'''Queensland''' [http://www.queenslandholidays.com.au/] is one of the six states in Australia and probably most famous because of its association with several major world heritage sites including the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree National Park. Eastern Queensland has a climate ranging from subtropical to tropical, and it's a popular wintertime tourist attraction. Large areas of western Queensland are very arid. Much of Queensland has a wet and dry season due to its latitude, and this is more notable further north you travel. One of the major tourist areas is the beach-based tourist resort just south of Brisbane, known as the Gold Coast. South East Queensland is one of the fastest-growing areas of Australia.

Regions

  • South East Queensland, including the famous Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast
  • Fraser Coast
  • Capricornia, including Heron Island
  • Whitsunday Islands
  • North Coast
  • Far North Queensland
  • Cape York Peninsula
  • Gulf Country
  • Outback Queensland
  • Cities

  • Brisbane (state capital)
  • Cairns
  • Gladstone
  • Gold Coast
  • Hervey Bay
  • Mackay
  • Rockhampton
  • Thuringowa
  • Townsville
  • Other destinations

  • Bunya Mountains National Park
  • Cape York Peninsula
  • Carnarvon National Park
  • Daintree National Park
  • Fraser Island
  • Glass House Mountains
  • Great Barrier Reef
  • Hinchinbrook Island
  • Sunshine Coast
  • Whitsunday Islands (Hamilton Island)
  • Kilkivan (South Burnett region)
  • Time Zone

    '''Queensland''' is 10 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time ('''''GMT+10''''') and 18 hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time (PST). '''Daylight Saving is not observed'''

    AEST - '''Australian Eastern Standard Time'''

    Understand

    Talk

    As in most of Australia, English is invariably spoken. However, in some popular tourist cities (particularly Cairns and the Gold Coast) some signs may be supplemented in Japanese.

    Get in

    By plane

    The main international airports are in Brisbane, Cairns and the Gold Coast.

    Domestic airports with direct flights from interstate are at Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, the Fraser Coast and the Sunshine Coast.

    Other airports in smaller towns in Queensland are served by indirect flights via one of the airports above.

    By bus

    There are a number of companies that operate bus services between cities and towns throughout Australia, and there are also interstate trains.

    By car

    If backpacking or on a tight budget, check to see if you can double up with other low-budget travellers who may be driving inter-state, or investigate car-hire places that sometimes offer deals charging less to return their stock to capital cities.

    Get around

    By car

  • '''Gulf Track'''
  • '''Telegraph Track''' (Peninsula Development Road)
  • See

  • The Magnificent Moreton Bay - the mouth of the Brisbane river, and home to a collection of Islands where boating, fishing, sailing, camping, holidays and day-trips make Brisbane such a brilliant out-door adventure city. Take a guided tour around beautiful St Helena Island, a former jail from when Brisbane was a penal colony. Spend the weekend at Stradbroke Island and surf on magnificent beaches or take the kids to Coochie Mudlo Island for a quiet day out on flat water beaches.
  • RiverFire - the last night of the annual River Festival - a night when the whole city comes out to watch an incredible fireworks display choreographed with precision to spray from the tops of buildings, from the cities bridges and barges stretched all along the river from Southbank to the Story Bridge. The fireworks are kicked off and ended with the dump and burn of the F1-11 fighters.
  • Planet Earth Adventures. Cox Lane,mt Surprise, QLD 4871. etween Cairns & Kurumba. 0623127. Planet earth adventures is a unique venue in a rural paradise hosting camp grounds, a museum, cafe/restaurant serving fresh organic food grown on the grounds, tyre sales & repairs, snake shows & entertainment venue. Activities available include pool table, darts, music jamming sessions, camp fires, Climbing Mt Surprise, Volley ball and basketball. Mount Surprise is a historic town and the perfect place to camp on journeys through north queensland. Local attractions also include the famous Undara Lava tubues.

