The 15 best places to visit in Queensland

Noosa easily ranks as one of Queensland's greatest beachside towns, and for good reason. Surrounded by the lush national park and boasting one of only two everglade systems in the entire world, this place is a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. You can swim with humpback whales, surf world-renowned waves, scale majestic cliff faces and zoom along the coastline on a thrilling jet boat ride. Translating to “shadows” or “shade” in the language of the native Kabi Kabi people, Noosa also offers plenty of places to escape the sun. The resort town’s main strip, Hastings Street, buzzes with local boutiques, all-day eateries ideal for people-watching, bougie spas and gorgeous galleries. 

EAT: Bistro C for fresh seafood platters and frozen margaritas, or check out Sails if it's a special occasion. 

DO: Walk the Noosa National Park coastal track for koalas in the trees, dolphins in the waves and glorious ocean views. 

STAY: Elysium Noosa, the newest address on Hastings Street for minimalist suites, a rooftop pool and proximity to everything. 

Think you have to travel to Hawaii for a slice of paradise? Australia’s got its very own slice ready and waiting in The Whitsundays. This collection of 74 islands is located right next to the northeast coast of Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef. Most of the islands are uninhabited, and you’ve probably seen secluded, long white stretches of sand – including the world's best beach for 2025 – and gorgeous landmarks like Heart Reef on your Instagram feed. If that’s not enough to entice you to pay a visit, the average daily temperature is 27 degrees Celsius. Enough said.

Eat: Catseye Pool Club on Hamilton Island, serving pristine Queensland seafood and produce by Josh Niland. 

Do: For a cultural lens on paradise, take an Indigenous tour with Robbie Congoo through Cultural Island Discovery – an illuminating journey into the Whitsundays’ Ngaro heritage.

Stay: The Sundays – an elevated take on the island family holiday. Spacious suites are designed for togetherness, and its location makes it the perfect home base for exploring. 

Dubbed the whale-watching capital of Australia, Hervey Bay offers endless adventures, both on land and at sea. It’s also the gateway to World Heritage-listed K’gari (formerly Fraser Island), the largest sand island on Earth, just a swift 40-minute ferry ride away. Alternatively, you can take a 40-minute flight to Lady Elliot Island, where you can swim with manta rays and turtles in their natural habitat. 

EAT: Enzo’s on the Beach – a beloved institution serving fresh seafood, woodfired pizzas and excellent coffee.

DO: Join a whale-watching cruise with Tasman Venture or Spirit of Hervey Bay for an unforgettable encounter, then hop the ferry to K’gari to explore its perched lakes and rainforests. 

STAY: Akama Resort offers self-contained apartments with marina views, or check into Kingfisher Bay Resort on K’gari for a truly one-of-a-kind experience.

Sunny, self-assured and far cooler than it lets on – Brisbane’s having its big-city moment without losing its small-town charm. The river, known affectionately as the Brown Snake, coils through streets and neighbourhoods that are built for the outdoors. Alfresco cafés and rooftop bars feel earned under the weight of the at times intense heat and humidity. Pay a visit to James Street – a curated mix of independent boutiques and homegrown heavyweights – from Sir, P. Johnson, and Venroy to Zimmermann. Some of the city’s most exciting restaurants call this strip home too, making it dangerously easy to lose an afternoon here.

EAT: Savour a Wagyu MB9+ steak at Rich & Rare paired with a Dry Martini. 

DO: Take the kids (and your inner child) to Bluey's World, the must-visit immersive experience celebrating Brisbane’s most beloved heeler family.

STAY: The Calile Hotel, spend your time bouncing between poolside cabanas, its world-class Kailo Medispa and a rotating cast of standout restaurants.

In Queensland, most of the time a destination is kind of a three-for-the-price-of-one situation. In the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, you can work your way through a string of charming country towns – like Maleny, Montville and Kenilworth – each offering a collection of antique stores, markets, bed and breakfasts, and galleries. The Glass House Mountains, rolling green pastures and rainforests will serve as the backdrop for your winding journey to each town. Australia Zoo is also on the way, as is Nambour and the Big Pineapple. Pull up for the day at one of the many microbreweries or wineries in the area.

EAT: King Ludwig's German Restaurant & Bavarian Beer Bar – a Maleny institution with traditional Alpine cuisine, more than a dozen German beers and chalet views across the Glass House Mountains. 

DO: Spend the morning at the Irwin's iconic Australia Zoo and catch a croc show at the Crocoseum. 

STAY: Spicers Tamarind Retreat – a rainforest hideaway near Maleny with freestanding villas and a celebrated restaurant and spa.  

