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| Fraser Island |
1. The Great Barrier Reef
– it goes without saying that this natural icon is on every visitor to Australia's bucket list. Stretching 2300km (1400mi) along the Queensland coast and encompassing thousands of reefs and hundreds of islands, it takes way more than just a day trip to truly experience the Great Barrier Reef. From serious divers, to first-time snorkellers, sailors, sea kayakers, island getaways, swimming with whales, turtles and giant manta rays, there as almost as many ways to experience the Great Barrier Reef as there are fish in the sea.www.queensland.com/greatbarrierreef
2. Sailing
- Whether you're a keen sailor or a first-timer, the Whitsundays is Queensland's ultimate sailing destination. A day trip sees you cruising the islands with plenty of stops for swimming or snorkelling, or settle in a for a longer adventure on a crewed overnight sailing tour that takes you hopping through some of the 74 islands that make up the Whitsundays group. Alternatively, be captain of your own destiny on a bare-boat charter. No experience necessary, the calm waters of the Whitsundays and a short training session will literally see you sailing off into the sunset in no time.www.queensland.com/sailing
3. Water sports
– With a mild year-round climate, it's easy to be out on the water any day of the year in Queensland. Explore sheltered bays, islands or waterways by kayak or canoe and don't be surprised if a curious sea turtle or even a dolphin pops up right next to you. For a longer adventure, pack a tent for an overnight kayak adventure on the Ngaro Sea Trail in the Whitsundays. The calmer, sheltered waters of Queensland's many bays and inlets such as Mission Beach, Hervey Bay, Noosa, Moreton Island and Tallebudgera Creek are the best place for stand up paddle boarding, but if you're looking to ramp the adrenalin levels up a notch, churn up a wake on a jet-ski or wake-board. When the wind is up, hit the beach and learn to kite-surf on the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, 1770 and Cairns.www.queensland.com
4. Learn to surf
– Queensland is a surfer's paradise – and not just because of “that famous beach”. While the Gold Coast's iconic Surfers Paradise Beach is one of Australia's most famous surf spots, Queensland has over 100 fantastic beaches to catch a wave. Hang with pros at spots like the Gold Coast's Kirra, D-Bar (Duranbah), Burleigh and Snapper Rocks, or the Sunshine Coast's Noosa Beach. Queensland also has some of the best surf events on the international calendar including the Quicksilver Pro and Noosa Festival Surfing – where there is even a competition for surfing dogs! If you've always wanted to learn, Queensland's surf schools will have you up and on a break in no time.www.queensland.com/en-AU/Things-to-See-and-Do/Sun-Surf-Sand/Surfing
5. Fishing
- Wet a line and catch your own dinner at one of Queensland's beach, waterway or ocean fishing spots. Some of Queensland's best angling options include: surf fishing on Fraser or Moreton Islands; landing a barramundi right off the beach in Gladstone; deep sea fishing from Brisbane or Cairns; sport fishing for the elusive black marlin in the waters of the Wild North. If you have no luck, then there's always a nearby fish and chip shop where the locals have done all the hard work for you.ffishin on Fraser Islandwww.queensland.com/en-AU/Things-to-See-and-Do/Fishing
6. Beaches, beaches, beaches
- With over 13,000km (over 8000 mi) of mainland and island coastline, it's no wonder Queensland is famous for its beaches. From the long, sandy surf beaches of the Gold and Sunshine Coasts, to the protected bays and palm-lined beaches of the tropics, and private island beaches, you could be a beach bum forever in Queensland. Some of Queensland's most famous beaches include: the iconic Surfers Paradise Beach on the Gold Coast; Noosa Beach on the Sunshine Coast; Fraser Island, whose 75 Mile Beach is a designated 4WD highway; palm-fringed Four Mile Beach in Port Douglas; Cow Bay in the Daintree Rainforest – the only place in the world where two World Heritage sites meet (the Wet Tropics Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef) – and the famous Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays, regularly voted the world's most beautiful beach for its pure white silica sand and clear waters.www.queensland.com/en-AU/Things-to-See-and-Do/Sun-Surf-Sand
