Queensland is Australia’s favourite domestic holiday destination and it’s easy to see why the Sunshine State is a bright beacon for those seeking a sun-drenched escape all year round. Whether you’re after flop-and-drop beach breaks, epic outback adventures, city sights or coastal delights, Queensland holiday destinations have it all in spades.
The holiday experiences in Queensland are as vast as the state itself with everything from idyllic islands and unspoilt beaches to lush rainforest, hinterland and ochre-hued outback escapes, including five UNESCO World Heritage Sites right in our backyard.
Queensland offers a year-round escape from the everyday. School holiday periods are busier than other months, while the Outback is best enjoyed between April to October and Tropical North Queensland experiences wet and dry seasons (November to March and April to October, respectively). This can see natural attractions change and go with the flow, depending on what travel experience you seek.
Discover Queensland’s most popular places and lesser-known locations to add to your travel wish list plus how to get there and the best things to do in each destination.
Popular holiday destinations in Queensland
1. Brisbane
Best for: Culture seekers, foodies, families, couples
With a year-round subtropical climate and an enviable outdoor lifestyle, Brisbane is more than a city stop en route to a beach or hinterland escape. With the Brisbane River right in the CBD, nab a spot at a waterfront restaurant, rooftop bar or craft brewery beer garden to soak up the alfresco ambience. Enjoy open-air shopping, arts and culture and access to nature – all within close proximity to Brisbane City. And with Bluey’s World opening in the Blue Heeler family’s hometown in late 2024, it’s definitely the place to be!
Top 3 things to do in Brisbane
- Stroll, splash and sunbathe in the expansive South Bank Parklands.
- Catch the latest international and local art exhibitions at QAGOMA.
- Enjoy a sky-high view on a Story Bridge Twilight Climb over the Brisbane River.
2. Gold Coast
Best for: Watersports enthusiasts, foodies, families, couples
World-famous Gold Coast is both a city and a region and a top spot for breezy beach holidays or hedonistic adventures. Take your pick of the stunning Gold Coast beaches to find the perfect sandy shoreline to lay your towel or dial up the adrenaline with daytime thrills and nightlife activities. The GC is also a cultural, entertainment and dining mecca with arts to explore at weekend markets, myriad options for eating out and year-round attractions for the whole family to enjoy.
Top 3 things to do on the Gold Coast
- Enjoy a week of family fun at four iconic Gold Coast theme parks.
- Catch a wave or watch the pros at world-renowned Snapper Rocks in Coolangatta.
- Head up Q1 for panoramic views from the SkyPoint Observation Deck.
Want more? Make sure to read our guide on the best things to do in Gold Coast!
3. Sunshine Coast
Best for: Watersports enthusiasts, foodies, families, couples
The Sunshine Coast offers a serene counterpart to the glitzy Gold Coast with beautiful beaches, stunning national parks and a mix of cosmopolitan coastal culture and small-town seaside charm in laidback communities and hinterland pockets. Whether you revel in the rays on one of the many sandy stretches or stretch your legs on a hiking adventure or high-street stroll, there’s huge number of things to do in the Sunny Coast, making it the ideal beach holiday for all.
Top 3 things to do on the Sunshine Coast
- Say g’day to all the native animals at Australia Zoo.
- Enjoy a captivating whale-watching cruise along the Humpback Highway.
- Go retro at the refreshed Big Pineapple attraction in Nambour.
4. Great Barrier Reef
Best for: Snorkelling and diving enthusiasts, nature lovers, couples, families
Queensland’s breathtaking Great Barrier Reef comprises an astonishing 2,900 coral reefs and 900 islands, covering some 344,400sqkm in the Coral Sea. Home to myriad marine life, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a mecca for all kinds of watersports from snorkelling and diving to liveaboard boats, yachts and even reef sleeps. Encompassing such a vast area, holidaymakers can really choose their own Great Barrier Reef adventure from Cape York all the way down to Bundaberg.
Top 3 things to do on the Great Barrier Reef
- Sun yourself on the world-famous Whitehaven Beach.
- Scuba dive or go snorkelling at Green Island or Fitzroy Island.
- Sleep among the fishes at Reefsuites – Australia’s first underwater hotel.