    Do

  • Catch The Savannahlander [http://www.savannahlander.com.au] from Cairns to Forsayth - this unique four day train trip is a great way to see the Australian outback.
  • Capital *Brisbane city is not only the gateway to Moreton Bay the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast, but is a destination itself these days. It used to be that travellers would stop in Brisbane because they had too on the way to the rest of their holiday. But these days Brisbane offers world class arts, adventure, fashion, dining, nightlife and daylife, and your budget could be backpakers or Packers and you'd struggle to get bored.
  • The River City offers river tours, night and day, low-key, touristy, romantic or wild party style from a variety of companies. For a great night out, to see great bands or go to a dance party, locals head to Fortitude Valley in the evening and then enjoy the Valley markets on the weekends in Brunswick mall. West End also has trendy bars and resturants, with markets on Saturdays along the river where local culture and local farmers sell their wares. For a lower key or a generational difference, try Paddington, Bulimba or New Farm for dining and cafes. Shopping in the city centre is a pleasure with shady pedestrian malls and alfresco cafes and resturants at every turn.

    Southbank is the perfect family destination for a low-cost or elegant night out - just pick your style. Fish and chips on the picnic tables provided in the grassy parklands, or fine dining in some of the top class resturants lining little Stanly street. Come back in the morning for the famous markets on the weekends, and take a swim in the sparkling man-made beach, looking across the river to the cityscape. The free childrens water play park is new and hugely popular. Change rooms and shady spots are available and abundant.

    Take guided night walks through the Botanical gardens to view the nocturanal wild-life. Go kayaking along the river in daytime or nightime. Climb the story bridge, or the Kangaroo Point cliffs. See live comedy, go to a play or a musical, visit the art gallery where Picasso and Andy Warhol collections were recently shown, or just cycle through the cities purpose built cycle paths that can take you from one end of the city to the other, and stop in the many parks along the way for an ice-cream or a drink.

    Brisbane is a city not to be missed. Called "Australia's Most Liveable City", it is also a showcase for tourists where the local peoples friendly laid-back attitude to life is as much of a holiday experience as anything.

  • Gold Coast * An hour south of Brisbane you will find world class surfing, beautiful beaches, great food from all cultures, nightlife, fun parks, day trips by plane, helicopter or boat, deep sea fishing, unbelievable shopping, casino, shows, festivals, markets, or just watching the beautiful people. From Surfers Paradise to Cooloongatta the beaches alone are enough. Modern and clean, the southern corner of QLD is a world class holiday destination for people on all budgets.
  • Sunshine Coast * 2 hours north of Brisbane you will find the Sunshine coast with all the Gold Coast has to offer, but with a slightly different demographic (higher propertion of retirees), and a less dense population. The Sunshine Coast stretches across a number of towns each with thier own charms and flavours. The population boom being experienced by the Sunshine coast has much to do with the Sea-change migration from NSW and Victoria, as southern retirees come to spend the rest of their days enjoying what QLDers have had on their doorstep for their whole lives.
  • Fraser Coast * Gateway to Fraser Island the Fraser Coast is experiencing a massive property boom and tourist explosion. Unspoilt beaches and waterways, fantastic 4WD'ing, whale watching and fishing seem to be the main attractions, although the interior has plenty to offer those interested in the agricultural life of QLD.
  • 1770 * The Town of 1770 is the closest access point to the Great Barrier Reef, north of Brisbane. Just over an hours drive from Bundaberg and Gladstone airports it is a small coastal strip now slowly making itself known to the broader population. Great accomodation deals and quiet holidays can be had in this area where the reef is accessible for inexpensive day trips by boat. Snorkelling, surfing, fishing and camping, holidays houses, cabins or luxury resort accom available.
  • Go tandem skydiving in Caloundra with Sunshine Coast Skydivers [http://www.skydivingaustralia.com.au].
  • Eat

