Things to do in Queensland

Q: What are the top things to do in Queensland?

The top things to do in Queensland are: Great Barrier Reef Brisbane River Tamborine National Park Lake McKenzie Noosa Everglades

Q: What are the top activities in Queensland?

Top activities in Queensland include: Great Keppel Island Day Trip Bundle from Yeppoon Bundaberg Rum Behind The Scenes Distillery Tour And Museum Experience Capricorn Caves Cathedral Cave Tour Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling and Diving Cruise from Cairns 1-Hour Whitsunday Islands and Heart Reef Scenic Flight

Q: What are the top things to do near Queensland?

Check out things to do near Queensland: Noosa & Sunshine Coast Cairns & the Tropical North Port Douglas Gold Coast Hervey Bay

Look beneath the surface

From the Gold Coast to the Great Barrier Reef, the Sunshine State has enough sun, sand, and surf to uphold its title as Australia’s flagship beach destination. But beach parties and theme parks aren’t the only things to do in Queensland. Explore the remote wilderness of the Cape York Peninsula, cruise out to the pristine beaches of Fraser Island and The Whitsundays, then snorkel and scuba dive along the world’s most famous reef. Or head inland, where mountainous hinterlands and UNESCO-listed rainforests provide excellent terrain for off-road adventures.

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Top 15 attractions in Queensland

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Great Barrier Reef

16,250

Encompassing roughly 3,000 individual reefs and dotted with almost 900 islands and coral cays (small sandy isles), Australia's Great Barrier Reef is one of the world's most unforgettable natural treasures. Snorkelers and certified divers flock here to see the unparalleled array of marine life.More

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Brisbane River

3,121

The Brisbane River winds its way through the heart of the city, from the neighborhoods of South Brisbane all the way to Moreton Bay. The river is also a center of local life, and residents and visitors alike enjoy the many waterfront parks and landmarks, riverside walks, and sightseeing cruises.More

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Tamborine National Park

896

Located in the Gold Coast Hinterlands, Tamborine National Park is known for its natural beauty, rich biodiversity, and breathtaking views over the Gold Coast and the Pacific Ocean to the east and the Scenic Rim to the west. Queensland’s first national park, Tamborine is a popular destination for locals and visitors alike.More

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Lake McKenzie

3,094

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Fraser Island (K’gari, the largest sand island in the world, is filled with natural wonders and Lake McKenzie is one of its most wonderful. Also known as Boorangoora, the strikingly blue water of Lake McKenzie makes it the most visited of the island’s freshwater lakes and its most popular swimming location.More

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Noosa Everglades

582

Known as the “River of Mirrors,” the Noosa Everglades is one of Queensland’s most stunning natural landscapes and one of only two everglades systems on Earth. This stretch of wetlands, mangrove forests, and lakes is part of Cooloola National Park and harbors a rich diversity of flora and birdlife.More

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Gheebulum Kunungai (Moreton Island)

922

With its miles of sun-bleached sandy beaches, towering dunes, shimmering lagoons, and pockets of wild bushland, Gheebulum Kunungai (Moreton Island) feels a world away from nearby Brisbane. A national park and among the largest sand island in the world, Moreton Island makes for a perfect day trip when you want to get in touch with nature.More

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Mossman Gorge

6,456

Marking the southern border of Daintree National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Mossman Gorge is one of the most popular places to experience the world’s oldest rain forest. Dating back more than 130 million years, the dense forest and scenic river gorge harbor a rich biodiversity and provide a stunning backdrop for hikers and swimmers.More

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Green Island

4,922

Marooned off the coast of Cairns in north Queensland, Green Island is a tropical paradise of lush rainforest, white sandy beaches, and crystalline waters. The idyllic island is part of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef National Park, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and harbors a variety of coral reefs, exotic fish, and marine life.More

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Story Bridge

2,006

Story Bridge is Brisbane’s answer to Sydney’s Harbour Bridge. Iconic in its own right, Story Bridge is a heritage-listed, steel cantilever bridge that allows access between the northern and southern suburbs of Brisbane.Story Bridge was built between 1935 and 1939, and was known as Jubilee Bridge until mid 1940. The main attraction of Story Bridge, as splendid as it is to view from afar, are the bridge climbs which began in 2005. A guided tour takes visitors up the bridge to stunning panoramic views of the city, out to Moreton Bay, and west across the aptly named Scenic Rim as they stand 80 metres above sea level. It’s also possible to abseil down one of the bridge’s pylons and into Captain Burke Park.More

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#10

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Maheno Shipwreck

3,094

The best-known shipwreck around the World Heritage-listed Fraser Island, the once-luxurious liner SS Maheno was driven ashore just north of Happy Valley during a cyclone in 1935. The shipwreck continues to deteriorate in the harsh environment, making for an impressive and haunting site.More

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#11

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Glow Worm Caves Tamborine Mountain

348

Located on the grounds of the Cedar Creek Estate Winery on Mt. Tamborine, the Glow Worm Caves Tamborine Mountain are one of the best spots on the Gold Coast to view glowworms. See thousands of these creatures during the daytime in a darkened, controlled environment designed to mimic their natural habitat.More

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#12

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Eli Creek

3,094

Floating down the shallow, fast-flowing waters of Eli Creek beneath a twisted canopy of trees is a highlight of a visit to Fraser Island. One of the largest freshwater creeks on the island, its cool waters provide welcome relief from the sunny shores of neighboring 75 Mile Beach.More

