Explore Queensland

In Queensland you will find many of the attractions Australia is famous for – the Great Barrier Reef, Fraser Island, the beaches, Indigenous culture, amusement parks, dense tropical rainforests and the vast outback. Sydney and Melbourne are just one hour and two hours respectively by air. Below are some popular student destinations.

Gold Coast

Just an hour south of Brisbane is the world famous Gold Coast with its famed beaches, theme parks, shopping and more.

With a 70 kilometre stretch of wide golden beaches, World Heritage listed rainforests, theme parks, shopping, nightlife and a perfect sub-tropical year round climate of clear blue skies and warm sunny days, the Gold Coast is one of Australia's most popular holiday playgrounds.

Getting there: The Gold Coast is an hour’s drive down the freeway from Brisbane. Alternately, you can catch the train from Brisbane to the Gold Coast, which also takes about an hour.

Sunshine Coast

Head an hour north of Brisbane and you can find a variety of outstanding beaches but at a quieter pace than on the Gold Coast.
The Sunshine Coast's golden beaches stretch for over 65 kilometres, broken only by an occasional headland or the clear waters of a river estuary. But there is more to the region than its stunning beaches. There are also secluded coves, rainforests, waterfalls and quaint mountain villages, all set within a dramatic landscape of beaches, sugar and pineapple farms and bold volcanic peaks.

Coastal townships like Caloundra, Mooloolaba, Maroochydore, Coolum and Noosa are synonymous with the traditional Australian beach holiday. The Sunshine Coast is also known for its award-winning golf courses, beachfront apartments and alfresco dining and, above all, its relaxed way of life.

Getting there: The Sunshine Coast starts one hour north of Brisbane and can be easily reached by car or train.

Australia Zoo

Australia Zoo is located on the Sunshine Coast but it is worthy of its own section. Made internationally famous by the late Steve Irwin, better known as the ‘Crocodile Hunter’, the zoo is the best place in Australia to find out about and interact with the weird and wonderful native animals in Australia.

Getting there: You can catch the train to Beerwah from Brisbane or catch a courtesy bus from one of many pick up locations on the Sunshine Coast. If travelling by car it is approximately 60 minutes from Brisbane. For more information please visit the Australia Zoo website.

Whale-watching at Hervey Bay

Hervey Bay is a three and a half-hour drive from Brisbane. During August and September, this town turns into the ‘whale watch capital of the world’. A trip among the humpback whales is an experience of a lifetime and there are many tours available. These animals weigh 45 tonnes and are 15 metres long, making them true giants.

Getting there: Most people travel to Hervey Bay by car. The Bruce Highway cuts through this region, making the town easily accessible. Regular bus services are also available from Brisbane to Hervey Bay.

Surfing at North Stradbroke Island

Some of the best beaches in South-East Queensland can be found at Point Lookout on North Stradbroke Island. The beaches at Point Lookout offer challenges for the beginner and experienced surfer, as well as beautiful scenery and a rich marine life. Diving and fishing is popular and you may spot a dolphin or two. During winter, you can enjoy lunch at the Laughing Buddha Café while watching the whales pass by on their way to Hervey Bay.

Getting there: Most people reach the island by taking a bus or train to Cleveland in Brisbane’s east and then catching a water taxi or ferry to the island. There is a bus service on the island that will take you to Point Lookout. The journey will take two to three hours, depending on how you travel.

Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest reef structure in the world and stretches more than 2000 kilometres along the Queensland coastline, so vast that it can be seen from outer space. In the heart of Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef lie the Whitsundays.

There are 74 islands in the Whitsunday region and the paradise-like surroundings offer something for everyone: snorkelling, scuba diving, wind surfing, sailing, fishing, bushwalking, para-sailing or just sitting or lying under a palm tree. Sailing the Whitsundays is probably the best way to explore these waters and take advantage of the range of activities available. You can choose between bareboat charter, a fully chartered boat or day-cruises.

Getting there: Most people fly from Brisbane to Proserpine, near Airlie Beach, and then charter a boat to the Whitsunday Islands. You can also travel by bus from Brisbane to Airlie Beach. A car journey will take about two days.

Indigenous culture

Visitors to Queensland can learn about the State’s Indigenous heritage and culture through local people, traditions and way of life. Take a trek into an ancient rainforest. Take a canoe ride through a tranquil lagoon or learn to craft spears and catch fish in the traditional way.

You can also discover the colours of the earth in the traditional rock arts sites around Queensland. Preserved for thousands of years, the sites record the stories of the Dreamtime and give visitors a unique insight into this ancient way of life.