10 Queensland Adventures & Natural Wonders to Tick Off Your Australia Itinerary

When I think about My Ultimate Vacation, I picture myself lounging in a cabin in the woods, located just a few minutes from the cerulean sea. I see soft sun rays hitting the balcony as I soak up the morning with a good cup of coffee, diverse animal species accompanying me. Simply put, I imagine myself in Queensland, Australia — the Sunshine State with endless promises of rest and recreation.

With a total area of over 1.8 million square kilometres, Queensland is the second-largest state in Australia, almost comparable to Indonesia in size. And because of this, the region sure offers a myriad of things to do and places to see. So if you’re planning a trip to this impressive destination, you better arm yourself with knowledge of the adventures and wonders you can’t miss.

Best things to do in Queensland, Australia

1. Explore the diverse ecosystem of the Great Barrier Reef

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A Queensland itinerary won’t be complete without a visit to the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef. Comprising around 3,000 individual reefs, the world’s largest coral reef system boasts rich biodiversity. Thousands of species of marine life, including corals, fish, turtles, dugongs, and molluscs, have built their homes in this massive area. Beyond its waters, the Great Barrier Reef is also known for its resplendent forests, where flora and fauna abound.

But what can a tourist do in the Great Barrier Reef, you ask?

As much as there is plenty to see, there is just as plenty to do in this fantastic place, from diving and snorkelling to riding a helicopter and frolicking around its white-sand beaches. Non-divers can tour the Moore Reef Pontoon and the Underwater Observatory or jump in the glass-bottom boat and semi-submersible vessel. Regardless of your choice of activity, you’ll surely appreciate this world-class wonder from all angles. Perhaps a visit to the Great Barrier Reef will inspire more earth-loving experiences on your future travels, too.

2. Escape deeper into nature at Kuranda

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Queensland, Australia is a place of superlative beauty, and Kuranda Village is just one case in point. Surrounding it is the world’s oldest living tropical rainforest, originally home to the Djabugay people, who knew the region as the “place of platypus” as it was bountiful for fishing and hunting. 

Today, Kuranda Village provides countless colourful attractions for tourists, including the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and the Kuranda Scenic Railway, both of which offer a bird’s-eye view of the Barron Gorge National Park. On the ground, there’s the Rainforestation Nature Park, where you can board the amphibious Army Duck to journey through both land and water. 

While in the area, you can’t miss the Pamagirri Aboriginal Dance Show and Dreamtime Walk, too, where you’ll learn more about the indigenous culture through traditional performances and heritage tours, respectively.

3. Traverse across the rest of Cairns

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Cairns offers an unparalleled natural beauty beyond the Great Barrier Reef and Kuranda. Start your journey at Cairns Harbour, a cosmopolitan area dotted with luxury vessels, stylish architecture, elegant bars and restaurants, and modern shopping malls. If you can’t get enough of this type of trip, you can head over to Cairns Esplanade, a recreational centre where you can eat, exercise, and simply relax. 

Have more time to spare? Visit the Cairns Botanic Gardens, where you’ll find some of the lushest tropical plants in Australia. In the Gardens, there are specific collections of plant varieties, a freshwater and saltwater lake, playgrounds, cafes, and even a library! But among its attractions, the Centenary Lakes is a crowd-favourite as it offers a breathtaking landscape of lakes, waterfalls, and wildlife. 

4. Travel around the spectacular Gold Coast

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From pristine beaches to rip-roaring theme parks, Gold Coast is a haven for adventure. This metropolitan region has everything to keep you entertained — whether you prefer getting sunkissed in beaches and theme parks or staying chill inside boutiques, cafes, and restaurants. 

Try surfing at Coolangatta or strolling along the golden beaches of Surfer’s Paradise. Check out the ancient national parks of Gold Coast Hinterland, which is also home to luxury safaris, vineyards, and farmer’s markets.

