Queensland
Queensland Travel Guide
From the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast to the Great Barrier Reef, outback towns, rainforests, and islands—Queensland (QLD) is built for road trips and family adventures. Use this guide to plan beach escapes, reef and rainforest journeys, outback loops, and accessible experiences.
Highlights
- Gold Coast: Beaches, theme parks, coastal walks
- Sunshine Coast: Boardwalks, bays, hinterland villages
- Great Barrier Reef: Cairns, Port Douglas, Whitsundays
- Rainforests: Daintree, Lamington, Springbrook
- Outback Queensland: Longreach, Winton, dinosaur trails
- Islands: K’gari (Fraser), Moreton, Stradbroke, Hamilton
Major cities and regions
Cities & hubs
Reef, coast & islands
Getting around
Public transport: Translink covers SEQ (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast) with integrated fares (go card). Regional buses and trains serve major coastal hubs.
Driving: Coastal highway drives with short detours to beaches and lookouts; allow longer distances in the north and outback. Check ferry bookings for island access.
Airports: Brisbane (BNE), Gold Coast (OOL), Sunshine Coast (MCY), Cairns (CNS), Townsville (TSV), Whitsunday Coast/Proserpine (PPP).
Accessibility
QLD’s major attractions and beaches increasingly provide step‑free access, beach matting, and accessible amenities. National parks list trail grades and facilities.
- Beaches: Accessible beach wheelchairs and matting at selected beaches (Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Cairns). Check local council pages.
- Parks & trails: Boardwalks and short accessible walks in Lamington, Springbrook, Daintree; coastal esplanades in SEQ.
- Parents’ rooms & adult change: Found in larger centres and malls. See our guides and use filters in the app.
Use the AussieLoo app for accessible toilets, parents’ rooms, and public showers near you.
Road trips and scenic drives
- Pacific Highway (NSW–QLD) — Gold Coast & Northern NSW beaches
- Bruce Highway (Brisbane–Cairns) — Sunshine Coast, Fraser Coast, Whitsundays, Cairns
- Savannah Way — Cairns to the Gulf Country and NT/WA
- Cape York — seasonal 4WD adventure; permits and conditions apply
- Family‑friendly ideas — short drives with Playgrounds and facilities
Events and festivals
- Ekka (Royal Queensland Show) — August
- BLEACH* Festival — August
- Cairns Festival — August/September
- Strand Ephemera — Biennial
Sample 5‑day QLD itinerary
- Day 1–2: Brisbane — South Bank, museums, riverside paths
- Day 3: Sunshine Coast — Boardwalks, beaches, hinterland village
- Day 4: Hervey Bay — Esplanade, whale‑watch season (Jul–Nov)
- Day 5: Airlie Beach — Whitsundays day trip
Practical info
Best time to visit: Coast: year‑round; North: Dry season (May–Oct) for reef/rainforest; Outback: autumn–winter.
Weather: Tropical up north (Wet/Dry), subtropical in SEQ; summer storms and heat—plan earlier starts and shaded breaks.
Facilities: Find toilets, parents’ rooms, and showers on the go with the AussieLoo app.