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| Great Barrier Reef |
On 6 June 1859, Queen Victoria
signed the Letters Patent authorising Queensland’s
independence. This day is now known as Queensland Day. And the day we said
goodbye to the Blues.
So while the Queen celebrates her 75th jubilee, Queensland will turn the
ripe old age of 153 (she’s looking pretty fine for an old girl) and will
celebrate with a week of activities from 2-11 June.
Here is a list of the ultimate Top 10 Queensland experiences that every Aussie
should experience in the next year.
1. Discover the largest natural wonder of the world
The World Heritage-listed Great Barrier
Reef should be experienced by everyone at least once. Dive with
turtles and manta rays off Lady Elliot Island,
snorkel the spectacular Low Isles coral cay off Port Douglas, take a romantic
scenic flight over the iconic Heart Reef, or try a helmet dive at Green Island.
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| Australian Dunny Derby in Winton |
Queensland’s
outback explodes into a dirt-busting riot of colour, cowboys, horse races and
oddly enough, operas, every year in celebration of spring with a calendar full
of quirky events. Meet the friendliest of folk from the quaintest towns in the
country at the Australian Dunny Derby in Winton, the famous Birdsville Races,
or Mt Isa Rodeo - the largest in the southern hemisphere.
3. Go back to surfing’s roots
Pull on your boardies, grab your board and get out with the
pros at some of the most famous surf breaks on the planet. Home to the
Quiksilver Pro and a few of the world’s best surfers including Joel ‘Parko’
Parkinson and Michael ‘MP’ Peterson, the beaches from Dicky Beach on the
Sunshine Coast to the famous break at Snapper Rocks are where Australian surf
history all began.
4. Dive with minke whales
For six weeks of the year Queensland offers one of the most
life-changing experiences in the country. During June and July, minke
whales come to play in the waters of the Great Barrier
Reef and live-aboard vessels head out for a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity to dive and snorkel with these curious and amazing sea creatures.
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| Gold Coast theme parks |
A family trip to visit the Gold Coast theme parks is a rite
of passage for every teenager in this country. A mad few days swapping between
the sickening rides at Dreamworld, getting to your saturation limit at
Wet’n’Wild, or hanging with the polar bears at Sea World combined with too much
fairy floss and too many Dagwood Dogs makes for a perfect weekend! Or if you
really want to get the heart started, head to Cairns
to the only bungy site in Australia
and trial their world-first jump menu.
6. Immerse yourself in Australian history
Discover the historical gems of Outback Queensland
– learn about bushrangers, shearers, stockmen and drovers at the Australian
Stockman’s Hall of Fame; or the history of QANTAS at the Qantas Founders
Museum. Retrace the steps
of Cobb & Co. by travelling on the original mail route between Longreach
and Windorah on a fully-ladenstagecoach with Kinnon & Co; or visit the
world’s largest collection of Australian dinosaur fossils at the Australian Age
of Dinosaurs.
7. Taste-test true blue Queensland drops
The Bundy bear and the flashing XXXX sign winking out over Brisbane are two of Queensland’s
proudest icons. The two labels personify Queensland’s
laid-back attitude and larrikin nature and a visit inside the hallowed walls of
the distillery and brewery should be included on every imbiber’s list.
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| Fraser Island |
Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world,
boasting ancient forests, one of the world’s most beautifully blue freshwater
lakes, Lake Mackenzie, and of course, kilometres of undulating sand dunes.
Whether you fly down them on a sand board, careen up them in a 4WD, or camp at
the base of them, this World Heritage-listed island is a must-visit for all
Australians.
9. Climb to record-breaking heights
Brisbane’s Story Bridge
not only features in hundreds of images of the beautiful city but it also
boasts the achievement of being the only bridge in the world to offer both a
climb and an abseil experience. And just down the road you can get even higher
with Australia’s
tallest external building climb at SkyPoint on the Gold Coast.
10. Sail the 74 islands of the Whitsundays
The destination of choice for weddings, luxury holidays or
sailing adventures for people all over the world, the 74 islands that make up
the crystal blue Whitsundays are a mecca for sailors. Whether you want to be
spoilt on a luxury yacht, hire a bareboat with your mates or sail off into the
sunset with your lover there could be no better way to spend a holiday.
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| Whitsundays |
11. Be a part of the seventh-straight win* with the third
State of Origin
match at Suncorp Stadium on July 4.
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