What to See in Queensland, Australia: 19 Epic Places to Explore

There are so many epic places when considering what to see in Queensland, Australia! The second largest state in Australia is home to one of the most famous natural wonders in the world: the Great Barrier Reef.

You also have access to the Outback, there’s Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays, and the Daintree Rainforest. Of course, with a limited time, you’ll only be able to do so much. Use this list to help you narrow your top picks!

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The Great Barrier Reef

When considering what to see in Queensland, one of its most famous natural wonders is probably high on your list already. The Great Barrier Reef is massive and spread out, so there’s a lot of options to see it! The reef stretches from Bundaberg up to the tip of Cape York Peninsula.

I’ve explained the options more in depth and even how you can see the Great Barrier Reef on a budget. Most people will head to Cairns or Port Douglas for day trips to the reef and flying into Cairns is recommended due to the size of Australia!

I saw the Great Barrier Reef with a day trip from Cairns, but I’d consider Port Douglas or a Liveaboard on a return visit. The photograph above is from my sister who lives in Australia when she did a day trip from Port Douglas.

Plan for three to five days depending on how much time on the reef you want and other area attractions.

SCUBA Diving and LIVEABOARDS

If you are SCUBA certified, then consider Liveaboards. I snorkeled a portion of the Great Barrier Reef on a day trip from Cairns. However, now that I’m open water certified, I’d consider a Liveaboard for an even more immersive experience of the Great Barrier Reef.

Even if you are not certified, snorkeling might be an option or you can get certified on the reef! What better place?!

If you decide to SCUBA dive, it is recommended that you do not fly for a full 24 hours after your last dive. If you are already certified, you would know this, but in case you are considering getting certified, you will need to give yourself an extra day if you plan on flying out of Cairns. Additionally, you will need to avoid any scenic flights, skydiving, and the like that would reach a high altitude within 24 hours of your last dive.

If I ever make it back to the Great Barrier Reef, I’d probably go for something like this Liveaboard to the Osprey Reef. It’s considered one of the best spots, but this four nights on a Liveaboard is not as budget friendly as some of the other options. However, if you are looking to just go big, and you fancy diving with sharks, then consider this one!

Check availability for 4-Day PADI Open Water Dive Course – Learn to Dive on the Great Barrier Reef

Cairns

Cairns is one of the best bases for exploring tropical North Queensland. From here, you can take day trips to the Great Barrier Reef, Kuranda and the Daintree Rainforest, or simply enjoy the waterfront and city itself.

I stayed in Cairns when I visited the Great Barrier Reef and found it a convenient base for exploring the area. Plan for two to four days depending on how many day trips you want to take.

Great Barrier Reef Day Trips from Cairns

Multi-Day Trips from Cairns

2 Day Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation

Port Douglas

Port Douglas is a beautiful coastal town in Far North Queensland and a popular base for exploring the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest. Spend some time relaxing at Four Mile Beach, stroll through the town, or take a reef or wildlife tour from the marina.

If you want to combine the reef and rainforest in one trip, Port Douglas is a convenient alternative to staying in Cairns. Plan for two to three days depending on how many excursions you want to take.

Port Douglas Great Barrier Reef Tours

Magnetic Island

A short ferry ride from Townsville, Magnetic Island offers a more laid-back way to experience the Great Barrier Reef as a fringing reef. You can snorkel right off the beach without needing a boat tour.

I haven’t been to Magnetic Island myself, but it’s a well-reviewed, budget-friendly stop if you’re already in the Townsville area.

Kuranda Scenic railway - Cairns, Australia | How to See the Great Barrier Reef on a Budget

Kuranda and the Kuranda Scenic Railway

The Kuranda Scenic Railway is a beautiful way to travel from Cairns into the rainforest-covered mountains around Kuranda. The historic railway winds through Barron Gorge National Park, passing waterfalls, steep mountain scenery and more than a dozen tunnels along the way.

Once you arrive in Kuranda, you can explore the village, visit the markets and enjoy the surrounding rainforest. It’s an especially good option if you want to experience the rainforest without spending the day hiking.

I have yet to do this, but the photo is from my sister who lives in Australia and did this with her family.

The below tours are great options if you don’t rent a car and are based in Cairns. Or for another way to experience the rainforest, you can take a day trip from Cairns to go tubing on the Mulgrave River. It’s a more adventurous option, floating down the river surrounded by tropical rainforest rather than simply sightseeing from a train.

