Queensland

• – the state capital
• – famous for Surfers Paradise

• – lush tropical rainforest of breathtaking beauty including lowland rainforest, swamps, mangroves and beaches – all available via walking tracks
• – World Heritage listed island and the only place on the planet where rainforest grows on sand. Over 120 kilometres long and 30 kilometres across at its widest point. Features a wealth of natural attractions including pristine fresh water lakes, champagne pools, amazing coloured sand formations and a shipwreck.
• – formerly known as the Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves. Located in South East Queensland, is the most extensive areas of subtropical rainforest in the world with large areas of warm temperate rainforest and nearly all of the Antarctic beech cool temperate rainforest. Many of these parks are readily accessible from major towns by sealed or graded gravel roads. The wide range of visitor facilities include kilometres of walking tracks; guided walking and adventure tours and various accommodation options. The rainforests have an extremely high conservation value and provide habitat for more than 200 rare or threatened plant and animal species.
• – the world’s largest living organism, stretching over 2,000 kilometres in length and 348,000 square metres (larger than the United Kingdom, Holland and Switzerland combined). Home to tens of thousands of species of brilliantly coloured fish, corals and other marine life including whales, dolphins and turtles.

Climate

Queensland is blessed with warm, sunny weather with warm summer days and mild winters.
Summer in the southern areas is the wet season in the tropics, and is from October to April. Warm waters throughout, and warm to hot temperatures. Rain in the tropics can intensify into tropical lows and even cyclones.
Winter in the southern areas is the dry season in the tropics, is from May to September. Cooler temperature in the southern areas, and perfect sunny days in the tropics.

Geography

Queensland is a large, diverse state stretching over 1,730,648 sq km. Driving distances are long but doable if you plan carefully. There are 12 main highways but the coastal route is scenic and offers plenty of diversions.

Time

Queensland is in the UTC+10 time zone. Unlike New South Wales to the south, it doesn't observe daylight saving, so set your watch one our back when you cross the border into Queensland during summer.

Visitor Information Centres

Accredited Visitor Information Centres are available for visitor help and advice when travelling around Queensland. For a list of where to find these centres, Visit Tourism Queensland’s Visitor Information Centres page.

History

Queensland was first inhabited by Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders until it was explored by Dutch, Portuguese and French navigators. Captain James Cook made his famous voyage along the coast in 1770. In 2009, Queensland celebrated the state's 150th anniversary.

By plane

Most interstate travellers have the choice of flying to Queensland withQantas, Virgin Australia or Jetstar. Flights to major towns are frequent and regional airports are dispersed throughout the state.
The main international airports are in Brisbane, Cairns and the Gold Coast.
Domestic airports with direct flights from interstate are at Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, the Fraser Coast and the Sunshine Coast.
Other airports in smaller towns in Queensland are served by indirect flights via one of the airports above.
Brisbane Airport

• Brisbane Airport is a 15 km or 20 minute drive from the CBD, or about 25 minutes byAirtrain, which also continues on to the Gold Coast.
• The AirTrain runs every 30 minutes from 6AM to 7PM every day and connects to Central station.
• The domestic terminal is separate from the international terminal, but AirTrain provides a 5-minute connection.
• There are shuttle buses which provide direct hotel transfers, and plentiful taxis and hire car providers.
• Both terminals provide undercover parking for short and long term periods.
• Brisbane Airport provides a handy map of flight routes and general timetables.

Cairns Airport

• Cairns Airport is located 7 kilometres north of the CBD.
• Domestically, Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia all operate out of Cairns, with scheduled services to most Australian state capitals, as well as regional locations.
• Cairns also handles international flights from Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand.
• Rental Cars can be located at the domestic terminal in the QantasLink arrival lounge.
• Shuttle buses to Cairns and Port Douglas depart hourly.
• Taxis are also available 24 hours a day, and the fare to the city centre costs around $16.
• Short-term and long-term parking is located next to the passenger terminal.

Gold Coast Airport
Gold Coast Airport is on the Gold Coast Highway at Bilinga (close to Coolangatta) on the southern end of the Gold Coast, and is only minutes from the beach. Part of the runway actually extends into New South Wales.

• The airport is 30 minutes’ drive from Surfers Paradise and an hour from Byron Bay. The drive to Brisbane can take an hour and fifteen minutes.
• Jetstar, Qantas, Tigerair Australia and Virgin Australia all have frequent domestic flights from Adelaide, Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney.
• Internationally, AirAsia X and Air New Zealand fly in from New Zealand and Malaysia.
• Surfside Bus Lines offer convenient transfers to hotels and theme parks. The free Airport Link shuttle takes you straight to the Gold Coast Highway, where public transport is readily available.
• Car rental companies can be located opposite the check-in counters at the airport.
• Taxis are available immediately outside the terminal.