5. Take the SkyPoint Climb for breathtaking views

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IIn the mood for an extreme adventure? Head over to the top-most floor of the towering Q1 Resort Building, where you’ll find SkyPoint at 270 metres high. From here, you can either wander through the panoramic observation deck or take on the extra challenge of the SkyPoint Climb. The latter is an external building walk, where guests could journey for 1.5 hours up and around the tower. Whichever route you choose, you’ll be feasting your eyes on the picturesque views of the Gold Coast. (We recommend the daredevils to try out the SkyPoint Climb, though!)

6. Check out the thrilling rides in theme parks

Image credit: Warner Bros. Movie World Official Website

Gold Coast is packed with superb theme parks suitable for all ages. Among the most popular are Dreamworld, Movie World, Sea World, Wet’n’Wild, and WhiteWater World.

Film junkies will definitely enjoy Warner Bros. Movie World, Australia’s only film-themed amusement park. It has attractions inspired by famous DC superheroes, like the Batwing Spaceshot and the Superman Escape, as well as family-friendly rides, events, and parades that celebrate the most-loved characters in cinema. 

Sea World is arguably the best theme park in Queensland for underwater life enthusiasts. Aside from housing diverse marine animals, the park also has water-based rides and performances for guests to enjoy. But if you’re willing to get drenched, Wet’n’Wild will soak you with its extreme water slides, wave pools, surf riders, and other attractions.

7. Visit Tangalooma Island Resort on Moreton Island

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Dubbed the “jewel of Moreton Bay,” Tangalooma is a gem you can’t miss when in Queensland, Australia. Located on the world’s third-largest sand island, this resort boasts immaculate shores, azure waters, sunken vessels, rich marine life, and rolling sand dunes. Sure, you can enjoy other spots on Moreton Island, but we recommend putting Tangalooma Island Resort at the top of your list.

Wondering what to do at Tangalooma Island Resort? Don’t miss out on hand-feeding wild bottlenose dolphins! Every evening, at sunset, guests can visit the resort to catch this unique experience.

If you prefer a more exhilarating ride, go sand tobogganing on Mount Tempest, recognised as one of the world’s highest sand dunes at over 280 metres high. You can also ride an ATV quad bike along the beaches and forests of Tangalooma Island — perfect if you’re into speedy adventures. 

8. Sit back and relax on the Sunshine Coast

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What’s a visit to Australia’s Sunshine State without a trip to the Sunshine Coast? Sitting in South East Queensland, this glorious peri-urban region is hemmed with unbroken sandy beaches suitable for families, surfers, beach bums, or just any average tourist. Also notable is the Glass House Mountains, where you can enjoy postcard-perfect landscapes, barbecue facilities at the picnic grounds, and bush trails perfect for rock climbing. 

9. Find serenity at the Noosa Everglades

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One of the world’s only two everglades systems, the Noosa Everglades provides an ethereal experience for every traveller. Some refer to this as the “River of Mirrors” because of its glassy waters, where guests can ride kayaks or guided boat tours. You can also opt to walk or cycle around the area unguided to maximise your time as you wish. 

The 60-kilometre wonder holds over 40-percent of Australia’s bird species, so we highly recommend every nature lover tour the area. Do note that the Noosa Everglades is the only everglades system where you can safely swim, so bring your bathing suits and swim gear for the day. 

10. See Fraser Island, the world’s largest sand island

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Not only is Fraser Island the world’s largest sand island, but it also has the calm waters that frequently invite humpbacks to build their homes and nurture their young. So if you want to witness these gentle giants, head over to Fraser Coast and visit the world’s first whale heritage area; you’ll most likely spot humpbacks from July to November. 

Aside from providing an incomparable sight for whale-watching, Fraser Island also has a few more treasures in its trove: a sparkling coastline, a riverine rainforest, and trails and museums that feature the vibrant culture of Queensland. It also has sand dunes and lakes, beautifully intertwined together. 

Don’t you just want to hop on a plane and travel to Queensland already? We hope this article helps trim down your activities in Australia so that you can make the most of your trip to this ultimate vacation spot.

Brought to you by Tourism Queensland.