30 unforgettable things to do this summer in Queensland 

1. Escape the city for a snorkel among the famed Tangalooma Wrecks on Mulgumpin (Moreton Island), home to an amazing array of marine life.

2. Celebrate the best of Brisbane City, catching the CityCat ferry down its iconic river, making a stop for a cultural adventure at South Bank Parklands and neighbouring Gallery of Modern Art (complete with child-friendly art centre).

3. Make way for the fertile hills of the Scenic Rim, where boutique wineries and craft breweries mingle with mountainous landscapes. Turn the country outing into a luxury escape, perching yourself at a retreat like Beechmont Estate, where chef-hatted meals embrace a paddock-to-plate philosophy, so you can taste the Scenic Rim while taking in the views. 

Gold Coast

4. Ease into the perfect summer escape at Burleigh Heads, where days rotate from restaurants with dazzling views like Burleigh Pavilion and Rick Shores, to beach time, to learning about the Aboriginal history and culture of the Gold Coast on a walkabout tour with Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre. 

5. Nestle amongst the cool canopy of Cedar Creek with a walk along the 30-metre-high Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk in the Gold Coast Hinterland. Looking for more adventure? Pick a theme park to pump your adrenaline. 

6. Learn to surf with the great people at Get Wet Surf School. Located at the Spit on the northern end of the Gold Coast, this prime, protected location guarantees you'll be standing in no time, no matter your age.

Sunshine Coast

7. Immerse yourself in the Dreamtime legends, ancient traditions, beliefs, stories and lifestyle of the Sunshine Coast's first eco-custodians, the Kabi Kabi People, on a sailing tour with Saltwater Eco Tours.

8. Cruise your way through the expansive Noosa Everglades, only one of a duo of its kind worldwide, and one of Australia’s most important ecological landmarks, with Everglades Eco Safaris. Turn it into a glamping weekend by booking in at Habitat Noosa.

9. Take a dip with the family in tow at Kings Beach, Caloundra where a child-friendly pool nestles alongside the much-loved sandy stretch.

Cairns & Great Barrier Reef

10. Stand where two World Heritage-listed wonders meet at idyllic Cape Tribulation, where the ancient Daintree Rainforest merges with the rainbow-hued Great Barrier Reef. Get to know the reef a little better with an action-packed tour with Ocean Safari or feel the wind in your hair as you ride a horse from the beach to the rainforest with Cape Trib Horse Rides.

11. Escape from the city with a foray to national park Fitzroy Island, a pristine sandy stretch of bushwalks and coral reef ripe with snorkelling opportunities, easy enough to access for the day, or for a little longer thanks to Fitzroy Island Resort. 

12. Immerse yourself in Indigenous culture with a Kuku Yalanji Cultural Habitat Tour, where you’ll join the Kubirri Warra brothers on a foray through the beach, mudflat and mangrove ecosystems learning traditional ways. While in the Daintree region, nestled among the ancient fauna in treehouse-inspired accommodation at Daintree Ecolodge.

13. The locals in the tropics know summertime is the best time to visit the many waterfalls in the region when the weather's hot and the cascades are flowing. Take a trip along the "waterfall circuit" and experience the refreshing falls of Millaa Millaa, Zillie, and Ellinjaa in one idyllic day.

The Whitsundays

14. Spend the day exploring the Great Barrier Reef then spend the night atop the coral with a stay on Cruise Whitsundays’ ReefSleep - the boutique accommodation option will see you camp out under the stars in a swag on a permanent pontoon.

15. Witness the natural beauty of Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet before reaching the world-famous 17-metre wide coral bommie that is Heart Reef. The private 'Heart Island' pontoon lets you explore in an exclusive and unforgettable way that only a few visitors get to experience.

Got a taste of The Whitsundays and want to explore more? Don’t skip these top snorkelling spots.

Townsville

16. Bathe in the spray of the iconic Wallaman Falls, the tallest permanent single-drop waterfall in Australia and only a 90-minute drive away from Townsville city.

17. Feel the wind in your hair as you cruise along the 23 golden beaches that reside on Magnetic Island from the comfort of your mini-moke. To understand Maggie on a deeper level, hop on board Aquascene Charters for a day tour exploring the island's many bays and beaches. 

18. Submerge yourself in the aquamarine waters of John Brewer Reef to explore Australia's most unique art installation at the Museum of Underwater Art, courtesy of Adrenalin Snorkel and Dive.

Mackay

19. Greet the rising sun among the local wallaby population from the beach at the much acclaimed Cape Hillsborough National Park. To stay the night, be sure to book in at the Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park.

20. Head inland for a cooling swim in the rock pools of Finch Hatton Gorge. Make the most of your time in the region by exploring Eungella National Park, where you might even spot a shy platypus from the Broken River lookout.

Southern Great Barrier Reef

21. Get to know the Southern Hemisphere’s resident loggerhead turtle population while they return to lay and hatch their eggs on Bundaberg's Mon Repos Beach. For the best experience, book a ranger-guided tour from Mon Repos Turtle Centre.

22. Take a swim with the local population of manta rays and the thriving summer population of turtles that call the picturesque Lady Elliot and Lady Musgrave Islands home. 

23. Head underground, exploring the extensive limestone cave network the Capricorn Caves which is one of the largest privately-owned systems in Australia, located near Rockhampton.

24. Cruise your way from Yeppoon to the surrounding Great Keppel Island and its neighbours, exploring the lesser-known gems of the region with Keppel Explorer.

25. Head east to either Heron Island or Wilson Island, where you can share the islands with the other annual visitors, nesting loggerhead and green turtles, that make their residence only metres from your room. 

26. Grab a board and learn to surf in the reliable breaks that you’ll find among the secluded seaside Gladstone communities of 1770 and Agnes Water home.

Fraser Coast

27. Hire a 4WD and some camping gear to navigate the dunes and 120-kilometre-long beach highway of UNESCO World Heritage-listed K'gari, the largest sand island in the world. Not a camper? Kingfisher Bay Resort has you sorted - and it's a stop you'll want to make with the new Illumina light and sound display bringing magic to the skies. 

28. Take a tour with Hervey Bay Eco Marine Tours for a unique cultural experience. Discover an abundance of Hervey Bay's marine and sea bird life, and coral reefs and learn through the eyes of a local.

Queensland Country

29. Hit the 4WD trails of Queensland Country, meandering your way along the famed Condamine River Track which stretches across the picturesque Darling Downs.

30. Head into the high country of the Bunya Mountains, spending your days hiking the peaks and your nights enjoying the tapestry of stars while spotting the tiny yet impressive gliders.