Get back to nature in Queensland
There’s nowhere quite like Queensland. Spread handsomely across Australia’s sun-kissed northeast, the state serves up all the natural traits the country is famous for: dreamy beaches, dense rainforests, underwater wonders, rolling outback and a menagerie of endemic wildlife. Its horizons are vast, its food and drink are world-class and its coastline is the stuff of legend. Queensland’s UNESCO-listed attractions come thick and fast – think K’gari (formerly Fraser Island), the Great Barrier Reef and The Wet Tropics – and with Qatar Airways flying into the vibrant, soon-to-be-Olympic city of Brisbane, reaching this super-sized destination is straightforward.
Spot turtles on Heron Island (Tourism and Events Queensland)
Spot turtles on Heron Island (Tourism and Events Queensland)
Snorkel among the unique ecosystems of the Great Barrier Reef
Mesmerising ecosystems
Of all Australia’s natural wonders, none comes close to matching the sheer size and scope of the Great Barrier Reef. The biggest coral reef system on Planet Earth stretches for more than 2,300km along the coastline, with more than 1,600 fish species, six turtle species and various whale and dolphin species all found in its waters.
Your keys to experiencing this underwater wonderland come in the form of a snorkel, mask and fins. The Reef itself is actually a mosaic of countless different cays, coral gardens and fringing reefs, and by sinking your head under the waves you can begin to grasp the way in which this incredible giant organism fits together. Seeing parrotfish, angelfish, clownfish and sea turtles in their natural habitat, meanwhile, is not easily forgotten.
Responsible Reef visits
There are well-documented threats to the Reef’s survival, so approaching a visit here in a responsible way is a necessity. Never touch any marine life – including the coral itself, which is very much alive – and stick closely to designated areas. Top spots for snorkellers include Magnetic Island in the north, which is easily reached from Townsville, and Lady Elliot Island in the south, renowned for its manta rays.
Explore tropical rainforests
UNESCO-listed neighbours
Here’s a fact that may surprise you. The Daintree Rainforest in Queensland’s Far North is estimated to have been around for an astonishing 180 million years – even older than the Amazon – and is also the only place on the planet where two UNESCO World Heritage-listed areas meet (it faces onto the Great Barrier Reef).
The World Heritage site the rainforest forms part of is known officially as the Wet Tropics of Queensland. It forms a counterpoint to yet another of the state’s UNESCO sites, the Gondwana Rainforests, which cover part of subtropical southeast Queensland.
For an alternative way to marvel at the tropics, take a ride on the Kuranda Skyrail, a 7.5km cableway that glides above Barron Gorge National Park and allows you to soak up the rainforest scenery.
Hiking off the beaten track
Now for the best part. Collectively, these ancient, immersive, wildlife-filled rainforests offer superb hiking options for travellers. Join a local Indigenous guide for eye-opening insight into endemic plants and animals, trek to a creek, waterfall or lookout, or simply follow one of the many other walking trails that thread through these incredible ecosystems.
Hikes range from simple boardwalk circuits to tough and sweaty paths that take you off the beaten track, but in all cases you’ll find an experience to remember. Queensland might be best known for its beaches and reef, but its globally significant rainforests are an undoubted highlight.
Sail around the Whitsundays
Otherworldly islands
There’s a good case for arguing that the heavenly bays and beaches of the Whitsunday Islands represent Australia’s scenery at its most stunning. Certainly, the 74 tropical islands that make up the archipelago have a scale and sublimity that seems almost otherworldly, with their shallow turquoise waters, colossal white beaches and lush greenery. The swirling sands of Whitehaven Beach, for example, regularly see it named among the world’s best beaches, which is no idly bestowed honour.
Sail away
The best way to experience the Whitsundays’ beauty up close is on board a boat. Tall ships, sailboats, catamarans and all manner of other watercraft make regular sailings around the islands, often for three nights or more. You can even charter your own luxury vessel for a week of ‘bareboating’ – the term for hiring a fully self-contained boat with your family and friends, for an unforgettable waterborne adventure at your chosen pace. The harbour town of Airlie Beach, on the mainland, is generally seen as the go-to gateway to the islands.
Snorkelling, diving and swimming are all part of the appeal when you’re out among the archipelago’s bays and reefs, with Indigenous cultural tours, onshore eco-retreats and wildlife trips adding to the draw.
Take in Australia's Nature Coast
Dazzling Sunshine Coast & Noosa
For many travellers, Queensland’s coastline is synonymous with sunshine, soft sands and surfing. You’ll find the perfect combination of all three on the Sunshine Coast, which stretches north of Brisbane as far as the legendary resort town of Noosa. The pace of life here is rather gentler than on the Gold Coast, but there are plenty of adrenaline thrills to be had, with more than 100km of shoreline to explore and world-class surf spots like Alexandra Head and Coolum Beach to enjoy.
