Queensland
Travel Guide
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My travel guides are organised in two main sections:
Overview
This will help you to decide if this is a location for you, and if so, where you may want to spend your time. For larger countries, I also provide additional overviews of different regions, states and territories.
Best things to do
Here I list specific things to see and do. For each, I provide star ratings so that you can easily see how good, unique and adventurous each place is. This means that you can easily pick out where sounds right for you!
Queensland Travel Guide 2026
This is part of my Australia travel guide. Given Australia’s massive size and immense diversity, I’ve made specific guides and recommendations for the best places to visit in each state. You can see my main Australia Travel Guide by following this link; this also has links to my guides for each of Australia’s states and territories. I have lived, worked and travelled in Australia and visited every state and territory, so here goes!
Queensland
Queensland is often what people think of when they think of Australia: beautiful beaches, the Great Barrier Reef, surfing and locals with sun-kissed skin. The state is also massive! So much so that it’s similar in size to Indonesia and Mexico. Although the east coast of Queensland is incredible and famous for good reason, there is also plenty of other things to do. I bought a car in Darwin, Northern Territory (NT) and drove it through the outback to Queensland. Inland, you have towns like Mount Isa, which feels like it is in the wrong country. It is a rodeo town with country music, but to be honest, not the most picturesque town as mining and industrial works dominate the town. Further east, I passed through Millstream, an inland area with beautiful waterfalls to swim in and explore. The Daintree Rainforest in the north is also incredible and home to the interesting flightless bird, the cassowary.
The Queensland coastline is also phenomenal and home to the best beaches in the world, in my opinion (jointly tied with SA and WA). Brisbane was one of my favourite cities in Australia, with other beautiful towns down the coast such as Cairns, Airlie Beach and Agnes Water. Magnetic Island, Fraser Island and last but most importantly, The Whitsundays. These islands are located in the Barrier Reef and are a must-see! The great barrier free can be found along much of Queensland’s east coast and is great fun to explore with activities for every budget. Many coastal towns also have free outdoor swimming pools (they call them ‘lagoons’ over there), which are nice to cool off in and a good place to brush up on your swimming if you’re not the most confident.
Best places to visit in Queensland, Australia
I provide star ratings for each of my recommendations so that you can quickly narrow down what appeals to you. Explanations for what these mean can be found here.
I use Google Maps to plan all my trips and it’s a game-changer! I’ve added links to Google Maps for each of the locations below so you can easily add them to your own map. Be sure to copy this web link into the description of each location you save so that you can easily refer back to this guide later. Check out this blog for more tips on how to use Google Maps to enhance your travels!
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Town
Recommended Duration: 2 nights+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
I went to Australia as a kid with my family, and we tried to get this far north in a car, but the drive was longer than my parents realised, and we turned back. This, combined with being a big history nerd and also a fellow Yorkshireman like Captain James Cook, from whom the town is named, inspired me to visit.
Cook had remained in here while repairs were made to his shipwith him being the first European to visit the area. I only had a 2-wheel drive, so I took the inland route from Port Douglas up here, although I heard that there is a fun off-roading route along the coast who want a good adventure should you have the right experience and wheels!
The town itself is a fair drive into nothing and frankly, I would say to skip it unless you are a big history lover. For me, though, I don’t regret going. There is a really nice botanical garden made to celebrate the work of Joseph Banks, a botanist who accompanied Captain Cook on his voyage to Australia. The town museum was interesting, although in truth, the YouTube video about the life of James Cook was by far the most interesting part of it, and you can find that with an easy search and save yourself the trip. I loved the coastal walks, however, with very few people, some slight elevation gain and beautiful beaches. It was really quiet and peaceful. Definitely not a big social scene though, and not loads of tourists as most don’t go further north than Port Douglas.
Mt Isa (Rodeo)
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Rodeo
Recommended Duration: 2 days+
Andy visited?: Yes and no
Description
I passed through Mount Isa on my drive from the NT to the Queensland Coast at the same time, by chance, as the rodeo, by chance, having never heard of it. Unfortunately, there was no accommodation to be had as everywhere was full, so I couldn’t stay and check it out.
I wouldn’t recommend visiting the town if the rodeo isn’t on, which takes place in August, but if you are in Queensland and want to time this for your drive through, then I’d recommend it; it looks like a blast. All the radio stations play country music, and there are rodeo cowboys everywhere in town; it felt like I had been teleported to the US and wasn’t in Aus. any more!
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Coastal Town
Recommended Duration: 3 days+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
I loved these towns, and they’re great places to see the Great Barrier Reef from, as it comes in closer to the coastline here. There is also a good backpacker and social scene.
