STORY BY PAUL HUGHES, 2023 IMAGE OF THE GREAT BARRIER REEF BY HAMILTON ISLAND
Beautiful One Day, Perfect the Next - this is the theme of a tourism promotion campaign that visitors from all over the world recognise as one of the most accurately decriptive advertising slogans ever created, anywhere!
Also known as the Sunshine State, Queensland's breathtaking natural beauty, stunning beaches, vibrant cities, and unique cultural experiences make it a destination that should be on everyone's bucket list.
Queensland is the second largest state in Australia. With five million residents and growing rapidly it has the country's third largest population, with almost 80% living in Brisbane and the southeast corner of the state.
The remaining Queenslanders are spread along the 7,000 kilometres of stunning coastline, with only a few thousand of them living more than 50 kilometres inland.
Also known as the Sunshine State, Queensland's breathtaking natural beauty, stunning beaches, vibrant cities, and unique cultural experiences make it a destination that should be on everyone's bucket list.
Queensland is the second largest state in Australia. With five million residents and growing rapidly it has the country's third largest population, with almost 80% living in Brisbane and the southeast corner of the state.
The remaining Queenslanders are spread along the 7,000 kilometres of stunning coastline, with only a few thousand of them living more than 50 kilometres inland.
EXPLORING THE GREAT BARRIER REEF WITH DREAMTIME DIVE AND SNORKEL -- IMAGE BY TOURISM AND EVENTS QUEENSLAND
World's Largest Living Structure
Queensland's Great Barrier Reef is the largest living structure on Earth and one of the best scuba-diving destinations in the world, offering a variety and abundance of marine life seldom found elsewhere.
Visitors can also explore this natural wonder by taking a glass-bottomed boat tour or snorkeling.
The reef is home to thousands of species of marine life, including colorful fish, sea turtles and even whales.
It's amazing marine life was the inspiration of the popular 2003 movie "Nemo", with clownfish (Nemo), royal blue tang (Dory) and all of the other species in the movie still regularly sought by visitors, including those pictured below.
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park laws ensure that most of the reef and dive sites are protected.
Queensland's Great Barrier Reef is the largest living structure on Earth and one of the best scuba-diving destinations in the world, offering a variety and abundance of marine life seldom found elsewhere.
Visitors can also explore this natural wonder by taking a glass-bottomed boat tour or snorkeling.
The reef is home to thousands of species of marine life, including colorful fish, sea turtles and even whales.
It's amazing marine life was the inspiration of the popular 2003 movie "Nemo", with clownfish (Nemo), royal blue tang (Dory) and all of the other species in the movie still regularly sought by visitors, including those pictured below.
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park laws ensure that most of the reef and dive sites are protected.
RIBBON REEFS -- IMAGE BY TOURISM PORT DOUGLAS AND DAINTREE
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CLOWNFISH -- IMAGE BY TOURISM PORT DOUGLAS AND DAINTREE
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Life Is A Beach
However, Queensland is much more than just the Great Barrier Reef.
It's also home to thousands of beautiful free beaches (i.e. without the "usage fees" often found at many European countries).
Visitors can enjoy water sports such as swimming, fishing, surfing, sailing, diving, para sailing and jet-skiing; simply relaxing or playing games on the sand; and every type of beachside food, from coffee shops, snack foods, bars and fine dining to picnics and usually fee-free barbecues.
Those looking for adventure often choose hiking in the lush rainforests of the Daintree; zip-lining across the Cedar Creek Gorge on the Gold Coast; hot air ballooning over the scenic hinterland in many regions; or even taking a helicopter ride over the spectacular cities, mountains and coastlines.
However, Queensland is much more than just the Great Barrier Reef.
It's also home to thousands of beautiful free beaches (i.e. without the "usage fees" often found at many European countries).
Visitors can enjoy water sports such as swimming, fishing, surfing, sailing, diving, para sailing and jet-skiing; simply relaxing or playing games on the sand; and every type of beachside food, from coffee shops, snack foods, bars and fine dining to picnics and usually fee-free barbecues.
Those looking for adventure often choose hiking in the lush rainforests of the Daintree; zip-lining across the Cedar Creek Gorge on the Gold Coast; hot air ballooning over the scenic hinterland in many regions; or even taking a helicopter ride over the spectacular cities, mountains and coastlines.
WITH ACCOMMODATION FRONTING THE BEACH IT'S NO WONDER THE GOLD COAST IS A POPULAR DESTINATION -- IMAGE BY TOURISM AUSTRALIA
Modern Cities
Queensland is also home to a number of vibrant cities, each with its own unique culture and attractions.
The state capital Brisbane is a bustling metropolis with a thriving arts scene, world-class restaurants, and a beautiful riverfront. It is also home to the 2032 Olympic Games.
The Gold Coast - with its waterfront accommodation; world-class dining, shopping and entertainment; more canals and waterways than Venice; and more than 60 kilometres of virtually uniterrupted beaches - is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations.
Cairns is another popular city, known for its proximity to the Great Barrier Reef and its rich indigenous history.
Queensland is also home to a number of vibrant cities, each with its own unique culture and attractions.
