The Most Incredible Bucket List Experiences in Queensland
There’s no doubt when you say Australia you instantly think about Kangaroos, Koalas, The Great Barrier Reef, spectacular Aussie lifestyle, the vast outback and lip-smacking food but there’s a lot more to this diverse country than what meets the eye. Queensland is an ideal destination to experience the best of Australia. This sunshine state proudly commands 1.7 million square kilometres of the Australian continent and is big enough to fit the United Kingdom into it seven times.
Queensland is home to some unique wildlife, jaw-dropping natural beauty and experiences that will imprint on you for a lifetime. So let’s dive straight into some of the regions must-dos.
Let’s face it, a trip to Queensland is incomplete without dipping your feet into the glassy waters of The Great Barrier Reef. This magnificent natural wonder is located at a distance of only 45 mins from Cairns, which is also known as ‘ the gateway to The Great Barrier Reef’. There are plenty of options available for you to kick-in some reef time. The most convenient would be to explore the reef from Lizard Island.
Hop on a large boat departing from Cairns for day-trip. Snorkelling is the best way to see what is going on under the surface. The breathtaking sights of the largest living coral system on earth will leave you awestruck. Don’t want to get your hair wet? No problem! You can now literally walk on the ocean floor with Seawalker, a helmeted-walk that allows you to explore the underwater marine life without swimming. Make sure you get clicked, these photos will surely make a splash on your social media profiles.
Sir David Attenborough describes the Great Barrier Reef as ‘one of the most magical places on the planet’ and how can we disagree? Especially when there are nature’s masterpieces like the Heart Reef in existence. Heart Reef is part of the Hardy Reef in the Whitsundays. As the name suggests, it is a composition of corals that are naturally formed in the shape of a heart. We guarantee a single glance will make you lose your heart to this spectacular beauty. The best way to experience Heart Reef is through a scenic helicopter ride, you’ll spot it from a mile away. GSL Aviation, Air Whitsundays and Hamilton Island Air all offer helicopter rides that fly over Heart Reef, which depart from Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island. If a romantic proposal is on its way, we suggest informing your pilot in advance for some extra flight time to swoon your loved one away on this iconic location.
Hello, there you cute little poser! KOALA CUDDLES; Queensland is one of the only two states in Australia where you’re allowed to cuddle a Koala. So, bring out your best snuggles for an opportunity to get up close and personal to these local animal celebrities. Whether its Brisbane, Gold Coast or Cairns you’ll find opportunities to add a Koala cuddle snap in your album of memories.
If you’re in Gold Coast, head to the world-famous Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. Sanctuary by name and by nature, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary has been committed to protecting and conserving native wildlife for over 70 years. There’s no shortage of koala cuddles ‘round here, with more than 50 koalas in care, be sure to visit the Wildlife Hospital; it’s one of the busiest in the world, with 500+ koalas being admitted and cared for.
Looking for a furry friend in Brisbane? Walk into Brisbane’s Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. They take koala conservation seriously and for good reason – it’s the largest koala sanctuary in the world, with over 130 native Aussies calling this wildlife refuge home.
Another fun option in the city of Cairns is the Cairns Zoom and Wildlife Dome. Bring out your thinking hat & learn a thing or two about koalas and their eating, breeding and sleeping habits at Cairns Zoom and Wildlife Dome. Koala cuddles and photos are all part of the fun, and while you’re here, put your balance and fancy footwork to the test on the world’s first challenge ropes course inside a wildlife park.
Queensland brims with immersive experiences that highlight its distinct culture and native heritage. Spanning over 17,000ha, the Daintree Rainforest is the most famous wet tropic ecosystem that is older than time itself. Inside Daintree lie many secrets and untold folklores of the oldest continuously surviving tropical rainforest in the world, almost 165 million years old.
Ditch your map, strap on your hiking boots and embark on a Wet Tropics adventure. A profound respect for the land and all its creatures has always been at the heart of Aboriginal culture – which is why there’s no better way to explore Queensland’s World Heritage-listed rainforests than by following in the footsteps of a local Indigenous guide. Take the Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk through the spectacular Mossman Gorge. On this walk, you will learn more about the sacred sites, witness a traditional smoking ceremony and hear many ancient stories. Your Aboriginal guide will also take you through the heart of the Daintree Rainforest along private Indigenous tracks and teach you about the Kuku Yalanji people’s powerful connection to the rainforest.
Hot Air Ballooning in Queensland is a top bucket list experience for many and we can give you good reasons why. The panoramic views, the serenity, the adventure, they all add up to one unforgettable memory. Whether you’re heading for the rainforests of the Tropical North or the hinterlands of Brisbane and the Gold Coast, you’ll find the best Hot Air Balloon sites in this sunshine state.
Take a dawn flight over the highlands followed by breakfast in the bush at Hot Air Balloon in Cairns. You will witness the most amazing sunrise as you float over the lush valleys of Atherton Tablelands. Make a day of it and follow up your hot air balloon flight with a horse ride through the Tablelands, or take a detour past the quaint rainforest village of Kuranda. From here you can hop aboard the Kuranda Scenic Railway, which takes you right past the spectacular Barron Falls and through Barron Gorge.