You don’t need to be a pro to enjoy the region’s surf waves. Areas such as Double Island Point and Noosa’s Tea Tree Bay are great for families and beginners, while the likes of the North Caloundra Surf School and Merrick’s Learn To Surf Noosa will give you all the tuition and tips you’ll need.
Kayakers and canoeists, too, will find their own slice of outdoor heaven on the Sunshine Coast. Paddlers of all ages and abilities are catered for, with various coastal and river options. For a memorable and manageable adventure, try circumnavigating Chambers Island on the Maroochy River, or head to the verdant waterways of the Noosa Everglades.
Spectacular K'gari
Welcome to the world’s largest island made entirely of sand. K’gari covers a whopping 123km from top to toe, encompassing forests, dunes, swimming lakes and any number of breathtakingly spectacular views. Once commonly known as Fraser Island, its traditional (and now widely used) name is K’gari, which comes from a goddess who fell to Earth, loved what she found, and stuck around.
When you spend time on this UNESCO-listed island yourself, it’s easy to understand why. On K’gari’s east coast, Seventy-Five Mile Beach stretches almost the entire length of the island, serving not only as a border with the wild blue ocean but as a unique main road. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to drive a 4WD along endless white sands, this is your chance.
Brisbane: Where Urban Energy Meets Natural Beauty
An evergreen city
Recognised by the UN as a clean and green city with an impressive commitment to sustainability, Brisbane pulsates with an inspiring energy as well as the opportunity to enjoy urban life at a more tranquil pace. Queensland's capital city is teeming with nature experiences, including the chance to enjoy life on the river by kayaking and boating or dining alfresco overlooking the water. For wildlife fanatics, a visit to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, which is the world’s first and largest Koala Sanctuary, is a must.
Urban nature escapes
If river kayaking and koala observing aren't quite relaxing enough, head into Brisbane's lush hinterland and scenic rim to taste the flavours of its local produce. Alternatively, make your way to Stradbroke or Moreton Island, the second and third largest sand islands after K’gari, for some coastal down time. Stradbroke Island is just a 50-minute ferry ride from Brisbane and 95% of Moreton Island is made up of Moreton National Park, so an undisturbed time connecting with nature is guaranteed.
Savour the fresh flavours of the Gold Coast
Golden sands
Just an hour south of Brisbane, the Gold Coast is where Queensland lets its hair down and slips into holiday mode. Twinkling high-rise apartments line the shoreline, golden beaches stretch as far as the eye can see and greenery cloaks the subtropical hinterland. It’s a goodtime destination that can be as relaxed or as raucous as you’d like it to be – and if you’re keen to make the most of the state’s culinary scene, then you’re very much in the right place.
Treat your tastebuds
The Gold Coast shoreline stretches for less than 60km but packs in plenty of local specialities to tantalise your tastebuds, from mud crabs and prime Angus beef to Asian fusion and aromatic white wines.
There are quality options at every turn. You’ll find food trucks, craft breweries, weekend markets, fine dining, fresh seafood and artisan cafes, giving you a regular excuse to loosen your belt a notch and savour the flavours of the region.
Splash out at upscale restaurants such as Citrique in Surfer’s Paradise, go for the all-Aussie experience at places like Coolangatta’s Kirra Beach Surf Club, or raise a glass or two at Burleigh Brewing Company Taphouse.
Learn about Queensland’s local wildlife
Gloried fauna
Few countries are as synonymous with characterful wildlife as Australia, and in Queensland you can witness the nation’s fauna in all its furred, feathered and scaled glory. This is a state, after all, where reef, rainforest, rivers and outback all exist on a colossal scale.
The options are extensive. You can encounter colonies of wild koalas on Magnetic Island, share sunrise with mobs of kangaroos and wallabies at Cape Hillsborough, watch in awe at sea turtles and migrating whales on the Great Barrier Reef, or get up close enough to marvel at the giant jaws of saltwater crocodiles on a Daintree River cruise.
From cassowaries to dingoes
The Daintree is also the best place in Australia to spot cassowaries – an extraordinary bird that looks like a rainbow-hued emu with a bony mohawk – while further south, K’gari is renowned for its population of wild dingoes.
The state’s array of wildlife parks and sanctuaries, meanwhile, are brilliant places to admire everything from large mammals and slithering reptiles to native birds and secretive amphibians. Top options include Hartley's Crocodile Adventures in the north, the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary easily reached from central Brisbane, and Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary on the Gold Coast.
Qatar Airways
Travelling to Queensland with Qatar Airways is a way of turning your journey Down Under into part of the overall adventure. Named the World’s Best Airline for the eighth time in 2024 – and with up to 8,000 options to choose from on its onboard entertainment system, Oryx One – it’s an airline that combines award-winning cabin service with one of the youngest fleets in the skies. Its seats are some of the widest in the industry, its menus are regionally inspired, and its modern Doha hub, Hamad International Airport, was recently named the World’s Best Airport for the third time.
Feeling inspired?
To start planning your natural adventure in Queensland, head to the official website.
