Queensland's Best 

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A sample of the best in Queensland

When you think of Queensland, it's hard to dispute the 'Beautiful One Day, Perfect the Next' tag.

Whether it's losing yourself in pristine world heritage rainforest, escaping to a remote Great Barrier Reef island, taking the family on a farm holiday, enjoying the slow pace of the vast outback, the Sunshine State shines bright.

Its diversity makes it a traveller's paradise - and there are little known gems waiting to be discovered - boutique wineries, indigenous culture, gourmet food regions and secluded country escapes.

And forget the crowds, the queuing and the bustle - you won't find them in Queensland.

Here are just a few quirky Queensland ideas to get you thinking about where you might want to visit next.

Cairns

Cairns is nestled on the beach at the bottom of the Atherton Tablelands in Tropical North Queensland and is the last major outpost of civilisation before the remote jungle of Cape York Peninsula overtakes the landscape. The city is closer to Indonesia and Papua New Guinea than the Queensland state capital in Brisbane and its location (and its beautifully-decorated international airport) makes it one of the main springboards for international visitors coming in and out of Australia. If you're looking for a tropical paradise, Cairns is it...

Port Douglas

Nestled between the rainforest and the sea at roughly the same tropical latitude as Tahiti, Port Douglas is a mainland paradise. Just 70km north of Cairns, the town is close enough to an international airport to be convenient, but secluded enough for a quiet escape. With building development restricted to the height of a palm tree, Port Douglas is a low-rise jewel in the Australian coastline

Brisbane

Why drive when you can ride, cruise or coach your way around the Sunshine State's capital. Take a train to the Boondall Wetlands just north of the city, try a city nights bus tour taking in the city lights from Mt Coot-tha, or, cruise a City Cat ferry along 19km of Brisbane's River.

Abseil or rock climb on the scenic cliffs of Kangaroo Point overlooking the Brisbane River. Located adjacent to the city's central business district, this adrenaline-pumping pursuit is an activity which can take a few hours or a full day.

Escape to the upper reaches of the Brisbane River on an overnight or one-day Kayaking eco-tour. Paddle during the day, and camp out at night along 55km of mild rapids, mazes of log jams and long serene pools brimming with wildlife - all within easy access of the city.

Bundaberg

Take a day trip snorkelling on pristine Lady Musgrave Island, a coral cay just 2 hours by launch or 45 minutes by seaplane from Bundaberg. Snorkel from the pontoon or the beach or do an introductory dive. Turtles nest on the island between November and March.

Take a tour of the Bundaberg region to visit the famous Bundaberg Rum Distillery, or Hinkler House - a memorial to world renowned aviator and Bundy boy Bert Hinkler. Experience a sugar cane farm fire and spend a couple of days exploring the wilderness of Cania Gorge in the hinterland.

Capricorn

Spend a week unwinding and exploring the Capricorn Region. Play golf at two world class golf courses, birdwatch in the serene Capricorn Wetlands or get a taste for country life on a working farm stay property.

Try your luck fossicking for gem stones in the Central Queensland gem fields of Emerald, Anakie, inland from Rockhampton. One of the best times to visit is during the annual Gem Fest held each August.

Fraser Coast

The biggest (literally) attraction of the Fraser Coast is Fraser Island. At 120km in length, Fraser is the largest sand island in the world. Take a tour or your own in a four-wheel-drive and enjoy the unusual vegetation, freshwater lakes, coloured sands and wildlife - or simply take a rod and line and relax!

Gladstone

The gateway to the Whitsundays Mainland and the southern Great Barrier Reef Islands. The most spectacular way to see Heron Island is via a helicopter ride from Gladstone. The reef mosaic is alive with turtles, rays and schools of fish. The best time to stay at Heron Island Resort is during turtle laying and hatching season between November and March.

Gold Coast

Visit the Gold Coast in October for Indy Carnival and combine the race festivities with a visit to the theme parks. For something different, learn to surf at one of the Coast's surfing schools.

Escape to the Gold Coast Hinterland, just 30 minutes from the coast. Discover quaint villages, great restaurants, bushwalk to the Natural Arch and see the nocturnal glow worms. Camp or stay in bed and breakfast or lodge accommodation.

Outback

Visit the township of Winton - the birthplace of Waltzing Matilda. Visit the new Waltzing Matilda Centre and walk into the North Gregory Hotel where Banjo Patterson first performed his famous poem. Head 'down the road' to Longreach.

Attend the famous Eulo World Lizard Racing Championships at the Eulo Queen Hotel in late August. Keep your eyes open for the only cockroach monument in the world erected in memory of a racing cockroach who died in a neighbouring event!

And speaking of races, head to Boulia (about 300km south of Mt Isa) for the annual Desert Sands camel races - a most unusual spectacle! Camp on the bank of the beautiful Burke River and star-gaze, or maybe see the elusive Min Min light.

Sunshine Coast

Eat your way around Noosa's famous restaurants and cafes, and shop in the boutique stores on Hastings Street.

Discover the sleepy town of Eumundi in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. Its hallmarks are its restaurants, bed and breakfast guest houses, art galleries and the famous Eumundi Markets every Saturday morning. The markets promise original handicrafts, food and entertainment.

Whitsundays

Really escape the rat race skippering your own bareboat around the 74 pristine Whitsunday Islands. Stop in at Whitehaven beach, fish off the deck, snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef. Boats can accommodate up to 12 people, making it an economical getaway. No phones, no schedules and definitely no hassles.

Make the mainland Whitsunday town of Airlie Beach your base and use day trips to visit the Great Barrier Reef, the Whitsunday islands and the untouched Conway National Park. Learn to sail, hop aboard a fishing charter or just laze by the pool.