Great Barrier Reef
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Water
Recommended Duration: 2 days+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
The Great Barrier Reef extends down most of Queensland’s coast, although the distance from the coast to the reef varies, which means it is easier to access at specific places. There is loads to do here, you can swim, snorkel, scuba dive, or fly over the barrier reef.
I would recommend Cairns and Airlie Beach as the best places to get access to the reef and the most fun. I have gone into more detail about this on separate points of note. For me, I also loved taking a sailboat out into the reefs, which was an unforgettable experience.
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Nature
Recommended Duration: 1 day+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
This place is great. I would advise taking the train into the rainforest and a cable car back down. The nature is beautiful, and it’s a great experience. Coming down in the cable car also gives incredible views of the landscape as you descend to the lowlands. I found information there about how the animals and plants survive and compete with one another fascinating.
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Nature
Recommended Duration: 1 hour
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
I loved this because it’s something different. The tree is huge and looks fascinating.
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Waterfall
Recommended Duration: 30 mins+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
This waterfall is stunning. I also didn’t realise until after I had left there, but it was used in the Herbal Essences shampoo adverts from when I was a kid, so if it looks familiar, that’s why!
Australian Platypus Park
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Wildlife
Recommended Duration: 2 hours+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
A great place to see platypus doing their thing! I have always dreamed of seeing these guys, and it was definitely one to tick off the bucket list.
Millstream
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Nature
Recommended Duration: 1 night+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
I stayed at a beautiful Airbnb here. The locals are very friendly, and the scenery is incredible. There is loads to see, and the waterfalls are great to swim in and a lot of fun.
Josephine Falls
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Nature/Activity
Recommended Duration: 2 hours+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
This is a really cool waterfall that you can slide down and swim in, which is a lot of fun.
Mission Beach
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Beach
Recommended Duration: 1 day+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
A nice beach town with a beautiful beach and worth visiting if you are passing through.
Wallaman Falls
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Waterfall
Recommended Duration: 1 hour+
Andy visited?:
No, but my internet research suggests it may be worth visiting
Description
I don’t think I went here, but to be honest, I saw that many amazing waterfalls in Australia that they all blurred into one anyway. I don’t think I went here though, but it comes highly recommended online, and it looks worthwhile to check out if you get the time because it’s crazy tall!
Magnetic Island (Rock Wallabies)
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Wildlife
Recommended Duration: 2 hours
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
Rock Wallabies are crazy cute. They’re entertaining, easy to get to and interactive. You can buy food for them nearby or just take some veggies for them to eat. Highly recommend!
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Wildlife & Viewpoint
Recommended Duration: 3 hours+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
Nice hike with good views, but crucially it’s great for koala spotting! Locals often leave sticks in the shape of an arrow on the ground pointing to them, so you can see them more easily, as they are often hard to spot.
Magnetic Island (Radical Bay)
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Nature
Recommended Duration: 1 hour+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
I went here and it’s beautiful. I really enjoyed the coastal walks where you can tick off a few nice places like Florence Bay and Radical Bay in one nice wander. Unfortunately, it was only afterwards that locals told me it’s a great place to see batfish swimming up close to you, especially if you take food.
Magnetic Island (Cane Toad Racing, Arcadia Village Hotel)
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Entertainment
Recommended Duration: 1 hour+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
When my uncle told me about cane toad racing, I thought he was joking, having seen it a few times with my own eyes, though I can confirm that it is in fact true, bizarre and well worth a watch. Cane toads were introduced to Australia as a means to control beetles in the sugar cane industry.
Turns out, it wasn’t a great idea because now they are everywhere, and they are poisonous, so when other animals eat cane toads, they get sick or die. This means it damages local wildlife and also means that they are breeding out of control. It is encouraged that they are killed as they are a pest and they are everywhere, especially in Queensland. That being said, and Queenslanders being what they are and always looking for anything to bet on, they conjured up Cane Toad Racing. You can see this in a few places in Queensland, but I thought this was probably the best place I saw it.
At cane toad races, they put a coloured band around the road or a number on its back. There are several in a bucket and the auctioneer takes them out one by one and shows them to the crowd. They normally let them hop a couple of times, too, so you can see which one you feel will be the best runner. People bid on the toad with the highest bidder securing that toad for the race and taking the winnings if it comes first. The toads are then put into an upturned bucket in the centre of a circle on the ground. The bucket is lifted and the toads start hopping, whichever crosses over the circle line first is the winner! It’s pretty entertaining. The races are short, but the hype of the auctions is electric.
You can see Cane Toad Racing at the Arcadia Village Hotel at 8pm every Wednesday and some of the money goes to a local charity, from what I remember. Enjoy!
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Zoo
Recommended Duration: 1 hour+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
A nice, small place to see Aussie Wildlife up close. There is a good range of animals and there aren’t many people, so I found this to be a nice experience and worth doing. There is a Butterfly Walk nearby (easily found on Google Maps) which only takes 20 minutes and is free, and a good place to see butterflies if nature is your thing!