Daintree Rainforest

The Daintree is one of the oldest tropical rainforests in the world and pairs naturally with a Cairns or Port Douglas base. Explore Mossman Gorge, take a river cruise in search of crocodiles, or drive up to Cape Tribulation where the rainforest meets the reef.

I haven’t done an overnight stay in the Daintree myself, but my sister and her family have! It’s an easy add-on day trip from either Cairns or Port Douglas.

Atherton Tablelands

The Atherton Tablelands offer a different side of Tropical North Queensland, with waterfalls, crater lakes, rainforest and wildlife spread across the highlands southwest of Cairns. You can visit places such as Millaa Millaa Falls, explore the volcanic crater lakes around Lake Eacham and Lake Barrine, or look for wildlife in the rainforest.

It’s a good option if you’ve already planned time around Cairns, the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree and want to add another day or two of exploring inland.

Plan for one to two days, although you could easily spend longer if you want to explore the region at a slower pace.

Whitehaven Beach, the Whitsundays. What to see in Queensland, Australia

Whitsundays and Whitehaven Beach

Easily one of my fondest memories is sailing the Whitsundays and playing soccer on Whitehaven Beach. This experience was quite a long time ago at this point and I don’t even remember this being on our radar.

We just were just driving the east coast either heading to Cairns or back from Cairns, and stopped in Airlie Beach. We booked a sailing trip and ended up with a Captain from Italy and a Skipper from New Zealand. The food was delicious! The views were beautiful! It was winter there and I remember the water being cold (for this warm weather girl), but not unbearable.

Unless you want to fill up more than half your trip with the Great Barrier Reef, then you will likely choose Cairns/Port Douglas or The Whitsundays and not both. So I’m suggesting three to five days as a minimum. If you are not up for roughing it on a sailboat, you can take day trips to Whitehaven Beach or to the Great Barrier Reef while staying in Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island. The Whitsundays are paradise and the reef is close. It’s worth a trip to this beautiful slice of paradise!

Day Trips from Airlie Beach

Multi-day Whitsundays and Great Barrier Reef

Cape Hillsborough – Sunrise on the beach with Kangaroos

Cape Hillsborough is only an hour and half south from Airlie Beach. There looks to be some tour operators who leave early to catch the sunrise in Cape Hillsborough. Alternatively, you could rent a car for a day, or overnight in that area, but sunrise with kangaroos on the beach sounds magical.

Add on a day to your Whitsundays holiday or add on a couple and stay in the area a night or two to really explore.

How to Get to the Whitsundays and Cape Hillsborough.

For the Whitsundays, you can fly to Proserpine (Airlie Beach’s nearest airport) or direct to Hamilton Island. The closest airport to Cape Hillsborough is Mackay.

However, there appears to better flight deals to the Whitsundays two airport options. Additionally, Proserpine has the most nonstop flight options making it the easiest airport to fly from to your next destination. Consider one way plane ticket options into and out of these airports.

Heron Island, Wilson Island and Lady Elliot Island

If experiencing the Great Barrier Reef is a priority, don’t overlook the southern Great Barrier Reef around Heron Island, Wilson Island, and Lady Elliot Island. Staying on one of these islands gives you a very different experience from taking a day trip to the reef from Cairns or Port Douglas.

Heron Island is a good choice if you want easy access to snorkeling, diving and abundant marine life. Wilson Island is a much smaller and more secluded option, with a limited number of guests and a more intimate glamping experience. Lady Elliot Island is particularly known for snorkeling, diving, turtles and manta rays.

These islands require more planning than a typical reef day trip and are best suited to travelers who want to make the Great Barrier Reef a major part of their Queensland trip. Plan for two to three days for an island stay.

Butterfly Lake; what to see in Queensland

K’gari (Fraser Island)

My east coast drive of Australia was a long time ago, but I have fond memories of seeing a Butterfly Lake and a shipwreck on a beach from a small plane tour. A little google search confirms they are sights from K’gari (Fraser Island).

There are plenty of tours to choose from for your Australia vacation ranging from day trips to multi-day trips! If you prefer a day trip, you can stay in Hervey Bay or Rainbow Beach. Add whale watching to your itinerary if you’re in the area from July to October.

Plan for one to three days depending on what you want to do in the area.

Day Trips for K’gari (Fraser Island)

Multi-day Trips for K’gari (Fraser Island)

How to Get to Fraser Island

Fraser island is accessible most commonly by ferry, but flying over on a small plane is also an option.

