24 Must-Visit Attractions in Queensland, Australia

It’s the world’s largest living structure, comprised of more than 3,000 coral reefs, 600 islands and 300 coral cays, and it’s home to thousands of tropical fish species as well as sharks, dolphins, turtles, dugongs and more. Needless to say, you could swim, surf, snorkel, sail and scuba for months and still not see everything this amazing part of the world has to offer.

The cluster of monolithic, angular buildings across the river from Brisbane’s central business district are home to the state’s best classic and modern art collections, library, museum collections, performance centres and more.

It’s the world’s largest sand island and one of the best island escapes in the country. Whether you camp or stay in a luxury eco resort, you’ll enjoy the ancient rainforests, freshwater lakes, sandstone cliffs, rock pools and 75 Mile Beach.

A short swim off the coast of Brisbane’s Moreton Island, the fifteen rusty hulls of the Tangalooma Wrecks make for an unforgettable scuba or snorkelling experience.

The town of Kuranda itself is charming and folksy, but its scenic railway offers a journey you’ll remember for the rest of your life. You can take the steam train that winds through the rainforest and along the gorge, or glide over the treetops in the cable car.

Venture beneath the craggy limestone ridges of the Berserker Range to discover an incredible cave system. Follow the boardwalk or abseil directly into the heart of the cavernous underground chambers.

This boulder-strewn valley valley is a stand out spot in the already impeccable Daintree National Park. The Mossman River runs crystal clear and is perfect for a lazy swim.

There are countless pioneer museums dotted throughout the outback, but few are as engaging, interactive or innovative. This Longreach based museum is a tribute to the outback explorers, the early pioneers and Indigenous Australians.

It’s not the only zoo in Queensland, but thanks to its founder – the late Steve Irwin – it’s certainly the most famous. A short drive from Brisbane, it’s the perfect spot to see crocodiles, snakes, dingos, wombats and a whole host of amazing Australian critters.

With more than 50 lovingly restored heritage buildings, this historic township gives far more insight into early Australian life than any regular museum trip.

The Australian Age of Dinosaurs museum building – a hunking mass of iron perched on a red dirt plateau – is impressive in itself. But the collection inside, including two locally found dinosaur fossils, needs to be seen to be believed.

There are more than 500 limestone caves to explore in this national park. While they’re all impressive, make sure you visit the caves at Mungana and Wullumba to experience the ancient Aboriginal rock art, painted on the cave walls.

Located three hours’ drive north of Brisbane, Hervey Bay is the end of the ‘Humpback Highway’ up Australia’s east coast—the place where whales stop to rest, give birth and teach their calves to swim in the calm waters sheltered by the world’s largest sand bank, Fraser Island. Plan your trip during winter (July to November) to see humpbacks splash around, frolic and breach out of the water.

Recommended by Tom Smith.

Think Whitsunday Islands, think luxury. This series of 74 islands in the middle of the Great Barrier Reef are exactly what you’d imagine a tropical paradise to look like, right down to the snow white sand, warm turquoise water, and thriving greenery. And there’s no shortage of five-star resorts that match the salubrious surrounds, especially on the aptly named Daydream Island.

Recommended by Tom Smith.

Surrounded by lush tropical rainforest, the Mount Hypipamee Crater is a breathtaking 70m (230ft) wide, 138m (453ft) deep crater. The lush green of the waterweed that sits on top of the crater lake provide stunning contrast to the stark grey granite walls.

There are thousands of things to do on the Gold Coast and you have the chance to see them all from above at this 230m (755ft) tall observation deck in the heart of Surfers Paradise.

Queenslanders are truly fanatical about rugby league, and Lang Park is the code’s spiritual home in the Sunshine State. Called Suncorp Stadium for sponsorship purposes but known to all red-blooded Queenslanders as ‘The Cauldron’, Lang Park comes alive for fearsome State of Origin clashes against arch rivals New South Wales, as well as Brisbane Broncos NRL games throughout winter.

Recommended by Tom Smith.

Of all the wineries and vineyards around Stanthorpe, the French and Italian-style wines of Boireann Wines are perhaps the most highly regarded.

The locals can’t really explain the strange lights that appear in the sky near Boulia, and you probably won’t be able to explain this weirdly wonderful show either.

It’s not the most ornate Chinese temple in the world, but with its corrugated-iron cladding and gold-rush era establishment, it’s certainly one of the most unique.

This majestic gorge runs for 30km (18.6 miles) through the rugged ranges of Queensland’s highlands. From 200m (656ft) tall sandstone cliffs to the quiet waterholes, there’re plenty of reasons to lace up your hiking boots and explore.

This massive, 40m (131ft) tall wave of red sand is the first of more than 1,000 parallel dunes that stretch across the Simpson Desert. This lovingly nicknamed dune is a source of inspiration for photographers and an unnerving challenge for four-wheel drivers.

They are incredibly tiny, absolutely adorable, and nearly impossible to spot in the wild. Take this rare opportunity to see Australia’s answer to the Easter Bunny up close.

This Queensland sporting spectacle truly belongs in the ‘only in Australia’ category, as horses from around the country gallop through the dust of the Simpson Desert on the first Saturday of September. Held in the tiny town of Birdsville 1,600 kilometres west of Brisbane, the Melbourne Cup of the Outback draws thousands of spectators for the big-money race program plus plenty of entertainment off the track, too.

Recommended by Tom Smith.

Planning a trip to Australia? Check out our guided tours, trips and experiences. Expect paddle boarding along stunning white sandy beaches, traipsing through dense beautiful rainforest and road-tripping through the vast red landscapes of the outback. Book now!