Where to go for the ultimate boys trip in Queensland

Camping and Queensland go together like Steve Smith and centuries or Collingwood and hatred. From coral cays like Lady Musgrave Island, to absolute beachfront on North Stradbroke Island or under the towering sandstone cliffs of Carnarvon Gorge – there’s a camping adventure for all levels.

For the perfect pairing of beach driving, wetting a line and cooling off in world-famous lakes, it’s hard to pass K’gari (Fraser Island). Before you start loading your 4WD, check out this post for everything you need to know.

If you’ve already felt Fraser’s sand between your toes, we’ve compiled lists for our favourite island, beach and remote (for the experts) camping spots for you to check out across the State.

Race through the tropics

White knuckles, tight turns, a bunch of mates and the constant pumping of adrenaline: this is just another day of mountain biking in Queensland.

Harness your competitive edge and hit the rocky terrain along the notorious Smithfield Trails near Cairns. Race through the jungle, take in the views of the Great Barrier Reef from the mountain ridges, then hold on for dear life as you descend.

With names like the Wobbegong, Flat Snake and the Blue Marlin, if you can conquer these trails you’ll have some serious bragging rights when you get home.

Need more? Here’s another five trails to conquer in the tropics.

Raise a cold one

Brisbane’s craft beer scene has absolutely exploded in recent years with the rise of breweries including – take a deep breath – Green Beacon, Newstead Brewing, Range, Slipstream, Felons, Brisbane Brewing Co, Sea Legs, Stone and Wood, Ballistic, Helios, Catchment, Revel – the list goes on.

From New Farm to Newstead, West End and Milton, our craft beer capital has an ale to suit any discerning palate. Or, if you like your beer in a stubby with a classic logo yo can spot a mile away, book a tour at the XXXX brewery and settle in for a day with Queensland’s iconic brew.

If you prefer a pre-determined route around the city, check out this post or for a deeper dive on some of our beloved breweries, click here.

Other than Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast are also firmly leading on the craft beer scene. Balter, Black Hops and Burleigh Brewing Co. aren’t household names for no reason. Tap here for a craft crawl on the Gold Coast or check out this post to uncover the hidden beer secrets of the Sunshine Coast.

Enjoy some island time

Days are spent snorkelling or diving, afternoons are spent watching the sun set over the Coral Sea with a beverage in hand, and the nights are for sharing stories and picking your the must-visit spots for the following day.

An island adventure on the Great Barrier Reef is a more low key boys trip than the pulse of a city, but the experiences and escape from reality are unforgettable.

For divers, Lady Elliot Island and Heron Island should be firmly on top of your list. Famed for their diving and snorkelling, these tiny coral cays are littered in marine life from manta rays to turtles, sharks, nudibranchs and more fish species than you can count.

Want to camp on a beach, on an island, in the tropics? You might as well aim for one of the best beaches in the world, Whitehaven Beach. This world renowned strip of sand can be yours for a cool $6.50 per night in the National Parks campground. Good luck finding a more affordable paradise.

If your crew is a bit larger, you should go all out and rent an entire island for yourselves. Big move. Pumpkin Island, off the coast of Yeppoon, was XXXX island in a previous island and nowadays it caters for up to you and 33 mates – head here to find out how you can take over this island.

Hunt for mud crab

Forget bonding over a round of putt putt, true boys trips have stories that survive the test of time. Spearing your dinner under the tutelage of Kuku Yalanji man Juan Walker on the mud flats of Cooya Beach will do just that.

After being shown how to hold and throw a spear, you’ll wade out into the waters looking for fish before turning to the mangroves to catch crabs and forage for mussels and other edibles.

Afterwards, sit around the fire with Juan to cook your catch and hear his stories of the land and how it’s been sustained through traditional practices for thousands of years.

Explore the Reef

We don’t care how much fun you had out in Airlie Beach last night. The best way to bounce back is to hit the water for a day with ocean rafting, exploring some of the region’s  74 islands. It’s fast, fun and the view is all kinds of awesome.

Zoom through the Whitsundays, sink your toes into the snow-like sand on Whitehaven Beach then throw on a snorkel for a glimpse of the stunning reef and interesting marine life below.

Search for the ‘one that got away’

The Great Barrier Reef is home to more than 1,500 species of fish. Some, like the beloved anemone fish, are perfect to spy when snorkelling. Others like the coral trout, parrot fish and the billfish species are made for stretching arms on a fishing charter.

If you’re after a grander marlin (a marlin that tips the scale over 1,000 pounds) you’ll want to head north between Cairns and Lizard Island. This stretch of ocean is grander-nirvana with 70% of all granders landed here.

Elsewhere around the State, Karumba in the Gulf of Carpentaria may be remote but you’ll be rewarded with massive jewfish and barramundi. Gladstone, Yeppooon and Bundaberg offer a range of charters to the outer sections of the Great Barrier Reef, chasing reef species as well as GTs, mackerel, tuna and billfish.