Interstate Travel Times

• Sydney to Brisbane – 1 hour
• Melbourne to Brisbane – 2 hours
• Adelaide to Brisbane – 2.5 hours
• Darwin to Brisbane – 4 hours
• Perth to Brisbane – 6.5 hours

By bus

There are a number of companies that operate bus services between cities and towns throughout Australia, and there are also interstate trains.

By car

Queensland’s wide open spaces make it ideal for exploration by car. The roads are high quality and well-signed so getting here is easy.
Driving Times

• Sydney to Brisbane – 9 hours
• Melbourne to Brisbane – 21 hours
• Adelaide to Brisbane – 25 hours
• Darwin to Brisbane – 25-40 hours

The drive from Melbourne is ideally covered over two days (minimum), and Sydney to Brisbane can be driven in a day.
Suggested Routes

• From Melbourne or Sydney, take the coastal Pacific Highway (1); the more inland New England Highway (15) through New South Wales; or the inland A32 from Adelaide which also goes through New South Wales.
• If you have time up your sleeve, you can continue taking the coastal route (the Bruce Highway, A1) all the way north to Cairns. The highway is scenic, comfortable to drive and offers plenty of attractions along the way; but you’ll need to allow two to three days for the journey from Brisbane.
• For an alternative entry into Queensland, drive up from New South Wales via the New England Highway (15) through the Southern Downs. This will take you through Warwick and Toowoomba, towns rich in pioneer history. From here you can continue north to the vineyards of the Granite Belt and South Burnett regions.
• South East Queensland is well-connected with freeways and distributor roads, from the Gold Coast all the way up to the Sunshine Coast.
• Serious outback travellers heading east from the Northern Territory can enter Queensland via Mount Isa on the Barkly Highway (A2); or drive up from South Australia via the Birdsville Track (an old stock route and now a dirt track) and on to Longreach. This journey is recommended in a four-wheel drive vehicle.

It is important to be realistic about the distances and travel times involved: for instance the trek from Mount Isa to Brisbane covers over 1800 km of road - which equates to about 22 hours of continuous driving. See Driving in Australia
If backpacking or on a tight budget, check to see if you can double up with other low-budget travellers who may be driving inter-state, or investigate car-hire places that sometimes offer deals charging less to return their stock to capital cities.

By train

The XPT service from Sydney is the only interstate service. The trip from Sydney to Brisbane takes around 14 hours; the connecting journey from Sydney to Cairns takes a little less than two days if you choose not to break it up along the way.
The Brisbane XPT train runs once a day from Sydney’s Central station to Brisbane’s Roma Street. The train departs at 4:20PM in the afternoon, travels overnight and then arrives in Brisbane at 6:30AM the following morning. You can also board the train at Strathfield or Hornsby station, at Broadmeadow in Newcastle or at one of the stations along the way.
You can also travel to Brisbane during the day by catching the NSW Trainlink Casino XPT train from Sydney Central station to Casino, then changing to a connecting coach. The bus takes you from Casino via the Gold Coast to Brisbane’s Roma Street station. The whole journey takes fifteen and a half hours - of which only the final three hours are on the bus. The train departs Sydney Central station every day just after 7AM in the early morning, and the connecting coach arrives at Brisbane Roma Street station at around 10:30PM that evening.

By boat

Interstate and International Cruise Liners regularly dock into Brisbane, and sail on to the Whitsundays, Cape York, Townsville, Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef.
Luxury cruises liners that regularly call into Brisbane include P&O Cruises, Carnival and Oceania Cruises.
Travel Times

• Sydney to Brisbane: 1 sea day
• Brisbane to Whitsundays: 1 sea day
• Brisbane to Cairns: 2 sea days
• Brisbane to New Caledonia: 2 sea days

Brisbane’s cruise ship port is called Portside Wharf, a recent development located in Hamilton, 6km from the Brisbane CBD or about a 20 minute drive. Buses into town and ferries service the port regularly. It also houses a fresh produce market, riverside restaurants, cafés and eateries, boutiques and cinemas. Portside Wharf provides a handy shipping schedule.

By plane

Air travel in Queensland is easy to organize. With international airports in Brisbane, Cairns, Townsville and the Gold Coast, plus many regional and island airports, air travel is an efficient and reliable way to get around. Qantas, Virgin Australia and Jetstar and a number of smaller regional carriers.

