Big 5 Queensland Adventures

If you’re looking for a total explosion of action packed days and fun filled nights, then look no further than the fun and diverse city of Australia’s Gold Coast – less than one hour’s drive south of Brisbane.

Famous for its easy living lifestyle and world class beaches at your doorstop. Choose your spot along the 70 kilometre long stretch of sand and sea where you can learn to surf, play beach volleyball or just sit back and soak up the sun. For a completely different experience, just a short drive from the coast, discover 100,000 sprawling hectares of lush world heritage listed rainforest. Who’d have thought you could go surfing in the morning and be relaxing in a rainforest waterfall by the afternoon?

Surfers Paradise is the place to go for a massive range of shops, cafes, restaurants and the now legendary nightlife. After a day in the sun head out to the many bars and clubs scattered throughout Surfers – all open till the early hours, or grab a bargain at the Surfers Paradise Night Markets on Wednesday and Friday night. The region is also a hub for some major events to add to your ‘must visit’ list; including the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Surfing Championships, Armor All Gold Coast 600 V8 (Supercars) Carnivale, Tastes of Gold Coast Festival and Australia’s Big Day Out music festival.

Thrill seeking takes many forms throughout Australia’s Gold Coast and you’re only limited by your own imagination. So whether you’re a nature lover, an adrenalin junkie, or simply in search of the ultimate Aussie getaway, the Gold Coast has you covered. Look to where fun and excitement is served in spades and you’re guaranteed the best experience.

Why not start your Big Queensland Adventure flying from Europe direct to Queensland’s capital city, Brisbane? It’s a city defined by its youthful spirit and friendliness of the locals, mixing an enviable easy going outdoors lifestyle and great weather year round with an energetic cosmopolitan vibe. Home to a massive choice of budget accommodation and a multitude of attractions, you may find you stay a lot longer than you first planned.
 
Basking under clear blue skies and year round sunshine Brisbane is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts with dedicated walkways and cycle paths crossing the city, alfresco dining, open air markets and glorious subtropical climate. The city extends either side of the mighty Brisbane River, from here you’ll get the best vantage points of the city skyline and the most adventure too. Spend time cycling riverside, take to the water and kayak downstream, scale exhilarating heights to the top of the iconic Story Bridge (one of only 3 bridge climbs in the world) for views as far as the eye can see, or climb up then abseil down the historical Kangaroo Point Cliffs.

Just outside the city you’ll find crystal clear water, pristine beaches and fun in the sun on Moreton Island, only a 75 minute ferry transfer across the bay. Here you can do it all – sail, snorkel, surf, sand board, swim, kayak, ski or simply scope out the native marine life such as dolphins, turtles and dugongs all in one day. Visit between June and November for whale watching season and get up close and personal with hump back whales during their annual migration.

Find yourself switching on the National Geographic Channel and wishing you were there? Come to Queensland and you can be! Over the summer the National Geographic Channel screened a six part show on Queensland showcasing the natural environment at its best, but why not experience it firsthand?

Whether it’s the breathtaking natural landscapes; from stunning stretches of unspoilt beaches and islands to the hundreds of national parks and forests and sprawling Outback. Or getting up close and personal with the local wildlife in their natural habitat and a great number of wildlife sanctuaries; perfect for guaranteed sightings where you can hold koalas, snakes, crocodiles and learn about all of Australia’s native wildlife from the experts. There are so many big natural wonders to be explored.

Queensland boasts an incredible five World Heritage-listed sites, one of the most famous sites is the spectacular Great Barrier Reef - covering 35 million hectares the reef is home to 1,500 brilliantly coloured species of fish and 400 types of coral. Close by in the tropics is the World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest (the oldest surviving tropical rainforest in the world), home to the most species of plants and animals in Australia!

Far from the coast you’ll discover true Aussie characters, red hills, plains that stretch to eternity and spectacular sunsets, otherwise known as Queensland’s Outback. Marvel at ancient dinosaur footprints, experience a Queensland farm stay complete with sheep mustering and sheering, or perhaps enjoy a drink with a local at one of the many Outback pubs. It’ll be a flamin’ marvellous experience - Fair dinkum!

Hang ten on the surf beaches of Southern Queensland, watch whales and dolphins leaping from the ocean, brag about your trip to one of the world’s top beaches, Whitehaven Beach (Whitsundays), or simply relax with a fruity cocktail along palm-fringed tropical beaches and islands dotted along the Great Barrier Reef. The Great Barrier Reef is dotted with more than 600 islands, 2500 individual reefs and 25 island resorts.

One of the regions famous for its island hopping and sailing adventures is the Whitsundays - 74 stunning islands in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. Spend your days sailing around the idyllic islands. Find your own deserted beaches for endless hours of lazing in the sunshine and snorkelling. By night sleep on a boat in a sheltered bay or on one of the islands campsites and enjoy the spectacular night sky.

For any surfers out there, head to Southern Queensland’s beaches along the Gold and Sunshine Coasts for the best conditions. The Gold Coast is famous for its world class beaches patrolled by the iconic Aussie lifesavers and surfers in the know visit renowned point breaks at Burleigh, Kirra and Snapper Rocks. And if you fancy yourself as a bit of a pro head for the Great Barrier Reef off Agnes Waters – one of the few places in Australia where you can surf the Outer Barrier Reef!

The north of Queensland also boasts beautiful tropical beaches. Chill out with the locals at one of the beachside villages just north of Cairns. Yorkeys Knob, Trinity and Ellis beaches are brilliant laid back stretches of golden sand and drive just an hour north of Cairns to Port Douglas to see the stunning Four Mile Beach. From the Cairns region you also have great access to the Great Barrier Reef and its islands – take a day trip to Frankland Islands, Green Island and the Low Isles to experience island life on a budget. 

Don’t leave Queensland without getting a little crazy in the Cairns region – Australia’s Adventure Capital. World Heritage rainforest, sparkling freshwater rivers, panoramic views and THE Great Barrier Reef. Team it with bungy jumping, 4WD Safaris, sky diving and white water rafting and you’ll start to get an idea of what Cairns & Great Barrier Reef region is all about!

The region is also recognised for its superb natural experiences. On your doorstep are magnificent waterfalls, lush tropical rainforests, accessible outback and pristine coastal beaches. A short 30 minute drive north-west of Cairns is Kuranda, a quaint village nestled among World Heritage-listed rainforest and a gateway to hot air ballooning, ATV rides (quad bikes) and the outback. Just north of Cairns is the famous Daintree Rainforest where you can explore with a treetop canopy walk or cruise down the river spotting crocodiles. Further north discover white sandy beaches, picnic areas, rainforest walks, horse riding, ocean kayaking and try Jungle Surfing (zip-lining over the treetops) if you’re looking for a rainforest thrill – it’s all part of Cape Tribulation – the only place where two World Heritage points sit side by side, the reef and the rainforest.

The Cairns & Great Barrier region isn’t called the Adventure Capital of Australia for nothing. If the Daintree and Great Barrier Reef’s activities leave you wanting more excitement, head south from Cairns to the Mission Beach and Tully region. A true Aussie coastal village, it offers reef trips, skydiving, world class white-water rafting, Blokarting (land yachting!) and access to magnificent islands a stone’s throw from the coast. Further south you’ll reach Townsville a beautiful and vibrant tropical city with access to idyllic Magnetic Island – home to Australia’s largest koala population and where once a month you can party all night at the popular Full Moon parties!