Queensland er en australsk delstat. På grunn av statens rykte for godt vær har den fått tilnavnet "The State of Sunshine". I Queensland finner man vakker natur, praktfulle strender og et meget behagelige klima. Alt ligger til rette for drømmer. Det er i Queensland man finner Great Barrier Reef som er verdens største korallrev.

Du kan også lese her hva som skrives på Wikipedia om alle byene i Queensland:

Brisbane / Bundaberg / Cairns / Charters Towers / Coolangatta / Gladstone / Gold Coast

Gympie / Hervey Bay / Ipswich / Logan City / Mackay / Maryborough / Mount Isa

Nambour / Redcliffe / Rockhampton / Sunshine Coast / Thuringowa / Toowoomba / Townsville

Queensland (Engelsk info.)

Sun yourself on the golden sands of Surfers Paradise, snorkel through the technicolour treasures of the Great Barrier Reef and four wheel drive Fraser Island. Explore the magical Daintree Rainforest with an Aboriginal guide or charter a yacht to the pristine Whitsunday Islands.  Enjoy resort relaxation in Noosa, frolic on the beaches of the Capricorn Coast and see dinosaur footprints near Winton. Go diving from the gracious town of Bundaberg and bushwalk through national parks near Mackay. Visit wineries and rodeos in Southern Queensland Country and go horse riding on Townsville’s Magnetic Island. However you experience Queensland, the landscapes and lifestyle will never leave you.

Brisbane

Gold Coast

See dolphin and sea lion shows at Sea World, ride the world’s tallest and fastest thrill rides at Dreamworld or jump in a giant wavepool at Wet 'n' Wild Water Park.

Sunshine Coast

Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef

See a performance by the world-famous Aboriginal dance theatre Tjapukai, then ride the Kuranda Scenic Railway to the rainforest village of Kuranda. Fish from tranquil Mission Beach, where the rainforest meets the reef, or sip cocktails in the vibrant resort town of Port Douglas. Pamper yourself in a Palm Cove spa or camp, fish and four wheel drive in the remote wilderness of Cape York Peninsula.  Explore the world's longest lava tube system in Undara Volcanic National Park and a 1930s Spanish-inspired castle in Paronella Park.

Whitsundays

You can stay in the carefree, backpacker town of Airlie Beach or take in the tropical islands from a chartered sailboat.

Fraser Coast

Central Queensland

Around the pretty port of Gladstone, you’ll find rainforest gorges, lakes and long white beaches stretching to the Southern Great Barrier Reef. Fish for barramundi at Lake Awoonga 

Outback Queensland

 Or tackle on-road adventure on the Matilda Highway, which stretches more than 1,700km from Cunnamulla to Karumba on the Gulf of Carpentaria. See bucking broncos at the Mount Isa Rodeo or learn to muster and shear on a cattle or sheep farm.

Mackay

Catch reef fish or snorkel around Bushy Atoll - a suspended lagoon of corals and marine life. See one of Australia’s largest coal mines in Blair Athol in the hinterland and huge sunflower fields in the Peak Range Mountains of the highlands.

Bundaberg

Visit Lady Elliot or Lady Musgrave islands on the Southern Great Barrier Reef. Stay in the postcard-perfect town of 1770, named after the year it was discovered by Captain Cook,

Southern Queensland Country

Explore the historic streets, vivid flower beds and perfectly manicured lawns of Towoomba, a garden city on the edge of the Great Dividing Range. You can enjoy their colourful Carnival of the Flowers each September.

Townsville

In the living museum of Charters Towers, you’ll find country music, gracious heritage buildings and Australia’s first stock exchange. Visit the natural attractions of Saunders and Balgal Beach and Australia's highest sheer drop waterfall at Wallaman.

Nyttig Info. (Engelsk)

Gold Coast Hinterlands Points of Interest

When visiting places like Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast, one would do well to take a drive or tour through the green fertile hinterlands. In complete contrast to the long sandy beaches, ocean blue and luxury hotels and resorts, you will find small villages to explore and sweeping lush green vistas.

The area has wonderful National Parks, including the stunning World Heritage Listed 50,000 acre Lamington National Park. Other scenic Gold Coast tourist spots include the Tamborine National Park and the Springbrook National Park.

