Queensland is one of the most popular travel destinations in Australia for first time visitors to the country. Some of the best places to visit in Queensland include the Great Barrier Reef, the Whitsundays, Brisbane and the Gold Coast, to name just a few.
From vibrant cities like Brisbane and the Gold Coast, to chic coastal towns like Port Douglas and Noosa, to luxurious island stays in the Whitsundays, the best places to visit in Queensland can be found from coast to coast.
I grew up in Queensland, and return several times a year. I’ve put together this guide to the best places to visit in Queensland to help new visitors, returning visitors and locals alike find inspiration for their first or next trip to the sunshine state.
Best of the Best
- Best For First Time Visitors: Great Barrier Reef, Gold Coast, Brisbane
- Best For Beaches: Gold Coast, Noosa
- Best Island: Hayman Island
1. Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is an Australian icon, one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World, and a drawcard for more than 2 million visitors per year.
It’s the largest living reef system in the world, and is the only living structure that can be seen from outer space! The Great Barrier Reef spans the Queensland coastline, from the tip of the Cape York Peninsula, all the way down to Bundaberg. You can visit the Great Barrier Reef from destinations all over North Queensland, including Cairns, Port Douglas, Townsville, Hayman Island and Hamilton Island.Â
It’s one of the best places in Queensland for first time visitors & international visitors!
Practical Details
- Where to Stay: Cairns or Port Douglas
- Best Time to Go: May-October, during Dry Season
- How to Get There: Fly to Cairns Airport (International)
2. The Whitsundays
The Whitsundays is the best place to visit in Queensland for a luxurious island holiday.
There are 74 islands in the Whitsundays, but only a few are inhabited. The Whitsundays is famous for Whitehaven Beach, a sparkling white sand beach that can be visited on day cruises from nearby islands, like Hayman Island and Hamilton Island.
Hamilton Island is the most popular island to stay on, with a range of accommodation including the luxurious qualia. Hayman Island is exclusive to guests of Intercontinental Hayman Island Great Barrier Reef, and Daydream Island has a few budget options. Airlie Beach on the mainland is also a popular base with apartments and hostels.
Practical Details
- Where to Stay: InterContinental Hayman Island Great Barrier Reef, The Sundays on Hamilton Island or find budget options in Airlie Beach
- Best Time to Go: May-October, during Dry Season
- How to Get There: Fly to Hamilton Island Airport
3. Brisbane
Brisbane is Queensland’s capital city and is the best place to visit in Queensland for a city break.
Brisbane is famous for its year-round sunshine and warm subtropical lifestyle. You’ll find the best of Brisbane in the great outdoors, whether that’s strolling through Southbank Parklands or the River Walk, shopping on stylish James Street, drinking & dining on the river at Howard Smith Wharves, climbing the Storey Bridge or admiring the view from Kangaroo Point.
Practical Details
- Where to Stay: The Calile in New Farm, Hotel X in Fortitude Valley or VoCo in the CBD
- Best Time to Go: March-November, which has lower humidity and pleasant warm temperatures compared to summer (December-February).
- How to Get There: Fly to Brisbane Airport
4. Gold Coast
The Gold Coast is one of the best places in Queensland for a beach break, and is famous for having many of the best beaches in Australia.
The Gold Coast has a reputation for glitz and glam, but there are lots of ways to experience the Gold Coast: Stylish Broadbeach, bustling Surfers Paradise, hip Mermaid Beach and beautiful, laidback Burleigh Heads.
Practical Details
- Where to Stay: QT Gold Coast in Surfers Paradise, The Langham in Broadbeach or Mondrian Gold Coast in Burleigh
- Best Time to Go: March-early November. Avoid Surfers Paradise during Schoolies Week, which runs from late November to mid-December
- How to Get There: Fly to Gold Coast Airport (OOL).
5. Daintree Rainforest
The Daintree Rainforest is the oldest living rainforest in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it one of the best places to visit in Queensland for nature lovers and first-time visitors to Australia.
The Daintree is located in North Queensland, in the Cairns Great Barrier Reef region. It’s the largest tropical rainforest in Australia and a biodiversity hotspot, as its home to more than 3000 plant species and thousands of animal species.
The best way to visit the Daintree is to book a guided Daintree day tour, which you can book departing from Port Douglas, Cairns or Palm Cove.
