Queensland attractions

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.

The Ginger Factory sits amid 22 acres (9 hectares) of tropical grounds in the Sunshine Coast. Besides a factory, which offers tours and tastings, there are shops, a café, an ice-cream store, live bee shows, and a kids’ playground. Rides include the Ginger Train, an old sugarcane train, and Overboard, an adventure led by a gingerbread man.

Outdoor enthusiasts head to South Stradbroke Island to get in touch with nature and escape the crowds. With limited commercial development, 44 miles (72 kilometers) of walking trails, 14 miles (22 kilometers) of secluded beaches, a 4,400-acre (1,800-hectare) conservation park, and plentiful wildlife, “South Straddie” is a popular day trip and overnight destination.

The largest inhabited island in the Whitsundays, Hamilton Island has some of the best beach resorts in the Pacific, right on the cusp of the Great Barrier Reef. Famed for its luxury resorts and water sports, stunning views await at every turn—pristine white sands, lush rain forest, and an endless expanse of glittering ocean.

The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Fraser Island, the largest sand island in the world, is home to more than 100 freshwater lakes, of which Lake Wabby is the deepest. This small lake is surrounded by forest and deep sand dunes, making it one of Fraser Island’s most picturesque lakes—not to mention that its water is a striking green color.

Carved out by the crater of an ancient volcano and encircled by a lush band of rainforest, Lake Barrine is a tranquil oasis within the Crater Lakes National Park. At the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Atherton Tablelands area, the lake serves as a popular recreational ground, with options for hiking, swimming, and boat cruises.

Cairns Botanic Gardens is a horticultural oasis that’s home to more than 4,000 species of flora from around the world. The lush grounds are ripe with thick ferns and brilliant foliage. Tall palms and towering shade trees cast cooling shadows across the lawn, great for escaping the midday sun.

A pocket of subtropical rainforest overlooking the misty peaks of the Glass House Mountains, Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve proves that there’s more to Queensland’s Sunshine Coast than suntans, surfboards, and shoreline. A living museum of native flora and fauna, the reserve is ideal for walking, picnicking, and wildlife-watching.

Set in the heritage tin mining town of the same name in Far North Queensland’s Atherton Tablelands, Historic Village Herberton is a living museum featuring more than 60 lovingly restored period buildings. Enjoy shops, a pub, a bank, a grocer’s, a printer, a garage, and more, with antiques, memorabilia, retro vehicles, and even working exhibits.

Short but spectacular, North Stradbroke Island’s Gorge Walk loops around a rugged headland with views of clear blue ocean and golden sands. The bush is home to koalas, kangaroos, and wallabies, while the ocean hosts migrating humpback whales (in season), dolphins, manta rays, and sea turtles. A blowhole sometimes emits howling sprays of mist and water.

The craggy, volcanic cliffs of Indian Head (or Tukkee Wurroo in the Badtjala language) form a castle-like outcropping on the eastern side of K'gari (Fraser Island.) The headland is backed by smooth white sand and surrounded by clear turquoise waters, making for a dramatic contrast. As you look out to sea, you might spot whales, dolphins, or manta rays.

Just minutes from downtown, the Roma Street Parkland provides city-dwellers with a tranquil escape the buzz of city life. Set on the slopes of Spring Hill and designed by Colin Campbell—star of the popular Gardening Australia TV show—the 40-acre (16-hectare parklands provide sunny picnic patches, leafy walking trails, and subtropical gardens.

The stretch of the Sunshine Coast that makes up Maroochydore is a surfer's heaven and a popular destination with those chasing waves. Over 15 miles (25 kilometers) of beach lends itself to surfing, swimming, jet-skiing, picnicking, or just relaxing. Surfing competitions are not uncommon, so be sure to keep your eye out for the pros.

Part of Queensland’s Great Sandy National Park, Double Island Point is a beautiful forested headland topped with a lighthouse and adorned with a long white sand spit. There’s no road, so you can reach it by driving along the beach in a 4WD vehicle. You can also hike, mountain bike, or see it from the water on a fishing trip.

Set minutes from the Gold Coast beaches, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the best places in Queensland to see native Australian animals. Founded in 1947, the sanctuary encompasses 27 hectares (66 acres) of rain forest; its resident fauna includes kangaroos, koalas, wombats, Tasmanian devils, and rainbow lorikeets.