Lamington National Park

With over 50,600 acres of abundant wildlife and flora. Lamington National Park is comprised of two areas, Binna Burra and Green Mountains. A World Heritage Listed Area, this stunning park is a must see for Gold Coast Visitors.

Options include bird watching, spotlighting to look for nocturnal animals, naturalist-guided wildlife and rainforest walks through the surrounding World Heritage-listed Lamington National Park’s 160km of walking tracks.

Tamborine National Park

Tamborine National Park is actually made up from three separate parks, including Witches Falls, great for families and kids, MacDonalds National Park (note spelling: not McDonalds National Park) and Joalah NP.

A 30-minute drive from the Gold Coast, Tamborine Mountain is a rainforest oasis nestled high on the range. It has attracted a community of interesting artists and their work captures the beauty of the area. Their artwork features an interesting blend of colour, texture and shape, and includes ceramics, designer silks, sculpture, painting and leather work.

Take the Gallery Walk located on Long Road, Eagle Heights. There is also a popular community market that is held from morning to afternoon on the second Sunday of each month.

Springbrook National Park

Springbrook National Park has sweeping vistas of the Gold Coast, ancient trees, waterfalls and plenty of walking trails to explore. Take a hike to Natural Bridge - a waterfall with cool waters and a swimming spot below.

Gold Coast Food and Wine Trail

A enjoyable day out is to follow the Gold Coast Hinterland Wine Trail. You will find some fabulous boutique wineries and cellar door outlets between Tamborine, Canungra and Springbrook.

Gold Coast Birds

Birdlife at these National Parks include the impressive Alberts Lyrebird which can mimic the sound of nearly every other forest dweller and of late, the ringing sound of a mobile phone! Hello?

There are Crimson Rosellas and King Parrots which always delight visitors with cameras and those who wish they brought them, and the strikingly beautiful, yellow and black Regent Bowerbird, the favourite of noted British naturalist, Sir Richard Attenborough. At dawn and dusk, the pademelons (which are cute marsupials) come out into the open to nibble on the green grass.

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

At Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is a National Trust Reserve, open since 1947. There you will find huge flocks of Rainbow Lorrikeets and plenty of other Australian birdlife as well as other Australian marsupials and mammals. Kangaroos, Wallabies.,

Tweed Heads, New South Wales

Visit the Minjungbal Aboriginal Cultural Centre at South Tweed Heads to learn about local Aboriginal customs.The Cultural Centre has exhibits, displays and videos showing all aspects of Aboriginal life and lifestyle on the north coast of New South Wales.

Minjungbal Aboriginal Cultural Centre has tours which include dance displays and a bush tucker (food) talk. Explore the Aboriginal trail along the adjoining mangrove area.

Tweed Heads straddles the NSW and Queensland border. Which, since there is no daylight savings (summer time) in Queensland, can be fun at New Years. Experience the big New Years Celebrations at Surfers Paradise at 12pm, then head to South Tweed Heads to do it all again, at 12pm!

South Stradbroke Island Tours and Cruises

Enjoy one of a number of cruises to South Stradbroke Island Resort, Couran Cove, or to Sanctuary Cove. This allows visitors to enjoy the splendour of the Southport Broadwater.

There are a number of Ferry services that operate from Runaway Bay Marina to South Stradbroke Island. The short 20 minute ferry trip will take you to some of the Gold Coast’s most beautiful and unpopulated beaches. The island offers some wonderful up close and personal wildlife experiences with birdlife, wallabies and goannas.

Gold Coast Tours and Cruises

4 Wheel Drive safaris is a good way to enjoy the lush rainforests and coastal areas, another, is to take a scenic flight, whether in a hot air balloon, helicopter, seaplane or even a Tiger Moth. Another different way, take a Harley-Davidson motor bike tour and farm resorts offering more traditional Australian experiences. On the water there is jet skiing, amphibious tours, game fishing, speedboat rides and boat hire.

Gold Coast Airport

Gold Coast Airport, located at Coolangatta, is the major domestic and international gateway to the region.

Gold Coast and Surfers Paradise Shopping

Theres much to choose from on the Gold Coast, with some of the best shopping in Australia to be found under the sun.

Whether your shopping for the latest fashions, chic beach gear or for special gifts and souvenirs for friends and family, you’ll find them here.