5. Cairns
Best for: Couples, watersports enthusiasts, outdoor adventurers
Tropical North Queensland’s capital Cairns offers a stylish city scene with 5-star hotels and world-class dining as well as a convenient springboard to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Great Barrer Reef and Daintree Rainforest. Dive into island life, Indigenous culture, stunning beaches, adventurous thrills and secluded waterfalls.
Top 3 things to do in Cairns
- Go on an Indigenous cultural tour in the Daintree.
- Snorkel on the outer Great Barrier Reef from the Reef Magic Pontoon.
- Take a hot-air balloon over the lush Atherton Tablelands.
6. Noosa
Best for: Foodies, families, couples, luxury seekers
Known for its sophisticated side, Noosa is also one of the Sunshine Coast’s most naturally appealing areas, fringed by verdant beaches at Noosa National Park, Noosa Everglades and the hinterland. Browse chic boutiques, savour gourmet foodie finds, take a dip in the ocean and feel refreshed from top to toe on a Noosa holiday break.
Top 3 things to do in Noosa
- Soak up the glam ambience on Hastings Street.
- Shop local finds at the twice-weekly Eumundi Markets.
- Cruise the Noosa Everglades in Cooloola National Park.
7. Port Douglas
Best for: Adventurous travellers, luxury, families, couples, outdoors enthusiasts
More laidback luxury than Cairns, Port Douglas is one of Australia’s best tropical holiday destinations, offering a barefoot beach break with prime access to the Daintree’s Wet Tropics rainforest and is the closest coastal port to the Great Barrier Reef. The Tropical North Queensland hotspot retains a welcoming village vibe with everything from upscale resorts and hotels for couples and families alike to backpacker accommodation.
Top 3 things to do in Port Douglas
- Take a refreshing dip and drift down the river at Mossman Gorge.
- Swim at the stunning Four Mile Beach.
- Zip across the treetop canopy at Cape Tribulation.
8. Whitsunday Islands
Best for: Luxury seekers, couples, watersports enthusiasts, families
With 74 islands and an epic coastline to explore, the Whitsundays is the perfect place to beach yourself, learn to sail, snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, enjoy annual events or play a round of golf in paradise. Popular spots include family-friendly Daydream Island and Hamilton Island as well as Airlie Beach and Bowen for a taste of the mainland.
Top 3 things to do in the Whitsunday Islands
- Take a scenic helicopter flight over Heart Reef.
- Hike up Hill Inlet for glorious views of Whitehaven Beach.
- Skipper a bareboat charter aboard a luxury catamaran.
9. K’gari (Fraser Island)
Best for: Adventurous travellers, families, nature lovers, couples
The world’s largest sand island and one of the most beautiful Australian islands, K’gari (formerly Fraser Island) is found on Queensland’s Fraser Coast and offers an off-grid, back-to-nature experience. Accessible only by 4WD and part of the Great Sandy National Park, it’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site with crystal-clear lakes, unique wildlife, colourful dunes and rainforest pockets.
Top 3 things to do on K’gari (Fraser Island)
- Hit the beach highway with a 4WD tour or BYO off-road vehicle.
- Float around in the freshwater, crystal-clear Lake McKenzie.
- Explore the beached shipwrecks on K’gari.
10. Townsville and Magnetic Island
Best for: Adventurous travellers, families, nature lovers, couples
With the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics rainforest on its doorstep and Magnetic Island just 8km off the coast, Townsville has plenty of natural appeal as a Tropical North Queensland holiday destination. Throw in arts, sports and a host of dining and imbibing options and it’s no surprise why this major centre also pulls a cosmopolitan crowd.
Top 3 things to do in Townsville and Magnetic Island
- Climb up Castle Hill at sunrise for a golden 360-degree view.
- Check out the Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA) at Magnetic Island.
- Spot the marsupial – take a ferry to Magnetic Island to see the thriving wild koala colony.
Lesser-known places to visit in Queensland
1. Southern Great Barrier Reef
Best for: Snorkellers and divers, nature lovers, families, couples
Coastal Capricorn, Bundaberg and Gladstone shape the Southern Great Barrier Reef region, a sparkling springboard to explore the world’s largest coral reef system, powdery-white beaches and islands, lush rainforest, secret surf spots and hiking trails. Drop anchor at Great Keppel Island, Yeppoon and Heron Island for your beach break.
