Top 10 Things to Do in Queensland - Our Guide to the Sunshine State

Queensland is the one part of Australia I find hardest to describe in a single conversation, because it genuinely doesn't behave like one destination. In the space of a fortnight you can be snorkelling over coral in water so clear it barely looks real, standing in rainforest that's older than the Amazon, and then out in the red dust of the Outback under a sky full of stars you'd never see back home. With more than 4,000 miles of coastline, golden beaches, tropical rainforest and several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, it's no exaggeration to call Queensland one of the most rewarding - and most varied - holiday destinations in Australia. Below is our guide to the ten experiences we'd put at the top of the list, counted from our very favourite down, based on years of sending clients up and down the Sunshine State.

If you're planning a longer trip, most of what's below can be linked together on a single itinerary rather than treated as separate holidays: our Ultimate Pacific Coast – Sydney to Cairns and The Pacific Coast – Brisbane to Cairns tours both thread together several of the destinations below into one well-paced route.

1. Unwind on Queensland’s Tropical Islands

Beyond the famous names, Queensland's coastline is scattered with smaller islands that make for a quieter, more tranquil escape once you've ticked off the big-ticket destinations. Magnetic Island, near Townsville, is known for its beaches, walking tracks and one of the largest wild koala populations in Australia, while Fitzroy and Green Islands, both easily reached from Cairns, are ideal for a day trip built around snorkelling and swimming. These are the islands we'd suggest tagging onto the end of a Great Barrier Reef trip if you want one last slower day before flying home.

2. Visit the Atherton Tablelands

Just inland from Cairns, the Atherton Tablelands offer a genuinely refreshing change of scenery - rolling green hills, cascading waterfalls, and noticeably cooler air than the coast below. It's a favourite with nature lovers and food enthusiasts alike, and if you only do one thing here, make it the Waterfall Circuit, taking in Millaa Millaa Falls, Zillie Falls and Ellinjaa Falls, all set within lush rainforest. The volcanic soil produces excellent local food and drink too, from tropical fruit and coffee to boutique cheese and even a little wine, and wildlife spotting is a real highlight: keep an eye out for platypus in the creeks and tree kangaroos in the canopy.

3. Explore Queensland’s Outback

Queensland's Outback is a different country altogether - wide horizons, red earth, and a strong sense of the pioneering history that shaped inland Australia. Longreach is the key base, home to the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame and the Qantas Founders Museum, while Winton, further west, is known for its dinosaur fossil discoveries and the Waltzing Matilda Centre. For us, the real highlight is Carnarvon Gorge, where sandstone cliffs, ancient Aboriginal rock art and quiet, tree-lined pools make for some of the most rewarding hiking trails in the state - it's remote, and that's exactly the point. This is one part of Queensland where a bit of planning goes a long way, given the distances involved, so it's worth talking to our team before you book anything independently..

4. Relax in Noosa and the Sunshine Coast

North of Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast is where we'd send anyone after golden beaches, nature reserves and a slower pace than the Gold Coast further south. Noosa sits at its heart - a genuinely stylish resort town with boutique shopping and excellent dining, but its real drawcard is Noosa National Park, where coastal walking trails reveal dramatic cliffs, hidden coves, and a decent chance of spotting koalas dozing in the treetops. Further inland, the Sunshine Coast hinterland has rolling hills, small craft villages and boutique wineries - a nice contrast if you fancy a day away from the coast. Browse our Sunshine Coast holidays for places to stay in and around Noosa.

5. Discover Brisbane, Queensland’s Capital

Brisbane doesn't always get the credit it deserves next to its flashier coastal neighbours, but as Queensland's capital, it's a genuinely easy-going, subtropical city with plenty to fill a couple of days. South Bank is the cultural heart of the city, home to the Queensland Art Gallery, the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) and the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, and the Brisbane River winds right through the middle of it all, making river cruises and riverside walks an easy way to get your bearings. It's a good food city too, everything from rooftop bars to bustling weekend markets, and for the best view in town, climbing the Story Bridge is well worth the head for heights. Explore our Brisbane holidays to build it into your trip.

6. Experience K’gari (Fraser Island)

K'gari, formerly known as Fraser Island, is the world's largest sand island and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its own right, and it's one of those places that genuinely doesn't look like it should exist - rainforest growing straight out of sand, freshwater lakes with impossibly clear water, and dunes that stretch as far as you can see. Lake McKenzie, with its brilliant white silica sand and clear water, is the highlight for most visitors, while the historic Maheno shipwreck sits dramatically rusting on the beach and the Champagne Pools offer a safe, sheltered swim carved naturally out of the rocks by the sea. Four-wheel driving is the classic way to explore, and while it's possible independently, we'd generally point first-timers towards a guided tour - the sand tracks are unforgiving if you haven't driven them before. Discover our K'Gari holidays for the full range of ways to experience the island.