Pacific Fair

Indeed, the largest shopping centre in Queensland is to be found at Pacific Fair.

You can catch a water taxi from the wharf at the river-end of Cavill Ave in Surfers Paradise. Travel through the residential canal estates to Queensland’s Pacific Fair. This centre is laid out in a village style, without the trucks or cars.

There is also the Robina Town Centre; an extravaganza of department stores and scores of speciality shops. In Surfers Paradise itself, there is the Raptis Plaza.

• Pacific Fair, Hooker Boulevard, Broadbeach. Phone (07) 5581 5100.

• Robina Town Centre Drive - (exit 79 or 82 on the Pacific Highway/ M1 off Robina Parkway), Robina Gold Coast

• Raptis Plaza 4 The Esplanade Surfers Paradise QLD 4217

Shopping in Surfers Paradise

Surfers Paradise is one of Australia�s leading retail areas with shopping until 9pm every night. Hundreds of boutique, department and domestic stores to peruse, while the tree lined boulevards shade international brand names like Cartier, Prada, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Bally Hermes, Paris and Salvatore Ferragamo.

Sanctuary Cove

Cruise boats meander north from the centre of Surfers Paradise along sheltered waterways to Sanctuary Cove. Here the waterfront marine village has shops selling the best of Australian designer labels and creative handicrafts. A good place if your looking for some great quality souvenirs, including paintings, sculptures, Aboriginal originals and crafts.

Sanctuary Cove has the waterfront Marine Shopping Village, with a number of world-renowned artists in residence. Visitors can browse through the galleries or take a more interactive role at the Jabiou Gallery of fine Arts. Here, you can try a unique chance to work with some of the artists.

The Gold Coast Arts Centre on Bundall Road in Surfers Paradise is the largest regional arts and entertainment complex in Australia. The art gallery is open Monday - Friday 10am to 5pm, and weekends 11am to 5pm. The complex also includes a theatre that hosts a number of major productions each year. There is also a cinema, restaurant, and function/community rooms.

Southport Gold Coast

In Southport, The Marina Mirage shopping complex, located on the Spit merges the arts and shopping into one experience. Dress and fashion boutiques are alongside world-renowned art galleries. These include the large Schubert Gallery which deals in a broad variety of Australian talent.

Tamborine Mountain Arts

A 30-minute drive from the Gold Coast will find you at Tamborine Mountain; a rainforest oasis nestled high on the range. It has attracted a community of interesting artists and their work captures the beauty of the area.

Their artwork features an interesting blend of colour, texture and shape, and includes ceramics, designer silks, sculpture, painting and leather work. Visitors are invited to enter this community through the Gallery Walk located on Long Road, Eagle Heights.

There is also a popular community market that is held from morning to afternoon on the second Sunday of each month.

Markets on the Gold Coast

The Gold Coast is renowned for buzzing outdoor markets for the best buys staged regularly throughout the region. Markets are held as follows:

Surfers Paradise beachfront - every Friday evening

Broadbeach - first and third Sunday

Burleigh - last Sunday

Coolangatta - every second Sunday

Tamborine Mountain - second Sunday

Canungra country market - first Sunday

Paradise Point Art and Craft Market - fourth Sunday

The biggest market on the Gold Coast can be found at Carrara every weekend.

For the avid shopper, the Gold Coast is an experience of a lifetime perfectly supplied with an amazing array of shopping resorts, innovative boutiques and shopping villages.

Gold Coast Beaches

On the Gold Coast you will find beaches with attractive names like Palm Beach, Rainbow Bay, Mermaid Beach and Surfers Paradise. They have soft golden sand, rolling waves and are the perfect setting for a sunset walk along the shoreline.

The clean, uncrowded beaches may be the main thing visitors are looking for in a holiday and the Gold Coast has them all in abundance. Enjoy and relax.

On the Gold Coast there are 42km of beautiful sandy beaches, from Currumbin to Cabarita Beach in northern NSW. 40 of those beaches are patrolled by lifeguards throughout the year. On South Stradbroke Island you can find untouched wilderness beaches.

Main Beach

Main Beach, located just south of Southport is where you can find a less crowded beach. A favourite with the weekend Brisbane set, it has a very trendy and upbeat cafe culture on Tedder Ave.