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Coastal Town, Reef, Islands, Beaches and more!
Recommended Duration: 3 days+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
Airlie Beach is easily one of my favourite places in Australia! I prefer it to Cairns and other coastal towns as I feel it has everything. Many boat tours leave from here to explore the reefs and the Whitsunday Islands, which are breathtaking and home to the famous Whitehaven Beach with beautiful white sand.
That being said, Whitehaven Beach is very touristy, and I preferred the Beach to the North (Hill Inlet Lookout), where you get a view of the beach and where the sand is the same but with fewer tourists. I normally try to give loads of information about somewhere, but this palace is so good that words won’t do it justice, just go there and you’ll see what I mean! Make sure you also book an overnight boat trip! Also, try and get a tour that will take you somewhere where you can see Maori Wrasse, they’re friendly and huge fish! You’ll also find plenty of turtles around here and other wildlife.
Agnes Water and 1770
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Town & Activities
Recommended Duration: 2 days+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
Agnes Water and the town of 1770 (the date that Captain James Cook made landfall here, not when the town was founded) blur into one. Don’t get me wrong, like much of the Australian Coastline its yet another beautiful coastal town with nice beaches and beautiful coastal walks, but it really does all of these things well. I enjoyed the Discovery Trail Lookout walk.
Lady Elliot Island
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Marine life
Recommended Duration: 1 day+
Andy visited?: No, but my internet research suggests it may be worth visiting
Description
Unfortunately, this island isn’t that easy or cheap to get to, which is why I haven’t been. It comes highly recommended, though, as one of the best places in the world to see a large number of manta rays! Research suggests that you have clear water and a higher chance of seeing more of them in May and June, but you can apparently see them all year round. Definitely one to look into if you’re there!
Noosa
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Coastal town with walks
Recommended Duration: 2 days+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
I loved Noosa, easily one of my favourite places to spend a few days in. There is a good social scene for drinking or doing other activities. The coastal hikes are phenomenal, as well as the beaches and I was lucky to see some whales migrating when I looked out from the coastal walks.
There are great hikes, and the Hastings Street area is worth checking out too. There is also a market at nearby Eumundi every Wednesday and Saturday if that’s your cup of tea.
Moreton Island
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Nature, hiking, swimming
Recommended Duration: 1 day+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
Definitely worth a trip to! You can take a passenger ferry across (no cars needed) to this small island. There are nice hikes up hills to get amazing views. My favourite thing to do, though, was snorkelling at the Tangalooma Wrecks off the west of the island. The reefs and wildlife are incredible. In particular, I remember spending ages staring at a massive eel, which was awesome!
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: City
Recommended Duration: 2 days+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
If I were to live in an Australian city, I would choose Brisbane! It has a great vibe, the South Bank has been recently redeveloped and has a beautiful view of the city with plenty of water dragons around to look at.
There are some nice areas for drinks too, like underneath the north side of the Story Bridge and Eat Street Northshore. The City Botanical Gardens are also worth a visit, and I would recommend getting around by using e-scooters; they’re great fun, not too expensive, and you can also use them as a great way to navigate the city. I recommend heading with them into the Botanical Gardens, checking out the south bank and then heading east (downstream) along the Brisbane River, where you can bomb them down some boardwalks, which gives a great view and is a lot of fun. Just west of the city centre, you can see the Mt Coot Botanical Gardens and Mt Coot Summit, which offers great views of the city, especially if you are an early bird who wants to see the sun rise from up there! To the south of the centre, you can also visit Market Square, Sunnybank, which offers a place to get some street food. Overall, the city is a vibrant and modern city, you have the Sunshine Coast just north and the Gold Coast to the south, but for me, Brisbane was my favourite for sure.
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Coastal city
Recommended Duration: 1 day+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
A lot of people love the Gold Coast, don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed my time there, but I didn’t feel like it was super unique to me, and that’s what I like. There are a lot of modern skyscrapers and the beach looks cool because it has skyscrapers going right up to the beach.
Surfers Paradise is a nice spot. It’s well-known, it’s famous, it’s interesting, but to me, it wasn’t that unique or interesting. I would stop in for a night on your way down the coast, but I personally don’t think it’s worth spending much time here. I know this opinion will get a lot of criticism from many people who are die-hard Gold Coast advocates, but for me, it’s just not unique enough to spend much time there. If you head south to Coolangatta, you can get a cool view down the beach with the Gold Coast in the distance, which is nice to see if you are passing through.
Springbrook National Park
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: National Park with waterfalls
Recommended Duration: 1 day+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
A nice national park just west of the Gold Coast with good hikes and waterfalls.
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Title image: Whitsundays