Discover Exciting New Tourism Experiences Shining Bright in Queensland

From sea to city, rainforest to the beaches, Queensland has welcomed a raft of new and exciting tourism experiences that are waiting to be explored.

From discovering underwater night life at Cairns Aquarium to combining a helicopter ride with a day on the mountain bike tracks at Hidden Vale Adventure Park and checking into a chic, new vintage hotel on the Sunshine Coast, here's a list of what's new in Queensland:

Stay a little longer and relax in Queensland's freshest hotels and retreats
Million-dollar makeovers have given a number of Queensland hotels a fresh new facelift in recent months. Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane Anzac Square has undergoing a refurbishment to revitalise and transform the heritage hotel into a sophisticated city stay, while the Sheraton Grand Mirage Port Douglas has welcomed a revamped poolside and swim up bar, aptly named the Lagoon House, that has become a central key feature of this iconic resort.

Meanwhile an old riverside motel on the Sunshine Coast has been given a second lease on life after being transformed into a chic boutique hotel called Loea Boutique Hotel. The newly opened hotel boasts a vintage food truck van-come-reception, old school cruiser bikes for hire, communal alfresco lounge area and garden, plus rooms stocked with everything you need for a truly luxurious stay.

If you're after a more exclusive experience that will revitalise body, mind and soul, then check in to the Gold Coast Hinterland's luxury Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat which has just been nominated for the award for World's Best Eco Spa in the upcoming World Spa Awards.

Get outside and feed your sense of adventure

There's never been a better time to enjoy the great outdoors and Queensland has plenty on offer to help you do just this. Relax on the water, right in the heart of the river city with Mirimar Cruises' new twilight cruise. Sail down the Brisbane River as the sun sets and set course for the iconic Brisbane Powerhouse on a 22-metre catamaran with refreshing drink in hand. When you reach your destination, you'll be treated to drinks and canapes inside the Brisbane Powerhouse before cruising back along the river with the twinkling lights of the city glowing around you.

In its 80th year, Brisbane's Story Bridge Adventure Climb has added two new thrilling experiences to its books. The world first Cantilever Lean Out will see you lean out 80m above sea level to see Brisbane from an entirely different perspective. And for an authentic swashbuckling experience, step out onto a plank (also 80m above sea level) to be treated to 360-degree views of Queensland's capital.

If it's a more secluded escape you're searching for then head to Magnetic Island where a new day tour allows you to explore the island's secluded bays and beaches that have been off-limits to those without a boat until now. Pilgram Sailing's new The Beach Club Magnetic Island experience will transfer you to the beach of your choice along with a gourmet picnic on the sand – you might even get the beach all to yourself.

Ultimate thrill seekers can get their blood pumping with Elite Helicopter's new Mountain Bike tour that will see you take to the skies over beautiful Brisbane and South East Queensland before landing at Hidden Vale Adventure Park in the Scenic Rim where you can enjoy three hours on two wheels as you zip around the world-class mountain bike trails. This tour also includes a meal and drink at Spicer's Hidden Vale.

Find a new connection to culture and traditional Indigenous ceremony
Embark on a journey to discover the ancient tradition of Welcome to Country and Acknowledgment of Country with Spirits of the Red Sands' new immersive experience. Delve deeper into the heart and significance of the ceremony through interactive theatre, ancient ritual, smoking ceremony, the sounds of the didgeridoo and traditional song and dance. This experience will leave you with a true sense of connection to land and culture, having learnt the tradition firsthand from Indigenous elders and guides.

Discover the deep blue after dark
Follow the sun and head underwater with Cairns Aquarium's new Aquarium by Twilight experience. As dusk descends the aquarium's nocturnal residents emerge from their daytime hideaways and you can now experience an exclusive after-hours tour to discover how this diverse ecosystem changes after dark. Included in this experience is a three-course dinner starting with a drink and appetizer in the Oceanarium followed by main and dessert in Dundee's Restaurant.

Treat your tastebuds with these new foodie feasts

Queensland's capital has seen a raft of new restaurants open up across the city, giving restaurant-goers an exciting list of new temptations to try. If you're a lover of good Italian food, get excited as the team behind Salt Meats Cheese has just opened a new late-night eatery in the heart of Brisbane city called Eterna. The venue itself has been designed to reflect a New York vibe while the food celebrates the traditional cuisine of Rome.

Masterchef fans will be delighted to hear that former contestant, Emily Yeoh (aka Emily Loo), has opened up her new restaurant in Brisbane, aptly named Emily Yeoh Restaurant. This new menu deliciously showcases her authentic Malaysian and Cantonese heritage where you are treated to the flavourful tastes of Asia in a relaxed dining atmosphere in the stylish Brisbane suburb of Paddington.

Brought to you from the team behind the popular Brisbane restaurants sAme sAme and Hôntô is Fortitude Valley's newest dining experience, Agnes. Sit back in the warehouse style venue and watch as chefs, including renowned Head Chef Ben Williamson, flame up Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine over open woodfire – a dining and theatrical experience all rolled into one.

Just down the road at Newstead's Gasworks precinct you'll now find a pink paradise called Ping Pong (opened by the same team who brought us Morning After and Yolk) serving a fusion of authentic and modern Thai cuisine in a quirky setting.

Wine lovers will be keen to hear that City Winery has opened a pop-up cellar door, right in the heart of Brisbane city on Edward Street, offering a range of experiences including wine tasting, food pairing and blending workshops.

Sail the pristine blue waters of the Whitsundays and enjoy sunset hues of pink and orange as you indulge in a three-course dinner with Ocean Dynamics. The new Taste of the Tropics Sunset Dinner Cruise will see you depart laidback Airlie Beach on the Ocean Enigma vessel for a two and a half hour cruise and cuisine - with the menu designed to highlight local produce from across the Whitsundays and Queensland.

Drive along the spectacular Great Barrier Reef Drive to discover the fresh and tasty local produce and food experiences on the way with the newly launched Daintree Food Trail. Take your time and savour every moment and flavour with the downloadable map that will transport you to a food oasis stretching from Port Douglas to Cape Tribulation with 30 producers and members along the trail.

With so many new experiences on offer, the hardest decision will be picking which one to check out first. Visit Queensland.com to plan your next Queensland adventure and start ticking these new experiences off your list.

For the latest information on COVID-19 travel restrictions to Queensland, click here.

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Website: www.queensland.com/