Unique Queensland adventures for every family

One of the greatest ways to explore Queensland is by putting down the guidebook and discovering unique family adventures you don't often find on the front of a postcard.

With less crowds, more local flavours, and the opportunity to immerse yourselves in exceptional landscapes, this is the new family holiday you didn't know you needed.

Ready to travel off the beaten track but don't know where to begin? Even the most experienced travellers need a starting point, so we've pulled together some ideas for how to uncover the unexpected. 

Uncover hidden beaches that hold plenty of wonder

If you can't beat a classic beach holiday, you may as well make one - and among Queensland's 6000km of coastline there are many beaches that hold more than sparkling sand on its shores.

Head out onto the beach at Bundaberg's Mon Repos with a wildlife ranger to witness the annual turtle nesting or hatching season (November - March) after learning about marine turtle conservation and research at the new state-of-the-art Turtle Centre. Or, make your way to Mackay's Cape Hillsborough for sunrise where you can watch in wonder as wallabies bound along the beach in search of breakfast. Up north, you can even learn traditional Indigenous fishing techniques and try your hand at mud crabbing on Cooya Beach in Cape Tribulation.  

Seventeen Seventy Beach in Gladstone is part of a picturesque seaside village where families can enjoy stand up paddleboarding, fishing and swimming in the beautifully calm waters. Or if you prefer a challenge to reap the secluded beach reward, head to Fitzroy Island off of Cairns and venture along the bitumen track through rainforest and coastal woodlands to reach the iconic Nudey Beach (which despite the name is family-friendly, we promise!) 

Re-work the family road trip

Sometimes you simply need to pack the car and see where the road takes you - and it can take you to some truly marvellous places. If you've previously road-tripped through Queensland, you'll know that we have a fondness for adding 'big things' en route for travellers to spot along the way.

From the Big Apple in Southern Queensland Country to Big Pineapple on the Sunshine Coast, these roadside attractions can not only add structure to your family adventure, but present the perfect opportunity to visit unique attractions not normally on your radar.

For example, if you're heading to see the big Cassowary in Mission Beach, nearby is the beautiful coastal town of Cardwell which is home to the Cardwell Spa Pool — a gorgeous bright blue freshwater lagoon. 

Or if you're ticking off the Big Cane Toad in Mackay, stop in at Eungella National Park's Broken River to spot platypus in their natural habitat.

Maybe the kids really want to see the Big Mango in The Whitsundays? Get your fill of sun and sea, then head west afterwards to Charters Towers where the whole family can pan for gold. 

Of course, if you're up for the mightiest road trip Queensland can offer, steer towards The Tip - Australia's northernmost point - and explore remote wonder through Cape York en route. 

Experience the highlights, differently

Sometimes there are popular attractions on your family's to-do list that don't quite fit the unique criteria, but we've got you covered. The trick is to think about how to experience them differently. 

Take the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, for example. There are so many ways to experience the Reef: dive it, snorkel it, sail it, sleep on it, kayak it, learn about it, fly above it - then land on a remote coral cay for a picnic... and that's just for starters. Here are 30 unforgettable things to do on the Great Barrier Reef.

For a dose of green, the ancient Wet Tropics is calling. And while there are endless walking trails and waterfalls to take in nature at its purest, families with a thrill-seeking streak should put one of these epic adventures on their radar. Like white water sports rafting down the raging Tully River with Wildside Adventures. 

If the lure of ice cream never fails to grab your kids' interest, make your way into the Daintree Rainforest - the oldest rainforest on earth. Here you can not only taste your way around the Daintree on a food trail, but see the rainforest come alive at night on a nocturnal tour, or learn about Queensland’s oldest way of living during Flames of the Forest’s Aboriginal culture experience. 

Unplug in the Outback

When you think of stunning natural landscapes in Queensland, popular landmarks like the Scenic Rim and famous Whitehaven Beach likely spring to mind, but they're far from being Queensland's only natural wonders.

For a true red dirt adventure in North Queensland’s Gulf Savannah, head to Cobbold Gorge where you'll find rocks rippled with history and waters steeped in turquoise palettes. It's a trip more accessible than you'd first imagine, and it's only six hours inland from Townsville or Cairns. 

If you still haven't had your fill of ancient geology, not far from Cobbold Gorge is Undara Volcanic National Park where all ages will enjoy the famous Undara bush breakfast, and exploring the spectacular lava tube caves that have carved into the landscape over millenia. 

If Jurassic Park gets a lot of screen time in your household, embrace the state's prehistoric side with an outback road trip along Australia's Dinosaur Trail. There's all kinds of museums and fossil sites to explore, but Kronosaurus Korner in Richmond is a true highlight. This marine fossil museum exhibiting remains from Australia's ancient inland sea, but most impressively, those who want to get their hands dirty can sign up for a digging adventure. You never know what you might uncover.

For more fossils - which David Attenborough classifies as some of the most significant on earth - why not head into the remote north west outback towards Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park (currently closed). This is one of Queensland's most exceptional parks, boasting spectacular gorge scenery, diverse wildlife, and fossils deposits dating back 25 million years. For an unforgettable experience, paddle through lily-clad waters on the Lawn Hill Gorge canoe trail.

Ready to add more unique experiences to your next family holiday? Here you’ll find ideas for holiday destinations across Queensland you may not have considered.