Queensland Points of Interest and Places to Visit

The Great Barrier Reef is Australia's greatest natural treasure, and the world’s largest coral reef. This underwater wonderland stretches for 2,300 km (1,426 miles) from Bundaberg to Australia's northernmost tip. At its closest, it's only 30 km (18.5 miles) away from the Queensland coast. The Great Barrier Reef encompasses almost 3,000 individual reefs. Their multicoloured beauty is made up of 400 types of living and dead coral polyps, home to around 1,500 species of fish, 4,000 breeds of clams, 500 types of seaweed, 200 species of birds, 1,500 different sponges and half a dozen varieties of turtles. The Great Barrier Reef is also dotted with around 900 islands, including coral cays such as Green Island and Heron Island, along with the Whitsundays sand islands. Fringing reefs surround the islands, while the outer reef faces away from the mainland and islands and out to sea.

What makes Whitehaven Beach so special? It's the silica. The sand on this 6km (4 mi) stretch of paradise is 98% silica, the powdered remains of a long-dead coral forest. That's what makes it so sugar-fine, radiantly white and slip-through-the-toes silky. Of course, a beach doesn't keep its Best Beach awards and places in Top 10 lists through sand alone. Whitehaven teams its pristine whiteness with warm, lapping, peerlessly blue waves, a rainforest backing and Hill Inlet, which is famous for the play of colour as the tide washes in.

Lapped by the sea 27 km (16.5 miles) from the mainland, Green Island is one of the most popular island day-trip destinations from Cairns. A true coral cay, the island is covered in rainforest and surrounded by coral reefs for snorkeling adventures. The island's luxury resort has a swimming pool for day visitors' use, along with a restaurant, snack kiosk and several bars. While you're on Green Island you can visit the tropical aquarium, follow the self-guided island walking track, take a short stroll along nature boardwalks leading through the rainforest, and spot turtles swimming in the sea off the island's patrolled beach.

Referred to as the “Whale Watching Capital of the World,” Hervey Bay is blessed with tranquil beaches and a mild sub-tropical climate that make it a delight to visit year round. It’s a relaxed and charming city that is popular with tourists who come to whale watch, swim, fish and explore the surrounding countryside including catching the ferry to Fraser Island. There are plenty of activities for the whole family in Hervey Bay especially on those calm blue waters that are perfect for sailing, jet skiing, fishing and diving. There are plenty of activities inland as well such as golf, horse riding and sky diving. During the winter months from August to October there are the whales who use Hervey Bay as their winter playground.

The Skyrail Rainforest Cableway is one of the most scenic ways to travel from Cairns, climbing up above the rainforest canopy to the charming mountain town of Kuranda. Swinging out across the tree tops, the cableway runs for 7.5 km (4.7 miles) over pristine World Heritage-listed rain forest. Bring your camera for stunning panoramic views taking in coast, mountain and river landscapes, and look out for electric-blue Ulysses butterflies. You can stretch your legs at two mid-stations, where nature boardwalks and scenic lookouts reinforce the magic of the rain forest environment.

Whether it’s hiking, boating or tracking wildlife, the lush hills and scenic passes of Barron Gorge National Park make up the perfect place for outdoor enthusiasts to explore this natural Australian wonder, which lies just beyond Cairns city limits. Overnight travelers can set up camp at nearby Speewah Conservation Park before setting out on one of Barron Gorge’s popular hikes, which range from an easy 1.2 kilometers to more challenging excursions between the park’s three main trailheads. Commercial rafting trips along the Barron River let daredevil travelers explore less accessible parts of the lower gorge, while wildlife lovers can find tree-kangaroos, flying foxes, spotted-tail quolls and even the endangered southern cassowary along the river’s edge. Visitors often stroll along the banks of Lake Placid in the lower Barron Gorge, and the popular Skyrail Rainforest Cableway takes visitors high up into the park’s rainforest canopy.

Opened in 1891, Kuranda’s Scenic Railway lies some 21 miles of picturesque landscape away from Cairns. This popular attraction passes by the breathtaking Barron Falls and equally impressive Stoney Creek Falls. While some travelers lament the dark tunnels and rocky crags, most agree that the incredible gorges, lush forests and roaring waterfalls make this experience worth the journey. Friendly staff members and expert guides help to complete the experience by snapping family photos for you and offering a bit of background information about the railway’s history and construction. Their attentive nature and hospitable vibe almost make up for the train’s lack of air-conditioning—particularly noticeable on hot Aussie days.

Beautiful Mossman Gorge is a special place for a swim on a hot day, with crystal-clear water tumbling over the rocks and boulders of the Mossman River. The gorge is also popular with bushwalkers who come here to do the easy one-hour rainforest circuit walk or more strenuous treks through the national park. The traditional owners of the gorge are the Kuku Yalanji, who offer Dreamtime walks and tours from their gallery en route to the park entrance. The national parks center here is open on weekdays, with plenty of information about the gorge for visitors.

