30 of the best things to do in Queensland for an epic holiday

1. Plan a road trip from Brisbane to Cape Tribulation north of Cairns. The iconic Pacific Highway stretches from our capital city all the way up the east coast, passing through dozens of quintessential country towns, innumerable golden beaches and is the gateway to not one, but two, World Heritage Sites.

2. Voted the best stretch of sand in the world, squish the pure white silica sand of Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island between your toes. To get an even better vantage point, head up Hill Inlet for views no postcard could ever do justice.

3. There is something special about sitting outside at the bustling hub of Howard Smith Wharves, enjoying a cold beverage of your choosing as the sun starts to set on Brisbane City. To keep the evening going, be sure to check out one (or two) of the precinct's restaurants.

4. Dip a toe in Lake McKenzie on K'gari (Fraser Island), another of Queensland's incredible World Heritage sites. While beauty abounds all over the island, the white silica sand and aquamarine waters of this freshwater lake are, frankly, otherworldly.

5. Taste and shop your way through Noosa's glamorous Hastings Street. This iconic strip runs parallel to Noosa Main Beach, one of the most beautiful jewels in the Sunshine Coast’s crown. Browse treasure-filled boutiques, dine under the stars, and indulge in the incredible local produce this region is known for - just moments away you'll be able to stroll through a national park or kayak one of the world's only Everglades systems. 

6. Witness nature at her most incredible at Mon Repos, just outside of Bundaberg. Between November and March, you can head down onto the sand with a ranger to watch newborn baby turtles make their dash to the ocean under the moonlight. 

7. Go whale watching in Hervey Bay, the world's first official Whale Heritage Site. Every year between June and November these magnificent creatures cruise up Queensland’s east coast to warmer waters. One of the best things to do in Queensland is to go underwater with them, but staring eye to eye with a humpback out the back of a boat comes a pretty close second.

8. For a truly iconic Queensland encounter, watch the kangaroos on the beach at Cape Hillsborough National Park. Come for the award-winning walking trails and once-in-a-lifetime camping spots; stay a little longer for wallabies and kangaroo sightings on the shoreline.

9. Swim with rare minke whales on a liveaboard off the coast of Cairns & Great Barrier Reef. Partial to the warm waters of the Coral Sea, these elusive ocean dwellers are only spotted a few weeks per year in mid-winter—the remote location of a liveaboard experience means you’re closer to the ocean action.

10. Uncover ancient dinosaur fossils in the outback. Queensland’s Australian Dinosaur Trail connects the townships of Winton, Richmond and Hughenden, made famous for the region’s concentration of dinosaur fossils. Unearth 98-million-year-old fossils as you walk the path of Earth’s original giants.

11. Stay a while longer in Winton; sit back in the old-fashioned canvas chairs at the Royal Open Air Theatre. One of the only remaining open air cinemas in Australia, watch a classic movie under the stars in the middle of Outback Queensland.

12. Dive alongside turtles and graceful manta rays at Lady Elliot Island. The southernmost island on the Great Barrier Reef and one of our finest examples of eco-tourism, Lady Elliot is a haven for some of Australia’s most unique ocean creatures; including the Great 8.

13. Dive the renowned 104-year-old wreck of the S.S. Yongala, off the coast of Townsville. Just off Cape Bowling Green, it's one of the only reef formations in the region, meaning you’re guaranteed to be sharing the waters with eagle rays, turtles and barracudas.

14. Take a seaplane or helicopter scenic flight over the magical landscape of Whitsunday Islands and the Heart Reef - it's a sight that'll take your breath away.

15. Walk the beach where the rainforest meets the reef at Cape Tribulation. The only place in the world where two UNESCO World Heritage Sites collide, get lost exploring the edge of the Daintree—the oldest rainforest in the world—and Great Barrier Reef—the largest reef.