Top 3 things to do on the Southern Great Barrier Reef
- Hit the surf at Agnes Water and 1770, Queensland’s most northern break.
- Spy nesting turtles and marine life at Lady Elliott and Lady Musgrave islands.
- Go snorkelling from a glass-bottom boat on Great Keppel.
2. Sunshine Coast Hinterland
Best for: Foodies, nature lovers, culture seekers, wellness
With treetop stays, antique boutiques and high tea cafes in natural surroundings, the Sunshine Coast Hinterland provides a charming country contrast to the seaside. Visit Maleny, Montville and Kenilworth for galleries and gifts and venture to the tasty attractions of Yandina Ginger Factory and Big Pineapple for a big scoop of nostalgia.
Top 3 things to do in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland
- Embark on the TreeTop Adventure Challenge above the rainforest canopy.
- Ride the Mary Valley Rattler heritage steam train.
- Hike the Glasshouse Mountains for epic views all the way to the coast.
3. Fraser Coast
Best for: Watersports enthusiasts, nature lovers, families, couples
Bound by Hervey Bay, Maryborough and K’gari (Fraser Island), the Fraser Coast boasts two heritage-listed hotspots in the world’s largest sand island and first-ever whale heritage area enticing travellers to Queensland’s mid-coastal region. Visit annually from June to September to see the gentle giants meander along the Humpback Highway.
Top 3 things to do on the Fraser Coast
- Camp overnight on a K’gari 4WD experience.
- Venture on a full-day whale-watching cruise from Hervey Bay.
- Visit the Mary Poppins statue where author PL Travers lived in Maryborough.
4. Scenic Rim
Best for: Families, foodies, wellness, adventurous travellers
Located in South-East Queensland just under an hour’s drive from Brisbane and Gold Coast, the Scenic Rim is dubbed the ‘green behind the gold’ with six national parks, including the ancient Gondwana Rainforests. Enjoy a variety of craft breweries, distilleries and wineries, art galleries, glamping and gourmet delights as well as lush hinterland walks, mountain hikes and rolling farmland in this vibrant region.
Top 3 things to do in the Scenic Rim
- Tackle the O’Reilly’s Treetop Walk in Lamington National Park.
- Savour a Mount Tamborine winery tour or a farm-to-table gourmet experience.
- Visit Summer Land Camels for a unique ranch experience.
5. Outback Queensland
Best for: Adventurous travellers, outdoors enthusiasts, families, couples
Things are big in Outback Queensland. Think wide, open spaces, larger-than-life characters and epic annual events such as the Birdsville Races, Mount Isa Rodeo and the Festival of Outback Opera. Emerald is the gateway to the Outback, named for the fertile green farmland instead of the stone. Pack an Akubra and a sense of adventure to explore the beauty of dusty towns, national parks and hidden gems of the literal and touristy kind. April to October is the best time to visit Outback Queensland.
Top 3 things to do in Outback Queensland
- See the world’s largest replica of Van Gogh’s Sunflower painting in Emerald.
- Follow in the footsteps of Aussie dinosaurs in Winton and Mount Isa.
- Check out the vast cosmos at Charleville’s Big Sky Observatory.
6. Cassowary Coast
Best for: Adventurous travellers, nature lovers, watersports enthusiasts
Nestled into the coastline between Cairns and Mission Beach, the Cassowary Coast is a lush fruit bowl of untouched beaches, rainforest canopies and cascades linked by a string of small towns: Innisfail, Tully and Cardwell. This underrated and unspoilt Queensland holiday destination hits the sweet spot of inland and coastal beauty.
Top 3 things to do on the Cassowary Coast
- Look for the namesake Southern cassowaries at Etty Bay.
- Cruise to Hinchinbrook Island – Australia’s largest national park island.
- Go on an outer Great Barrier Reef snorkelling safari from Mission Beach.
Flights to Queensland
There is so much more to explore in Queensland, so it's time to book your tickets. Virgin Australia offers so many options for flights to Queensland, including major cities and regional areas