Top 10 Things to Do in Queensland
If visiting Australia is on your bucket list, Queensland, the Sunshine State, probably is as well. If you are looking for Surfer’s Paradise, snuggles with koalas, Australian souvenir shopping or snorkelling jewel blue waters of the Great Barrier Reef, you will find all of those, and way more things to do in Queensland.
1. Snorkel or Dive the Great Barrier Reef
Did you know that the great barrier reef has over 2900 individual reefs and 900 islands? It is something you should not miss on your Queensland visit.
It is often ranked as one of the natural wonders of the world and is the world’s largest living structure. It extends from Mackay to the northeastern corner of Australia. The astounding diversity of marine life at the Great Barrier Reef lures snorkelers and divers from all around the world.
Grab the best snorkel gear and spend a day watching the amazing array of fish and corals that call the great barrier reef home! If getting close to the marine life is not your thing, consider a glass bottom boat instead.
Check out this guide to Gold Coast Family Holidays.
Looking for Great Barrier Reef Tours from Port Douglas?
Here are some packing tips for your beach visit!
2. Enjoy a sporting event at Suncorp Stadium
Brisbane’s Suncorp stadium is the best place in Australia to watch rugby or soccer! Whether you are a sports fan (we love traveling for sporting events and even went to Jordan for FIFA Women’s World Cup) or not, you cant help getting into the atmosphere of thousands of screaming fans!
3. Learn to Surf at Surfers Paradise
One of the best places to surf in Australia can be found on the white sand beaches of the Gold Coast. Whether it is your first time or you are a veteran of the sport, you are sure to find the right beaches and waves to suit your fancy.
With attractions galore and plenty of accommodation options, if you tire of the waves, there is so much more to do in this world-renowned part of Queensland. Make sure you grab a beach tent if you have little ones!
If you are looking for more things to do with kids on the Gold Coast, click here
4. Watch the Sunset
One of my favourite childhood memories In Queensland when I was a child, was watching the sun set and keeping a keen eye out for kangaroos in Toowoomba. The sunsets in Australia are beautiful. Stake out a good spot, bring a picnic blanket, and enjoy the evening with all of the sounds of creatures coming out, or waves crashing on the beaches. If you are backpacking Cairns, stake out a great viewing spot, the sunsets are epic there too!
5. Snuggle a Koala at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Visiting Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary was my favourite memory as a child on my first visit to Brisbane. Whether you have children or not, you cant help but look at the cuddly koala perched in a eucalyptus tree and want to give it a snuggle. Visiting Lone Pine also offers the opportunity to see other Australian animals and learn about protecting habitats for these beautiful creatures.
Find a great AirBNB in Brisbane for after you visit Lone Pine!
6. Port Douglas
Located just south of Daintree National Park is Port Douglas. It is now a charming holiday resort town about an hour north of Cairns. It has a more relaxed vibe compared to the Gold Coast. Popular attractions include Wildlife Habitat, the Bally Hooley Sugar Train, fishing and trips to Daintree National Park.
This is a popular long weekend getaway from Brisbane for good reason. There are several ways to explore this part of Australia but one of the unique ways is to purchase a camper van or motorhome. This website is a great resource for those looking to travel this way.
7. Daintree National Park
Daintree National Park is the oldest surviving rainforest on earth and is located in the Far North of Queensland. It has immense biological value due to its high levels of plants and animals that are found no where else on earth. After Cape Tribulation the road is not paved and should be navigated with a 4WD vehicle.
8. Whitsunday Islands
Off Queensland’s coast lies the Whitsunday group of islands. They are made up of 74 islands, almost all of them considered national parks. The Whitsunday Islands are home to luxurious resorts, powdery white sand, walking trails and plenty of Instagram worthy turquoise water beaches!
9. Ride a 4×4 on Fraser Island
Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world and a popular place to visit for a four-wheel drive adventure. It is a wildlife-lovers paradise with tiger sharks and dolphins inhabiting the waters around the island and dingos and wild horses living on the island.
To Access Fraser Island:
Ferry from Rainbow Beach and Harvey Bay
For More Inforation: http://www.fraserisland.net
10. Lamington National Park
Located about 2 hours drive south of Brisbane, Lamington National Park is one of Queensland’s most popular national parks. Spectacular scenery is the big draw with over 500 waterfalls, steep gorges, ancient trees, tropical rainforests and over a hundred species of birds.
FURTHER READING
Check out this post on 14 Experiences you can Have in Australia and nowhere else
If you are a backpacker, check out the Best Hostels In Brisbane
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Lindsay Nieminen hails from Vancouver, Canada and shares her love of travel on this website. She is passionate about showing others that they should not put off traveling the world just because they have young children or are single parents. She aims to encourage them to seek out adventure, whether it is at home or abroad by providing information on how just about everywhere can be a destination to explore as a family.
Eloise
Friday 19th of October 2018
I've been many times to Fraser Island and thought the wild horses were a past story. So I had a look after reading your post and learnt something today! Cheers!
Lisa P
Sunday 24th of June 2018
I want to be snuggling one of those koalas right now!