By car

Queensland's road network is extensive, especially on the coast. Many inland or outback towns can only be reached by dirt tracks, some of which are only suitable for four wheel drives. Ensure if travelling into the bush or the outback, you take adequate supplies and let others know where you will be going and when to expect you back.

Distance table (kilometres)

	Weipa	Cairns	Townsville	Proserpine	Mount Isa	Longreach	Noosa	Charleville	Brisbane	Gold Coast
Weipa
Cairns
Townsville
Proserpine
Mount Isa
Longreach
Noosa
Charleville
Brisbane
Gold Coast
	816	1141	1405	1883	1701	2388	2178	2497	2581
816		347	612	1113	1121	1585	1384	1705	1785
1141	347		265	904	705	714	1039	1357	1437
1405	612	265		1108	806	982	1016	1094	1174
1883	1113	904	1108		647	1854	1162	1822	1880
1701	1121	705	806	647		1193	515	1176	1234
2388	1585	714	982	1854	1193		1176	121	224
2178	1384	1039	1016	1162	515	1176		743	804
2497	1705	1357	1094	1822	1176	121	743		83
2581	1785	1437	1174	1880	1234	224	804	83

By train

Traveltrain Holidays offers Australia's largest and most comprehensive network of long-distance trains, carrying more than half a million passengers each year. The dedicated tourism arm of QR Limited (formerly Queensland Rail), Traveltrain Holidays offers a fleet of long-distance passenger trains connecting Brisbane to a host of holiday destinations throughout Queensland including Cairns, Townsville, the Whitsundays, Charleville and Longreach. Each of Queensland Rail's coastal, outback and tropical north services offer a unique travel experience.
Traveltrain Holidays packages its rail experiences with accommodation, fully-guided tours, cruises, flights and car hire. It operates travel centres throughout Queensland as well as a call centre.
Some of the services offered by Queensland Rail:

• The Inlander - Townsville to Mount Isa. A 977 km trip, enjoyed in air-conditioned comfort, travelling through Charters Towers across the Great Dividing Range and through Hughenden and Julia Creek before delivering passengers at the mining centre of Mount Isa.
• The Westlander - Brisbane to Charleville. A scenic journey from Brisbane travelling across the Great Dividing Range and through the rich farmlands of South East Queensland Country before arriving in Charleville, the largest town in the south-west Outback.
• The Sprit of Queensland - Brisbane to Cairns. Replacing the Sunlander, this train offers a reduced travel time, and lay-flat day-night seats.
• Tilt Train - the fastest narrow gauge trains in the world, the Tilt Trains provide an efficient, comfortable and modern standard of travel.

Most of these services depart from Brisbane’s centrally located Transit Centre/Roma Street station.

By bus

Most of South East Queensland is serviced by buses, trains and ferries on the TransLink network, which stretches from the southernmost part of the Gold Coast to the northern tips of the Sunshine Coast.
Visit TransLink's website for timetable information, maps and a helpful Journey Planner to get a wide range of transport options. One TransLink ticket will take you wherever you need to go within the network.
In most regional centres, the qconnect initiative connects public transport services; including buses, accessible taxis and community and subsidised transport. The site maintains a detailed list of Urban Bus Services to be found in most regional areas.

