QUEENSLAND TRAVEL GUIDE  

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Best time to visit: Climate in Southern Queensland is subtropical with warm, sunny and mild winters. Climate in Tropical North Queensland (north of Rock Hampton) is warm year around. In the North, January- April is the tropical summer with rains & storms. May-November is the best time to visit.

Located in the Northeast corner of Australia, this sunny state is famous for its pristine beaches, lush rainforests, and the famous Great Barrier Reef spanning over 1,200 mile long.

A world of surprise and contrast is found in the Cairns and Tropical North Queensland area. Cairns is considered the main gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, though the reef can be accessed via other gateways such as: Airlie Beach, Port Douglas, Townsvile, Mackay, Rockhampton, Gladstone & Bundaberg. The Reef is closer to the coast in the north - as near as 8 miles - compared with up to 80 miles from the coast in the south. Beware - Cairns does not have beaches, but mud flats. One must travel north or south of Cairns to find beaches. The Great Greenway - extending south of Cairns - has Qld's highest mountains, miles of beaches, fringing coral reef, 20 offshore islands, pristine World Heritage rainforests. Mission Beach , south of Cairns, is a popular destination with a coastal strip surrounded by large areas of dense rainforest which come right down to the beach in some places.

From Cairns, there are nonstop flights to 3 Great Barrier Reef islands: Dunk Island, Lizard Island & Bedarra Island. Both Lizard & Bedarra Islands are fabulous, all-inclusive islands that offer a unique Australia experience while being papered in luxury. Since Lizard Island is located directly on a reef, its location is conducive to some of the best snorkeling in the world and only 55 min. away from several great diving sites.

North of Cairns are quaint beachside villages such as Palm Cove,  Trinity Beach, Kewarra Beach and Ellis Beach where palm trees hang lazily over the sandy beaches. If you desire a beach view room, a calmer pace and swaying palm tree lined streets, consider staying in Palm Cove, located only 20min. north of Cairns.. Further north of Cairns (1 hrs drive) is the resort town of Port Douglas, and continuing on you find the spectacular Mossman Gorge, World Heritage listed Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation. North of Cape Tribulation is the area Cape York and the Gulf Savannah renowned for its rugged coastline and wild and sparsely populated wilderness.

Port Douglas, an hour north of Cairns, is the other main tourist center- a retreat for the discerning traveler, which has a relaxed village feel with open-air Sunday markets, a long stretch of beach with palm trees, a marina, shopping and many activities to choose from. The village is surrounded by rainforest. Its resorts range from moderate to deluxe and offer all the amenities desirable. All day Reef & diving trips can be arranged. Port Douglas is the gateway to the magnificent Daintree & Cape Tribulation rainforest environment situated 50 miles North of Port Douglas.. West of Cairns is Kuranda and the beautiful Atherton Tropical Tablelands and traveling further west you come to the Gulf Savannah with its rich history of gold rushes, bushrangers and wandering Aboriginal tribes. There is an evening Aboriginal culture show at the at the Tjapuki Centre. Many sightseeing tours and accommodations are available to the Tropical North area.

The spectacular Whitsunday region is located right in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. Incorporating 74 Beautiful islands and adjacent mainland, the tranquil waterways, sheltered bays and rainforest national parks offer you a wide choice of activities. Sailing, diving, snorkeling, parasailing, windsurfing, fishing, boat charters, or golf to name a few. Airlie Beach, Shute Harbor and Hamilton Island are the main gateways to getting to the Reef.

The main gateway city for international travelers is Brisbane, stretching along the banks of the Brisbane River. Brisbane is a cosmopolitan city with accommodations ranging from hostels to five star international hotels. The city heart, Queen Street Mall, & the Myer Centre offer a world of shopping. South Banks, a popular attraction and the former World Expo site, provides 16 hectares of parklands, inland city beach, tree-lined streets, an Imax, Wildlife Sanctuary, cinemas, cafes, restaurants and entertainment venues. Many varieties of cuisine are available at any of the numerous fine restaurants throughout the city. Brisbane is also home to many of Australia's pubs and a casino.

With 70 Km of coastline, the Gold Coast, one hour south of Brisbane, has something for everyone. Surfers Paradise, the busiest & best known stretch is full of non-stop activity, shopping, restaurants, a casino, theme parks and of course miles of beach. Lamington National Park, Australia's largest subtropical rainforest, offers more than 160 km of graded walking tracks, cascading waterfalls and plunging gorges. The Natural Bridge, is home to Australia's largest glow-worm colony.

Just one hour north of Brisbane, is the more relaxed Sunshine Coast a longtime favorite of Queenslanders. The natural attractions, such as beaches, mountains, rainforest, rivers, lakes and sunshine - offering a variety of water activities. Many take day trips to World Heritage Fraser Island and, the largest sand island in the world. Its perfect for 4WD among its rainforest environment and fresh water lakes. The Glasshouse Mountains are a group of 13 volcanic peaks that dominate the Coast. The hinterland offers dramatic waterfalls, and the fresh water of Lake Baroon.

The Bundaberg, Coral Isles and Country region presents a mix of delightful coastal villages and unspoilt beaches, historic sites and natural wonders. Bundaberg is a progressive modern city (230 mi/5 hr. N. of Brisbane) The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park begins here with coral reefs fringing the shoreline and two coral cays islands which are Lady Elliot Island - which has superb diving just off the beach and Lady Musgrave Island - in the summertime turtles (Loggerhead, green, leatherback & fatback) comes ashore to lay their eggs. Many rare seabirds nest on both islands. November to April is peak breeding season for more than 40,000 seabirds. Each mid-August to mid-October, Humpback Whales pass close to Bundaberg's coastline, en route to the blue waters of Hervey Bay.

Queensland's Outback spans 837,000 sq. km. Every Outback town has its own unique story to tell. The region promises you a rich panorama of Australia's native environment and pioneering heritage. Aboriginal rock paintings and artifacts can be seen at Mt. Moffatt, Lawn Hill, Gracevale and around Mt. Isa & Kajabbi, Carisbrooke Station. Queensland's Outback will put you in touch with nature such as the shy rock wallaby at Idalia in the Gowan Ranges. At Porcupine Gorge - often referred to as 'Australia's Little Grand Canyon' - a crystal clear creek separate towering cliffs of colored sandstone.