Gorges, tumbling rivers, pristine rainforest, and rugged mountains – the Daintree Rainforest is a pristine environment with a World Heritage listing. Stretching from the Lower Daintree south of the Daintree River, north to Cape Tribulation and beyond, the ancient rainforest is home to endemic species of birds, animals and plants. This is the place to come horseback riding, take a crocodile spotting cruise on the river, and enjoy cultural encounters with the Aboriginal residents. Go on a 4WD safari, walk above the tree tops at the Daintree Discovery Centre, or discover the many eco-lodges offering relaxation therapy in this back-to-nature part of the world. Along the coast, go diving on the offshore reefs, cruise the Great Barrier Reef or glide through the air on a sky tour.

Calm waters, crystal clear visibility and tons of tropical fish make Michaelmas Cay one of the best scuba and snorkeling destinations outside of Cairns. Underwater enthusiasts love the colorful coral found far below the ocean’s surface and the lively birds that fly high overhead. Time spent on a boat isn’t so bad either. Leopard sharks, sting rays and sea turtles swim among the coral reefs, and since the sandy lagoon is protected from the elements, snorkeling conditions are ideal regardless of the weather nearby.

Reefworld is the Barrier Reef experience made easy. It's located on two giant pontoons over sheltered Hardy Reef, one of the most beautiful and prolific of nature's coral gardens. So many colors! Thousands of fish! It's a deluxe way to see the wonders of the reef. You're whisked out there by high-speed catamaran, so you'll spend less time getting out to the reef, and because Hardy Reef is a platform reef, it's not subject to choppy conditions and can be snorkeled pretty much year-round. You can tour the reef without getting wet aboard spacious semi-submersibles, with commentary from Reef Interpreters. Reefworld's facilities also include a large, seated underwater viewing chamber (complete with soft nautical music); a secure diving area; a large sundeck with sun lounges and views; and a tailor-made viewing area on deck to see the massive Queensland Groper living beneath the platform. There are also masseurs, shops and a host of activities for children.

Lake Wabby, the deepest of the Fraser Island lakes, is a barrage lake that was formed by sand dunes blocking a natural spring that fed the lake. The small freshwater lake is surrounded by forests making it one of Fraser Island’s most picturesque lakes - not to mention that its waters are colored green! Lake Wabby differs from other lakes on Fraser Island as it supports numerous fish species due to the lack of acidity in the water. You might even catch a glimpse of turtles and catfish while you swim. Check out lovely Lake Wabby while you still can because in a century or so this lake will be eaten up by the sand dune on its west coast that is slowly taking over the lake.

The Rainforestation Nature Park is 100 acres of pristine World Heritage rainforest situated just half an hour’s drive from Cairns. Here, visitors can get involved with nature by taking a ride through the tropical rainforest on an Army Duck Rainforest Tour, where an experienced guide will explain about the tropical plants and wildlife in the park. Elsewhere, the Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience will provide an insight into Aboriginal culture, with demonstrations in traditional-style dwellings. Visitors can also get up close to native Australian animals within the Koala and Wildlife Park, where trained and enthusiastic wildlife keepers will lead their guests along boardwalks that enable close-up encounters of crocodiles, dingoes, wombats, snakes, kangaroos, and wallabies.

The Wildlife Habitat Sanctuary gives you the chance to see Australia’s animals up-close in their own habitats. Conservation, sustainability and education are all priorities at this very special wildlife habitat. Rainforest, wetlands, grassland and nocturnal tours set the scene for superb animal encounters, but perhaps the most popular way to meet the animals is to enjoy Breakfast with the Birds or Lunch with the Lorikeets. The Koala Habitat is one of the most popular exhibits, with great views of the sleeping marsupials and the chance to step inside and touch and feed the koalas. Take a behind-the-scenes wildlife tour to learn more about the sanctuary’s breeding programs, rescue center and rehabilitated animals.

The Great Sandy National Park is a coastal national park and encompasses both part of mainland Queensland and Fraser Island, the world’s largest sand island. On the mainland. the river stretches from Rainbow Beach to Noosa Heads, its eastern border one long unbroken tropical beach paradise. Noosa Heads in the south is a popular holiday destination for Australians and hotels get busy during the peak season. Inland if you’re looking for a more nature-based holiday the Cooloola Wilderness Trail has opportunities for real bush camping at the Neebs and Wandi waterholes. The Fraser Island section is separated from the mainland by a shallow sand reef which can be crossed by barge. The island has an incredible stretch of white beach running unbroken down its eastern coast while the interior is home to unlikely rainforests, sublime freshwater lakes and remarkable dunes.

This stretch of soft white sand is aptly named Seventy-Five Mile Beach due to the fact that it’s 75 miles (121 kilometers) long. Running along majority of Fraser Island’s east coast, the beach offers a number of experiences, although swimming is not advised due to the high number of tiger sharks. That being said off-roading and fishing are popular pastimes on the beach, as is visiting its many attractions. If you are wanting to swim safely there are the Champagne Pools, natural rock pools that feature frothy Champagne-like bubbles when waves crash over the rocks. Additionally, Indian Head is a rocky outcrop popular for watching stingrays, fish, turtles, dolphins and sharks in the surf. Visitors can also visit the Maheno Wreck, once one of the world’s fastest ships and used for target practice by the Australian Airforce in WWII.

