Things to do in Queensland this Easter weekend

Gold Coast

These golden beaches might make you want to push pause, but the Gold Coast is the place to come to raise your heartbeat.

Get your first taste of the action on the water: sign up for surf school, paddle on a guided kayak tour, cruise past the Gold Coast’s iconic skyline, or see it flash by as you race past on a thrilling jet boat ride. Conquer your fear of heights on SkyPoint Climb or iFly indoor skydiving, and spend a day at your favourite theme park.

For something that’ll touch your heart instead, learn about the Gold Coast’s Indigenous culture with Jellurgal, plan a visit to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary or try a unique farm-stay at Paradise Country. 

Easter activities: 

• Experience Easter in the Laneway with a great lineup of live music and entertainment.
• Get the Easter luxe treatment at Beechmost Estate with great deals and an Easter egg hunt. 
• Southport Sharks - Kids free face painting, balloon twisting, and a special Easter-themed show.
  
  

Queensland Country

Escape to the country for the Easter weekend. The air’s fresh, the scenery can’t be beat, and there’s plenty of food on the table.

Just two hours west of Brisbane, Tooowoomba is the perfect base. Check into a country cabin nearby or quirky inner-city Quest; then check out the city’s street-art filled urban centre and colourful gardens, feast at The Baker’s Duck (you must try the freshly baked hot cross buns and decadent pastries), catch a show at Empire Theatre and hike Table Top Mountain. Here’s a few more ideas to get you started. 

Easter activities:

• Celebrate art, music, dance and creativity at the Rabbits Eat Lettuce Festival.
• Jondaryan Woolshed will be hosting children's activities, a treasure hunt, an animal nursery, and market stalls.
• Celebrate Easter at the Summit Estate Harvest Festival.

Brisbane

A four-day weekend is the ultimate opportunity to delve deeper into the River City's magic. Splash out on a stay in one of Brisbane’s newest hotels, then take a tour for a fresh perspective. You’ll find something for every taste: a small-group walking tour to discover Brisbane’s history, art, coffee culture and laneways, a cruise to Mulgumpin (Moreton Island) with opportunity to snorkel the famous wrecks, or combine a day on the river with the city’s best breweries with River To Bay’s day and night brewery tours.

Kids in tow? Follow the clues to discover all the egg-laying animals at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary’s Easter Eggstravaganza – then meet kangaroos and koalas up close.

Nomatter how you spend your day, spend sundown at Felons at Howard Smith Wharves. This waterside hotspot will be open every day over the Easter long weekend, with live music, your favourite beers and plenty of family fun. 

Easter activities:

• Easter Monday Races at Ipswich Turf Club.
• Enjoy a family-friendly event with carnival rides and farm animals at the Straddie Sharks Easter Carnival.
• Redcliffe Markets Good Friday pop-up.

Sunshine Coast

Food, culture, nature, and that coastline: the Sunshine Coast really does have it all, and it’s all at your fingertips this Easter weekend.

See it all from above and take a scenic flight with Paradise Seaplanes, or explore its most rugged and colourful corners with Great Beach Drive 4WD Tours. Dive beneath on a scuba trip, or get a glimpse into the underwater world at Sea Life instead, spotting sharks from the ocean tunnel and watching the Sunshine Coast’s only colony of little blue penguins play. For a unique cultural experience, sail back in time with an Indigenous guide – even if you’ve been holidaying here for years, you’ll learn a thing or two as you connect with the stories and traditions of the Kabi Kabi.

Travelling with the family? Hop on board historic Mary Valley Rattler for an exciting steam train experience, uncover clues hidden across Australia Zoo with special Easter activities, or search your way through the courses at Amaze World.

Easter activities:

• Easter High Tea at The Long Apron.
• Easter Sunday Races - pony rides, jumping castles, and meet the Easter  Bunny.
• Easter on Mary for boutique shopping, live music, and tasty food vendors.

Cairns & Great Barrier Reef

You can’t come to the capital of the Great Barrier Reef without seeing it for yourself. But this Easter weekend why not see a new side to this northern beauty, where you can take the wheel and steer your own adventure.

It begins in the world-heritage Wet Tropics rainforest of Tully Gorge National Park, where the best views are from the raft as you rush down world-class whitewater of Tully River. Then, step into some of the oldest standing lava tubes on earth, then spend the night in the permanent swag tents, converted trains or homestead accommodation with Discovery Experiences. Here's a perfectly-timed four day itinerary to make the most of the Easter long weekend. 

Prefer to make Cairns your base? These guided tours will take you to the best of the rainforest and reef. 

