Queensland attractions

Just south of Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, or Broadie as it’s known to locals, offers all the appeal of its more famous neighbor—a great stretch of beach, surf-worthy waves, and extensive dining, shopping, and entertainment options—but in a more manageable size and with fewer crowds.

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.

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.

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.

Rising dramatically from the coastal plains of the Sunshine Coast, the cluster of 13 hills—known as the Glass House Mountains—is a defining feature of the Queensland landscape. Formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago, the Glass House Mountains today draw visitors with their opportunities for hiking, climbing, and horseback riding.

Spanning almost 47,000 square miles (121,100 square kilometers) of Far North Queensland, the Cape York Peninsula includes Australia’s northernmost point, Cape York, and is sometimes called simply “The Tip.” Travel up here is not to be taken lightly, but adventurers are rewarded with white-sand beaches, pristine rain forests, wetlands, eucalyptus, coral reef, rock art, and more.

Come face to face with saltwater crocodiles in their natural habitat at Whitsunday Crocodile Safari. This unique wildlife tour takes guests on a journey through the estuaries and wetlands between the coast and the Proserpine River, which, with around 150 crocodiles, has the highest concentration of ‘salties’ on Australia’s east coast.

In Eurimbula National Park, mangrove thickets line the coast and clear creeks feed into the sea. White sand and a wide sky make this Queensland park feel endless, with air filled with the sharp scent of eucalyptus. While human visitors love the park, it’s also a haven for wildlife—keep your eye out for the dramatic plumage of black cockatoos, and the brilliant blue of the sacred kingfishers.

Brisbane’s Parliament House is where the business of governing Queensland takes place. And it couldn’t take place in a much grander setting: The 1868 building boasts a beautifully restored interior, a sweeping staircase, and gold-leaf details. Take a guided tour or watch the parliament sitting from the public gallery.

Part of Australia’s Gondwana Rainforests, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lamington National Park is a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Covering 77 square miles (200 square kilometers), it’s known for its rich biodiversity, ancient trees, over 500 waterfalls, and more than 100 miles (160 kilometers) of hiking trails.

The pretty mountain town of Kuranda is tucked into hills 16 miles (25 kilometers) northwest of Cairns in Queensland, Australia. The journey is part of its appeal; visitors get views of forests and waterfalls, whether by train, skyrail, or road. The laid-back town has outdoor markets, eateries, wildlife tours, and an alternative vibe.

Tamborine Mountain Distillery is an award-winning distillery that produces boutique liqueurs and spirits. They use local ingredients and native flora to give their drinks a unique taste, and implement traditional Russian and Ukrainian processes. Visitors come to taste the distillery’s products in the mock-Tudor tasting room.

South Bank, as its name suggests, is located on the southern banks of the Brisbane River in Queensland’s capital city. Covering 42 acres (17 hectares), South Bank is home to lush parklands, restaurants, cafés, and bars, as well as boardwalks and promenades along the riverside that are popular with joggers and cyclists.

Castle Hill is a 938-foot (286-meter), pink granite, heritage-listed hill that stands behind central Townsville. It’s a popular lookout point with sweeping views of Townsville, the ocean, and Magnetic Island. The hill also offers 15 different hiking trails of various levels of difficulty.

The third largest sand island in the world, low-lying, suburban Bribie Island nestles in Queensland’s Moreton Bay. Bribie Island National Park and Recreation Area offers a state forest, lovely beaches, creeks, lagoons, camping, fishing, 4WD tracks, walking tracks, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), and even a World War II fort.

From big brand international retailers to local fashion boutiques (plus three shopping malls, Queen Street Mall is the number one destination for shoppers in Brisbane. At the heart of downtown Brisbane, the pedestrianised shopping precinct is always buzzing with activity, with hundreds of shops and more than 26 million annual visitors.

Captain Cook (at the time a lieutenant) beached his ship, the HMS Endeavor, in this remote spot on June 17, 1770. Today, the small waterfront community of Cooktown attracts day-trippers from Port Douglas who come to visit the James Cook Museum, relax on the beaches, and soak up the historic frontier vibe.

The beauty of the Great Barrier Reef often draws visitors to Cairns, but the natural beauty found on land is another great reason to visit. Lush, green, and with a touch of wilderness, this tropical city has a rainforest feel just off the Australian coast. One of the best places to experience this scenery is at the Flecker Botanic Gardens—specifically inside the swampy section known as Centenary Lakes.

From movie-themed thrill rides and 4D movie experiences to spectacular stunt shows and star-studded parades featuring everyone from Shrek to Scooby-Doo, Warner Bros. Movie World is one of Australia’s coolest theme parks. Various seasonal events keep it exciting year-round, while the site lives up to its promise of bringing Hollywood to the Gold Coast.

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.

Looking out over the Brisbane River, with a backdrop of the Story Bridge and Kangaroo Point Cliffs, Eagle Street Pier is an idyllic location for dinner in Brisbane. The riverside precinct has a varied selection of bars, cafés, and restaurants, dotted around a 19th-century wharf and ringed by modern glass-fronted high-rises.

Surrounded by sugar cane and tropical fruit plantations, Bundaberg is best known for its namesake exports: Bundaberg Rum and Bundaberg Ginger Beer. However, this riverside city has more to offer than beverages—it’s well situated for exploring the Coral Sea coast, with tropical parks, coral cays, and wildlife-filled islands on its doorstep.

When it comes to wildlife, the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia got greedy. More than half the continent’s plant species, a third of its mammals and birds, and more than 200 rare and endangered species are packed into an area totaling less than 1% of Australia. Discover their biodiversity in more than 50 UNESCO-protected national parks, forests, and reserves.

Also known as the Tower Mill, the Old Windmill is Brisbane’s oldest building. Long deprived of its sails and topped with a radio mast, it’s been a site of public executions, a signal tower, a public observatory, and a broadcasting station. It was even briefly home to the Queensland Museum. While closed to visitors, it remains a local landmark.

Offering more than 50 rides and attractions, Dreamworld is Australia’s largest theme park and one of the most popular Gold Coast family attractions. With big-thrill rides, live shows, the adjoining WhiteWater World water park, and animal residents—including tigers, koalas, and crocodiles—there’s something to entertain all ages.

Infinity is an immersive multimedia experience that engages all of the senses. Experience its surreal atmosphere as you walk through maze-like environments of special effects and illusions. Sound fields, lights, music, and visual trickery challenge the mind and may ignite your imagination when navigating this Surfers Paradise funhouse.

As Australia’s biggest waterpark, WhiteWater World boasts more than 140 rides, slides, and attractions. Highlights include the Cave of Waves wave pool; the Pipeline Plunge splash zone; The Rip family raft ride; and The Wedgie, a 5-story power slide that runs along a translucent pipe and barrel.

Equal parts sexy, scary, and spectacular, Dracula’s Cabaret is one of the most unique nights out you’ll find along the Gold Coast. Australia’s longest-running theatrical dinner show, the live cabaret originated in Melbourne during the 1960s and has since evolved into a Dracula-themed show that mixes burlesque, comedy, and dramatic special effects.

With exhibitions focusing on natural history, anthropology, and cultural heritage; the Queensland Museum is a celebration of everything that makes Queensland unique. Fun and engaging for all ages, it’s crammed with interactive exhibitions, while the adjoining Sciencentre offers a hands-on approach to discovering science.

Experience Cairns like a local by visiting Rusty’s Markets, a farmers’ market that’s considered one of the best in Australia. What started in 1975 as a sparse handful of stalls has ballooned into a long-running and beloved weekend marketplace. Every Friday through Sunday, more than 180 vendors gather to sell a range of goods.