Extend your trip

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There are plenty of amazing attractions across Queensland to suit everyone's tastes. Whether you're in the mood for getting up close with animals, exploring a museum or getting back to nature in a national park, there are plenty of attractions for you to choose from. Queensland's tourism destinations all offer something unique, something unforgettable. Where else can you enjoy the Great Barrier Reef, Australia's amazing Outback, World Heritage Rainforest, whale watching, dolphin feeding and the Aussie beach culture?

The diversity of the scenery and attractions represent an excellent opportunity for pre and post conference touring during your stay in Queensland. Here's just a taste of what you can expect...

Gold Coast

Lazy days of sun and surf combined with vibrant nights of excitement and action - this is what makes the Gold Coast one of the most alluring holiday destinations. In fact, the Gold Coast has been Australia's favourite holiday destination for generations - it's where the Aussies play. It is also where the British Olympic and Paralympics teams spent their days training in the run-up to the Sydney Olympic Games.

A 70km stretch of coastline offers a huge array of beaches where waves from the broad, blue Pacific Ocean break onto golden beaches under a sub-tropical sun. It's images like these, and of course the bronzed Aussie surf lifesavers, that are synonymous with the Gold Coast.

Venture inland from the Gold Coast's beaches and a totally different world unfolds - the green behind the gold. A world of tropical World Heritage listed rainforests, rock pools and waterfalls, mountain villages and other hidden treasures. Hundreds of restaurants and dining precincts span every kind of dining experience, from elegant silver service to alfresco. Just about every national cuisine is represented; including of course modern and traditional Australian.

There are theme parks, wilderness parks, wineries and a choice of 40 championship golf courses. Buzzing evening entertainment means the action is non-stop.

Sunshine Coast

The Sunshine Coast's white surf beaches stretch for about forty miles, broken only by an occasional headland or the clear water of a river estuary. Coastal townships like Caloundra, Mooloolaba, Maroochydore, Coolum and Noosa  are synonymous with the traditional Australian beach holiday.

Great resorts with award winning golf courses, beach-front apartments and condominiums as well as motels and hotels make it easy to enjoy the sun, the sand and the surf. Restaurants and cafes make the most of the climate and the views.

In the green, subtropical hills behind the Sunshine Coast, among the pineapple and sugar cane farms, are country hamlets. Old pubs serve excellent counter lunches on open verandas that overlook green valleys. Painters, potters and other artisans are drawn here by the tranquillity, the easy pace and the natural beauty. Or, visit the famous Australia Zoo, located near the Glasshouse Mountains. This extraordinary zoo's main 'stars' are the saltwater crocodiles, as well as anacondas, alligators, Asian otters, cuddly koalas, wombats, snakes, and even tigers and cheetah cubs. Watch the playful tigers, and catch the thrilling free flight bird show too. Meet up with the wandering wildlife program or the chance to have your photograph taken wrapped in a giant python or cuddling up to a koala. There is something for everyone at Australia Zoo!

Noosa and Noosa National Park are legendary in Australia. The protected cove beach virtually guarantees perfect surf year round and the stroll around the headland through the National Park rewards you with spectacular seascapes. Hastings Street, the hub of Noosa, is a mecca for designer label shoppers and discerning diners.

Just an hour or so further north is the Fraser Coast. This is home to the magnificent Fraser Island.

Fraser Island

Be privileged to view majestic Humpback Whales' annual journey up the Queensland coast. The world's largest sand island at Fraser has breathtaking scenery with clear freshwater lakes, coloured cliffs and huge sand dunes. One of Queensland's most renowned national parks, around 98% of Fraser Island is protected. The 165,280ha Park was named K'Gari in local Aboriginal language, or "paradise".

With more than 120km of ocean beaches, coloured sandstone cliffs and home to possums, gliders, wallabies and dingoes, Fraser supports rainforest trees such as satinay and brush box, some more than 1000 years old. There is resort accommodation and camping facilities on the island. Take a tour to visit the Wreck of the Maheno, Central Station, Lake McKenzie, Eli Creek and The Cathedrals. There are giant sand dunes or "blows" and more than 40 freshwater lakes plus the largest rainforest growing in sand in the world.

Great Barrier Reef

This is one of the great holiday destinations of the world - partly because of its expanse and natural splendour, and partly because it hugs the coast of one of the world's friendliest places: sunny, tropical Queensland.

The Great Barrier Reef is about 1,200 miles long and is made up of countless reefs, coral cays and islands. Some islands have resorts, ranging from 'family friendly' to exclusive hide-ways. Others are uninhabited paradises where you can pitch a tent under the stars on the beach and hike through rainforest covered hills.

The coloured coral, which expanses just below the surface of the warm, crystal clear tropical waters is home to an unbelievable array of sea life. You can scuba to the deeper recesses, snorkel just below the dazzling surface, or view the watery wonderland from semi-submersibles and stay bone dry.

The Whitsundays region alone includes over 70 Great Barrier Reef islands. The Tropical North has more! Townsville has many islands you can escape to and Capricorn Coast and Bundaberg is the Southern gateway to the reef. These are the main gateways to the reef, but you can get to a part of the reef or an island from almost any point on the coast.

On the mainland you can explore ancient rainforests, venture west into The Outback, or laze on sandy beaches. Get an adrenaline rush rafting down the rapids of a wild river. Cruise quietly along a still river where crocodiles bask on the banks. Stay on a working cattle station and taste Billy Tea under a billion southern stars.

Experiences that will stay with you for a lifetime.

** Information obtained from Tourism Queensland website: www.queenslandholidays.com.au.