Explore Queensland-the beautiful city of Australia

Queensland, the holiday heart of Australia

Good as gold

With over 70km of sun-soaked beaches, rainforests, exciting theme parks, ritzy shopping and happening nightlife, the Gold Coast is a glitzy boon for pleasure seekers.

The locale boasts over 35 picture-perfect beaches that are patrolled year round by professional lifeguards and during the summer, by dedicated volunteers from the Surf Life Saving Clubs. Tear yourself away from the beaches and go inland to see a totally different world of rainforests, rock pools, waterfalls and mountain villages replete with restaurants and comfy places to stay.

Not your average big city

Famous for the beauty of its nearby beaches, exciting events and a vibrant cultural scene, Brisbane has a sophistication and charm as warm as the weather.

Less than one hour drive from the city centre is the fishing and sailing waters of Moreton Bay, scenic country drives and the beaches of the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. Brisbane is a shopping haven, with the 500m long Queen Street Mall being one of Australia's most successful shopping precincts. ‘The Valley' is home to all things hip in Brisbane, with art spaces adding creative flair to cutting edge pop culture.

On the Fraser's edge

Just north of the Sunshine Coast is Fraser Island, the world's largest sand island.

As well as a spectacular beach that stretches seemingly forever, Fraser Island boasts lush rainforests, crystal clear freshwater lakes and wildlife galore. Keep your eyes peeled for the purest strain of dingo, Australia's native dog, while Humpback whales migrate south between mid-August and mid-November and can be discovered on tours from Fraser Island's mainland neighbour Hervey Bay. Explore Fraser on foot if you like, but one of the island's little luxuries is the option of travelling by four-wheel drive. The mainland isn't half bad either; a region blessed with sweeping beaches, agricultural riches and expansive farmland, national parks and engaging history.

Scenic sunshine

Imagine twinkling seas fringed by more of those dreamy Queensland beaches and a lush hinterland where every view looks like a postcard. This is the Sunshine Coast.

Its white surf beaches stretch for more than 60km, broken only by an occasional headland or the clear water of a river estuary. Coastal townships like Caloundra, Mooloolaba, Maroochydore, Coolum and Noosa are synonymous with the traditional Australian beach holiday. In the green hills behind are country hamlets snug between pineapple and sugar cane farms.