, this National Park beams with spectacular scenery, steep gorges, murmuring waterfalls, tropical rainforests and varied wildlife. It is a paradise for hikers as it includes more than 150km of walking and hiking trails. Along with these hikes, you can spot all kinds of unusual and exotic animals such as bowerbirds, colourful parrots, red-necked pademelons, small kangaroo-like marsupials and platypuses, among others.
9. Get To Know Australian Indigenous Animals In The Australia Zoo
One of the most popular family attractions is certainly the Australia Zoo. It is a perfect place to get to know animals indigenous to Australia. You and your family can enjoy spotting all kinds of animals including Aussie favorites such as kangaroos, koalas, emus, dingoes, crocs, as well as some exotic animal species, including Sumatran tigers, rhinos, meerkats, zebras, giraffes, cheetahs, and elephants. Some exciting zoo activities include riding a camel, feeding a kangaroo or red panda, and cuddling a koala.
10. Don’t Miss Out The Amazing Fraser Island
Being the largest sand island in the world, you should visit and explore Fraser Island. Attractions that this island offers encompass crystal-clear lakes and streams, dingoes, dense forests, sacred aboriginal sites, and strange rock formations. The Seventy-Five Mile Beach provides access to popular attractions such as the rusted hull of the Maheno shipwreck, the bubbling rock pools of Champagne Pools, Eli Creek, and the colored sandstone cliffs of The Pinnacles. It is also perfect for whale watching as humpback whales come here to give birth and nurse their young during winter months.
As Queensland covers a vast area of spectacular nature and scenery, it’s impossible to list all of the attractions and visit them in a short time. You need to have plenty of time to explore even a small part of this spectacular country. However, even a small number of places you should certainly visit, such as these 10 will make you fall in love with it!
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