• Great Barrier Reef - One of the seven wonders of the natural world, this underwater labyrinth will treat you to spectacular displays of nature found no where else in the world. Stretching from Tropical North Queensland in the north to Capricornia in the south, the rare, ancient beauty of the reef can be enjoyed from many different points of view. On the Whitsundays you can dive amongst the coral on a scuba-diving adventure, or watch the reef come on a purpose-built pontoon. From Townsville you can wonder at its beauty from the comfort of a glass-bottomed boat or view from helicopter joy-flight. On the Southern Great Barrier Reef, off the coast of Mackay and Central Queensland you can go snorkelling in a sheltered coral cay, or keep your clothes dry on a leisurely reef walk.
• Mossman Gorge - A very accessible and scenic section of the World Heritage-listed Daintree National Park. Strangler figs and epiphytic plants flourish and the crystal-clear Mossman River cascades over granite boulders. The area is also home to colourful Boyd's forest dragons. Stroll along the 400 metre walking track to viewing platforms over the Mossman River. Look for the brilliant blue Ulysses butterfly and birds such as the eastern yellow robin. Take the two kilometre loop track through lush, green rainforest to learn about the plants and find out how the local Kuku Yalanji people use them in traditional ways.
• Migrating Whales - The coast of Queensland provides visitors first-hand experience to view migrating whales during the winder months. There is various vantage points right downs the coast, but to really get the most for your whale watching experience, jump on board a whale watching tour with one of the many companies. The protective waters of Hervey Bay is the most popular destination to view these gentle giants of the sea. Viewing is generally only throughout July to November.
• Nesting Sea Turtles - Many varieties of turtles such as the loggerhead, green, leatherback and flatback nest from October to March each year along the Queensland coast from Bundaberg in the south to the Cape in the tropical north as well on the islands of the Southern Great Barrier Reef (Heron, Wilson, Lady Elliot, Lady Musgrave). The Turtle Nesting and Hatching season is an amazing experience and visitors to Queensland will find opportunities to witness these nocturnal events in a controlled environment at a number of island and mainland locations. Near Bundaberg, Mon Repos supports the largest concentration of nesting sea turtles on the east Australian mainland. Viewing is generally only from November to March. You can help conserve turtles by participating in a six-day camp, working alongside the Mapoon Aboriginal owners and researchers as they measure and tag nesting Flat Back and Olive Ridley turtles, fit feral pig exclusion devices to the nesting sites and remove nets from the beach. Viewing is generally only from June to September at Mapoon, Western Cape York.
• The Magnificent Moreton Bay - the mouth of the Brisbane river, and home to a collection of islands where boating, fishing, sailing, camping, holidays and day-trips make Brisbane such a brilliant out-door adventure city. Take a guided tour around beautiful St Helena Island, a former jail from when Brisbane was a penal colony. Spend the weekend at Stradbroke Island and surf on magnificent beaches or take the kids to Coochie Mudlo Island for a quiet day out on flat water beaches.
• RiverFire - the last night of the annual River Festival - a night when Brisbane comes out to watch an incredible fireworks display choreographed with precision to spray from the tops of buildings, from the cities bridges and barges stretched all along the river from Southbank to the Story Bridge. The fireworks are kicked off and ended with the dump and burn by the RAAF's F-111 fighters.
• Wallaman Falls National Park is part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, boasting the highest, permanent, single-drop waterfall in Australia. Open forest dominates the ridge tops. Rainforest lines the gullies and creeks. The area is home to endangered cassowaries and musky rat-kangaroos. Stroll 800 metres along the banks of Stony Creek on the Banggurru walk, and learn about the rainforest. Look for platypus in the creek below the falls. To enjoy a closer look at the falls, take the 3.2 km Jinda walk into the gorge. Experienced bushwalkers can choose from one of three overnight hikes that are part of the Wet Tropics Great Walk.
• Tamborine Mountain Glow Worm Caves are located at Cedar Creek Estate. The caves consist of two large chambers interlinked by tunnels. The first chamber is the "presentation cave", where you will be shown an audiovisual display on glow-worms and the construction of the caves. This chamber is complete with very realistic formations (speleothems), such as stalagmites and stalactites, water features and flow stone.
• Undara Lava Tubes - only three and a half hours from Cairns in Tropical North Queensland's Gulf Savannah lies a land so different in contrasts - and the Undara Experience. Undara is a pristine wilderness possessing one of the longest and best preserved lava tubes of its kind anywhere in the world.
• SS Yongala Wreck - lies within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, only 12 nautical miles from Yongala Dive's base at Alva Beach in Queensland. It sank in 1911 with the loss of all aboard, creating one of Australia's most intriguing maritime mysteries as she lay undiscovered for more than half a century. Lying in 14 to 28 metres of water and over 100 metres long it is one of the largest and most intact historic shipwrecks in Australia and provides an exciting adventure for divers due to its coral encrusted structure, the depth and the incredible array of marine life.
• Atherton Tablelands - the 'capital' of the lovely Tropical Tablelands, a land of beautiful lakes, waterfalls, rich red soil and tropical rainforest. Here the temperature is cooler, the pace is slower and there is a feeling of relaxation in the air. The rich Tableland area is famous for producing peanuts, maize and potatoes. The area also has a number of natural attractions such as the Curtain Fig Tree, Millaa Millaa Falls, crater lakes and amazing rock formations. Atherton is ideally situated as a base to explore most places of interest in the Tablelands area.
• Australian Age of Dinosaurs - home to the world's largest collection of Australian dinosaur fossils. A working dinosaur museum and research laboratory, they are located on 14,000 hectares of spectacular mesa plateau with vast scenery, wildlife and walking trails. At the museum you'll see and hear about their exciting dinosaurs, including gigantic sauropods and ""Banjo"", Australia's greatest carnivorous dinosaur.
• Underwater Observatories - There is no need to get your feet wet. Observe all the wonders of Queensland's marine life from behind the glass of an observatory. Queensland is host to a number of underwater observatories including; Reef HQ - the world's largest living coral reef aquarium and national reef education centre for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. UnderWater World - a multi-award winning, all weather, tourist attraction located in the heart of the Sunshine Coast.
• Glass House Mountains National Park was named by Captain Cook as he mapped the Queensland coast in 1770. The 'Glass Houses' are distinctive volcanic plugs which rise abruptly out of a patchwork of farms and forests. The Glass House Mountains are spiritually significant to the local Aboriginal people. The park is made up of several sections that include most of the peaks and forest areas. Drive to the Glass House Mountains lookout for a great view of the multiple peaks. Within the park's sections there are eight walking tracks ranging from 25 minutes to three hours, and catering to all levels of experience. Fit walkers with rockclimbing skills can reach the summits of Mounts Tibrogargan, Ngungun or Beerwah. Suitably equipped experienced rock climbers can climb and abseil Mount Ngungun.
• See Whitehaven Beach from the air - many commercial airline companies exist that provide flight services over Whitehaven Beach. Enjoy a helicopter flight over Islands and waterways then quality time on a secluded beach in the Whitsunday's and treat yourself with a gourmet picnic hamper and ice-cold champagne. Flight types vary but can include scenic flights to and from the Reef as well as a stop over on Whitehaven Beach, Langford Reef area and a scenic flight over Hook, Hardy's and the famous Heart Reef, then continue near Langford Reef where you can swim and view the breathtaking coral gardens at your leisure with a gourmet champagne picnic hamper.
• Aboriginal Rock Art - the Art Gallery in the Carnarvon Gorge National Park contains some of the finest Aboriginal rock art in Australia. Just 5.6 km from the trailhead, at the junction of Kamoloo Creek, a signposted access track leaves the main walking trail upstream of crossing number 10, providing a gentle climb to the escarpment base where the site is located. Boardwalks, interpretive signs and seating facilities provide optimum conditions for visitors to appreciate this diverse range of Aboriginal artwork without endangering it. This extensive gallery contains more than 600 stencils and 1300 engravings. Aboriginal rock art on the sandstone overhangs is a fragile reminder of the Aboriginal people who used the gorge for thousands of years for ceremonies and rituals.
• Q1 Observation Deck - Australia's only beachside observation deck, located in Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast. QDeck takes you to the highest point above the city, providing stunning 360 degree views from the surf to the hinterland and beyond. Rising 235 metres into the sky, QDeck is on level 77 of the iconic Q1 tower. Your journey begins with an inside look at the construction of this landmark development before boarding one of the world's fastest express lifts which transports you from ground to level 77 in less than 43 seconds. Once at the top, you will see spectacular views which reach on a clear day from Brisbane to Byron Bay.
• The Wet Tropics of Queensland UNESCO World Heritage site consists of almost 9,000 km 2 of protected forest around Queensland.

