Brisbane

In Brisbane, economic and cultural center and capital of the state, year-round pleasant climate prevails. Brisbane is not only the gateway to the sun, but also offers numerous attractions. Most prominent is the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary on the banks of the Brisbane River. The Botanical Garden and the newly created South Bank Parklands are home to many wild animals, the Parklands are lined with many restaurants and cafes. In the Queensland Museum at the Grey Street can inform visitors about the history of the state. The Queensland Art Gallery features works by European and Australian artists and artworks of the Aborigines. In Brisbane there are often open-air events, including the Ekka (Royal National Agricultural Exhibition), the Brisbane Festival of Music and the Brisbane International Film Festival, both in July. There is great shopping in the Queen Street Mall and the Myer Centre.

Bunya Mountains National Park in north-west of Brisbane, one sees an interesting flora and fauna including the beautiful Bunya pines.

Gold Coast

The Gold Coast (website: www.goldcoasttourism.com.au), the most popular beach area in the country is 35 km long. Theme parks (Sea World, Dream World and Movie World), a casino, hotels, restaurants and night clubs can be found here. Sunshine, white beaches, excellent surf for surfing and plenty of leisure activities make the Gold Coast attractive. Inland, picturesque villages invite you to take walks and hikes. Off the coast of Iceland, the natural paradises Moreton, North Stradbroke and South Iceland are the best and calmest surf stands and natural sites in Australia. Nature lovers will appreciate Australia’s largest protected area of the Lamington National Park in the McPherson Range with subtropical rain forest and the Currumbin Wildlife Sancuary estimate 80 km to the south of Brisbane.

Sunshine Coast

The Sunshine Coast (website: http://www.tsc.com.au/), extends between Caloundra and Rainbow Beach, an hour’s drive north of Brisbane, is quieter than the Gold Coast. The visitor will find miles of beaches, pristine wilderness, lakes and mountains. A visit to Fraser Iceland, the largest sand island in the world and a true natural paradise, is worthwhile. In Hervey Bay you can watch whales from July to September.

The self-drive route leads from Brisbane Great Barrier Reef to the south towards the Gold Coast and north to Sunshine Coast and Fraser. Among the highlights of the route include Fraser Iceland, the largest sand island in the world, and the Lamington National Park and the mountain landscape Glasshouse Mountains.

Townsville and Charters Towers

Townsville (website: www.townsvilleonline.com.au) is the largest city in northern Queensland. Biggest attraction of the city the Reef HQ Aquarium is a museum and Omnimax theater. Great beaches, koala conservation area and bush walks to attract the resort island of Magnetic Iceland, which is upstream of Townsville. It can be reached after a 25-minute ferry ride. Cruises to nearby islands and the Great Barrier Reef (see below) provide recreational enjoyment as scuba diving, hiking and whitewater rafting.

In Charters Towers, 135 km west of Townsville, restored buildings from the gold mining days.

Cairns

Cairns is the gateway to unique sites of World Heritage Sites: the Great Barrier Reef, the Atherton Tablelands in the west, and the rainforest regions of Cape Tribulation, the Daintree National Park (the oldest rainforest in the world) in the north and the Wooroonooran National Park in the south. The Wet Tropics of Queensland is one of the largest rain forests of the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

For journeys into the nearly pristine rain forest of Cape York Peninsula, the northernmost tip of Queensland, one needs an SUV that is equipped for river crossings. Important are also camping gear and enough food, water and gasoline. The trip to the Cape to take three to four days. South of Cairns is the 14-km-long mission Beach, Dunk Iceland is upstream. Even a trip from Cairns to Undara Lava Tubes of worth.

Great Barrier Reef

The Barrier Reef (website: www.gbrmpa.gov.au) with 1900 individual reefs is one of the most impressive natural wonders of the world. It is since 1980 UNESCO World Heritage Site and extends over 2000 km long and 25-50 km wide along the coast of Queensland. About 400 coral and 1,500 fish species live in warm, clear waters that allow visibility up to 60m.

Between the reef and the mainland are 25 resort islands, including Heron, Brampton and Lady Elliot offer in the Coral Cays The best diving opportunities. Lizard, Bedarra and Orpheus are calm and ideal for relaxation and comfort. Hayman Island has 5-star hotels rather exclusive. The Great Keppel Islands are preferred by young people. The Whitsunday Islands South Molle, Hamilton, Daydream, Long and Lindeman with mangroves, reefs and rain forest and Magnetic Iceland (near Townsville, above) are year-round holiday centers, which have adapted to particular families, as well as Quoin Iceland in Gladstone Harbour. Hamilton Iceland is controversial because of its extensive development (including the island has a set on most types of aircraft the airport in the sea). The tropical islands of Dunk and Brampton are popular with honeymooners, Fitzroy, Newry and Hinchinbrook are relatively unaffected; can camp on Hook.