Visit the Gold Coast

Play on the Gold Coast beaches. Photo: Jamie MacFadyen, Tourism Australia

The Gold Coast is one of Queensland's most popular holiday spots. It's known as the ‘glitter strip’ because it combines glamour, beaches and resort living. 

There's plenty of things to do from swimming, surfing and playing on the many Gold Coast beaches or hiking and picnicking in the national parks and rainforests. There's also uber-cool theme parks such as Seaworld, MovieWorld, Dreamworld and Wet'n'wild, and shopaholics can check out the many boutiques and shopping centres. The Gold Coast has something for everyone.
 

Visit Brisbane

Climb the Storey Bridge. Photo: Brisbane Marketing

Brisbane has great weather, parks, and a man-made beach in the city - known as Southbank. Here you'll also find plenty of cafes, restaurants, playgrounds, museums and theatres, plus the Wheel of Brisbane (giant enclosed ferris wheel.)

Other key attractions include a koala sanctuary, river cruises, and all kinds of sightseeing tours. Brisbane's other great advantage is that it's only an hour from the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast (but in different directions). Other cool things to do include an easy day trip to Moreton Island and Stradbroke Island.
 

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Visit the Sunshine Coast

Meet a crocodile at Australia Zoo. Photo: Tourism Australia

The Sunshine Coast is another Queensland holiday hot spot and is one hour drive north of Brisbane. This fun and family-friendly holiday destination has beaches, national parks, rainforests, health retreats, vineyards, the world-famous Australia Zoo, and Eumundi Market which is Australia's biggest art, craft and produce market. 

Visit the Whitsundays

Enjoy a picnic at Michelmas Cay. Photo: Ben Southall, Queensland Tourism

Welcome to the Whitsundays - which is a nest of 74 tropical islands. A handful of these islands have been made into resorts, and the remainder are protected national parks that play an important role in maintaining the local wildlife and ecosystem. Resorts that will take your breath away include Hayman Island, Hamilton Island, Daydream Island, and South Molle Island.
 

Great Barrier Reef

Meet the local Clownfish at 'The Reef'. Photo: Tourism Port Douglas and Daintree

The Great Barrier Reef is the pride and joy of Queensland. This tropical paradise is the world’s largest coral reef (stretching 2,500 kilometres.)  There’s over 1500 types of fish and marine life; 30 different kinds of whales and dolphins; and 215 species of birds. It’s hardly surprising the Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven natural wonders of the world, and is a must-see.
 

Cairns & Port Douglas

Barramundi fishing.  Tourism Port Douglas & Daintree 

Cairns and Port Douglas has the world's oldest living rainforest, a rich Indigenous culture and stunning islands. If you're after adventure, get the adrenaline pumping by bungy-jumping, tree surfing, white-water rafting, kayaking, sky-diving, and much more. An hour north of Cairns is Port Douglas which has great restaurants, markets, shopping, swimming and wellness spas.