Queensland
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Across Australia are natural wonders second to none. Ancient sites echo the time of our indigenous people and land and sea formations forged over time are humbling in their grandeur.
Collections of fine art and fascinating exhibits in the many galleries and museums illustrate Australia's passion for the beautiful and unusual. While the abundance of amusement parks and zoos show Aussies take their recreation time very seriously!
There's a lot more to Australia than perfect beaches and cute wildlife! When it comes to Australian tourist attractions consider some of the featured attractions.
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Fraser Coast
The best known feature of the Fraser Coast is the beautiful Fraser Island. The largest sand island in the world, Fraser is nearly entirely protected and is home to ancient forests, rare animals and marine life.
Inland, the Fraser Coast region also has rich agricultural lands, national parks and historic townships which show the architecture of the pioneers of the area.
On the mainland coast, the pristine Hervey Bay is well known for its yearly whale watching expeditions where visitors and locals alike can be witness to the whales' southward migration through the warm waters. Watching these huge creatures frolic playfully with one another so close to the tour boats is an amazing and humbling sight. |
| Fraser Island is the most prominent landmark of this region. The largest sand island in the world, Fraser Island is World Heritage listed and is the only place on earth where rainforest grows out of the sand.
On the mainland, Hervey Bay has a coastline of 20 kilometres of golden beaches with waters renowned for whale watching in the autumn and spring. Inland from here, Maryborough and the South Burnett areas are rich farmland areas. |
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Gladstone
Industry has played an important part in Gladstone's development. The city has the world's largest Alumina plant and a huge port and power station to support its aluminium smelter and concrete production.
Off the coast of Gladstone are stunning tropical islands surrounded by coral reefs. Heron Island is one of the best diving locations in the country with a huge array of underwater marine life and vegetation and great visibility at most times.
Turtles are a special resident of the Gladstone region and great care is taken to provide them with sanctuary. Tryon, Erskine and Masthead Islands are each important nesting grounds for the majestic loggerhead turtles.
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A jewel of the Gladstone region must be Heron Island. The pristine white beaches fringe a tropical sand island surrounded by a colourful coral cay whose underwater landscape is every bit as spectacular as its land terrain.
Several other islands in the region such as Lady Musgrave, and reefs off the township of 1770 combine to making the geography of this region mainly coast and reef. However, inland there is the Castle Tower National Park with its tall eucalypt woodlands to add a forested pocket to the region.
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Gold Coast
Famous all over the country and well known overseas too, the Gold Coast is not just a surfing Mecca but a rapidly growing, sophisticated city in its own right that people are just flocking to.
The 42km of golden beaches is what first made the Gold Coast a highly desirable place to visit. Both surfies and families could holiday near the blue waters and bask in the perfect weather. After an eighties boom, every desirable tourist facility started to pop up all over the coast, from a multitude of flash hotels to shopping malls full of designer fashions.
Surfers Paradise has always been the centre of attention, but in recent years the beautiful Broadbeach and Burleigh areas, both a little less crowded, have gained a loyal following as the best holiday spots on the coast.
Home to several big events each year, such as the Indy 500 car racing and Schoolies Week, the Gold Coast doesn't need any help drawing a crowd. Being only 40 minutes from Brisbane City and close to the border of New South Wales, it's perfectly positioned for regular visitors and holiday makers.
Everyone always talks about the beaches of the Gold Coast while the Hinterland areas go nearly unmentioned. People tend to forget that behind the main coastal stretch is a truly beautiful area of mountains, hills and rolling green valleys. With world heritage listed rainforests of ancient trees, picturesque waterfalls and spectacular views over the entire coast, you should treat yourself to the subtle beauty of the Hinterland.
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The Gold Coast's most well-known feature is surely the long stretches of golden beaches along its 40 km length. The coastline is dotted with occasional craggy headlands and inlets such as the picturesque Tallebudgera and Currumbin Creeks.