7. Whale Watching
– Each year more than 7000 humpback whales stop to stay and play in Hervey Bay as part of their annual 5000km migration from Antarctica. From June to November the sheltered waters of Hervey Bay, around four hours' drive north of Brisbane, are where humpbacks rest and teach their babies skills such as breaching, spy hopping and tummy flashes. Whale watching tours go out every day and there is even the opportunity to swim with these gentle giants if conditions are right.www.queensland.com/whales
8. Beach 4WDing
– Experience a true driving adventure by 4WD and head to one of Queensland's incredible beach highways on Moreton Island, North Stradbroke Island or Fraser Island. For the ultimate beach 4WDing adventure, plan a trip through Australia's Nature Coast, taking in the Great Beach Drive – over 200km (125mi) of spectacular beach driving, capturing dramatic coastline, scenery and wildlife along Queensland's Sunshine and Fraser Coasts. The full journey covers two UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, and World Heritage-listed Fraser Island - the largest sand island in the world. The Great Beach Drive is suitable for most experienced off-road drivers and the sections or the entire route can be covered in anything from half a day, a long weekend to a full week, depending on the level of activities undertaken during the drive.www.australiasnaturecoast.com
9. Island hopping
- Camp like a castaway in an island wilderness, drive on a sand highway or be pampered in five star tropical luxury – Queensland's islands offer experiences for all budgets and holiday penchants. World Heritage-listed Hinchinbrook Island off Townsville has walks that take the hardy adventurer through pristine wilderness areas of rainforest, bushland and waterfalls; Fraser Island is the world's largest sand island and with inland lakes, rainforest and a 75 mile beach that is a dedicated 4WD highway. Magnetic Island, just 20 minutes from Townsville, is Queensland's island village while the 74 islands of the Whitsundays are perfect for island hopping by seaplane or boat, from uninhabited national park islands, to the five-star luxury of One&Only Hayman or Hamilton Island's qualia. For keen divers and naturalists, tiny coral cays such as Lady Elliot, Heron and Lady Musgrave Islands on the Southern Great Barrier Reef offer world-class diving and wildlife experiences such as turtle hatching. Lizard, Bedarra and Orpheus Islands are all about barefoot luxury with intimate, relaxed resorts that offer the best of Queensland's island lifestyle.www.queensland.com/en-AU/Things-to-See-and-Do/Islands
10. Coastal drives
- A road trip is one of the best ways to see the country and meet the locals and Queensland has some of the most beautiful coastal scenery in the world. The 66km (41mi) drive along the Captain Cook Highway between Cairns and Port Douglas is one of the most beautiful coastal routes in the world, with rainforest hills on one side and the Coral Sea on the other. The Pacific Coast Way is the ultimate road trip, starting in Brisbane and travelling more than 1700km (800 mi) up the coast to Cairns. In two weeks you can do it all, or choose different sections along the route for shorter trips, discovering coastal towns, stunning scenery, national parks and of course, Queensland's famous beaches.www.queensland.com/journey/pacific-coast-touring-route
11. It's Live for Queensland's coastal events
- From cool beachside tunes, to foodie festivals and heart-pumping fitness contests, Queensland's coastal events make the most of both the location and lifestyle. Get into the groove with coastal melodies in the best locations at the Gold Coast's Cooly Rocks, Airlie Beach Music Festival or the Townsville Chamber Music Festival. Foodies will love the Noosa Food and Wine Festival, Port Douglas Carnivale, Bundy Flavours Festival and Hamilton Island's Great Barrier Feast. |
| Lizard Island |
For those seeking a fitness challenge, the Gold Coast Airport Marathon, and Triathlon and Iron Man are guaranteed to test the endurance of any athlete. World-class events in stunning locations are live in Queensland. For a heart-pumper of a different kind the annual Gold Coast 600 brings the mighty V8 Supercars into the heart of Surfers Paradise for a weekend of entertainment, fun and adrenalin at one of the world's most scenic racetracks.
www.queensland.com/events
www.queensland.com/events
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