Surprise your partner and turn up your romantic tunes with a champagne breakfast and flight in Brisbane. Scenic views and only birds and clouds for company, dates can’t get much more romantic than this, can they? Spend the dawn gliding peacefully over Scenic Rim. Then touch down for a delicious champagne breakfast at O’Reilly’s Vineyard – an award-winning winery in the gold Coast hinterland. Afterwards, you also have an option to stroll the landscaped gardens or sample local vintages at the cellar door at your own leisure.
See Gold Coast through a bird’s eye view. Hot Air Gold Coast takes you 2000 ft above Australia’s eastern coastline. Witness the beautiful horizon where the city meets the ocean, watch the ever buzzing Surfer’s Paradise come to life as the dawn breaks. You also get to see some breathtaking views all the way up to Brisbane and Byron Bay.
They say the best way to reach a man’s heart is through his stomach and the best way to understand a region is through its food. Queensland boasts of some of the best culinary experiences you’ll ever find in Australia. But if you want to ditch the fine dine and experience Queensland’s culinary scene link a local, we recommend heading to one of the many food markets. The best part if you ask us? They won’t dig a hole in your pockets.
Eat Street Northshore is Brisbane’s hottest food destination. The concept of this market is pretty unique, there are 70+ shipping containers fitted out into food stalls. You’ll find everything from pork dumplings to Japanese pizzas, classic burgers to Korean sliders, Aussie fish and chips, vegetarian salads and curries and vegan brownies to cheesecake sundaes. Eat Street Northshore radiates an electric vibe with ever buzzing feels and live music to boot. It is located just 10 minutes away from the city and is open on Friday & Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons.
Indulge in a night of nibbling at the hip and yumm Miami Marketta in Gold Coast. Stroll through the laneways and order one of each of the different cuisines from over 70 stalls. Bite down on everything from Italian to Greek while you listen to the tunes wafting over from the main stage, where independent artists serve up local blues, jazz and roots. Hungry yet? Miami Marketta is open and free to the public from 5 pm.
Sun, Sand and sea! The classic combo for a rocking vacation. Head to Sunshine Coast, an hour north of Brisbane that is full of pristine beaches and stunning hinterland experiences. Take a dip in the ocean or make sandcastles on the white shores of the most loved Rainbow Beach. It is a short 15mins drive from Noosa. This sandy shoreline stretches from Noosa’s North Shore all the way up to the Fraser Island. While in Noosa you can also explore the diverse biodiversity at the Noosa National Park, take scenic sunset cruises on the crystal clear water of the Noosa River and immerse in activities such as kayaking and snorkelling.
Another one popular amongst the locals is Mooloolaba Beach. Take a dip in one of the many patrolled beaches strewn throughout its length. Once hunger pangs arise, make your way to the main drag, where countless bars, restaurants and eateries call home, including some of the region’s best cafes. That’s not all! The Sunshine Coast also hosts fun attractions like SeaLife, the famous Australia Zoo, Eumundi Markets and The Ginger Factory suited for all ages.
Another unique experience offered by the Sunshine Coast is doing the Great Beach Drive. It can’t get better than this: A road trip adventure on 380km off-the-beaten-track from Noosa to Hervey Bay. Accessible only by 4WD, the Great Beach Drive is no ordinary road trip. In fact, there’s barely a road insight: you’ll be spending most of your driving hours cruising along the sand highways (one of a kind) of the Great Sandy National Park and Fraser Island. Whether you take your own wheels, rent a 4X4 or outsource the driving to an expert, this is one exhilarating ride you won’t want to miss.
A crowd favourite and a total soul-stirring experience is whale watching in Queensland. Every year between July and October these magnificent creatures cruise up to Queensland’s east coast for warmer waters. One of the best things to do in Queensland is staring them eye to eye from the back of a boat. Hop aboard a cruise and enjoy watching these magnificent creatures grace the waters of Queensland with playfulness. Some of the most famous whale watching spots are Harvey Bay on Fraser Coast (home to whale watching in Queensland), Gold Coast, North Stradbroke Island in Brisbane, Mooloolaba in Sunshine Coast, Lady Musgrave Island and Lady Elliot Island in Southern Great Barrier Reef and The Whitsundays.
Gold Coast is the Mecca of everything surfing, so while you’re here steal a chance and get some surfing lessons to hone those board skills. Along the 57-kilometre-long strip of coastline reside the waves for every skill level. For those just starting out in their search for the stoke, check out the surf schools on the Gold Coast to learn the basics.
Consistently crowned and listed in TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards, Whitehaven Beach is an internationally popular destination. It’s white silica sand and crystal clear waters coupled with breathtaking scenery make it a must-see beach in the whole of Australia. Spend some time here with your loved one, grab a picnic basket or simply lose yourself in its beauty, when you’re in Whitehaven, time stands still. If you ever can always island-hop your way around the other 74 islands. Whitehaven Beach can be experienced in several ways. If you’re interested in a day trip there are ferries, yachts, powerboats and luxury cruising yachts that depart from Airlie Beach. A variety of sailing companies also offer multi-day charters that include a memorable visit to Whitehaven Beach.
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