Nicknamed "the Gabba" after the suburb of Woolloongabba where it’s located, Brisbane’s 42,000-seat cricket ground serves as home turf for the Brisbane Lions, Brisbane Heat, and Queensland Bulls. The stadium, known for having one of the best cricket wickets in the world, also hosts concerts, rugby, and other sporting events.

This private nature reserve is known for a rockscape of unusually-shaped boulders, deep swimming holes free of crocodiles, and a community of Mareeba Rock Wallabies, first identified as a new and endangered species here in the mid-1990s. Visitors can walk short nature trails, mingle with the wallabies, and spend the night in cabins or powered campsites.

Shute Harbour is a center of transit for visitors to the Whitsunday Islands. Amazingly for such a low-population area, the harbor is actually Australia's second busiest commuter port. Although there’s a small village here, the vast majority of tourists simply pass through town on their way to catch a ferry or a cruise around the islands.

Surrounded by golden beaches, scenic waterways, and mountainous hinterlands, Mooloolaba enjoys a stunning setting along Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. Perched at the mouth of Mooloolaba River, the town has a reputation as one of the coolest on the Sunny Coast, known for its great surf, lively markets, and buzzing nightlife.

Formerly home to Steve Irwin, also known as “the Crocodile Hunter,” the Australia Zoo is one of Australia’s largest and most popular wildlife conservation facilities. Managed by the Irwin family, whose personalities are a major part of its continued success, the zoo has a huge collection of native Aussie animals as well as creatures from around the world.

Indulge in some retail therapy and fine dining with a view at Marina Mirage, a luxury waterfront shopping and dining destination on the Gold Coast. Located on the Southport Spit, Marina Mirage features over 70 designer boutiques and award-winning waterfront restaurants, and also offers a marina and helicopter services.

The Sunshine Coast’s famous The Original Eumundi Markets rank among the biggest arts and crafts markets in Australia. With more than 300 stalls including everything from fashion designers and jewelry makers to local art galleries and interior designers, from artisan foods to homemade beauty products—there’s something to suit all tastes and budgets.

Located in the Q1 building in Surfers Paradise, Skypoint Observation Deck is Australia’s only beachside observation deck. Take in expansive views of the Gold Coast coastline, the Gold Coast Hinterlands, and the Pacific Ocean from Australia’s tallest building. For added excitement, try the external Skypoint Climb at the top of the building.

Located at the entrance to the South Bank Parklands and towering 197 feet (60 meters) over the river, the Wheel of Brisbane has been part of the skyline since 2008. The giant Ferris wheel is one of Brisbane’s most memorable landmarks as well as a popular attraction and boasts unbeatable views of the city.

The Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas provides a chance to see Australia’s native animals—including koalas, kangaroos, crocodiles, and cassowaries—in the context of conservation. The animals live in expansive enclosures that mimic their natural environments, and the 8-acre (3-hectare) park comprises five areas: woodlands, wetlands, rain forest, savannah, and nocturnal.

The Town of 1770 was renamed in 1970 to commemorate the 200-year anniversary of James Cook and his crew landing in Australia. Today, travelers flock to this destination on Queensland’s Discovery Coast in the Joseph Banks Environmental Park to enjoy its proximity to the Coral Sea, Bustard Bay, and Agnes Water.

Located high on a plateau in Springbrook National Park, part of the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Gondwana Rainforests, the Best of All Lookout certainly lives up to its name. It offers expansive and spectacular views of the Gold Coast Hinterland, the Gold Coast coastline, and the Pacific Ocean.

With its grand colonnaded façade looking out over King George Square, Brisbane City Hall—nicknamed the ‘People’s Place’—is one of Brisbane’s most memorable landmarks and an important part of the city’s history. Inaugurated in 1930 and extensively renovated in 2013, it’s the office of Brisbane’s Lord Mayor, as well as the Museum of Brisbane.

Part of Australia’s UNESCO-listed Great Barrier Reef, the sandy island of Michaelmas Cay—now a bird sanctuary and national park—is a nesting site for thousands of seabirds, from common noddies to sooty terns. Marine creatures such as leopard sharks, stingrays, and sea turtles also call the offshore coral reefs home.

The home turf of the Brisbane Broncos Rugby League, the Queensland Reds Rugby Union, and the Brisbane Roar Soccer Club, Suncorp Stadium (Lang Park is one of Queensland’s largest and most important sports stadiums. With a capacity of more than 50,000; it hosts national and international sporting events, as well as music concerts.