Practical Details
- Where to Stay: Visit on a day tour from Cairns or Port Douglas
- Best Time to Go: May-October, during Dry Season
- How to Get There: Visit on a guided day tour from Cairns or Port Douglas
6. Noosa
Noosa is one of the best places in Queensland for a chic yet relaxed beach holiday.
Noosa is one of the most popular beach towns on the Sunshine Coast. Main Beach’s calm, sheltered waters make it very popular with families, and stylish restaurants lining the beachfront make it a popular destination for romantic weekend getaways.
The pristine Noosa National Park and the Noosa Everglades are some of the best places to get back to nature in the region.
Practical Details
- Where to Stay: The best luxury resorts & hotels are in Noosa Heads
- Best Time to Go: Noosa is warm year-round, but March, May, October & November are the best months for enjoying warm weather, without the peak summer or school holiday crowds
- How to Get There: 30 min drive from Sunshine Coast Airport
7. Port Douglas
Port Douglas is a chic coastal town in tropical North Queensland, known for its luxurious resorts and stunning Four Mile Beach.
Port Douglas is a stylish alternative to staying in Cairns, with plenty of tours and cruises for the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest leaving from Port Douglas. It’s also a popular wedding destination in the tropics, with the heritage-listed, non-denominational St Mary’s By The Sea offering waterfront wedding ceremonies.
Practical Details
- Where to Stay: Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort or Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort & Spa
- Best Time to Go: May-October, during Dry Season
- How to Get There: 1 hr 10 minute drive from Cairns Airport
8. Sunshine Coast Hinterland
The Sunshine Coast Hinterland is a lush, mountainous region dotted with waterfalls, walking trails and quaint mountain villages, a 30-minute drive from the coastline.
It’s one of the best places in Queensland for a weekend in the mountains, with the striking Glasshouse Mountains, subtropical rainforests of Mary Cairncross Scenic and beautiful Kondalilla Falls.
Stroll the quaint townships of Montville and Maleny, graze & shop at the enormous Eumundi Markets or spend a day learning about Australian wildlife at Australia Zoo.
Practical Details
- Where to Stay: Spicers Clovelly and Spicers Tamarind are two of the best luxury stays in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland
- Best Time to Go: March-November. Winter, from June-August, is perfect for crisp, cooler weather and hiking in the most comfortable temperatures.
- How to Get There: 30 minute drive from Sunshine Coast Airport
9. Moreton Island
Moreton Island is the world’s second-largest sand island, located just off the coast of Brisbane in Moreton Bay.
Feed dolphins at the island’s main resort, Tangalooma, or bring your own 4WD and explore the island’s countless beaches & lakes at your leisure. Snorkelling tours of the Tangalooma Wrecks are also available.
- Where to Stay: Tangalooma
- Best Time to Go: March-November
- How to Get There: Take the ferry to Moreton Island from Pinkenba in Brisbane
10. Townsville
Townsville is a laidback, tropical town with plenty of natural beauty within a stone’s throw of the city.
Located halfway between Cairns and the Whitsundays, Townsville is the largest city in North Queensland and a popular base for visiting the Great Barrier Reef.
Castle Hill, just a few crucial metres short from being classified as a mountain, is a beautiful pink granite monolith that overlooks Townsville. You’ll spot it from all over the city, glowing in the sunrise and sunset light and illuminated after dark by colourful lights.
Practical Details
- Where to Stay: The Ville (the best swim up pool bar!) or stylish Ardo
- Best Time to Go: May-October, during Dry Season
- How to Get There: Fly to Townsville Airport
Further Reading
- Queensland Travel Guide: Complete Guide for First Time Visitors
- 10 Best Beaches in Queensland
- 15 Best Things to Do in Tropical North Queensland
- Ultimate Brisbane Travel Guide
- Ultimate Gold Coast Travel Guide
Hello! I’m an Australian travel blogger, living in Melbourne, Australia. I grew up in Brisbane, studied in Paris, lived in New York City and now live back in Australia, in Melbourne.
I love sharing specific and useful recommendations, itineraries and guides for the most beautiful things to see, do, experience & eat wherever I go.
My favourite travel destinations are Australia, New York City & surrounds, France, Greece & Japan, but I’m always excited to explore somewhere new!
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