Rainforests, Beaches, & Koalas: Best Of Queensland

Tour Queensland's Capitol, Brisbane

In a state primarily known for its incredible nature, Brisbane is your ideal cosmopolitan getaway. Spend time on the city's popular South Bank, see the sunrise from Mt. Coot-tha, and climb Story Bridge (that is, if you didn't already SkyPoint, Australia's tallest building.) Or maybe you want to do both!)

Surf Among Skyscrapers On The Gold Coast

This is, hands down, one of my favorite places in the country. There's a beach for every person, like I detail in my Gold Coast's Best Beaches Guide; accommodation both soaring into the sky and close to the ocean, plus thrill activities and theme parks for the kids. It's an amazing city!

A day could look like taking a surf lesson in the fittingly-named Surfer's Paradise, shopping at Pacific Fair, and topping it off with a sunset picnic in Burleigh Head National Park. Visit once, I'm sure you'll be visiting again.

Visit Animals Of All Kinds On The Sunshine Coast

It's no wonder why the population's growing here. Conveniently located near Brisbane, home to lovely golden beaches, and neighboring the gorgeous Glasshouse Mountains, The Sunshine Coast's got a lot going for it. The energy here is more laid-back as it's not busy as its sibling destinations. Those looking for a place not on the typical Australia bucket-list, but not super unknown, look no further.

Zoo

As a bonus to the scenery and relaxation, head into Beerwah and see Steve Irwin's legacy at Australia Zoo. If you want to stay and see the animals longer, they've recently opened The Crocodile Hunter Lodge.

Experience Outback Queensland

Passed over in favor of all things sun and water, the outback's a quiet alternative to the state's most popular places. Whether it's an hour away from the nearest major city like Toowoomba, or truly in the middle of nowhere like Birdsville, enjoy farm stays and national parks such as Undara, where a volcano eruption 190,000 years ago created one of the world's longest lava tubes.

Soak Up Tropical Luxury In The Whitsundays

There isn't a bigger, more iconic luxury destination in Queensland than the Whitsundays. With a glamorous island vibe, many people flock here during the warm winter high season, especially the wealthy and celebrities.

Have fun swimming, sunbathing, and island-hopping your time away! You can stay on iconic Hamilton Island, home to glitzy resorts including qualia, or stay on the mainland in Airlie Beach with plentiful accommodation for various budgets as well. Just don't leave without seeing the Great Barrier Reef from above! As spectacular as it is to swim and dive in, the size and grandeur doesn't sink in until you see it in the sky

Stay On A Private Island

If there's one thing about Queensland, it's that they're spoiled for choice on island getaways like nowhere else in Australia. The Great Barrier Reef and all its islands span from the Cape York Peninsula down 1,400 miles south to Bundaberg. Not all of them are habitable, but many have been developed. Favorites include Orpheus Island, Lizard Island, Bedarra Island, and Hayman Island.

Marvel At Rainforests In Cairns

Cairns is normally a part of every first-time visitor's itinerary to Queensland and/or Australia, a place where you can see rainforests, waterfalls, and dive World Heritage Site The Great Barrier Reef. I recommend spending time on Fitzroy Island, saying "WOW!" at the sight of Barron Falls via the Kuranda Rainforest Skyrail, and leisurely wandering Cairns markets

Charter A Yacht Or Catamaran, Well, Anywhere

All the places listed above and more are awesome for sailing! Even better, the Whitsundays are one of the few places on Earth where you can bareboat without a license. Yep! Just make sure you know your stuff. There's plenty of day courses that can prepare you. Or, you can charter a boat with a crew. Either way, you're bound to have an amazing time on the sea!

Day Trips

From The Gold Coast, drive down to Byron Bay, a hotspot for celebrities and normal visitors alike. Make sure to take in the view at Cape Byron Lighthouse!

• Babylon: Mediterranean food by the Brisbane River.

• Balboa Italian: Delicious Italian cuisine in The Gold Coast's Palm Beach.

• The Edge: For dining nestled in the mountains with a breathtaking view, not far from the Sunshine Coast.

• Treehouse Restaurant At Silky Oaks Lodge: The accomodation's primary eaterie, serving breakfast and dinner exclusively for guests, and lunch for visitors.

• Yamagen: High-end Omakase restaurant inside QT Gold Coast.

• Gelato Messina: Multiple locations nationwide, including two in Brisbane and one in The Gold Coast.

• Nu Nu Restaurant: Million-dollar view dining on the beach in Palm Cove, north of Cairns.

• Nonda: Brisbane restaurant serving Japanese, Chinese, & Korean-inspired dishes.