Just across the river from Brisbane’s central business district, Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park offers sweeping views of Brisbane’s skyline, as well as excellent rock climbing and rappelling—suitable for all skill levels—on its cliffs. The cliffs were formed by convicts mining the volcanic rock in the middle of the 19th century.
One of Brisbane’s most memorable landmarks, Story Bridge soars over the Brisbane River at the heart of the city. Walk, cycle, or drive across, but the most adventurous way to experience the bridge is the Story Bridge Adventure Climb, affording 360-degree panoramic views of the city below.
Winding through ancient rainforests, dramatic gorges, and the UNESCO-listed landscapes of Queensland’s tropical north, Kuranda Scenic Railway is a dreamy Australian train journey. The route runs from Cairns to the quiet town of Kuranda, with its eco-lodges and artisan shops. Along the way, you’ll relax in comfort in a classic wood-panelled carriage while enjoying the natural scenery.
The largest of Noosa’s six lakes—about 6 miles (10 kilometers) long—Lake Cootharaba sits on the southern cusp of the Noosa Everglades and the Great Sandy National Park. A popular vacation spot, the lake offers bushwalking trails, water sports, and other activities centered around the water.
Part of the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Gondwana Rainforests, the startling landscapes of Springbrook National Park are among the many highlights of Queensland’s Gold Coast Hinterlands. Carved out by an ancient volcano, the rugged plateau is now a natural wonderland of forested gorges, jagged cliffs, and cascading waterfalls.
From the electric blue Ulysses to the vibrant Cairns Birdwing, more than 2,000 tropical butterflies call the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary home. Located in Kuranda village, the aviary–which opened in 1987–teaches visitors about the fluttery critters through immersive exhibits and a breeding lab where you can watch scientists at work.
This spectacular national park, covering an area of some 15 square miles (40 square kilometers), beckons visitors away from the surf and sunshine of Noosa Heads, offering miles of coastal walking trails, secluded beaches, a rugged coastline, and the chance to spot dolphins to one side and koalas to the other.
Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures introduces visitors to Australia’s most famous reptiles (and other native species) through an informative and educational day out. Visitors can observe crocs on a cruise through a lagoon mimicking the creatures’ natural habitat and learn how crocodiles are sustainably farmed.
Offering welcome relief from the sweltering temperatures of Queensland’s tropical north, the sweeping plateaus of the Atherton Tablelands lie within easy day-trip distance of Cairns. Covering an area of 20,000 square miles (32,000 square kilometers), the lush landscapes also provide scenic terrain for bush walking and bird-watching.
The Agincourt Reefs are part of the larger Great Barrier Reef, sitting toward the northern end of the reef system and at its outer edge. Off the coast of Port Douglas and Cape Tribulation in Northern Queensland, the Agincourt Reefs are popular with divers, and there are around 16 different dive sites.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Fraser Island (K’gari, the largest sand island in the world, is filled with natural wonders and Lake McKenzie is one of its most wonderful. Also known as Boorangoora, the strikingly blue water of Lake McKenzie makes it the most visited of the island’s freshwater lakes and its most popular swimming location.
The best-known shipwreck around the World Heritage-listed Fraser Island, the once-luxurious liner SS Maheno was driven ashore just north of Happy Valley during a cyclone in 1935. The shipwreck continues to deteriorate in the harsh environment, making for an impressive and haunting site.
Floating down the shallow, fast-flowing waters of Eli Creek beneath a twisted canopy of trees is a highlight of a visit to Fraser Island. One of the largest freshwater creeks on the island, its cool waters provide welcome relief from the sunny shores of neighboring 75 Mile Beach.
Located in the village of Kuranda, this compact wildlife park gives you the chance to have close encounters with native Australian wildlife. Free-range enclosures are surrounded by lush rainforest and play host to kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, and koalas, while freshwater crocodiles glide through a tropical lagoon.
Located on the grounds of the Cedar Creek Estate Winery on Mt. Tamborine, the Glow Worm Caves Tamborine Mountain are one of the best spots on the Gold Coast to view glowworms. See thousands of these creatures during the daytime in a darkened, controlled environment designed to mimic their natural habitat.
