Queensland Travelers Recommend

From the Great Barrier Reef and the wild rain forests of the far north to the glorious beaches of the Gold and Sunshine coasts, Queensland is Australia's adventure playground. Travelers can cruise to a tropical island; learn to surf or scuba dive; check skydiving off the bucket list; or treat the kids to a day at a theme park. Due to Queensland's tropical climate and searing summer temperatures, the best time to visit is during the autumn and winter months from May to October. It's still possible to visit in summer, but be prepared for high humidity and greater water restrictions due to box jellyfish. Whenever your visit, there's no time like the present to book your trip. With the Australian dollar falling, US and European travelers should book soon to take advantage of the favorable exchange rates. Why not cruise the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns? You can also explore the great outdoors on Fraser Island or take a journey by train through lush tropical climate to Kuranda.

Kick off your time in Cairns with a dose of cuteness by heading to the Koala Café at Cairns Tropical Zoo for breakfast. It overlooks a lake where water-birds, turtles, dragons, pelicans and ducks cruise. Afterward you can see pelicans being fed, take an endangered exotic species walk, hand-feed kangaroos and, yes, cuddle a koala. Saddle up for an action-packed day trip where you'll take the Kuranda Scenic Railway from Cairns, go shopping in the Kuranda Markets, ride the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, soar over the Great Barrier Reef on a scenic helicopter tour, take a lunchtime cruise on the reef, then spend the afternoon swimming, snorkeling or diving before cruising back to Cairns. Wow! Don't forget your camera! It's your last day and you cannot miss out on one of the absolute 'must-do' activities in this area – taking a hot air balloon ride. You'll never forget the wonder of a sunrise in Tropical North Queensland.

It is said that all the sand from the eastern coast of Australia eventually ends up at Fraser Island. This fantastic UNESCO World Heritage site is reachable from Hervey Bay by ferry (and also by small plane). 4WDs are the only vehicles allowed on the island, so the easiest way to get there and around is by booking a day tour. On the nature walks, you’ll keep your eyes peeled for a variety of rare birds, reptiles and unique mammals such as the phascogale, a carnivorous marsupial that lives in the trees. Be sure to swim near Lake McKenzie. This is where you’ll find the pure-silica beach, as well as one of the island’s most beautiful converges of sea, sand and sky. While you’re traveling the island, be sure to visit the wreck of the Maheno, a foundered luxury cruiser later used for bombing practice by the Australian military. Upon returning to Hervey Bay on your third day, book a snorkelling trip to nearby Lady Elliot Island.