To get to this area, you can fly into Hervey Bay. Alternatively, if you want to fly into Brisbane, the drive here will take about three and half hours. You can stop along the way at the Sunshine Coast, Australia Zoo, or Glass House Mountains to break up the drive.

Brisbane

Sydney and Melbourne are the big cities in Australia, and Brisbane didn’t stand out as one of my favorite Australian cities when I visited. However, it can be a convenient stop if you’re flying in or out of Queensland and there are plenty of things to see if you have a day or two.

Explore the South Bank area along the Brisbane River, visit the museums and galleries in the cultural precinct, or simply enjoy the city’s restaurants, parks and riverfront. Brisbane also makes a good base for exploring nearby destinations such as the Sunshine Coast, Glass House Mountains, and Gold Coast.

Plan for one to two days if you want to see the highlights of Brisbane, or longer if you’re using it as a base for exploring southeast Queensland.

Gold Coast and Hinterland

The Gold Coast is known for its long sandy beaches, surfing, lively atmosphere and popular attractions, making it a good choice if you want a more energetic beach destination. I’ve been to Surfers Paradise which is the most recognizable area, but there are plenty of other beaches and coastal towns to explore.

For a completely different experience, head inland to the Gold Coast Hinterland, where you can explore rainforest, waterfalls and mountain scenery around places such as Lamington National Park and Tamborine Mountain.

Plan for two to four days if you want to experience both the coast and hinterland, or longer if you’re using the Gold Coast as a base for theme parks and other attractions.

You can even add Byron Bay, which is about two hours south of the Gold Coast by car. This would allow you to combine states and visit one of the popular places in New South Wales.

Sunshine Coast

The Sunshine Coast is a great option if you want beautiful beaches without the busier feel of the Gold Coast. Noosa is one of the most popular stops, with its beaches, restaurants, boutiques and coastal trails through Noosa National Park.

Further south, you can visit the Glass House Mountains or stop at Australia Zoo, making it easy to combine several Sunshine Coast attractions into one road trip.

Plan for two to four days depending on whether you want to focus on the beaches and Noosa or explore more of the surrounding area.

Noosa

Noosa sits on the Sunshine Coast and offers a mix of beach town charm and national park hiking. Noosa National Park has coastal walking trails with koala sightings, and the main street is full of good restaurants and boutique shopping.

It’s a good choice if you’re looking for one of the more upscale, relaxed Sunshine Coast options. Plan for one to three days, depending how much you want to do in the area or just relax.

Glass House Mountains

A short drive from Brisbane, the Glass House Mountains offer dramatic volcanic peaks and good hiking. It’s an easy day trip if you’re staying in Brisbane or driving between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.

Australia Zoo, Glass House Mountains Tour Combo

Australia Zoo

If you’re a Steve Irwin fan or just want to visit a great zoo, Australia Zoo near the Sunshine Coast is worth the stop. It pairs easily with a Glass House Mountains day trip.

I’ve visited and my sister went back with her family more recently. It’s a really fun zoo and I’m saying that as someone who isn’t a big zoo person. I remember getting a little too up close and personal with a kangaroo in the petting area and the crocodile educational show is as great as you’d expect!

Australia Zoo, Glass House Mountains Tour Combo

Carnarvon Gorge

For a completely different side of Queensland, Carnarvon Gorge in the Central Highlands offers dramatic sandstone cliffs, ancient Aboriginal rock art, and permanent water holes in the middle of the Outback. It’s remote, so plan for a proper drive or fly into a nearby regional airport.

I haven’t been to Carnarvon Gorge, but it’s a strong option if you want to see Queensland’s Outback side without going as far as Longreach. Plan for two to three days to make the journey worth it.

Longreach and Outback Queensland

If you want the true Outback experience, Longreach is home to the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and the Qantas Founders Museum. It’s a long way from the coast, so this one is best for travelers with more time or a specific interest in Outback history and culture.

I haven’t visited Longreach myself, but it’s a well-known stop for anyone wanting to go further inland. Plan for two to four days in this more remote part of Queensland.

Final Thoughts on Places to See in Queensland

Queensland packs a punch when it comes to places to see in Queensland! From the pristine Whitehaven beach to the Great Barrier Reef that stretches the majority of its coast, this state has bucket list worthy destinations in Australia.

There are way too many places to pack into one trip, but it’s definitely worth adding some to your Australia itinerary! I really loved the experiences I had in Queensland and would gladly repeat them, which is rare for me.

Whatever you choose for your trip, I hope you have an amazing time and make lasting memories.

If you’re still in the planning stages, check out more Australia guides.