Travel Tools

Must Do in Q

Must See In Queensland

• The magical Great Barrier Reef the only natural wonder visible from space!
• Tropical islands some with world-class resorts, others completely secluded
• The ancient Daintree Rainforest, the oldest in the world
• Our vast Outback with its unforgettable starry skies and friendly local people
• Spectacular surfing beaches with crystal clear water and white sand
• Take the ride of your life at the world-class theme parks and cuddle a koala or pat a kangaroo at one of the wildlife parks
• Great holiday shopping from resort villages to beachfront markets

Must Do In Queensland

Brisbane

• Explore Brisbane - Australia’s most liveable city - on a guided walk, cruising the river on a CityCat ferry or riding a bike along kilometres of dedicated riverside pathways
• Climb the city’s iconic Story Bridge, one of only three bridge climbs in the world
• Enjoy a swim at South Bank, home to Australia’s only inner-city beach followed an alfresco lunch in the Queensland sunshine
• Experience Australian and international art in exclusive exhibitions at the Queensland Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art
• Participate in traditional Aboriginal song and dance with the descendants of the Nunukal Yuggera dance troupe
• Try Queenslander’s favourite ale at Queensland’s oldest brewery
• Soar high above the hinterland in a hot air balloon and land in a boutique vineyard for a champagne breakfast
• Dive, kayak or sail Brisbane’s Moreton Bay Marine Park - sanctuary for the world’s largest dugong (Manatee) population
• Cuddle a koala and hand feed a kangaroo or wild dolphin
• Learn to surf world-class breaks on the Gold or Sunshine Coast beaches
• Discover the world’s largest sand islands – Fraser, Moreton, North and South Stradbroke - all within easy reach of Brisbane
• Watch the humpback whales at play in the calm waters off Hervey Bay, Australia’s whale watching capital (July to November)
• Take a four wheel drive adventure on the sand highway along the edge of the ocean of Fraser Island’s spectacular Seventy-Five Mile Beach
• Marvel at the spectacular coloured sands of Rainbow Beach and volcanic National Heritage- listed Glass House Mountains
• Visit Australia Zoo, home of the late Steve Irwin, the “Crocodile Hunter”
• Tee off on a Greg Norman-designed golf course
• Discover the rare beauty of ancient Gondwana Rainforests on a guided tour of World Heritage- listed wilderness areas
• Spend a morning browsing fresh produce, local artworks and delicious food at the Sunshine Coast’s Eumundi Markets, the largest in Australia
• Enjoy fresh locally grown produce in some of the country’s best restaurants, cafes and cooking schools
• Stroll stylish Hastings Street in Noosa, one of Australia’s favourite beachfront boulevards
• Catch the excitement and action of Australia’s iconic surf lifesavers competing in a regular surf carnival

Sunshine Coast & Fraser Coast

• Explore the glorious beaches - there’s 100 kilometres (60 miles) of beachfront to choose from offering year round swimming
• Find your adventurous spirit - surf the magnificent breaks of the Sunshine Coast, try paddle or kite surfing, dive on a shipwreck, tee off on a championship golf course, or ride a horse or camel along beautiful beaches
• Visit Australia Zoo, home of the late Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin
• Spend an unforgettable morning at the Eumundi markets, one of Australia’s largest where you’ll find original artworks, furniture, handmade toys and cutting edge fashion and jewellery by local designers.
• Experience a selection of thrills - swim with sharks or steal a kiss from a seal at Underwater World and enjoy a wild ride at the theme park, Aussie World
• Enjoy a meal at an oceanfront restaurant at the resort towns of Noosa or Mooloolaba
• Hide away in a cozy Bed and Breakfast (B&B) retreat in the hinterland hills, soak up the view at a beachfront resort, or enjoy nature at a luxury eco resort
• Explore the heritage-listed Glass House Mountains or spot a koala in Noosa National Park
• Relax with a spa or beauty treatment - there are dozens of pampering options to choose
• Take a four wheel drive safari and discover World Heritage-listed Fraser Island, the world’s largest sand island where rainforest grows on sand - you can even land on the beach in a light plane!
• Fraser Island and the Fraser Coast are perfect for natural adventures - go fishing, discover spectacular cliffs of coloured sands, crystal clear fresh-water lakes, towering sand dunes and dense forests of ancient trees
• Get up close and personal with humpback whales in Australia’s whale watching capital of Hervey Bay, near Fraser Island. The bay is a sanctuary for migrating humpback whales from July to November
• Dine out in an alfresco beachfront restaurant enjoying some of Australia’s freshest seafood and produce