• Adventure - Fly through the air, dive through the coral, or ride the wild river rapids - a Queensland Adventure holiday really gives you something to write home about! With craggy mountain heights to scale, deep limestone caves to delve and vast treks of unchartered Outback to explore, Queensland is a land brimming with surprising discoveries and exciting adventures to enjoy. In Queensland you can learn how to hang glide off a mountain or ride a camel along a golden beach. You can camp by a billabong or feel your adrenalin surge on a real life cattle muster during a farm stay on the Western Downs. From an inflatable jet boat you can watch the whales waltz or take a jet ski eco-safari through the glorious Whitsundays archipelago. Then as the sun sets over the ocean, watch the Reef come alive under the stars, during your overnight stay on a purpose-built ocean pontoon. Treat the whole family to an exhilarating day at a world-class theme park. Feel the rush of the rollercoaster, go behind the scenes of a movie set, and get up close and personal with exotic animals from around the world.
• Islands and Beaches - Queensland is home to some of the most stunning islands and beaches in the world, and each one invites you to come and share in its sumptuous delights. Set like sparkling jewels in and around the pristine waters of the blue Pacific Ocean, Queensland’s islands and beaches are a true national treasure. On the islands you can treat yourself to a day spa, dive through the Great Barrier Reef, improve your handicap with a round of golf, then, as the sun sets over the water, indulge in fresh, local, mouth-watering food and wine. With sands so clean and white they dazzle the eye, a day spent on a Queensland beach is truly one of life’s greatest pleasures. With palm trees swaying lazily on one side and clear azure waters gently lapping at the other, the siren-call of a Queensland beach is impossible to ignore.
• Natural Encounters - Watching the sun set over the ocean from the white sands of a deserted tropical beach is truly one of life’s greatest pleasures. Soaking up the view from the crest of a mountain you’ve just scaled is another. And watching dolphins at play in the turquoise waters of a tropical lagoon is a memory you’ll treasure for a lifetime. All these experiences and more are waiting for you in Queensland’s wild natural environments. From the spinifex grasslands of the Outback to the lush rainforests of the Gold Coast Hinterland, Queensland is a nature-lover’s paradise. Breathe in the fresh, clean Queensland air and escape to a world free of phones, emails, meetings and deadlines. In the north, the World Heritage listed Daintree Rainforest yields to pristine sandy beaches and the clear blue waters of the Great Barrier Reef. In the south, majestic mountains stand guard over the rare flora and fauna within its fold. And in all places in between you’ll find rare and exciting animal encounters that will delight the whole family!
• Relax with the Queensland Lifestyle - Feel your work-day worries melt away as you soak up the warm, welcoming lifestyle of Queensland. Put meetings, deadlines and peak-hour traffic far behind and head to Queensland - where the only decision you’ll have to make is, seafood or steak, white wine or red? Take in the views from the deck of a super yacht. Detoxify the body and de-stress the mind at a luxurious day spa. Visit the markets and bag a bargain or improve your handicap with a round of golf. Ignite your imagination with art, dance, theatre and culture, both home-grown and the finest from overseas. Then hit the casino for a chance to strike it rich! Watch the best in the world compete for a surfing crown, or for sport of a different kind, spend the day shopping at exclusive designer label stores found no where else in Australia.

