St. Louis - Queensland & the Great Barrier Reef 6th

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From the surf-loving beaches of the Gold Coast to the wildlife-rich rainforests of the Daintree, Queensland spreads a dazzling array of natural and cultural wonders. The hardest part is deciding where to begin

Queenslands most famous attraction is the astounding aquatic wonderland of the Great Barrier Reef, which stretches for more than 2000km along the coast. The Sunshine State is also home to hundreds of islands, harbouring a remarkable variety of landscapes: giant sand dunes, colourful fringing reefs, and surreal forests growing right in the sand. Youll find idyllic island getaways, remote ocean-fronting camp sites and family-friendly resorts. Back on the mainland, bewitching national parks dot the landscape, with lush rainforests, soaring mountains, sparkling lakes and a staggering array of wildlife that rates from cute and cuddly (koalas) to downright fearsome (crocs). Gateway to the state is the easy-going river city of Brisbane, whose urban charms (great dining, nightlife and the arts) meld seamlessly with the natural environment (riverside cliffs, parklands and botanic gardens). In the south, the glitz and high energy of the Gold Coast vies with the laid-back beach towns of the Sunshine Coast.

The great outdoors holds endless possibilities in Queensland. You can don a mask and fins and explore some of the most stunning underwater landscapes on Earth. Theres adrenaline-charged white-water rafting in the north, and smooth and scenic kayaking all along the coast. Bushwalking and hiking are first-rate, whether you opt for a challenging multiday trek on one of the states scenic Great Walks, or hit a shorter trail through rainforests and gorges, up mountains or along bush-lined lakes and rivers. You can go sailing through the turquoise waters of the Whitsundays, stopping at powdery white-sand beaches along the way; or take on a 4WD adventure, plying the beach highway of Fraser Island, exploring the great open skies of the outback or jostling along the rutted Bloomfield Track en route to the Tip of Australia.

With a great cafe scene, sprawling food markets and riverside restaurants serving temptations from every corner of the globe, Brisbane is redefining itself as a foodie destination. The citys alter ego arrives after sundown, when nightclubs, lounges and bars light up the capital. Elsewhere in the state youll find culinary rewards great and small, from seafood feasts along the coast to sizzling steaks in the outback. Superb dining rooms are sprinkled all over Queensland, from Noosa (which also has a worthwhile food festival) to Port Douglas (with memorable waterside restaurants). Although little known abroad, the Granite Belt has been producing some superb award-winning wines in recent years, with dozens of vineyards open for tasting (plus orchards, berry farms and cheesemakers).

Great Barrier Reef

Stretching more than 2000km up the Queensland coastline, the awe-inspiring Great Barrier Reef () is one of the worlds great wonders. Among the best ways to experience it: donning a mask and fins and delving into the vivid undersea kingdom for a close-up view of dazzling corals, sea turtles, sharks, rays and tropical fish of every colour and size. You can also explore the reef by sailboat, take a scenic flight, gaze at marine life through a glass-bottomed semisubmersible and linger in a resort (or camp) on a remote coral-fringed island.

Hardy Reef ()
HOLGER LEUE / LONELY PLANET IMAGES

The Daintree Rainforest

Fan palms, ferns and mangroves are just some of the 3000 or so plant species in the ancient, World Heritagelisted Daintree Rainforest (), which is alive with a chorus of birds, insects and frogs. Guided day walks, wildlife-spotting night tours, mountain treks, interpretive boardwalks, canopy walks, self-guided walking trails, 4WD trips, horse riding, kayaking, croc-spotting cruises and tropical-fruit orchard tours and tastings are among the many ways to experience one of the most extraordinary ecosystems on the planet.

PAUL DYMOND / LONELY PLANET IMAGES

Brisbane

Brisbane () is an arts-loving city with a packed calendar of food and music festivals, top dance and theatre performances, cutting-edge exhibitions (such as at the Queensland Art Gallery, pictured) and big-name concerts. Theres great sports events and plenty of ways to enjoy the subtropical climate year-round. The river city boasts vibrant open-air markets, colourful boutiques and a fantastic cafe scene, while award-winning restaurants and burgeoning nightlife means youll never run out of options when the sun goes down.

Island Hopping in the Whitsundays

Sailing across the shimmering blue waters of the Coral Sea, lounging beside the pool in a luxury island resort, playing castaway on a secluded beachthere are so many ways to enjoy the beautiful Whitsunday Islands ( ). One of the best is from the deck of a sailing boat, basking in the warm sunshine and balmy sea air while deciding upon which perfect sandy bay to anchor in. Whether snorkelling the coral reef, swimming at gorgeous Whitehaven Beach, or savouring the brilliant sunsets, theres only one word to describe the Whitsundays: divine!

RICHARD IANSON / LONELY PLANET IMAGES

Surfers Paradise

Surfers ( ) is the bling capital of Queensland, a commercial spend-happy zone filled with tacky tourist shops, enormous shopping malls, towering high-rises and throbbing nightclubs. Slip into a sequinned bikini, slide on the faux-gold jewellery, slap on a pair of high heels and youll fit right in. Surfers kitschy attractions and nonstop action promise no respite, but if you make the time to peer beneath the Gold Coasts brash facade, youll find the heavenly blue skies, golden beaches and perfect surf that gave the town its name.

RICHARD IANSON / LONELY PLANET IMAGES

Sunshine Coast

The endless summers and surfer-chic culture of the Sunshine Coast ( ) bewitch all who step onto its sandy shores. Theres a wholesomeness to the Sunny Coast thats as natural and unaffected as its idyllic surf beaches and balmy sea breezes. Early mornings see a steady flow of surfers, joggers, cyclists and walkers making the most of the beach scene and cappuccino culture. Noosa (pictured), the coasts boutique resort town, where barefoot surfers mingle effortlessly with the designer-clad beach elite, is the elegant yet unpretentious star of this sandy crown.