Must-Visit Attractions In Queensland Australia

From the obvious to the unusual, here are 20 of the very best things to see and do while making your way across Queensland – also known as the sunshine state.
Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

Great Barrier Reef

Natural Feature
It’s the world’s largest living structure, comprised of more than 3,000 coral reefs, 600 islands and 300 coral cays, and it’s home to thousands of tropical fish species as well as sharks, dolphins, turtles, dugongs and more. Needless to say, you could swim, surf, snorkel, sail and scuba for months and still not see everything this amazing part of the world has to offer.

Fraser Island

Natural Feature

© John Quixley – Australia / Alamy Stock Photo

It’s the world’s largest sand island and one of the best island escapes in the country. Whether you camp or stay in a luxury eco resort, you’ll enjoy the ancient rainforests, freshwater lakes, sandstone cliffs, rock pools and 75 Mile Beach.

Kuranda Scenic Railway

Natural Feature
The town of Kuranda itself is charming and folksy, but its scenic railway offers a journey you’ll remember for the rest of your life. You can take the steam train that winds through the rainforest and along the gorge, or glide over the treetops in the cable car.

Queensland Cultural Centre

Museum

© patrick-reinig.com / Alamy Stock Photo

The cluster of monolithic, angular buildings across the river from Brisbane’s central business district are home to the state’s best classic and modern art collections, library, museum collections, performance centres and more.

Tangalooma Wrecks

Natural Feature
A short swim off the coast of Brisbane’s Moreton Island, the fifteen rusty hulls of the Tangalooma Wrecks make for an unforgettable scuba or snorkelling experience.

Capricorn Caves

Natural Feature
Venture beneath the craggy limestone ridges of the Berserker Range to discover an incredible cave system. Follow the boardwalk or abseil directly into the heart of the cavernous underground chambers.

Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and Outback Heritage Centre

Museum
There are countless pioneer museums dotted throughout the outback, but few are as engaging, interactive or innovative. This Longreach based museum is a tribute to the outback explorers, the early pioneers and Indigenous Australians.

Mossman Gorge

Natural Feature

© Fire&Ice / Stockimo / Alamy Stock Photo

This boulder-strewn valley valley is a stand out spot in the already impeccable Daintree National Park. The Mossman River runs crystal clear and is perfect for a lazy swim.

Australia Zoo

Zoo
It’s not the only zoo in Queensland, but thanks to its founder – the late Steve Irwin – it’s certainly the most famous. A short drive from Brisbane, it’s the perfect spot to see crocodiles, snakes, dingos, wombats and a whole host of amazing Australian critters.

Historic Village Herberton

Historical Landmark
With more than 50 lovingly restored heritage buildings, this historic township gives far more insight into early Australian life than any regular museum trip.

Australian Age of Dinosaurs

Museum

The Australian Age of Dinosaurs museum building – a hunking mass of iron perched on a red dirt plateau – is impressive in itself. But the collection inside, including two locally found dinosaur fossils, needs to be seen to be believed.

Mount Hypipamee National Park

Park

Surrounded by lush tropical rainforest, the Mount Hypipamee Crater is a breathtaking 70m (230ft) wide, 138m (453ft) deep crater. The lush green of the waterweed that sits on top of the crater lake provide stunning contrast to the stark grey granite walls.

SkyPoint Observation Deck

Building

There are thousands of things to do on the Gold Coast and you have the chance to see them all from above at this 230m (755ft) tall observation deck in the heart of Surfers Paradise.

Boireann Wines

Wine Seller, Wine
Of all the wineries and vineyards around Stanthorpe, the French and Italian-style wines of Boireann Wines are perhaps the most highly regarded.

Min Min Encounter

Natural Feature
The locals can’t really explain the strange lights that appear in the sky near Boulia, and you probably won’t be able to explain this weirdly wonderful show either.

Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park

Natural Feature

There are more than 500 limestone caves to explore in this national park. While they’re all impressive, make sure you visit the caves at Mungana and Wullumba to experience the ancient Aboriginal rock art, painted on the cave walls.

Hou Wang Temple

Shrine, Museum
It’s not the most ornate Chinese temple in the world, but with its corrugated-iron cladding and gold-rush era establishment, it’s certainly one of the most unique.

Carnarvon Gorge National Park

Natural Feature

This majestic gorge runs for 30km (18.6 miles) through the rugged ranges of Queensland’s highlands. From 200m (656ft) tall sandstone cliffs to the quiet waterholes, there’re plenty of reasons to lace up your hiking boots and explore.

Big Red

Natural Feature

© Manfred Gottschalk / Alamy Stock Photo

This massive, 40m (131ft) tall wave of red sand is the first of more than 1,000 parallel dunes that stretch across the Simpson Desert. This lovingly nicknamed dune is a source of inspiration for photographers and an unnerving challenge for four-wheel drivers.

Charleville Bilby Experience

Zoo
They are incredibly tiny, absolutely adorable, and nearly impossible to spot in the wild. Take this rare opportunity to see Australia’s answer to the Easter Bunny up close.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.