Major Events
Queensland is host to a large range of events right across the state.
Some of the major Events in Queensland include;

• January – Brisbane International Tennis Brisbane
• May – Magic Millions National Sale Gold Coast
• June – World’s Greatest Pub Crawl Maryborough
• July – Wide Bay Australia International Airshow Bundaberg
• July – Gold Coast Airport Marathon Gold Coast
• July – Tara Festival of Culture & Camel Races Tara
• November – Mud Bulls & Music Kingaroy
• November – Bundy Thunder Wide Bay
• Catch The Savannahlander from Cairns to Forsayth - this unique four day train trip is a great way to see the Australian outback.
• Brisbane City is not only the gateway to Moreton Bay the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast, but is a destination itself. It used to be that travellers would stop in Brisbane because they had too on the way to the rest of their holiday. But these days Brisbane offers world class arts, adventure, fashion, dining, nightlife and daylife. The River City offers river tours, night and day, low-key, touristy, romantic or wild party style from a variety of companies. For a great night out, to see great bands or go to a dance party, locals head to Fortitude Valley in the evening and then enjoy the Valley markets on the weekends in Brunswick mall. West End also has trendy bars and restaurants, with markets on Saturdays along the river where local culture and local farmers sell their wares. For a lower key or a generational difference, try Paddington, Bulimba or New Farm for dining and cafes. Shopping in the city centre is a pleasure with shady pedestrian malls and alfresco cafés and restaurants at every turn. Southbank is the perfect family destination for a low-cost or elegant night out - just pick your style. Fish and chips on the picnic tables provided in the grassy parklands, or fine dining in some of the top class restaurants lining little Stanly street. Come back in the morning for the famous markets on the weekends, and take a swim in the sparkling man-made beach, looking across the river to the cityscape. The free childrens water play park is new and hugely popular. Change rooms and shady spots are available and abundant. Take guided night walks through the Botanical gardens to view the nocturnal wild-life. Go kayaking along the river in daytime or nighttime. Climb the story bridge, or the Kangaroo Point cliffs. See live comedy, go to a play or a musical, visit the art gallery where Picasso and Andy Warhol collections were recently shown, or just cycle through the cities purpose built cycle paths that can take you from one end of the city to the other, and stop in the many parks along the way for an ice-cream or a drink.
• Gold Coast - An hour south of Brisbane you will find world class surfing, beautiful beaches, great food from all cultures, nightlife, fun parks, day trips by plane, helicopter or boat, deep sea fishing, unbelievable shopping, casino, shows, festivals, markets, or just watching the beautiful people. From Surfers Paradise to Cooloongatta the beaches alone are enough. Modern and clean, the southern corner of QLD is a world class holiday destination for people on all budgets.
• Sunshine Coast - 2 hours north of Brisbane you will find the Sunshine coast with all the Gold Coast has to offer, but with a slightly different demographic (higher proportion of retirees), and a less dense population. The Sunshine Coast stretches across a number of towns each with their own charms and flavours. The population boom being experienced by the Sunshine coast has much to do with the Sea-change migration from NSW and Victoria, as southern retirees come to spend the rest of their days enjoying what QLDers have had on their doorstep for their whole lives.
• Fraser Coast - Gateway to Fraser Island the Fraser Coast is experiencing a massive property boom and tourist explosion. Unspoilt beaches and waterways, fantastic 4WD'ing, whale watching and fishing seem to be the main attractions, although the interior has plenty to offer those interested in the agricultural life of QLD.
• The Town of 1770 - the closest access point to the Great Barrier Reef, north of Brisbane. Just over an hours drive from Bundaberg and Gladstone airports it is a small coastal strip now slowly making itself known to the broader population. Great accommodation deals and quiet holidays can be had in this area where the reef is accessible for inexpensive day trips by boat. Snorkelling, surfing, fishing and camping, holidays houses, cabins or luxury resort accommodations available.