The state capital Brisbane is a bustling metropolis with a thriving arts scene, world-class restaurants, and a beautiful riverfront. It is also home to the 2032 Olympic Games.
The Gold Coast - with its waterfront accommodation; world-class dining, shopping and entertainment; more canals and waterways than Venice; and more than 60 kilometres of virtually uniterrupted beaches - is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations.
Cairns is another popular city, known for its proximity to the Great Barrier Reef and its rich indigenous history.
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Theme Park Capital
Queensland is home to more than a third of all major theme parks in Australia, with the Gold Coast recognised as the theme park capital of the country and also boasting countless free parks and playgrounds.
Commercial adventure parks and fun worlds on the Gold Coast include the Aqua Park, the Canyon Flyer Zip Line, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, David Fleay Wildlife Park, Dreamworld, Holoverse (Dinasaur World), iFLY skydiving centre, Inflatable World, Movie World, Nickelodeon Land, Outback Spectacular, Paradise Country, Sea World, Thunderbird Park, Top Golf, the Wake Park, White Water World and Wet 'N' Wild.
Driving northg there is the interactive aquamarine Shark and Ray Gardens in Loganholme,
the world famous Australia Zoo, Aussie World, the Ginger Facory, to name just a few.
Queensland is also home to a number of unique cultural experiences such as Outback Queensland's rodeo festivals; Australia's richest camel races as Boulia; the famous annual Birdsville horse races, where the population swells from only 110 people to more than 6,000 to raise money for the Royal Flying Doctor Service; and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture in the far north of the state.
With so much to see and do, Queensland is a destination that truly has something for everyone.
Queensland is home to more than a third of all major theme parks in Australia, with the Gold Coast recognised as the theme park capital of the country and also boasting countless free parks and playgrounds.
Commercial adventure parks and fun worlds on the Gold Coast include the Aqua Park, the Canyon Flyer Zip Line, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, David Fleay Wildlife Park, Dreamworld, Holoverse (Dinasaur World), iFLY skydiving centre, Inflatable World, Movie World, Nickelodeon Land, Outback Spectacular, Paradise Country, Sea World, Thunderbird Park, Top Golf, the Wake Park, White Water World and Wet 'N' Wild.
Driving northg there is the interactive aquamarine Shark and Ray Gardens in Loganholme,
the world famous Australia Zoo, Aussie World, the Ginger Facory, to name just a few.
Queensland is also home to a number of unique cultural experiences such as Outback Queensland's rodeo festivals; Australia's richest camel races as Boulia; the famous annual Birdsville horse races, where the population swells from only 110 people to more than 6,000 to raise money for the Royal Flying Doctor Service; and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture in the far north of the state.
With so much to see and do, Queensland is a destination that truly has something for everyone.
SEAWORLD SHARKS -- IMAGE BY TOURISM AUSTRALIA
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OUTBACK SPECTACULAR -- IMAGE BY TOURISM AUSTRALIA
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Great Weather for Everyone
More than 20 million visitors make Queensland their destination of choice every year and the welcoming climate is part of the attraction.
With an area of more than 1.7 million square kilometres, Queensland is seven times larger than Great Britain, five times the size of Japan and two and a half times bigger than "Big Ole Texas".
Being such a vast state, Queensland has a great climate range, from the tropical north to the arid inland, the temperate south and all variations in between.
More than 20 million visitors make Queensland their destination of choice every year and the welcoming climate is part of the attraction.
With an area of more than 1.7 million square kilometres, Queensland is seven times larger than Great Britain, five times the size of Japan and two and a half times bigger than "Big Ole Texas".
Being such a vast state, Queensland has a great climate range, from the tropical north to the arid inland, the temperate south and all variations in between.
UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH A RAINFOREST NORTH OF CAIRNS -- IMAGE BY SKYRANGER RAINFOREST SKYRAIL.
Amazingly long summers and mild winters are one of the many reasons tourists ranging from back-packers to grey nomads and single adventure-seekers to families find Queensland so attractive.
Temperatures across summer and winter range from 9 to 29 Celsius (48-85F) in the southern capital city of Brisbane and 17C to 31C (62-88F) in tropical Cairns in the far north.
The tropical rainforests and regions of Queensland have wet seasons, during which they can experience torrential rain, cyclones or floods.
Cyclones normally occur only in North Queensland and the people of the region take it in their stride. It's a part of daily life. They often say that although "The Wet" is still hot, the rain is "quite refreshing".
Temperatures across summer and winter range from 9 to 29 Celsius (48-85F) in the southern capital city of Brisbane and 17C to 31C (62-88F) in tropical Cairns in the far north.
The tropical rainforests and regions of Queensland have wet seasons, during which they can experience torrential rain, cyclones or floods.
Cyclones normally occur only in North Queensland and the people of the region take it in their stride. It's a part of daily life. They often say that although "The Wet" is still hot, the rain is "quite refreshing".
EAGLE STREET PIER AND FERRY TERMINAL ON THE BRISBANE RIVER -- IMAGE BY BRISBANE MARKETING
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