Gold Coast

• Learn to surf on one of the many beautiful white, sandy beaches, spanning 70 kilometres (43 miles) along the coast
• Choose your thrills at one of the Gold Coast’s world-famous theme parks
• Cuddle a koala or feed a kangaroo at a nature park
• Enjoy a sunset cocktail and soak up the 360 degree views from the top of the world’s tallest residential building on Q1’s observation deck
• Discover the hinterland’s World Heritage rainforests, home to 2000 year old Antarctic Beech trees
• Savour fabulous seafood, fresh local produce and Australian wines at stylish restaurant and café lined boulevards and surf life saving clubs
• Tee off on one of the many championship golf courses including a Greg Norman designed course
• Relax with a world-class spa experience by the beach or in the rainforest
• Float above the hinterland in a hot air balloon and land in a local winery for a champagne breakfast
• Browse the weekend beachside arts and craft markets or enjoy the resort shopping villages, designer boutique stores or elegant arcades
• Explore the hidden retreats and spectacular bushwalks through the mountain oasis of ancient World Heritage-listed wilderness areas, part of the protected Gondwana Rainforest of Australia
• Have a unique evening adventure spotting the sparkling glow worms in the World Heritage- listed Springbrook National Park
• Participate in the annual Gold Coast Marathon or join the spectators to cheer the runners home
• Journey with an Aboriginal guide by kayak across tranquil blue waters, encountering wildlife such as dolphins, turtles, stingrays and native birds

Cairns & The Great Barrier Reef

• Visit the Great Barrier Reef with day trips and extended journeys from Cairns and Port Douglas
• Hike through the world’s oldest surviving tropical rainforest in the Daintree and wet tropics
• Indulge your adventurous side. Surf the rainforest canopy in the Daintree, soar above the treetops in a hot air balloon, paddle the coast in a sea kayak, swim with a minke whale or experience the thrill of whitewater rafting
• ExperienceAustralianAboriginalandTorresStrait Islander culture with a range of authentic tour options or attend a cultural festival of art and dance
• Climb aboard the historic scenic railway to the rainforest village of Kuranda before returning through the tree tops on the award-winning Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
• Enjoy abundant fresh seafood and tropical fruits. Drive through the Atherton Tablelands to explore farmgate markets and tea and coffee plantations
• Visit the coastal villages of Port Douglas. World class dining, bustling beachside markets, art, shopping and spa pampering are all on offer and keep an eye out for celebrities
• Stay in one of the region’s spectacular tropical island resorts and leave the cares of the world behind
• Discover the Great Tropical Drive, a self-drive touring route featuring a range of unique coastal and outback trails
• Find Australia’s hidden treasures of the Cape York Peninsula and Torres Strait Islands by joining an off road four wheel drive safari or a self drive holiday for the more adventurous
• Catch and cook a barramundi in world class fishing destinations. Try your luck with world class sports and game fishing.

Islands of the Great Barrier Reef

• Marvel at the pristine white silica sands of Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island, often voted one of the world’s best beaches
• Charter your own seaplane, helicopter or luxury yacht for an unforgettable island hopping adventure
• Hire a private island or stay in style at some of the most exclusive island resorts in the world
• Get close to nature and choose tented accommodation or reconnect with the kids at a family-friendly hideaway
• Visit Great Barrier Reef education centres and research stations based on some islands to learn more through expert interpretation about the natural surrounds
• Witness the natural miracle of bird nesting and turtle nesting season
• Enjoy spectacular diving and snorkeling on beautiful reef just off the islands

The Whitsundays

• Experience the pleasure of sailing in one of the best cruising destinations in the world. Skipper your own bareboat or leave it in the hands of an expert on a charter.
• Marvel at the pristine white silica sands of Whitehaven Beach, often voted one of the world’s best beaches
• Take day trip to the Great Barrier Reef and spend the day snorkeling or diving or see the vividly coloured fish and coral aboard a semi- submersible vessel
• Sleep on the reef. Stay behind in splendid isolation when the day trippers depart and watch the reef come alive during the night
• See the unforgettable spectacle of the reef from the air - charter a helicopter or join a scheduled scenic flight. Watch for the aptly-named Heart Reef!
• Luxuriate with an in-house spa treatment or at a dedicated day spa
• Visit Airlie Beach, the mainland gateway to the Whitsunday Islands and a thriving community offering the best of all worlds - fabulous waterfront locations, loads of family fun and a vibrant night-life
• Tee off at Hamilton Island Golf Club, a championship golf course based on its very own island
• Board a day cruise and explore the islands on a cruisy catamaran