Dubbed the ‘home of the manta ray’, Lady Elliot Island is one of the only places on Earth where you can swim with manta rays and turtles in their natural habitat. The 45-hectare island is the southernmost coral cay of Queensland’s World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, reachable via incredibly scenic flights from Bundaberg (30 minutes), Hervey Bay (40 minutes), Brisbane (80 minutes) and the Gold Coast (100 minutes). Lady Elliot Island is also home to an award-winning eco-retreat that hosts up to 100-day guests and 150 overnight guests, offering units, tents and cabins.

EAT: Meals at Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort highlight fresh local seafood and tropical fruit, with an ocean view that’s hard to beat.

DO: Snorkel straight off the beach or take a guided reef walk at low tide to learn the delicate choreography of this marine ecosystem.

STAY: Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort – choose from beachfront cabins or glamping tents. 

With its golden sands and laid-back holiday vibe, the Gold Coast has always been a favourite destination for those seeking a relaxed seaside escape. However, this famous Queensland holiday spot offers more than just a day at the beach. With its rich Indigenous heritage, vibrant markets, heart-pumping adrenaline activities, top-tier restaurants and thriving live music scene, there is plenty to keep you entertained along the coastal strip. For a change of pace, head to the naturally beautiful Gold Coast hinterland where you’ll find an oasis of calm and stunning scenery. Bring your swimsuit and your sense of adventure.

EAT: Lunch at Rick Shores for its cult Moreton Bay bug roll, or Labart for precise, brilliant cooking in Burleigh. For something a bit more casual, Siblings in Kirra is fantastic.

DO: Visit Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary for a day of wildlife encounters or chase nostalgia at one of the city’s many original theme parks. 

STAY: Mondrian Gold Coast, the newest luxury hotel signalling a new chapter for the coast.

If the name didn’t already give it away, the Scenic Rim is truly a spectacular sight. Just an easy 60-minute drive from Brisbane or the Gold Coast, this hinterland region is known as Brisbane’s World Heritage-listed backyard, boasting stunning national parks, lush rainforests and dramatic mountain ranges. Spend your days hiking to hidden waterfalls, enjoying breathtaking mountain vistas and meandering through boutique vineyards. Don’t rush back too – extend your time in the Scenic Rim with a night or three at one of the beautiful cabins, farm stays or luxury lodges.

EAT: The Paddock at Beechmont Estate – a chef-hatted dining room championing hyper-local, farm-to-fork cooking. 

DO: Lace up for a hike in Lamington National Park or Mt Barney, explore boutique vineyards like Witches Falls Winery or drive the winding Scenic Rim Trail. Early risers should join one of the region’s birdwatching walks. 

STAY: O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat is a charming, third-generation family-run lodge in Lamington National Park with treetop walks, sunset lookouts and endless activities for families. 

This tropical gem on Queensland’s north-eastern coast is another gateway to the heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, along with the majestic Magnetic and Hinchinbrook Islands. Whether you want to get wet and wild in the reef or rainforest, Townsville spoils with plenty of outdoor fun. Kick your legs up after a long day of adventure with sunset picnics, spa treatments and a stay at the city’s first luxury hotel. 

EAT: City Lane is a lively cluster of bars and eateries perfect for an evening graze and a stroll.

DO: Take the ferry to Magnetic Island for koala spotting, secluded bays and the island’s famous Forts Walk, or explore the waterfalls and swimming holes of Paluma Range National Park.

STAY: Ardo Hotel is Townsville’s first true five-star stay with ocean-facing rooms, an infinity pool and the city’s best sunset vantage point. 

In North Queensland, Cairns serves as one of the quickest entry points to the Great Barrier Reef, the largest and most stunning coral reef ecosystem on Earth. Beaches surrounding Cairns are downright tropical and destinations in their own right. With Cairns as your hub, you can opt for a luxury cruise, sail through the islands, dive to your heart's content or board a scenic flight. When you’re all dried off, hop back in the car and journey to what Sir David Attenborough called “the most extraordinary place on earth”, the Daintree Rainforest. It's bigger than the entire area of Sydney, millions of years older than the Amazon and you can stay in it in luxe treehouses hidden in the rainforest canopy.

EAT: Ochre Restaurant is a refined but unpretentious take on Australiana, showcasing native ingredients like crocodile, kangaroo and Davidson plum.

DO: Dive, snorkel or sail through the turquoise maze of reefs aboard a catamaran.

STAY: Silky Oaks Lodge is the north’s crown jewel – a rainforest retreat with treehouses floating above the Mossman River. 

