The red hot outback, the lush green rainforests, the golden beaches and sunshine, the cool blue coast, the living kaleidoscope of the Great Barrier Reef, and the colorful towns and people is what Queensland is made of. Queensland is big, bold, bright and beautiful. Australians know it as the “Sunshine State”. As the old saying goes, “beautiful one day, perfect the next”.

This is the holiday capital of Australia, attracting visitors from around the country and around the world, all year round.

There’s no part of Queensland more colorful than the people. You’ll find the locals friendly, helpful and more than accommodating. The Sunshine State contains so many amazing attractions Australia is famous for. It’s brimming with exciting cities, sunshine and pristine natural attractions. Queensland has a character and relaxing nature unlike anywhere else in the world.

Queensland is big. Covering 1,727,000 square kilometers, it is Australia’s second largest State after Western Australia. It represents more than a quarter of the country’s total area. And it’s the fastest growing State in Australia, with a current population of over three million people.

To put Queensland in perspective, it’s more than seven times the size of the United Kingdom, more than four and half time the size of Japan, around six and half times the size of New Zealand, more than five times the size of Texas. Yet Queensland is relatively un-crowded.

Queensland is such a vast land that Flying Doctors are called to take medical care to remote communities. A School of the Air delivers education via two-way radio to distant school children. And the world’s longest mail run – the Channel Country Run – is an air service stretching from North-West Queensland into South Australia.

Despite the size of Queensland, getting here and getting around is easy. With three international airports – Brisbane, Townsville and Cairns – you can arrive in just the right place. Throughout the State, major towns, regions and attractions are linked by air, rail and road. A four-wheel-drive vehicle will give you access to some of the more remote, out of the way locations.

The Brisbane Region includes the state’s capital and has long been a popular holiday destination. In the heart of it all is Brisbane, a city with so much to offer – quality shopping, fine dining and a 24 hour casino as well as a variety of museums, galleries, theatres, wildlife parks and sanctuaries. Located in the south-east corner of the state, this is a dynamic and exciting tourist region including such highlights as beautiful Bribie Island and Moreton Bay, and charming towns such as Gatton and Boonah in the west. This region is Queensland’s most densely populated and boasts gorgeous weather all year round.

Located in the far south-east corner of Queensland, the Gold Coast Region is an ideal holiday destination with its world famous surf beaches, sub-tropical rainforests, thrill-a-minute theme parks, wildlife sanctuaries and quaint hinterland villages.

The towering skyline, sophistication and glamour of Surfers Paradise forms the hub of the region while the hinterland provides spectacular views, bushwalks and a forest retreat away from the city. Moving west from the coastline, the terrain climbs steadily to 1000 meters and to the breathtaking views of the Numinbah Valley and Springbrook. Mt Tamborine and Lamington National Park (Australia’s largest preserved natural sub-tropical rainforest) provide a backdrop to the Beaudesert Shire.

The Sunshine Coast Region stretches from the Glass House Mountains to the Noosa Everglades and the Fraser Coast – South Burnett area. This magnificent region embraces spectacular beaches, mountain ranges and the rolling green hills of the hinterland. The beauty is immense but the region’s real appeal lies in its conscious effort to retain the environment and natural surrounds. Walk through lush rainforests and observe the wildlife, or enjoy a picnic beside a country river. The Sunshine Coast is best described as peaceful, serene and natural and makes a perfect holiday retreat.

The Fraser Coast Region has an incredible diversity of experiences on offer and an amazing variety of landscapes. It has long surf beaches, freshwater lakes, pure white sands, cliffs and gorges in shades of yellow, red and orange. Each year the friendly humpback whales come to play in the sheltered waters of Hervey Bay. The town of Maryborough is rich in history while the majestic Bunya Mountains provide a beautiful backdrop for the region, its rich farmlands and old mining villages.

The Bundaberg Region encompasses many great experiences, making it a great holiday location. This area marks the southern starting point of the Great Barrier Reef which begins with coral reefs fringing the shoreline and coral cays Lady Elliot and Lady Musgrave Islands. With over 140 kilometers of un-spoilt beaches and clear turquoise waters, the Bundaberg Region is home to many marine creatures. Humpback whales pass close to the shoreline when migrating and Australia’s largest mainland turtle rookery can be found at Mon Repos Beach near Bundaberg. Discover the sense of history mixed with wilderness adventures and rural experiences in this charming area.

The Mackay Region contains many facets that make it a worthwhile tourist destination. Features such as rainforests, mountains and gorges, rich plains and estuarine streams, beaches, islands and the Great Barrier Reef all add to its appeal. Mackay is a prosperous town that thrives on the commerce of sugar and the mines several hundred kilometers inland.

Natural beauty abounds in the Whitsunday Region. Journey to the Great Barrier Reef from Australia’s second busiest marina at Shute Harbor near the lively town of Airlie Beach. Admire superb rainforests in the national parks and tropical islands with glorious beaches surrounded by pristine blue waters. Undoubtedly the jewel in this area’s crown is the magnificent Whitsunday Islands, 74 idyllic islands dotted along the coastline in some of the safest sailing waters in the world. Many islands are national parks, some are deserted just waiting for you to explore them, and others’ offer the last word in luxury. Minutes away from the coastline, is the delightful town of Proserpine which has a thriving sugar industry, giant fish-filled dam and lush rainforests nearby at Conway National Park.

The reef, rainforest and golden west come together in the Townsville Region to create one of the most beautiful places in the world. The city of Townsville is the commercial centre of this fascinating and thriving region which extends north to Mission Beach, west to Charters Towers, and south to Bowen and east to Magnetic Island. Nature has plenty of surprises in store as you discover the magic of two of Australia’s most spectacular natural attractions – the Great Barrier Reef and the World Heritage listed rainforests of North Queensland. Marvel at the region’s natural wonders and enjoy its unique fishing, boating and diving opportunities.

From Cape York in the north to Mission Beach in the south, cool rainforests, exotic reefs, islands and coral cays, the Tropical North Queensland Region offers an unforgettable holiday experience. Cairns is the heart of the Tropical North and provides the ideal base for exploring and enjoying the rich, varied pleasures of the region. This colorful and sophisticated capital of the Tropical North is alive with style and charm. The northern tropics is internationally recognized for its World Heritage listed reefs, rainforests and outback areas. Discover un-spoilt beaches such as Yorkeys Knob, Trinity Beach and Palm Cove situated north of Cairns on the Marlin Coast. Take a scenic drive north to Port Douglas and experience the Greater Daintree and Cape Tribulation World Heritage National Parks. Visit the quaint rainforest village of Kuranda and delight in its charm. The historical town of Cooktown is set on the edge of Cape York – one of Australia’s last stretches of primal wilderness embracing Aboriginal reserves, huge cattle stations, national parks and almost inaccessible escarpments. The Atherton Tablelands, a plateau of the Great Dividing Range averaging a height of 762 meters, links the tropical coast and outback with a vast expanse of rolling hills, rainforests , pasturelands and long extinguished volcanic crater lakes.