The 8 best places to visit in Queensland

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.

With its convenient proximity to Brisbane (just an hour's ferry ride away), Moreton Island is an ideal getaway for unwinding in both luxury and nature over a weekend. Whether you opt to camp behind the sandy dunes, rent one of the island's numerous holiday houses or stay at Tangalooma Island Resort, you'll have plenty of opportunities to indulge in swimming, snorkelling and for 4WD owners, cruising the island's beach highways. The hand-feeding wild dolphin experience is a must, as is donning your finest snorkel and exploring the breathtaking Tangalooma Wrecks. Bonus: there are no requirements to wear a stinger suit in Southeast Queensland because there are no Box jellyfish or Irukandji.

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.

This national park in the remote northwest corner of Outback Queensland is an absolute must-do. The park is currently closed due to damage sustained by flooding but when it’s open you can canoe through sparkling emerald water surrounded by soaring vibrant rock, see native wildlife on walking trails and even spend the night camping under the stars. The World Heritage-listed Riversleigh Fossil Site is close by too.

In North Queensland, Cairns and Port Douglas serve as 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 over the Great Barrier Reef, Heart Reef and Whitehaven Beach. 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.

Dramatic arbours of huge Camphor Laurel trees line the streets here, and amidst fresh garden strolls and heritage walks, you can indulge in expertly brewed espresso at stylish cafés, explore an unparalleled urban art scene, sip on afternoon cocktails or catch a show at the theatre. You don’t want to miss the Carnival of Flowers, Festival of Food and Wine, Gather and Graze, or the Curve Ball, so plan trips for September and October.

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.

One of the easier cities in the Sunshine State to fly into, Brisbane is not only home to an affectionately known ‘brown snake’ of a river running straight through the middle of the city, but some of the best hospitality venues, hotels and experiences in the state. Make a beeline to James Street in Fortitude Valley for café culture Queensland style, upscale shopping and farmers markets in the biggest waterfront, jacaranda-lined park in the city.