Must-see attractions in Queensland

  • Aerial view over Hill Inlet at Whitsunday Island with the world renowned Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsunday's, Queensland

    Whitehaven Beach

    The Whitsundays

    One of of Australia's most photogenic and hyped beaches, Whitehaven is a pristine 4.3 mile-long (7km) stretch of blinding sand (at 98% pure silica, some…

  • Anzac Memorial, Rockhampton Botanic Gardens, Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia

    Botanic Gardens

    Rockhampton

    These Heritage-listed gardens, begun in 1873, are a beautiful escape from often-sweltering Rockhampton, with tropical and subtropical rainforest,…

  • Queensland, Australia - December 2019: Tourists inside a cavern explore the ecosystem of the Capricorn Caves. Photography difficult due to very low light.

    Capricorn Caves

    Rockhampton

    Riddling the Berserker Range some 24km north of Rockhampton, this vast cave complex is one of the Capricorn Coast's foremost attractions. Technically not…

  • South Bank Parklands

    Brisbane

    Should you sunbake on a sandy beach, saunter through a rainforest, or eye-up a Nepalese peace pagoda? You can do all three in this 17.5-hectare park…

  • Great Sandy National Park: Cooloola Section

    Sunshine Coast

    Extending from Lake Cootharaba north to Rainbow Beach, this 54,000 hectare section of national park offers wide ocean beaches, soaring cliffs of richly…

  • Cairns, Australia - July 8, 2017: Zhanjiang Chinese Friendship Pavilion at Cairns Botanic Gardens

    Cairns Botanic Gardens

    Cairns

    These gorgeous gardens are an explosion of greenery and rainforest plants. Highlights include a section devoted to Aboriginal plant use, the Gondwana…

  • People by the pool at the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon with the fish sculptures in the background in Cairns, Queensland, Australia.

    Cairns Esplanade, Boardwalk & Lagoon

    Cairns

    Sunseekers and fun-lovers flock to Cairns Esplanade's spectacular swimming lagoon on the city’s reclaimed foreshore. The artificial, sandy-edged, 4800-sq…

  • Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia - December 27, 2017. Exterior view of Dreamtime aboriginal cultural centre in Rockhampton, QLD, with vegetation.

    Dreamtime Cultural Centre

    Rockhampton

    The stories of the local Darumbal people and Torres Straits islanders are well-conveyed here. Self-guide through exhibits such as 'The Vanishing Culture…

  • Queensland Cultural Centre

    Brisbane

    On South Bank, just over Victoria Bridge from the CBD, the Queensland Cultural Centre is the epicentre of Brisbane’s cultural confluence. Surrounded by…

  • GoMA, Gallery of Modern Art, part of the Queensland Cultural Centre at South Bank.

    Gallery of Modern Art

    Brisbane

    All angular glass, concrete and black metal, must-see GOMA celebrates modern and contemporary art, with a particular emphasis on Australian, Asian and…

  • Cairns, Queensland / Australia - December 4 2017: Two children look at fish in the Cairns Aquarium.

    Cairns Aquarium

    Cairns

    Cairns' multi-million-dollar aquarium is well worth a visit for its vast and gorgeously presented range of marine life, the Great Barrier Reef in…

  • Pandanus palms creep almost to the shore at Noosa National Park.

    Noosa National Park

    Noosa

    Noosa's unmissable national park delivers spectacular coastal views (expect to see dolphins) and ambrosial beaches like Tea Tree Bay. The most scenic way…

  • Eumundi Markets.

    Eumundi Markets

    Sunshine Coast

    This is one of Australia's most atmospheric artisan markets, attracting over 1.6-million visitors a year to its 600-plus stalls. Dive into a leafy,…

  • Brisbane Powerhouse

    Brisbane

    On the eastern flank of New Farm Park stands the Powerhouse, a once-derelict power station superbly transformed into a contemporary arts centre. Its…

  • Conway National Park

    Airlie Beach

    This serene national park encompasses the Conway Peninsula, once the hunting grounds of the Giru Dala and still home to large swaths of lowland tropical…

  • Bullwinkles Nightclub and Museum of Tropical Queensland (pictured at right) with reflection in water, Townsville. Australia

    Museum of Tropical Queensland

    Townsville

    The award-winning Museum of Tropical Queensland provides a snapshot of this diverse region, from World Heritage–listed rainforest and reefs to the story…

  • Two girls looking at fishes at the Reef HQ aquarium, Townsville, Queensland, Australia