Broadbeach

Broadbeach has play equipment for the kids and picnic areas for the family. There are plenty of places to eat, including international and noveau restuarants, a good assortment of budget hotels and other accommodation, as well as luxury hotels and resorts. Good shopping can be found here, including at Pacific Fair, Queensland’ largest shopping centre.

Surfers Paradise has its own beach, a wide stretch of sand that is patrolled by lifeguards.

Beaches South of Surfers Paradise

Just south of Surfers Paradise, Mermaid Beach is a good family beach with picnic areas, bicycle tracks and a childrens playground.

Kurrawa Beach has been home to the annual Australian Surf Lifesaving Titles. Plenty of convenient eateries and has picnic areas.

Currumbin

Currumbin has gentle surf and small rock pools, making Currumbin’s beaches great for young families. It�s also a paradise for photographers, with stunning views and an eye-catching trio of rocks, named Elephant, Flat and Currumbin, standing guard in the rolling surf.

Fish along Currumbin Creek or join the locals for a run along the golden sands of Palm Beach multiple winner of Queenslands cleanest beach award.

In the coastal Burleigh Head National Park you will find paths through cool rainforest to the headland. There are some great coastal walks to be had here. A popular surfing beach for a long time and shaded by the tall pine trees.

Close is the David Fleay Wildlife Park, a refuge and breeding centre for endangered native creatures.

Kirra Beach

Kirra Beach is the Gold Coast's most famous surfing beach - the place to watch the experts at work. Surfing spots here include names known to surfers around the world, Greenmount, Rainbow Bay and Coolangatta.

Why not hire a longboard for the day - fun for all ages. Kirra is also home of Queensland’s first surf club and training ground for many of the Gold Coast’s champion surfers.

Coolangatta - Tweed Heads

Coolangatta has some of the prettiest beaches and joins Tweed Heads in New South Wales, just over the Queensland / NSW border.

Tallebudgera enjoys both an ocean beach and the calm Tallebudgera Creek estuary. The Currumbin Rock Pool is fun for families and the Mt Cougal National Park, a tiny gem - just 800m square, is filled with cascading waterfalls. Palm Beach is just to the north with a boardwalk and nearby places to picnic.

If for some reason the surf is smaller than you wanted try Wet ‘n’ Wild’s newest adrenalin pumping thrill, Surfrider. Hold on as you plummet 30 metres through wild water sprays while spinning on a giant surfboard. Experience the feeling of surfing some of the worlds largest waves without risking a wipeout.

For more: Cable Ski World at Runaway Bay - go water skiing without a boat, enjoy a cruise to the South Stradbroke Island Resort, Couran Cove, or to Sanctuary Cove and take in the beauty of the Southport Broadwater.

Gold Coast Places to Visit and Points of Interest

Among the premier places to visit in Australia - The Gold Coast has plenty of fun, surf and sun, there is also adventure exploring the historic rural communities in the north to border towns and coastal centres in the south and of course the top end of coastal New South Wales.

Many of the places on the Gold Coast have an excellent array of choices for accommodation. The growing popularity of the southern Gold Coast has led to the development of some impressive new resorts, apartments and hotels. A vast selection of accommodation is situated within an easy wander of local beaches and shopping centres.

Northern Gold Coast

Beenleigh: Among the northern stretches of sugar cane and just off the highway to Brisbane you will find the historic town of Beenleigh QLD. This rural Gold Coast area was settled in 1864 and has been celebrated for its agricultural produce and rum producing expertise, complete with a historical distillery.

Beenleigh has a real country town feel, main street pubs and historic village, Beenleigh offers a different experience for Gold Coast visitors.

South Stradbroke Island

South Stradbroke Island, just here off the Queensland coast, is but a world away from the bright city lights. Left in its natural island environment, South Stradbroke is a beautiful retreat destination, complemented by the award winning Couran Cove Island Resort and the South Stradbroke Island Resort.

A short boat ride will take you back to the mainland, stopping off at Sanctuary Cove, complete with restaurants, marine facilities, speciality shops, beautiful hotels and two of the Gold Coast’s best golf courses.

Southport

Southport is regarded as the Central Business District of the Gold Coast, yet the rows of tree-lined streets and long established gardens characterise the area with a good-natured mood.