7. Visit the Gold Coast

The Gold Coast is Queensland at its most energetic - over 40 miles of sandy beach, with Surfers Paradise as its most iconic stretch, drawing surfers and swimmers from all over the world. It's also the best choice on this list for families, with major theme parks including Warner Bros. Movie World, Dreamworld and Wet'n'Wild all within easy reach, alongside a genuinely good dining, shopping and nightlife scene in the city itself. If you want a break from the beach, the Gold Coast Hinterland is only a short drive inland and has rainforest walks, waterfalls and mountain villages that feel a world away from Surfers Paradise. Take a look at our Gold Coast holidays to start planning your stay.

8. Explore the Daintree Rainforest

North of Cairns lies the Daintree, an ancient tropical rainforest estimated to be around 180 million years old, older than the Amazon, and one of the most atmospheric places I've walked through anywhere in Australia. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the humidity, the birdsong, the sheer density of green all make it feel genuinely primeval. Guided walks are the best way in, and a swim in the freshwater pools at Mossman Gorge is one of the simplest, most memorable things you can do on a hot day. The canopy boardwalks and Skyrail cable car give you a completely different perspective from above the treeline, while a river cruise brings a good chance of spotting crocodiles and some striking birdlife. The area also holds deep cultural significance for the Kuku Yalanji people, and we'd always encourage travellers to take a tour with Indigenous guides if the itinerary allows - it adds a layer of understanding you simply don't get otherwise. See our National Parks of Northern Queensland holidays for Daintree stays.

9. Sail The Whitsunday Islands

The Whitsundays are a collection of 74 tropical islands off the Queensland coast, and honestly, no photograph quite prepares you for how white the sand at Whitehaven Beach actually is - it's almost pure silica, and it stays cool underfoot even at the height of summer, which surprises most first-time visitors. Sailing is, in our view, the only real way to see this part of the coast properly, whether that's a private yacht charter or a group sailing trip, both giving you access to uninhabited coves you simply can't reach any other way. Airlie Beach is the main hub for Whitsunday tours and has a lively, easy-going holiday atmosphere, while Hamilton Island is the most developed of the islands, with a good spread of accommodation and restaurants for travellers who want a base with a bit more comfort. Browse our Great Barrier Reef & The Whitsundays holidays for sailing and island-stay options.

1. Discover the Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is Queensland's crown jewel and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, stretching more than 1,400 miles along the coast as the largest living structure on Earth - and the scale of it only really sinks in once you're out on the water. Snorkelling over the coral gardens, diving among wrecks, or taking a glass-bottom boat tour all reveal a different side of the reef, and if you'd rather see it from above, a scenic flight over the turquoise water and coral formations is one of those experiences that genuinely earns the word "breathtaking." Cairns, Port Douglas and Airlie Beach are your three main gateways, each with a slightly different feel - we're happy to talk through which suits your trip best. Explore our Cairns & Port Douglas and Great Barrier Reef & The Whitsundays holidays to start planning.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time of year to visit Queensland? The dry season, from May to October, is generally the best time to visit — warm days, low humidity and minimal rainfall across most of the state. If you're heading to the tropical north around Cairns and the Daintree, it's also worth avoiding the wet season (roughly December to March), when heavy rain and the risk of cyclones can disrupt reef trips and rainforest access.

How many days do I need to see the highlights of Queensland? To cover the main highlights properly — the Great Barrier Reef, the Whitsundays and either Brisbane or the Gold Coast — we'd suggest a minimum of ten to twelve nights. If you want to add the Daintree, K'gari or the Outback, we'd recommend closer to three weeks so you're not spending more time travelling than exploring.

Is the Great Barrier Reef better from Cairns, Port Douglas or Airlie Beach? All three give you access to the reef, but they suit slightly different trips. Cairns has the widest choice of reef tours and is the most convenient for flights, Port Douglas is quieter and closer to the Daintree Rainforest, and Airlie Beach is your gateway to the Whitsunday Islands and Whitehaven Beach. We'd usually suggest basing your choice on what else you want to combine with your reef trip.

Do I need a 4WD to visit K'gari (Fraser Island)? Yes — there are no sealed roads on K'gari, and all exploring is done on sand tracks, which can be genuinely tricky for anyone who hasn't driven on sand before. Most of our clients opt for a guided tour rather than a self-drive hire, particularly for a first visit, as it takes the stress out of the sand driving and means you don't miss the best spots.

Can I combine Queensland with other parts of Australia in one trip? Absolutely — it's one of the most common ways we build itineraries. Queensland pairs naturally with a Sydney stopover or a longer New South Wales self-drive, and our Ultimate Pacific Coast – Sydney to Cairns tour is designed to link the two together in one seamless route up the east coast.