Much of Queensland's income is still derived from agriculture, with different regions specializing in different produce. Famous examples include sugarcane in the Whitsundays; peanuts for Kingaroy; mangoes for Bowen. Fresh local fish can also be found right along the coast, usually sold in fish and chip shops.
Brisbane and surrounding areas like the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast are becoming very well known for quality restaurants, cafes and take-aways. Whether it's 5 star or fast food you are after there is no need to eat poor quality food in Queensland. With so much fresh food available, seek out boutique and independent operations with a focus on quality and freshness. You won't usually pay more than its worth.
Demand for organic food is also growing, as is awareness of variations in peoples dietry preferences, so gluten and dairy intolerant or vegetarian/vegan eaters will often find that choices are available in most places, or can be prepared in the kitchens on request.
Pub food in Queensland is no longer just the sad old counter meal variety; if you find a fairly modern pub you'll find a fairly modern kitchen and while you can often still get lunch for $10, generally the low price won't be reflected in the quality.
Breakfast is big in Brisbane and markets are particularly good places to go for a local brekkie.
Alternatively, you'll find free and clean public BBQ's in lots of the public parks, so bring your own picnic along and enjoy Queensland's gorgeous weather while you cook up your own true Aussie BBQ. To be fair to the other patrons, give the BBQ plate a wipe down after you've finished with some clean newspaper, and place your rubbish in bins provided.
Markets
How fresh can it get? Straight from the farmer to you is the latest trend and foodies throughout Queensland are loving the range and quality of local seasonal produce. It pays to get up early with the sun, pack plenty of extra bags and don't forget a cold pack in case some divine seafood or meat takes your fancy. Stroll around the stalls and chat to the farmers, once you get past the weather you'll discover a wealth of information about how to select, store and cook your purchases.

• Brisbane - Head to The Powerhouse at New Farm in Brisbane by at least 7AM on a Saturday morning and you'll discover locals armed with trolley bags snapping up high quality produce and seasonal bargains on a regular basis. On the last Sunday of each month the stallholders move to suburban Mitchelton. If organic is your style the Green Flea Community Markets at Davies Park in West End or the Northey Street Organic Market at Windsor will keep you busy.
• Gold Coast - Foodies are well catered for with the farmers markets at Banora Point, Bundall, The Spit, Miami, Mudgeeraba and Tamborine offering fresh produce.
• South East Queensland Country - Enjoy fresh food right where it is grown on the Southern Downs at the Glengallan Seasonal Farmers Markets, 15km north of Warwick on the first Sunday of each season. Don't forget to look for fresh seasonal produce across the region on road side stalls.
• Sunshine Coast - The Noosa Farmers Market on Weyba Road at Noosaville showcases some of the Sunshine Coast's best produce every Sunday from 7AM to midday. All products are grown, reared, caught, baked or prepared by the stall holder. You'll find farm fresh fruit and vegetables, breads, cheeses, preserves, seafood, red claw, poultry, beef, lamb, coffee and the chance to swap ideas with local producers. The Eumundi Markets are another food lover's delight with everything from fresh produce to taste sensations you'll find hard to resist.
• Central Queensland - Keep your eyes open for roadside stalls just off the farm. This area is the fruit bowl of the Coral Coast and supplies chillies, tomatoes and the sweetest of peas to southern states.
• Mackay - Head for the local showgrounds located in the centre of town for the Mackay Farmer's Market every Saturday morning from 6AM at the Showgrounds. This is the best spot to gather all local fresh produce and freshly cut flowers.
• Tropical North Queensland - Rusty's Markets in Cairns are an experience that should not be missed by market lovers. This is an Asian-type market experience with stalls overflowing with exotic local produce and flowers.

Dining & Eating Out
Queensland offers visitors some great locations for Dining and Eating. Australian cuisine blends fresh ingredients and uses European culinary traditions and the light touch of Asian seasoning. You'll taste some of the best food in the world and even the most discerning diner will be satisfied. With fresh barramundi, mud crab, exotic crocodile meat, mangoes and macadamia nuts.

