About Queensland
Queensland is known as Australia’s
“Sunshine State” and is made up of
16 very diverse regions.
Each region has plenty to offer
visitors in terms of accommodation, attractions
and events. The state has a diverse range of native
flora and fauna.
The Regions
Brisbane
Brisbane is the Capital of Queensland
and offers visitors a wide range of environments
including beautiful beaches, rainforests, rivers,
subtropical highlands and islands.
Bundaberg, Coral Coast and
Hinterland
Providing the most southerly access point for
the Barrier Reef the Bundaberg, Coral Coast &
Hinterland region is the centre of Queensland’s
sugar growing industry. With 14 national parks,
coral islands, historic townships and farmland
the region has a lot to offer tourists.
Capricorn
Located just north of Bundaberg and stretching
north towards Mackay the Capricorn Coast is a
delightful place for anyone who loves beaches
or fishing.
Fraser Coast South Burnett
Sweeping golden beaches, lush farmland, national
parks and history abound in the Fraser Coast South
Burnett region. The Fraser Coast is home to the
World Heritage listed Fraser Island the largest
sand island in the world and Lady Elliot Island,
the first coral cay on the Southern end of the
Great Barrier Reef. Hervey Bay is also located
here and reknown as one of Australians premier
whale watching areas.
Gladstone
Gladstone is the main departure point for the
Great Barrier Reef. Heron Island, known as one
of the best diving locations in the world, is
located just 72km from Gladstone. National parks
include Deepwater National Park and Eurimbula
National Park, the site of Capt Cook's first landing
in Queensland are also located in the Gladstone
region.
Gold Coast
Three major fun parks reside in the Gold Coast
region making it a popular family destination.
For the adrenalin junkies there is bungy jumping,
parasailing and abseiling, or if you want to relax
try one of the numerous sun drenched beaches including
Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, Burleigh Heads,
Currumbin or Coolangatta.
Great Barrier Reef
The Great barrier reef stretches up the Queensland
Coast for over 2000km and is World Heritage listed.
You can explore the reef by diving, snorkelling
or from boats with specially designed underwater
viewing chambers and semi-submersible craft.
Mackay
Located on the coastline halfway between Brisbane
and Cairns Mackay offers pristine beaches, deserted
National Parks and rural towns.
Mackay is a diverse region with
beaches, islands, the central highlands offering
farm stays, museums, gem fossicking, gold prospecting
and country music events.
Outback Queensland
Outback Queensland offers a host of diverse landscapes
including Mulga plains, deserts, scenic gorges
and escarpments. During spring experience the
colourful spring wildflowers in the south west
or visit the opal towns of Yowah, Cunnamulla and
Quilpie.
Southern Downs
Located on the border of New South Wales the Southern
Downs region is the heart of the Queensland wine
industry. Just a three hour drive from either
the Gold Coast or Brisbane this region offers
wineries, orchards, country hospitality, local
produce, good food and spectacular landscapes.
Sunshine
Coast
The Sunshine Coast has a wide variety of beach
environments which includes family friendly waves,
to huge powerful surf for the most avid surfer.
The Sunshine Coast region is also home to a hinterland
offering a variety of landscapes such as lush
rolling hills, rainforests, swimming holes and
National Parks. Read
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Toowooba and Darling Downs
Toowoomba is located just 90 from Brisbane and
it is the largest inland city in Australia. The
Darling Downs is rich agricultural area and lays
claim to oldest woolshed in Queensland. There
is excellent inland fishing areas and a large
population of parrots.
Townsville
Townsville is the departure point for numerous
Barrier Reef Islands, including Magnetic, Orpheus,
Hinchinbrook, Dunk and Bedarra Islands. Lush cane
fields border the highway between Townsville and
Cairns, along with open scrub land, rainforests,
picturesque historic townships and quiet beach
villages.
Tropical North Queensland
Extending to the northern most tip of Australia
Tropical North Queensland is where the reef meets
the rainforest. Most of the beaches stretch north
of cairns towards Port Douglas and include
Palm Cove Kewarra Beach, Holloways, Yorkeys Knob
and Ellis Beach. Whilst to the south of Cairns
there is Mission Beach. The World Heritage listed
Daintree Rainforest is located in this region.
Western Downs
Approximately a 3 hour drive west of Brisbane
the the Western Downs region contains National
parks with ancient rock, excellent inland fishing
and wineries.
Whitsundays
The Whitsundays is known worldwide for its excellent
sailing, vibrant blue sea and numerous tropical
islands. Located in the heart of the Great Barrier
Reef it encompasses over 100 tropical islands.
Climate
Queensland is known as the "Sunshine
State" and enjoys a pleasant climate year
round. The weather conditions vary across the
state
Tropical North Queensland experiences
a definite wet season and tropical cyclones can
occur. The summer is hot and humid. Parts of the
north are inaccessible by road due to flooding
caused by the wet season. The winter months June
to August, warm and mild.
Outback Queensland experiences hot
dry summers and warm winters. The nights however
can get very cold.
The southern and central coastal
areas have a comfortable subtropical climate year
round.
Getting there
By Air
From Overseas: International
airports are located in Brisbane, Gold Coast,
Townsville and Cairns. Over 21 international carriers
fly to Queensland
From Interstate: The major domestic
carriers are Qantas, Jet Star and Virgin Blue.
There are also a number of smaller regional airlines
which service Queensland from other states.
By Road
From Sydney you can travel via
the Pacific Highway along the coast or via the
New England Highway, which starts at Newcastle
and is inland from the coast
From Melbourne take the Newell Highway which offers a direct
route to South-East Queensland
From Adelaide travel along the Barrier Highway through Broken
Hill to Nyngan where you can take the Mitchell
Highway to Queensland's Outback or continue through
to Gilgandra and take the Castlereagh Highway
or the Newell Highway leading to South-East Queensland.
From Darwin there
are two options, the fully sealed road from Darwin
to Tennant Creek and across to Mount Isa on the
Overlanders Way or follow the Savannah Way from
Daly Waters to Normanton on some unsealed roads.
Getting Around within Queensland:
Queensland is a vast state and many visitors
can underestimate the distance between destinations
for example Brisbane to Cairns is 1807km (1120
miles). Queensland offers a sophisticated transport
network with 16 ports, 130 domestic airports,
174,000km of road network to help you get around.
Train Travel
Queensland had an excellent air and rail network.
Rail travel offers first class long haul trips
between Brisbane and Cairns, between Brisbane
and Longreach, between Brisbane to Charleville.
Air Travel
There are numerous airports and landing strips
located around Queensland to provide easy access
with the major domestic carriers being Qantas,
Jet Star and Virgin Blue. There are also a number
of smaller regional airlines. Specialist operators
can fly to the Great Barrier Reef in a same day
return trip or you can charter aircraft to fly
almost anywhere in Queensland.
Car Travel
Car rental is available at all major airports
and towns. Note: Most car rental companies will
not allow their cars to travel past certain points
in far North Queensland or OutBack Queensland.
If travelling in outback and remote areas be aware
of safety precautions such as carrying adequate
water and petrol supplies, and suitable communications
in the event of break down.
Boat Travel
Queensland has 16 ports and dozens of marinas
along the coast. Major boating destinations include
Cairns, Townsville, Whitsundays and Brisbane.
Sail adventure cruises depart from Cairns, Townsville
and the Whitsundays and there are many companies
that operate day trips to the Great Barrier Reef.
More information
For more information about Queensland
visit the QLD Tourism web site
www.queenslandholidays.com.au
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