High on the Great Dividing Range, Toowoomba is the kind of inland city that surprises even Queenslanders – all heritage homes, tree-lined streets and a creative streak that runs deeper than its country charm suggests. Dramatic arbours of Camphor Laurel trees shade grand old avenues, while laneways come alive with espresso machines, murals and a sense of quiet pride in doing things properly. Beyond the blooms, there’s a thriving food and art scene, boutique shopping and just enough small-town nostalgia to make it feel like a real escape.

EAT: Loulaki – a Mediterranean-inspired gem with ouzo cocktails and massive share plates built around local produce.

DO: Time your visit for spring and see the city at its most vibrant during any one of its many festivals: Carnival of Flowers, Festival of Food and Wine, Gather and Graze or the Curve Ball. 

STAY: Potters Boutique Hotel – perfectly located for exploring the city’s gardens, cafés and gallery trail.

This tropical town in Far North Queensland is the perfect blend of laid-back and luxe. From seriously spectacular resorts with lagoon pool set-ups to casual fish and chip shops dotted along the main strip, it really offers the best of both worlds. Port Douglas is so far north that the best time to escape here is actually in winter when the sun comes out to play and the rain and jellyfish stay away. If visiting means summer all year round, we can’t really say no, can we?

EAT: Salsa Bar & Grill is a Port Douglas icon, and perpetually busy for good reason. 

DO: Stroll along Four Mile Beach, then sail out to the Low Isles or the outer reef for snorkelling in the bluest water imaginable. 

STAY: Sheraton Grand Mirage remains the grande dame in the area. For something more private and luxe, Niramaya Villas & Spa offers open-air pavilions and deep soaking tubs built for tropical afternoons.

A 75-minute ferry from Brisbane, Moreton Island is the world’s third-largest sand island – an unspoiled sweep of turquoise lagoons, rolling dunes and off-grid adventure that makes a long weekend feel like an expedition. With just one hotel, Tangalooma Island Resort, the rest of the island is pure choose-your-own adventure: pitch a tent right on the sand, set up camp behind the dunes or join the convoy of 4WDs carving their way along the beach highways. Days call for snorkelling around rusted shipwrecks, dune tobogganing and sunset dolphin feedings at Tangalooma. And because this is Southeast Queensland, you can leave the stinger suit at home. 

EAT: The Beach Café for an unfussy steak and a cold beer.

DO: Hand-feed wild dolphins at dusk (a true pinch-me moment) or visit between June and October for front-row humpback whale sightings – the boat tours guarantee sightings. 

STAY: Tangalooma Island Resort if you want your creature comforts with a Piña Colada, or pitch a tent right on the sand. 

A friendly, sleepy seaside village waits for you at Peregian Beach, located just over ten kilometres south of Noosa Heads. Its neighbouring beaches are just as lovely, but the quiet ambience and shade of the village square paired with the diverse range of boutique shops, cafés and restaurants is unbeatable. Perigean is the perfect distance from the Noosa National Park, Mount Coolum and stunning neighbouring beaches.

EAT: Periwinkle for French coastal classics, local seafood and a smart wine list. For a more casual bite, Outer Square serves up great coffee and fresh pastries.

DO: Wander the Peregian Markets (first and third Sunday each month) for local art, ceramics and produce, or make the short hike up Mount Coolum for one of the best sunrise views on the coast. 

STAY: Essence Peregian Beach for architect-designed villas big enough for the whole family, a resort-style pool and lush landscaping that makes you feel worlds away. 

In the vast and vibrant landscape of Outback Queensland, you'll find a warm and inviting atmosphere, where friendly locals are eager to share stories, crack a cold one and embody the true essence of Outback hospitality. The pinnacle of the bush, towns in Queensland’s far west are an essential part of Queensland’s tapestry. If you’re road-tripping, be sure to pull off in Longreach and check out the Stockman’s Hall of Fame before arriving in Birdsville, a once-in-a-lifetime experience of a town. Have a beer with locals at the infamous Birdsville Hotel, book a charter flight over the Diamantina channel, Lake Eyre and the Simpson Desert, or (our favourite) board the Big Red Dune Sunset Desert Tour. If you organise your trip for July or September you’ll make it in time for the Birdsville Big Red Run, afterparty Big Red Bash and the Birdsville Races.

EAT: The Birdsville Hotel is easily the town’s best dining room – a century-old outback pub serving steaks, schnitzels and stories as thick as the gravy. 

Do: Climb Big Red, the tallest sand dune in the Simpson Desert.

Stay: The Birdsville Hotel offers simple but welcome comforts after a long drive into town, like air-con and clean sheets. For something a bit more rustic, pitch your swag right on the edge of the desert.