From bargains at the markets to one-off creations at designer boutiques, there’s a shopping sensation to satisfy. For elite high-fashion labels, beat a path to exclusive shopping precincts in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and fabulous Noosa on the Sunshine Coast. There you’ll find exclusive boutiques and fashion to die for! For the quirky and the vintage, you can’t go past the markets of Tropical North Queensland and Brisbane.
If trawling through second hand shops for antiques and collectibles is your idea of the divine, you won’t be able to resist the quaint hinterland villages of South East Queensland Country.

The local mass produced Queensland beer is "XXXX", known locally as 'fourex'. The most common glass measure is called a pot, so just about any pub in Queensland will pour you a pot of fourex'.
Rum is also produced in Queensland at the central coast town of Bundaberg. It is creatively called Bundaberg Rum, or 'bundy'.
Wineries, Vineyards and Breweries
The burgeoning Queensland wine industry is one of the state's best kept secrets. Find a cellar door near you, or even a microbrewery to your taste. Queensland offers a gourmet paradise with delectable, award-winning wines, organic produce and fresh seafood. Follow a food and wine trail and you'll be sipping on a Chardonnay or rolling a Shiraz around your mouth on a grape-fuelled adventure.

Many accommodation options are available in Queensland for every traveller’s budget. Whether you are looking for a plush five star resort or a cosy Bed & Breakfast thousands of hotels, B&Bs, apartments, resorts and hostels are available to help you find the perfect place for your holiday.
The variety of accommodation available in Queensland is listed below:

• Hotels and Motels - range from warm country pubs to swanky high-rises. Every convenience is available at hotels and motels to ensure your holiday spells relaxation.
• Resorts - luxurious resorts in ideal locations offer comfort and service to world-class standards.
• Bed and Breakfast -experience the warm welcome and the comforts of home at a Queensland B&B.
• Self Contained - self-contained apartments, cabins and holiday houses offer all the conveniences of home.
• Camping and Caravans - camping sites and caravan parks offer the opportunity for you to stay in superb locations, gather with other travellers or relax in complete privacy.
• Backpackers - backpacker accommodation in Queensland is among the best. Enjoy modern facilities at ideally located hostels.
• Farm Stay - farmstay accommodation is as down-to-earth as their friendly hosts. Immerse yourself in Queensland's country heritage.
• Holiday houses are popular in QLD. Check local papers and local internet sites for availability as they are often privately leased and generally modern and clean.
• The weather in QLD is often excellent for camping, and there are fantastic camping grounds all over the state with a variety of facilities. These include local council's campgrounds, state conservation parks, state forests and national parks. Some national parks require pre-booking but most work on a 'register on arrival' basis.

Beaches

• Saltwater crocodiles are common throughout the tropical northern half of Queensland all the way down to Rockhampton. Some people play down the threat to humans posed by the Saltwater Crocodile. The facts are that the Saltwater Crocodile has been protected for decades now and there is a healthy population in northern Australia. It is always best to play it safe as a saltwater crocodile can grow to over 5m in length, and are found both in salt and fresh water. Beaches, rivers, creeks and waterholes can be home to large crocodiles. They are not known to frequent the Great Barrier Reef but instead live in coastal areas and rivers in tropical Australia. Generally, authoritative local advice can direct you to a place to swim which is known to be free of crocodiles or has been cleared of them.
• When swimming at surf beaches, swim on beaches patrolled by surf lifesavers and between the red and yellow flags. Surf conditions can change quickly, and invisible rips can cause problems for even the strongest swimmers. The flags denote the safest area to swim in and the area is monitored.
• If you see signs warning swimmers that "stingers" (poisonous animals) are in the water, read them carefully as some are deadly. Find a pool or use one of the net protected beach enclosures common on many main beaches.

Skin cancer is a serious health issue in Australia, and sunburn and sunstroke are related problems. Make sure you wear SPF 15+ sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat and t-shirt or long sleeved shirt whenever you can in summer even on cloudy days. Particularly, protect children's skin between 10AM to 2PM, as the summer sun can cause a severe burn that will at best ruin your holiday, and at worst end in a trip to the local hospital. Many media outlets list the UV Index (sun factor) with the weather broadcast. In summer in Queensland expect that the UV Index will be extreme every day.

• Drink water: most locals carry a bottle of water with them at most times in the summer. The humidity can take you unaware, and dehydrate you quickly. Make sure children take regular drinks if they are playing outdoors, and carry water with you on car journeys, hikes or any time you may inadvertently end up somewhere unexpected.

• New South Wales
• Northern Territory
• South Australia