16. Step back in time and walk the path of a volcano at Undara Lava Tubes in Undara Volcanic National Park. An easy day trip or multi-day adventure from Cairns, walk through these jaw-dropping caves carved out of volcanic lava over 190,000 years ago.

17. Learn about the land and the rich indigenous culture of Australia. Explore Kuku Yalanji country in the Daintree region with local Aboriginal guides and go hunting for mud crabs through the mangroves. After a hard day’s soaking up the history in and around Port Douglas, cook up your catch with Kuku Yalanji brothers, Linc and Brandon Walker.

18. Tour the incredible Spanish-style castle ruins at Paronella Park, located south of Cairns. Built in 1935, this unique property is still standing to this day, and is surrounded by waterfalls and verdant gardens to drop a picnic rug.

19. Roll out a swag in the Munga-Thirri National Park and encounter a red sunset from the dunes in Birdsville. The red-hued, wind-swept sand dunes of the Simpson Desert are a must-see in Queensland.

20. Go to the Birdsville Races. The two-day annual event is loving dubbed ‘the Melbourne Cup of the outback’; just with more colour, more crowds and more fun than you could ever imagine. And it’s held in the middle of the desert. Wacky and totally unforgettable, it’s one of the best things to do in Queensland for a reason.

21. Set eyes on the colourful sands of Rainbow Beach. Its Dreamtime legend tells of a rainbow shattering in the sky, changing the colours of the sand. This beautiful stretch of sand dunes is also the stepping-stone to K'gari (Fraser Island) and Cooloola National Park. As if you need another reason to visit.

22. Spot koalas sleeping in the tree tops along the Forts Walk at Magnetic Island. As well as locking eyes on Australia’s iconic marsupial, take in the breathtaking views of Arthur Bay and the Great Barrier Reef. A win-win in our books.

23. Spend a morning stand up paddle boarding at Gold Coast’s Tallebudgera Creek. The gentle currents make this local haunt perfect for all SUP levels, while the clear waters and scenery (you’re surrounded by Burleigh Heads National Park and Palm Beach) is your chance to escape the real world for a few hours.

24. Spend an afternoon at Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) in Brisbane. Located in the heart of the city’s cultural precinct, hit up some of the world’s leading exhibitions and immerse yourself in the country’s most impressive collection of modern Indigenous art.

25. For a truly extraordinary experience, tackle the 21-kilometre walk through Carnarvon Gorge where ancient Indigenous art is still visible to this day. For those that crave a challenge, hit the 87-kilometre Carnarvon Great Walk.

26. Charter a yacht to sail the Whitsundays. With 74 islands to discover, this is your chance to have a real-life Robinson Crusoe moment. Don’t waste a second; here’s your ultimate Whitsunday Islands guide.

27. Sleep on the Great Barrier Reef. Sure, you’ll want to dive beneath, but staying overnight gives you unparalleled access to this underwater world. From liveaboard experiences to exclusive island stays and pontoons in the middle of the sea, this will be the most memorable night's sleep you ever have. 

28. Trek and camp your way along the entire Thorsborne Trail on Hinchinbrook Island. Located within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area near Townsville and voted one of the 10 best hiking trails in the world, challenge your true grit with this 32-kilometre hiking trail and be rewarded with some of the most impressive ocean and bush views going.

29. Watch the sunrise or sunset atop the Glass House Mountains in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. An easy day trip from Brisbane, this wild national park houses 11 peaks (the most famous being Mount Tibrogargan, Mount Beerwah and Mount Beerburrum) and dozens of walking tracks - the hike up Mt Ngungun is a local favourite.

30. Book a private stay on Pumpkin Island - one of many islands you can rent to yourself in Queensland. Nestled amongst the Keppel Islands just 14-kilometres off the coast of Yeppoon, this eco-friendly private island is the stuff of deserted island dreaming. With the Southern Great Barrier Reef quite literally on your doorstep, a few days here and you’ll be scheming how to stay forever.