Top 15 Must-See Destinations in Queensland, Australia

With breathtaking landscapes that feature forests, mountains, pristine beaches, reefs, and the outback, Queensland presents an extensive array of attractions, making it a preferred destination for visitors from Australia and across the globe.

Visitors can unwind with a crafted cocktail at an island beach resort, trek through lush rainforests, marvel at exotic flora and fauna, or experience the vibrant atmosphere of the urban center, Brisbane.

Spanning 7,000 km of spectacular coastline, Queensland is a paradise for beach enthusiasts. However, there is an abundance of activities and sights to discover in this tourist hotspot that will surely leave you wanting to return to the Sunshine State for further exploration after indulging in the top 15 destinations.

Let’s delve into the premier places to explore in Queensland:

1. Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef worldwide and is unique as the only living entity visible from outer space, surpassing even the Great Wall of China in size. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, it is a quintessential jewel of Queensland.

For those visiting Queensland, this extraordinarily stunning and distinctive location is essential to experience.

Rich in marine biodiversity, it serves as an excellent venue for scuba diving or snorkeling, providing ample opportunity to capture remarkable images for social media.

2. Daintree Rainforest

The magnificently lush Daintree Rainforest exhibits remarkable biodiversity, including 90% of Australia’s bat and butterfly species.

Similar to the Great Barrier Reef, the majority of the Daintree Rainforest is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site (Wet Tropics of Queensland), recognized for its exceptional ecological significance. It provides invaluable insights into the evolutionary history of Australia’s flora and fauna, with living examples from the Gondwanan era, including the closest surviving relatives to several ancient marsupials; its plant life is regarded as a near replica of what a Gondwanan forest would resemble.

Guided tours are available to offer enlightening perspectives on the science and history of the Daintree Rainforest. However, it is also beneficial to partake in leisurely walks to absorb the captivating scenery, which includes waterfalls, untamed rivers, and forested coastal vistas.

It stands as a stunning example of Australia’s natural beauty.

3. Cairns

Cairns serves as the gateway to the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef and is also a charming resort town that is highly favored by backpackers from around the world.

Its temperate climate during winter makes it an appealing escape for residents of Sydney and Melbourne.

This tropical haven caters exceptionally well to tourists, featuring a vibrant café culture, beach markets, and even a platypus park!

4. Surfer’s Paradise

Surfer’s Paradise is the pinnacle of beach tourism towns and is an exceptionally favored location for travelers to Queensland to establish their base.

The beach is renowned throughout Australia, and numerous (surprisingly affordable) hotels are located mere steps away, allowing for quick access to relax and enjoy the Australian summer.

The town is well-developed, offering an exciting nightlife and diverse culinary scene, alongside a variety of tourist attractions, including the futuristic Infinity maze, Ripley’s Believe it or Not, Hard Rock Café, and Dracula’s Haunted House.

Visitors may even spot one of Surfer’s Paradise’s famous bikini-clad meter-maids!

5. Lamington National Park

Named after Lord Lamington (who also lends his name to a beloved Australian dessert), this national park is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The park is abundant in unique flora and fauna, with some species found nowhere else on Earth.

It is particularly celebrated for its avian diversity, indigenous wildflowers, ancient trees, and waterfalls, and offers accessibility through over 160 km of walking tracks catering to varying fitness levels.

Moreover, it presents numerous adventure sport opportunities, including abseiling, archery, and a flying fox experience.

A popular attraction within the park is O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, home to 230 bird species, where the friendly rosella parrots may eat directly from your hand or even perch on your shoulder.

6. Gold Coast Theme Parks

The Gold Coast’s four theme parks—Warner Brothers’ Movie World, Dream World, and Wet’n’Wild—are essential for anyone who appreciates amusement parks, roller coasters, and entertaining attractions.

Sea World provides visitors with the opportunity to interact closely with Australia’s marine life, complemented by a monorail system (the first of its kind in Australia) and cable cars for convenient access while enjoying breathtaking views.

At Movie World, guests can immerse themselves in lighthearted Warner Brothers fun; capture photographs with favorite characters and experience high-quality, technologically advanced themed rides, including the Scooby Doo Spooky Coaster.

Dream World stands as the largest theme park on the Gold Coast, featuring a wide array of attractions such as Tiger Island and thrilling rides like the Giant Drop, which beckons adrenaline-seekers. Wet’n’Wild is an aquatic theme park offering some of Australia’s most exhilarating waterslides, including the Kamikaze, providing the sensation of zero gravity as you plunge down 11 meters at a 70-degree angle.