    Reef HQ Aquarium

    Townsville

    A staggering 2.5 million litres of water flow through the coral-reef tank here at what they claim is the world's largest living coral-reef aquarium. It's…

  • ERBY04 For over 20 years Reef Teach has been educating visitors to the Great Barrier Reef about its beauty. Cairns, far north Queenslan

    Reef Teach

    Cairns

    Take your knowledge to new depths at this fun, informative centre, where marine experts explain how to identify specific species of fish and coral, and…

  • City Hall

    Brisbane

    Fronted by a row of sequoia-sized Corinthian columns, Australia's largest city hall was built between 1920 and 1930. Although free, fascinating heritage…

  • Whitsunday Island

    The Whitsundays

    The largest of the paradisaical group to which it gives its name, Whitsunday Island is ruggedly forested, and surrounded by clear teal waters and coral…

  • Chillagoe−Mungana Caves National Park

    Cairns & Far North Queensland

    This park boasts a magnificent miscellany of features including 400-million-year-old limestone caves, Indigenous rock art, eerie outcrops and the ruins of…

  • Mossman Gorge

    The Daintree

    In the southeast corner of Daintree National Park, 5km west of Mossman town, Mossman Gorge forms part of the traditional lands of the Kuku Yalanji people…

  • Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas

    Port Douglas

    This sanctuary endeavours to keep and showcase native animals in enclosures that mimic their natural environment, while allowing you to get up close to…

  • Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve

    Sunshine Coast

    The ethereal, 55-hectare Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve wraps visitors in a remnant of the subtropical rainforests that once blanketed the Blackall Range…

  • Ballandean Estate

    Brisbane & Around

    The Puglisi family have been making vino here since 1931 and their estate is Queensland’s oldest family-owned and operated winery. Its standout wines…

  • Museum of Brisbane

    Brisbane

    On the 3rd floor of City Hall, this forward-thinking museum explores historic and modern aspects of Brisbane, offering fresh, progressive insights into…

  • Gab Titui Cultural Centre

    Thursday Island & Horn Island

    The superb Gab Titui Cultural Centre, near the ferry dock on Thursday Island, houses a contemporary gallery displaying the cultural history of the Torres…

  • Historic Village Herberton

    Cairns & Far North Queensland

    A must-see on any comprehensive Tablelands trip, this fascinating village houses over 60 heritage buildings, fully restored and relocated here from across…

  • Daintree Discovery Centre

    The Daintree

    This award-winning attraction's aerial walkway, which includes a 23m tower used to study carbon levels, takes you high into the forest canopy. A theatre…

  • Split Rock Gallery

    Cairns & Far North Queensland

    About 12km south of Laura look out for the badly signposted turn-off to the Split Rock Gallery, the only rock-art site open to the public without a guide…

  • Old Government House

    Brisbane

    Queensland's most important heritage building, this 1862 showpiece was designed by estimable government architect Charles Tiffin as a residence for Sir…

  • Queensland Art Gallery

    Brisbane

    While Brisbane's main art museum includes numerous international works, its forte is its Australia collection. This includes works by heavyweights like…

  • Tolga Bat Hospital

    Cairns & Far North Queensland

    This bat rehabilitation centre south of Atherton runs excellent guided tours every afternoon which include a video presentation followed by an…

  • Tea Tree Bay

    Noosa

    Framed by spiky pandanus, Tea Tree Bay is one of Noosa's most idyllic beaches, with wild bushland emerging onto a broad sweep of sand and pellucid waves…

  • Bent Road Wine

    Brisbane & Around

    Switched-on oenophiles know all about this intimate winery and its smart, out-of-the-box drops. These include small batch, experimental wines and wines…

  • Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park

    Cairns

    Managed by the area’s original custodians, this award-winning cultural extravaganza tells the story of creation using giant holograms and actors. There's…

  • Four Mile Beach

    Port Douglas

    This broad stretch of squeaky sand wraps around the eastern side of the peninsula in a near-perfect arc of sand and swaying palms – access is off the…

  • Boireann Wines

    Brisbane & Around

    Awarded five stars by Aussie wine guru James Halliday, Boireann grows French and Italian grape varieties, used to craft handmade, premium reds that are…

  • Cylinder Beach

    Brisbane & Around

    Bordered by Cylinder and Home Beach Headlands, this broad, beautiful beach is patrolled by lifesavers, offers easy access from the car park, and generally…

  • Hartley's Crocodile Adventures

    Cairns & Far North Queensland

    North of Ellis Beach towards Port Douglas, Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures offers a daily range of squeal-inducing events including croc farm tours,…