Queensland

 

QUEENSLAND

Queensland is synonymous with a beachy lifestyle, and rightly so, with hundreds of uncrowded sandy strips to explore. The northern state’s warm ocean currents are a tropical balm for southerners.

Regional Queensland

Whitsundays

The Whitsundays are made up of 74 islands bordered by the Great Barrier Reef. They’re surrounded on all sides by t he placid and warm waters of the Coral Sea.

Tropical North

This stunning and blessedly remote region is symbolised by its tropical rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. If you need a reminder of life well outside cities, this is the place to be; you will encounter unspoilt vegetation and undersea coral.

Townsville

Townsville and the adjoining city of Thuringowa make up Australia’s largest tropical beachside city of 150000 people. Magnificent Magnetic Island and the world’s largest island national park, Hinchinbrook Island, are nearby.

Toowoomba & Golden West

In the late 19^th century, the air in Toowoomba was thought to be so pure and so therapeutic that it was sold at souvenir stands in glass jars. Located on the edge of t he Great Dividing Range, 700m above the stunning Lockyer Valley, Toowoomba is Australia’s largest inland city and only 90 minutes from Brisbane.

Sunshine Coast

You are spoiled for choice with the scenery in this part of Australia. Try a hike through the rainforests dotted around the area, or visit wetland sanctuaries with a population of native critters. Fraser Island, the world’s biggest sand island, includes Lake McKenzie and perhaps the most beautiful beach in the world.

Outback

When you have seen everything you want to of the Great Barrier Reef and tropical beaches, head deeper inland into the outback, past the rainforest hinterland and rural fields, and experience a brilliant change of scenery and atmosphere. Major highways like the Matilda are fully sealed, though some attractions are on unsealed roads. Local visitor information centres can advise on sights and tours.

Mackay

Mackay offers a calendar month of beaches, with precisely 31 pristine and uncrowded beaches. Mackay’s northern beaches are among its most revered, including the Whitsundays only 20 minutes north of the city. On the other side of town Casuarina Beach is hugely popular, and not just for the 1.5km of clean sand. Kangaroos also feed along the beach at sunrise and sunset.

Gold Coast

The God Coast’s 42km coastline stretches from Southport to Coolangatta, and any tourist brochure or website is quick to highlight the more than 300 days of sunshine it receives annually. The regions various other attractions add up, and so do the figures. The God coast is visited by over four million people every year. The Gold Coast is fringes with beaches that have names like B-Grade soapies: Palm Beach, Rainbow Bay, mermaid Beach and Surfers Paradise are just a few. They all offer A-Grade soft golden sand, waves and the kind of sunsets that will lure soapie scripted romance out of anyone.

Gladstone

Gladstone’s beaches, rivers and reef islands enjoy a palpable holiday atmosphere, which is a pleasant surprises considering the region is nothing short of a giant in the Australian industrial economy.

Fraser Coast

Imagine the best of Queensland rolled into one island. Then add these things: space, isolation, no tall buildings, crystal clear lakes and rivers, and the privilege to get around it all in a troop carrier or 4WD on purpose cleared tracks. Welcome to Fraser Island

Capricorn

Capricorn showcases a side of Queensland you can really sink your teeth into, with attractions like world beating barra fishing and world famous beef steaks in Rockhampton, the proud beef capital of Australia.

Bundaberg

The fact that a polar bear is on the bottle of Bundaberg’s famous rum is actually quite fitting. This is just one of many out of the ordinary animal encounters you can find in Bundaberg, to add to all the Queensland standards: beaches, islands, and water so lucid that snorkelling and diving is a revelation.

Brisbane & Surrounds

Brisbane and its surrounding area of precincts and suburbs have a festive multicultural atmosphere that perfectly suits the sunny days and mild nights. Known affectionately as BrisVegas the city is conveniently close to some glitzy attractions. Bit its proximity to a coastline of endless beaches is another huge draw, and certainly gives it an edge.

Classic Drive

Hinterland Escape, Queensland

Start: Noosa Heads

Finish: Glass House Mountains

Distance: 137km

This drive leads through the Blackall Range, the tranquil, emerald green hills that frame the beaches and resort towns of the Sunshine Coast. En route are quaint hillside villages well serviced with cafes, stores and galleries, and to the south a scenic road swoops through the sculptural shapes of the Glass House Mountains. The journey can be completed in a day, but there are plenty of B&Bs and guesthouses for overnight stays.

Noosa Lifestyle

Noosa heads, the epicentre of the Sunshine Coast, is a fashionable resort town set on lovely Laguna Bay at the mouth of the Noosa River. The nearby headland is preserved within Noosa National Park; a network of walking tracks leads through the forest to sandy beaches and dramatic cliff top vantage points.

Marvellous Market

The 19^th century timber town of Eumundi marks the ascent into the hills. On Wednesday and Saturday mornings the town hosts one of Australia’s most colourful markets. Aim to arrive as early as possible – breakfast here is a treat. Taste the fine locally grown produce, browse through the clothing and crafts, relax in the shade of a tree and be entertained by buskers.

Ginger Galore

Yandina is the home of The Ginger Factory – both a factory and a theme park, Ginger is a major local crop, and this factory has combined its operations with a range of experiences for visitors. See how ginger is processed, watch cooking demonstrations, purchase jams and other treats from the Ginger Shoppe, ride the historic Queensland Cane Train and wander in the beautiful subtropical gardens.

Escarpment Escape

Just before you reach the town of Mapleton, stop at Dulong Lookout situated at the top of the escarpment. The views are exhilarating – rolling green hills to the east and dense forest to the north. Take time to explore tiny Mapleton Falls National Park, which preserves remnant rainforest and a 120 m waterfall.

Chirping Birds and Rushing Water

The road from Mapleton to Flaxton traces the ridge of the Blackall Range, offering magnificent views east and west. Just south of Flaxton is the turn off to Kondalilla National Park, a small 327 ha park where over 100 bird species have been recorded. This is also where you will find Kondalilla Falls, an impressive 90 m cascade, with a rock pool suitable for swimming perched on top.

Mountain Village

Montville is more like a northern European village than a town of the Australian subtropics. Settled by citrus growers in the 1880s, its centrepiece is an English style village green. A signposted heritage trail starts at the adjacent village hall. Take time to browse through the art and craft galleries and stop for lunch at one of the excellent local eateries.

Unlimited Vistas

Between Montville and Malerny is Gerrard Lookout – 375 m above sea level, it takes in the3 entire spread of the Sunshine Coast, from the high rise of Caloundra to the dense coastal forests around Noosa Heads. Balmoral Lookout, a few kilometres further along, offers views across farmland to nearby Lake Baroon, and westward to the forests around Kenilworth.

Looking South

Beyond the peaceful hamlet of Maleny is the aptly named Mountain View Road, which provides breathtaking views of the mountains to the south. At McCarthys Lookout a sign identifies each of the peaks, including the recognisable shapers of the Glass House Mountains. Further along is Mary Cairncross Park, the legacy of 19^th century environmentalist Mary Cairnscross, where there are walking trails and a natural history centre that introduces visitors to the varied plant and animal life of the Hinterland.

Mountain Loop

The Old Gympie Road cuts through the middle of the Glass House Mountains, veering south just ahead of Landsborough. These 16 volcanic plugs and peaks rise abruptly from the plains, reaching a maximum height of 556 m; nine of them are protected within Glass House Mountains National Park. Many walks in the park require rock climbing ability; although an easier option is the two hour return hike up 253 m Mt Ngungun, via the township of Glass house Mountains.