It’s little wonder why Queensland is often described as “beautiful one day, perfect the next”. Whether you’re a born and bred Queenslander or have made it your home, the sunshine state is full of unforgettable experiences. From rainforests and reefs, beaches to bush, outback to islands – Queensland tourism offers one-of-a-kind excitement and adventure. Check out our top Queensland bucket list activities you don’t want to miss.
Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef
It’s the world’s largest living structure, and it’s right on our doorstep. The Great Barrier Reef one of the ultimate Queensland activities every local must experience at least once in their life. As the largest coral reef system in the world, the reef stretching over 2,300 kilometres and is home to thousands of marine species, from sea turtles and reef sharks to vibrant clownfish and hard and soft corals. With many tours led by marine biologists or traditional Aboriginal custodians of the land, snorkelling the reef is about more than experiencing the sheer beauty of the underwater world – it’s a rare opportunity to feel intimate connection to nature and to country.
Swim at Whitehaven Beach
Located in the heart of the Whitsundays, Whitehaven Beach is consistently ranked among the world’s most beautiful beaches – and for good reason. The pure white silica sand contrasted with crystal-clear turquoise waters looks like something straight out of a postcard. What makes this Queensland tourism hotspot extra special is that Whitehaven is part of a national park with no shops or resorts around, so you can really take in the untouched natural beauty with a swim in the waters and a stroll along the shoreline.
Get up close with wildlife at Australia Zoo
It might be one of the more obvious Queensland tourism attractions, but Australia Zoo is a national treasure. Home to local and international species from the tiniest lizard to the tallest giraffe – and of course, crocodiles – the zoo is a legacy of conservation. The zoo offers a range of immersive animal encounters that bring you face-to-face with some of the world’s most fascinating creatures. Whether you’re interacting with a wombat, koala, tortoise or rhino, each up-close experience is crafted to deepen an appreciation for wildlife and the importance of conservations efforts.
Hike the Scenic Rim
The Scenic Rim is home to an incredibly diverse array of hiking trails that offer a mix of rugged peaks, lush rainforests and sweeping mountain views. The region is home to national parks including Lamington, Main Range and Mount Barney, each with its own unique flora and fauna including wallabies, lyrebirds and wedge-tailed eagles.
Camp under the stars in the outback
The night skies in outback Queensland are something you have to see to believe. In regional towns far from city lights, like Charleville, Winton and Longreach, the sky becomes a spectacular natural planetarium. The Queensland outback is renowned for its stargazing, as part of which you can visit an observatory or attend an astronomy tour to learn about constellations, planets and Aboriginal sky stories that have been passed down for generations.
Go 4WD’ing on Fraser Island
The world’s largest sand island, Fraser Island (K’gari) is a wild and beautiful escape made for adventure. Along 75 Mile Beach there are no sealed roads – just beach and bush tracks. An off grid 4WD on Fraser Island brings an incredible sense of freedom and discovery where you get to navigate the terrain and enjoy natural landmarks like rainforest and freshwater lakes in between.
Make it a trip to remember with Airtrain
With Airtrain, you can check off your Queensland activities on time and in comfort. Airtrain offers a reliable, comfortable service that bypasses unexpected delays and helps make travel easier. With trains departing from Brisbane Airport every 15 minutes during peak times and every 30 minutes off peak, you’ll enjoy a smooth journey to your destination.
For travel to Queensland activities around Brisbane and the Gold Coast, Airtrain is the ultimate solution. Our modern fleet of trains run express from Brisbane Airport and stops at Fortitude Valley, Central, Roma Street and South Brisbane stations. From there, you can continue on to the Gold Coast via bus or G:link tram – all using an Airtrain ticket!
To help plan your next Queensland tourism adventure, check out the Airtrain Journey Planner.