Townsville

Where do you go for a holiday if you’re already in paradise? Here in Townsville there’s so many choices right on your doorstep. Whether you're a local or holidaymaker, jump on the 20-minute ferry to Magnetic Island, where a day sailing and snorkelling with Aquascene is a must-do.

Head into the hills where the air is cool, and the crystal-clear waters of the falls and swimming holes are even cooler. Or drive two-hours north to sleepy seaside Lucinda. This is fishing paradise – the beaches aren’t bad either – and the adventure of Hinchinbrook Island lies just offshore.

Check out what’s on in Townsville this Easter weekend and make your plans. 

The Whitsundays

Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet are famous for good reason, but how about spending your Easter weekend sailing between the Whitsundays’ best kept secrets? Set sail on Tongarra with Red Cat Adventures and you’ll touch the sand or dive into the water in spots your mates – and those famous guide books – have never heard of. It’s here you’ll discover hundreds of tropical fish, turtles and marine life, and cheers to the most vibrant sunsets of your life onboard this two-day, two-night catamaran adventure. 

Want to captain your own adventure? Dip your toes into bareboating over the long weekend instead.

Fraser Coast

The world’s biggest sand island has a big reputation, and you’ll certainly be impressed with the rugged, World Heritage-listed beauty found here. Easter is a great time to visit K'gari (formerly Fraser Island), and a great way to see its most remote corners is on a day trip with Tasman Venture. While most people set out by 4WD to discover the island’s popular sights, you’ll be one of the few who see its quieter side – sailing by catamaran than anchoring to adventure by kayak, snorkel and more.

Prefer to go at your own pace? Tackle the 90km K'gari Great Walk to get off the grid in this special place. 

Outback Queensland

Queensland’s biggest backyard has a lot going on this Easter weekend – and if you’re after a big festival with plenty of spirit you need to make your way to Roma’s Easter in the Country. There’ll be street parades, novelty races, a rodeo, and crowd-favourite Big Rig Express Night Show. It also marks the kick-off of the Outback Trail - the most adventurous installment of Queensland Music Trails' self-drive musical journeys. Beginning with Troy Cassar-Daley on stage at 'Outback Music Under the Stars' on 20 April, extend your Easter fun on a road trip that winds through outback towns, historic pubs and iconic sights, with tunes along the way.

Want to explore the far reaches of Queensland’s red dirt? Embark on the three-day tour of a lifetime with Seair. Depart from the Gold Coast and fly west over 2,000km to the true blue Outback, dropping into Charleville, Cunnamulla and Birdsville for a sundowner on Big Red and a pub meal at the iconic Birdsville Hotel. 

Easter activities:

• Augathella Easter Weekend - rodeo, billy cart races, live entertainment, and the famous Augathella Horse Races.
• Cloncurry Easter Fair - bonnet parade, egg hunt, free barbeque dinner and market stalls.
• Eromanga Campdraft and Rodeo - dust off that Akubra, pack your swag and saddle your horse.

Southern Great Barrier Reef

Spending Easter in Bundaberg? You’ll soon discover why this region is a hit with the kids – from Bargara’s beaches and coastal pathways, to a wildlife park and farm-fresh strawberry ice cream. 

If you don’t have time for a road-trip, make time for the day trip you’ll remember forever onboard Lady Musgrave Experience. Head into the big blue, then arrive for a day of snorkelling and exploring one of the Great Barrier Reef’s most pristine spots. Plus, the new Reef Sanctuary pontoon offers even more eco-educational experiences for the whole family. 

Want to spend a few days in a laid-back beach ‘burb and perfect your surf skills while you’re at it? Head to Gladstone's twin towns Agnes Water and 1770 this Easter weekend. Lazy Lizard Surf School will have you riding waves in no time – but if you want a jam-packed weekend full of the best things to do, check out this guide.

Mackay

Easter weekend is a time to indulge your sweet tooth, so venture 30km outside Mackay to taste sugar treats with a local twist at Sarina Sugar Shed. Take a tour then sample your heart out: there’s plenty of kids activities onsite to keep them entertained, along with dedicated kid-focussed tours during school holidays. 

Prefer to indulge your sense of adventure? Pull on a wetsuit and flippers then descend into the cool freshwater of the world’s first rainforest scuba diving experience for the chance to swim with platypus in their natural habitat. Great for the whole family, kids aged 8 years and over can try it – and you don’t need to be a certified diver, either.

Easter activities:

• Easter Bunny picnic - face painting, make an Easter basket ready for an Easter egg hunt.

For more ideas, here are the must-do Autumn events in Queensland.