Often described as one of the best views in all of Australia, Hill Inlet is a must-visit in the Whitsunday Islands area. Its a feature of countless tours throughout the region and sits on the large Whitsunday Island at Whitehaven Beach. If you travel along Whitehaven Beach to the north, you'll run into Hill Inlet. Try to be there when the tides are retreating, as this is when you'll have the luxury of watching perfect white sands appear in a twist among the clear blue waters. From the air, it almost looks unnatural, like a water-color painting or a colorful piece of sand art. Most people arrive by boat and take a dingy ashore. To truly appreciate the view, however, you'll want to make your way to the most popular lookout point over Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet, a spot called Tongue Point. It's here that the magnitude of the beach and inlet are best experienced.

Awe-inspiring Lake McKenzie is possibly one of the world’s most beautiful lakes. It is also one of the world’s least polluted and a swim in the crystal-clear freshwater will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. The lake is a “perched lake,” meaning it sits atop a sand dune where the sand and humus underneath have bonded into a concrete-like base. The lake isn't connected to streams or the ocean, which means all the water is pure rainwater. The sand also acts as a filter keeping the water clear, and makes for an amazing experience when relaxing in the lake. Fraser Island is home to forty of the world’s eighty perched lakes, and like the many other freshwater lakes on the island, Lake McKenzie relies solely on rain for replenishment.

Visit Queensland’s first national park on Mount Tamborine, in the Gold Coast Hinterland region, to enjoy the natural wonders of eucalypt forests, palm groves, prehistoric volcanic rock outcrops and lush subtropical waterfalls. Mount Tamborine National Park originated with the protection of the Witches Falls and has since expanded across the Tamborine plateau and surrounding foothills. Popular national park activities include walking the many mapped and marked bush trails, spotting Australian brush-turkeys and listening for the call of the threatened Albert’s lyrebird. Once you’ve explored the natural wilderness of Mount Tambourine National Park, be sure to indulge in the boutique beers, local wines and specialty crafts from the Tambourine Mountain township, which is known as a luxury getaway destination and hang gliding hotspot.

Half the fun of visiting the quaint mountain town of Kuranda is getting there! Jump aboard the historic scenic railway, ride the skyrail, or hire a car and take a splendid drive through the winding hills from Cairns. Kuranda offers a feast of artistic, wildlife, shopping and dining pursuits. Order local seafood at a palm-shaded outdoor cafe, then visit the Original Kuranda Rainforest Market for incense and hippie chic. The Kuranda Arts Co-op specializes in locally crafted artworks and pottery, the Heritage Markets has jewelry and opals, and the New Kuranda Markets sells didgeridoos, boomerangs and other souvenirs of indigenous Australia. Croc-spotting cruises head out from Kuranda along the Barron River, signed walking trails lead through the rain forest, and all sorts of animals are corralled in these parts – cuddle a koala, spot flutterbys at the butterfly sanctuary, see big cats at the wildlife reserve, or hang out with feathered friends at BirdWorld.

Whether you’re snuggling up to baby koalas or feeding bouncing kangaroos, the Australia Zoo—home of the world-famous Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin—delivers a wildlife experience unlike any other. The popular Bindi’s Bootcamp lets excited kids burn off energy while testing their wilderness skills, and the Tiger Temple puts travelers right up close to the Sumatran felines. There’s even an African savannah complete with rhinos, giraffes and cheetahs, too. Guests can participate in a Birds of Prey experience, or get up close with Outback favorites like the dingo, tortoise, wombat and lemur. Conservation is key at Australia Zoo, with endangered species breeding programs, field study and habitat preservation. The zoo is managed by Irwin’s family members, whose personalities are a major part of the zoo's continuing attraction for visitors.

Brisbane is a city shaped by the river. It is a city of long walks in the summer dusk and riverside picnics on weekends. Bringing natural life to the urban scape, the Brisbane River is the site of many of Brisbane’s best attractions, events and everyday joys. Popular activities on the Brisbane River include kayaking through the city at night, exploring the river on a CityCat, taking a dining river cruise or catching a local ferry to reach the opposite shore. Climbing the Kangaroo Point Cliffs on the river’s edge is a popular evening activity, and many residents and visitors alike enjoy climbing the famous Story Bridge, dining at South Bank by the water and relaxing with a drink at Eagle Street Pier. You can also take a walk through the City Botanical Gardens that follow the northern river’s edge, see a live show at the famous Riverstage, look across the urban night from a Gallery of Modern Art ‘Up Late’ event, or read by the river.

Moreton Island is a peaceful retreat for day trippers and weekenders, right on Brisbane's door step. More than 90 percent of Moreton Island is protected as national park, and only 4WD (four-wheel drive) vehicles and walkers can access the beaches and trails. Spend days relaxing by pristine beaches, swim underwater to view the marine life, go wreck diving or try dune bashing across the sandy dunes. Dolphins visit Tangalooma to be hand-fed by volunteers, and seasonal whale-watching cruises circle the island between June and October.