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#13

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Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park

1,714

Just across the river from Brisbane’s central business district, Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park offers sweeping views of Brisbane’s skyline, as well as excellent rock climbing and rappelling—suitable for all skill levels—on its cliffs. The cliffs were formed by convicts mining the volcanic rock in the middle of the 19th century.More

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#14

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Daintree Rainforest

2,854

From the dramatic jungle-clad gorges, wild rivers, and tumbling waterfalls of Daintree National Park to the deserted coast of Cape Tribulation along the Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree Rainforest is Australia’s largest stretch of rain forest, covering 460 square miles (1,200 square kilometers). A protected UNESCO World Heritage Site and a hiker’s paradise, the rainforest is renowned for its extraordinary biodiversity.More

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#15

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Sea World Gold Coast

433

One of Australia’s biggest marine parks, Sea World Gold Coast is home to dolphins, rays, sharks, polar bears, and seals. The family attraction has thrilling rides, educational exhibits, and daily live shows, and it’s also involved in marine life rescue and rehabilitation efforts along the Gold Coast.More

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Explore Queensland by interest

Top activities in Queensland

Great Keppel Island Day Trip Bundle from Yeppoon

168

From

$66.49

Bundaberg Rum Behind The Scenes Distillery Tour And Museum Experience

488

From

$19.95

Capricorn Caves Cathedral Cave Tour

420

From

$24.93

Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling and Diving Cruise from Cairns

2928

From

$165.56

1-Hour Whitsunday Islands and Heart Reef Scenic Flight

433

From

$192.16

Ocean Freedom Great Barrier Reef Luxury Snorkel and Dive Cruise

1266

From

$168.06

Cape Tribulation, Mossman Gorge, and Daintree Rainforest Day Trip

1565

From

$121.68

Silversonic Outer Great Barrier Reef Cruise from Port Douglas

373

From

$200.80

Sunlover Reef Cruises Cairns Great Barrier Reef Experience

698

From

$189.50

Passions of Paradise Great Barrier Reef Cruise by Catamaran

2056

From

$172.88

K'gari (Fraser Island) Day Tour

2249

From

$181.52

Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Lookout Snorkeling Cruise

2239

From

$146.28

Grand Kuranda including Skyrail and Kuranda Scenic Railway

390

From

$205.46

Snorkelling or Glass Bottom Boat at Green Island from Cairns

132

From

$77.13

40-Minute Great Barrier Reef Scenic Flight from Cairns

726

From

$132.32

Moreton Island Day Trip (Kayak, Snorkel & Sandboard) frm Brisbane or Gold Coast

453

From

$112.37

Whitehaven Beach Half-Day Cruises

325

From

$96.41

Ocean Rafting Tour to Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Lookout

4221

From

$132.32

Skip the Line Kuranda Scenic Railway Gold Class and Skyrail Rainforest Cableway

452

From

$176.48

Snorkelling and Glass Bottom Boat at Green Island from Cairns

270

From

$95.75

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Whitsundays Whitehaven Beach Tour: Beaches, Lookouts and Snorkel

8 hours
Free Cancellation

From

$152.26

Silverswift Dive and Snorkel Great Barrier Reef Cruise

10 hours
Free Cancellation

From

$188.83

Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Lookout Snorkeling Cruise

2239

8 hours
Free Cancellation

From

$146.28

Full-Day Whitsunday Sail and Snorkel Adventure with Lunch

8 hours 30 minutes
Free Cancellation

From

$125.67

1-Hour Whitsunday Islands and Heart Reef Scenic Flight

1 hour 10 minutes
Free Cancellation

From

$192.16

Fitzroy Island Day Tour from Cairns

8 hours 30 minutes
Free Cancellation

From

$67.82

Serenity Cruise to Australia's Everglades

3 hours
Free Cancellation

From

$59.18

Barefoot Luxury Mount Tamborine Winery Tour from Brisbane

8 hours
Free Cancellation

From

$178.86

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All about Queensland

When to visit

There’s a reason that Queensland is called the Sunshine State, and you can expect the sun to shine through all four seasons. Summer temperatures are hot and humid, with average temperatures around 85°F (30°C) and high rainfall, especially in the tropical north. Stick to the state’s southern beach resorts in summer, then head north during the dry winter months. May through October is the best season for exploring the Great Barrier Reef, with lower water levels and higher visibility.

Getting around

As Australia’s second-largest state, there’s a lot of ground to cover in Queensland. Most travelers touch down in Brisbane or Cairns, where long-distance buses, tourist shuttles, and ferries will whisk you between the coastal resorts and islands. Queensland’s public transport network is well-developed, but you’ll still find it quicker and easier to get around with a car, especially if you’re exploring the Hinterlands and national parks.

Traveler tips

Queensland is home to one of only two everglades in the world (the other one is in Florida). Part of the Great Sandy National Park, you can explore the wild waterways of the Noosa Everglades by boat or kayak, cool off with a swim in croc-free waterholes, and spot some 40% of Australia’s bird species.

Local Currency

Australian Dollar (A$)

Time Zone

AEST (UTC +10)

Country Code

+61

Language(s)

English

Attractions

171

Tours

1,187

Reviews

110,561

Things to do in Queensland

Look beneath the surface

Top 15 attractions in Queensland

Explore Queensland by interest

Top activities in Queensland

Explore our promoted experiences

All about Queensland

When to visit

Getting around

Traveler tips

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