In Tropical North Queensland, Birdworld Kuranda offers visitors the chance to surround themselves with the color and beauty of birds from all corners of the world. Dotted with waterfalls, ponds, and plants, the rainforest habitat is home to nearly 60 species of the feathered variety, making this one of the largest collections of free-flying birds in Australia.
The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary has devoted itself to wildlife conservation since 1927 and is of the best places to spot native Australian fauna. The sanctuary is among the oldest and largest of its kind in the country, with more than 130 resident koalas, plus kangaroos, wombats, emus, dingoes, Tasmanian devils, and platypi.
Cairns Aquarium is the only aquarium in the world to exclusively showcase aquatic life from Australia’s Tropical North Queensland, a region that borders the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics rain forest, both UNESCO World Heritage sites. Family-friendly and fun, the aquarium is home to 71 different exhibits of marine life.
The beating heart of Scenic Rim town Tamborine Mountain, Gallery Walk boasts more than 60 arts and crafts shops, galleries, boutiques, and candy stores. Highlights include the Tamborine Mountain Distillery, the airy Gallery Café, and eco-friendly and alternative stores.
North Stradbroke Island, the second-largest sand island in the world, is a beach and nature lover’s paradise. Known as “Straddie” to the locals and traditionally known as “Minjerribah,” this picturesque island is famous for its white sandy beaches, freshwater lakes and wetlands, and scenic headlands, and is a popular day trip from Brisbane.
Streets Beach is a favorite with locals and visitors alike–located in the heart of Brisbane’s South Bank neighborhood, the outdoor swimming lagoon overlooks the Brisbane River and the sparkling skyscrapers. The artificial beach comes to life in the summer as families picnic in the shade and cool off from the Australian sun.
Central Station is one of the most picturesque attractions on the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Fraser Island, the world’s largest sand island. Originally a culturally important site for Indigenous Butchulla women, Central Station saw a forestry camp established in the mid-20th century. Now visitors come here to learn about the island’s flora and fauna.
Known as the “River of Mirrors,” the Noosa Everglades is one of Queensland’s most stunning natural landscapes and one of only two everglades systems on Earth. This stretch of wetlands, mangrove forests, and lakes is part of Cooloola National Park and harbors a rich diversity of flora and birdlife.
Located in the Gold Coast Hinterlands, Tamborine National Park is known for its natural beauty, rich biodiversity, and breathtaking views over the Gold Coast and the Pacific Ocean to the east and the Scenic Rim to the west. Queensland’s first national park, Tamborine is a popular destination for locals and visitors alike.
Hovering above Brisbane to its west, Mt Coot-tha offers a natural lookout point with views across the city and the winding Brisbane River all the way to Moreton Bay and the Glass House Mountains on the horizon. At the foot of the mountain, the lush Brisbane Botanic Gardens provide a leafy escape.
One of Australia’s biggest marine parks, Sea World Gold Coast is home to dolphins, rays, sharks, polar bears, and seals. The family attraction has thrilling rides, educational exhibits, and daily live shows, and it’s also involved in marine life rescue and rehabilitation efforts along the Gold Coast.
With its sandy shores fringed by verdant bushlands, rocky headlands, and turquoise ocean, 75 Mile Beach is the star attraction of Fraser Island. Stretching 75 miles (121 kilometers along the eastern shore of the island, the natural wonder is also an official highway—the 75 Mile Beach Road—as well as an airplane landing strip.
Queensland’s Paronella Park is the result of José Paronella’s dream of building a Spanish-style castle. The spacious grounds beside the Mena Creek Falls include the castle building as well as lush tropical rainforest, tennis courts, a suspension bridge (along with other bridges), and a tunnel. Opened to the public in 1935, Paronella Park is a local favorite and has won multiple awards—including eco-tourism awards.
Brisbane’s City Botanic Gardens have provided a green space to residents and visitors in the central city area since 1855, but the first crops were planted on the land in the 1820s by convicts, to feed the nearby prison colony. Now, there are various well-maintained sections, including a rainforest grove, lily ponds, a mangrove boardwalk, and more.
Located just off of Noosa Heads' buzzing Hastings Street, Noosa Main Beach is a protected slice of heaven. Thanks to its northward-facing aspect, the waves here are gentle and the shallow slope of the white sand beach is perfect for lazing on. Consistently regarded as one of Australia’s best beaches, Noosa Main Beach is a favorite among locals and visitors.