Inland can be found the beautiful Gold Coast Hinterland where undulating pasturelands make way for mountains such as Tamborine Mountain and the McPherson Range. The nearby Springbrook National Park and Lamington National Park feature spectacular rainforests and waterfalls. |
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Sunshine Coast
| With many areas remaining refreshingly unspoiled, and with beaches that rival the best in the country, the Sunshine Coast is a stunning example of contemporary coastal living.
Gently arching around in a semicircle, Mooloolaba Beach is a protected little bay with small surf waves and is a perfect beach for the whole family to enjoy. With chic cafes and designer shopping along the waterfront and marina, it's a very popular getaway for that truly relaxing holiday.
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Toward the north end of the Sunshine Coast is Noosa, even more untouched this aquatic wonderland is a favourite of the rich and famous who come to holiday on the beautiful Laguna Bay staying directly on the beach. The surrounding Noosa National Park gives the whole area a feeling of peace and tranquillity.
The Hinterland areas of the Sunshine Coast are simply superb and in this case the rolling hills of Maleny and Montville are nearly better known than the coastal areas. With their quaint village atmospheres, incredible views of the valleys and amazing collections of art and crafts, they make a perfect day of sightseeing and browsing.
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The Eumundi Markets are on every weekend in the small township and are absolutely massive. Stretching over what seems like half the town, you can find original local handcrafts, fine art and a bunch of other odd and interesting knickknacks. The street music and performers will keep you entertained while the food stalls, street cafes and traditional Aussie pubs will keep your hunger and thirst more than satisfied.
| Starting just north of Brisbane and extending up to Cooloola National Park, the Sunshine Coast has a varied landscape from the coastal areas to the hinterlands.
Geographical landmarks include the striking Glasshouse Mountains that jut out of the surrounding landscape and whose heights take on a misty transparency against the sky. To the north, the stunning Noosa Heads is surrounded by national park and stretches of perfect beaches and ocean that feeds into the clear waters of Noosa River.
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Townsville
The stunning blue water of the Coral Sea isn't the only sparkling fact about Townsville. Once a booming gold mining town, the city has a fascinating history and a love for the environment.
Townsville has its own pace. The warm weather, gently swaying palm trees and views over the water have a relaxing effect on everyone who visits. Nothing gets too crowded here, and cooling off with a frosty beer or chilled wine on the promenade is an ideal way to watch the sun set on the horizon of an afternoon.
Getting to Townsville is easy and the airport is impressive by anyone's standards. Once in Townsville a short 20 minute ride from the city will get you to the stunning Magnetic Island. Mostly covered in national park, the island has beautiful beaches, warm waters and many activities to enjoy. For some adventure, fly around the clear blue waters on a jet ski or for something more relaxed take in the views along one of the many walking trails.
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Townsville is another region along the northern coast of the country where access to the amazing offshore Great Barrier Reef adds a stunning dimension to the landscape of this near tropical region.
Inland, rainforests surround the awesome Wallaman Falls, the biggest single-drop waterfall in the country. And further north, entry to the ecological haven of the World Heritage Wet Tropics makes the landscape of the region truly diverse.
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Whitsundays
When you think of a tropical island, images of palm trees, white sand and blue waters spring to mind. The Whitsundays is all this and more - over 100 tropical islands of stunning beauty with the luxury of resort holidaying at its best.
The heart of the Great Barrier Reef, the Whitsundays is a holiday hot spot for Australians and overseas visitors. Whether you're looking for adventure, romance or some simple rest and relaxation, there is something for everyone.
While many people take advantage of the lavish resorts and hotels throughout the region, a fabulous alternative is to charter a yacht and make your own fun. There are hundreds of colourful reefs to snorkel at and pristine beaches to explore and you might even be able to catch your own dinner! |
The Whitsunday region, dotted with some of the world's most beautiful tropical islands, is a site to behold. The spectacular and well-known underwater heaven of the Great Barrier Reef is even more beautiful than the white sandy islands within its waters.
An undulating seabed adorned with colourful corals and exotic marine life makes the geography of this region truly unique.
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Above sea level, hundreds of islands are scattered throughout the region each with its perfect band of white sand meeting the water's edge. Upon the land, subtropical rainforests adorn the region with a lush blanket of green.
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Photo courtesy Tourism Queensland
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