    Much of Queensland's income is still derived from agriculture, with different regions specializing in different produce. Famous examples include sugercane in the Whitsundays; peanuts for Kingaroy; mangoes for Bowen. Fresh local fish can also be found right along the coast, usually sold in "Fish & Chips" shops. Brisbane and surrounding areas like the Gold Coast and Sunshine coast are becoming very well known for quality resturants, cafes and take-aways. Whether it's 5 star or fast food you are after there is no need to eat poor quality food in Queensland. With so much fresh food available, seek out boutique and independant operations with a focus on quality and freshness. You won't usually pay more than its worth. Demand for organic food is also growing, as is awareness of variations in peoples dietry preferences, so gluten and dairy intolerant or vegetarian/vegan eaters will often find that choices are available in most places, or can be prepared in the kitchens on request. Pub food in QLD is no longer just the sad old counter meal variety, if you find a fairly modern pub you'll find a fairly modern kitchen and while you can often still get lunch for $10, generally the low price won't be reflected in the quality. Breakfast is big in Brisbane and markets are particularly good places to go for a local brekkie. Alternatively, you'll find free and clean public BBQ's in lots of the public parks, so bring your own picnic along and enjoy QLD's gorgeous weather while you cook up your own true Aussie BBQ. To be fair to the other patrons, give the BBQ plate a wipe down after you've finished with some clean newspaper, and place your rubbish in bins provided.

    Drink

    The local mass produced Queensland beer is "XXXX", known locally as 'fourex'. The most common glass measure is called a ''pot'', so just about any pub in Queensland will server you a ''pot of fourex'''.

    Rum is also produced in Queensland at the central coast town of Bundaberg. It is creatively called Bundaberg Rum, or 'bundy'.

    There are many wineries in Queensland, but it doesn't have the mass production of the more southern areas of Australia. Some surround the town of Kingaroy.

    Sleep

  • '''Golden Chain Motels''' [http://www.goldenchainmotels.com.au/qld] has over 50 locations in Queensland including Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Cairns as well as many regional towns and cities. Golden Chain is a great option for quality accommodation at affordable prices.
  • Holiday houses are popular in QLD. Check local papers and local internet sites for availability as they are often privately leased and generally modern and clean.
  • The weather in QLD is often excellent for camping, and there are fantiastic camping grounds all over the state with a variety of facitlites but be sure to check with local councils that you have the appropriate permits if required.
  • Caravan parks, hotels, and resorts are other options that are available and range in price to suit most people.
  • Stay safe

  • SunSafe - Skin Cancer is a serious health issue in Australia, and sunburn and sunstroke are related problems. Make sure you wear SPF 15+ sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat and t-shirt or long sleeved shirt whenever you can in summer even on cloudy days. Particularly protect childrens skin between 10am to 2pm, as the summer sun can cause a severe burn that will at best ruin your holiday, and at worst end in a trip to the local hospital. Many media outlets list the UV Index (sun factor) with the weather broadcast. In summer in Queensland expect that the UV Index will be ''extreme'' every day.
  • Drink water - If you did a quick street survey you would quickly find out that most locals carry a bottle of water with them at most times in the summer. The humidity can take you unawares, and dehydrate you quickly. Make sure children take regular drinks if they are playing outdoors, and carry water with you on car journeys, hikes or any time you may inadvertently end up somewhere you didn't plan to be.
  • '''Saltwater Crocodiles''' (''crocodylus porosus'') are common throughout the tropical northern half of Queensland all the way down to Rockhampton. Some people play down the threat to humans posed by the Saltwater Crocodile. The facts are that the Saltwater Crocodile has been protected for decades now and there is a healthy population in northern Australia. It is always best to play it safe as a saltwater crocodile can grow to over 5m in length, and are found both in salt and fresh water. Beaches, rivers, creeks and waterholes can be home to large crocodiles. They are not known to frequent the Great Barrier Reef but live in coastal areas and rivers in tropical Australia. Generally authoritative local advice can direct you to a place to swim which is known to be free of crocodiles or has been cleared of them.
  • When swimming at surf beaches, swim on beaches patrolled by Surf Life Savers and between the red and yellow flags. Surf conditions can change quickly and powerful unseen rips can cause problems for even the strongest swimmers. The flags denote the safest area to swim in and the area is monitored.
  • If you see signs warning swimmers that "stingers" are in the water read them carefully as some are deadly. Find a pool or use one of the net protected beach enclosures common on many main beaches.
  • Get out