Whether visitors prefer a leisurely day at the theme parks or an adrenaline-filled adventure, the Gold Coast has offerings for all!

7. Tamborine Mountain

Tamborine Mountain features a picturesque town perched on a mountain, conveniently situated between Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

The town offers stunning mountain views, and spending a day exploring its unique ambiance is well worth it: Tamborine Mountain is renowned for its wineries, delectable cheeses, gourmet dining, vibrant art scene, and charming vintage shops.

Activities include the Rainforest Skywalk, visiting the glowworm caves, or staying in one of the romantic bed and breakfasts—ensuring that there’s something for everyone!

8. Australia Zoo

Australia Zoo is a quintessential experience for those wishing to encounter Australia’s most iconic wildlife. Established by the late Steve Irwin, known as the Crocodile Hunter, this zoo reflects his vision for creating a leading conservation facility.

The Irwin family continues to work passionately to realize Steve’s dream, focusing on making Australia Zoo the foremost center for conservation globally.

Visitors can enjoy intimate encounters with native Australian creatures such as wombats and kangaroos, and even share a kiss with a dingo! The zoo also features a range of exotic animals, providing opportunities to hand-feed tortoises or pet tigers.

9. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary serves as a quieter alternative to Australia Zoo, offering more economical admission while emphasizing Australian wildlife.

It features entertaining performances for children, including the beloved Australian character Blinky Bill, along with a flying fox ride over the treetops, a Segway safari, and opportunities to feed crocodiles.

10. South Bank

Situated on the southern bank of the Brisbane River, South Bank is noted for its striking floral walkways, an urban artificial beach, and an extensive range of fine dining establishments.

Visitors may also spot freshwater turtles wandering around! If you appreciate museum and gallery visits, be sure to explore the Cultural Precinct, housing the Performing Arts Centre, Art Gallery (with a highly regarded gourmet restaurant), QLD Museum Science Centre, and the Maritime Museum.

Additionally, South Bank features a lovely Rainforest Walk, a Nepalese Pagoda, and a botanical garden.

It is advisable to allocate an entire day to enjoy South Bank, as there is an abundance of activities to keep you engaged!

11. West End

West End is an engaging and quirky precinct, popular among indie and hipster demographics; it is an ideal location for vintage clothing shopping, enjoying one of Brisbane’s finest cafes, or indulging in a unique cocktail at the exotic Lychee Lounge.

The weekend markets serve as an excellent introduction to Australia’s vibrant creative culture, followed by a leisurely stroll through Orleigh Park that showcases picturesque views of the Brisbane River.

12. Story Bridge

In Brisbane, the river is an essential aspect of daily life: with 25 ferry stops and numerous bridges spanning the water, locals enjoy breathtaking views as part of their everyday experiences, making the river a cherished element of Brisbane’s culture.

Story Bridge, one of the iconic river bridges, is heritage-listed and connects Fortitude Valley to Kangaroo Point, having been operational since 1940. Nearly 100,000 individuals traverse the bridge daily, and it serves as the venue for Riverfire, a spectacular fireworks display that concludes Riverfestival. The Story Bridge is illuminated at night, providing a postcard-perfect backdrop for your holiday memories.

If you have a penchant for adventure, you can even climb the bridge!

13. Roma Street Parkland

Located high above the Brisbane city center, Roma Street Parkland provides splendid urban views in addition to a garden recognized as one of Australia’s two premier gardens.

The Spectacle Garden is particularly stunning, showcasing a vibrant floral display throughout the year.

Since it is an expansive garden, anticipate dedicating several hours to relax and explore the meticulously maintained grounds.

14. Fraser Island

Fraser Island is recognized as the largest sand island globally and is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It offers a fantastic environment for whale watching, fishing, 4WD adventures, romantic getaways, or tranquil nature walks.

The island is a favored retreat for both tourists and local residents, making it a worthwhile inclusion in your Queensland travel plans.

15. Whitsundays

The Whitsundays region offers a spectrum of experiences, from extreme luxury on Hamilton and Hayman Islands to an inviting backpacker haven in Airlie Beach. Among the 74 Whitsunday islands, most are uninhabited national park islands, with four islands providing accommodation options for tourists.

The breathtaking scenery of the Whitsundays is so remarkable that it must be witnessed to be truly appreciated, attracting affluent visitors from Australia and around the globe.

A plethora of activities is accessible (jet skiing, seaplane tours, helicopter rides), yet the pinnacle of the Whitsundays experience lies in simply savoring the moment as you relax on the snow-white beaches, feeling fortunate to be in such an exquisite destination.