An inviting array of restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs cater for the locals and visitors. Southport is a charming central business district with its waterfront location and leafy personality with flourishing parks and meandering pathways and beach front playgrounds.

Main Beach

Not far from Southport, just south across the river is another of the Gold Coast’s adored districts, Main Beach. Plenty of coffee culture cafe’s along the boulevards with plenty of chances for boutique shopping. Fashion, jewelry and accessories fit for a princess, or heiress, as is often the case.

Tedder Avenue is the destination of choice for the chic to enjoy a drink, a meal and soak up the atmosphere that make up this place.

Surrounding Tedder Avenue is an assortment of the Gold Coast’s best appointed apartments and hotels, a short walk away from sands of Main Beach. Positioned on the verge of the Southport Broadwater, Main Beach offers a vista of multi-million dollar elegance as the calm water area hosts an array of extraordinary vessels and unrivalled residences.

Surfers Paradise

Surfers Paradise is the center attraction on the Gold Coast. It has long been regarded as Australia’s most popular holiday destination with its fun in the sun beach lifestyle.

The Gold Coast itself hith a unique concentration of attractions, natural hinterlands, with lots of things to do. Great restaurants and eateries, activiities, places to explore, cruises and joy flights, bungee jumping, world class theme parks, aquatic and wildlife sanctuaries await, which is why many choose to base themselves in Surfers Paradise.

Of course, that being said, there is plenty of places for accommodation to be found elsewhere along the Gold Coast. With Surfers Paradise being playground of the Gold Coast, it is inevitable that visitors end up spending time here.

The restaurants, bars and nightclubs fill Surfers with 24-hour excitement. Events run all year round in the lively city centre. Activities range from musical events, entertainment and cinema on the beach to international sport like traithlons, surfing and lifesaving.

Broadbeach

Just further south from Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach is becoming the new cosmopolitan hub of the Gold Coast. Featuring an even more diverse and select range of restaurants, stylish cafes, shopping boutiques and beachside accommodation offering sweeping ocean views.

Many of the Gold Coast’s most modern dining establishments and premier nightlife venues can be found in Broadbeach.

The cosmopolitan feel of Broadbeach is further distinguished by the area�s fashion venues. As one of Queensland's shopping destinations, Broadbeach is open year-round with an enviable measure of fashion and accessories, brand names, giftware, lifestyle and major department stores.

Broadbeach also entices the touring international shows, events and acts with landmark facilities such as the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre and Conrad Jupiters Casino positioned in the heart of the district. and within easy reach of accommodation and night spots.

Southern Gold Coast

More laid back than the cosmopolitan Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, the southern Gold Coast expanse stretches to the border of New South Wales and has some of the area’s most beautiful beach environments.

Its charms has brought many Australian families to this area for many years and.now is beginning to attract an increasing number of international visitors.

Popular areas with safe swimming conditions across the southern section include Mermaid Beach, Burleigh Heads, Currumbin and Coolangatta. Every beach offers a unique and sweeping view of the coast. Most have adjoining green areas dotted with large pine trees and pandanus palms, providing shady spots in which to relax.

From the famed board-riding beach of Kirra, the coastline curves around to the broad white sands of Coolangatta and the striking tree-studded headland of Greenmount.

Rainbow Bay carries a vista of natural beauty around to the rugged headland of Point Danger. Greenmount and Rainbow Bay are probably the most popular swimming and surfing beaches for locals and these spots are still considered two of the Gold Coasts best-kept secrets.

Gold Coast Theme Parks

The Gold Coast is Australia’s premier holiday destination and home of Australia Tourist Attractions Sea World, Warner Bros. Movie World, Wet'n'Wild Water World, Australian Outback Spectacular, Paradise Country and Sea World Resort.

Gold Coast fun for the children and families - Kids of All Ages will enjoy these.

Theme Parks on the Gold Coast Queensland

Sea World

At the northern end of the Gold Coast you will find Sea World; a 24.6 hectare comprehensive marine zoological park and one of Australia’s best known theme parks. It offers visitors unique entertainment and an educational window to the underwater world. There are daily exhibitions of stunt water skiing on a lake that occupies almost one-third of the park.

Shark Bay, gives people the chance to view the tiger sharks (as well as others) from the underwater viewing chamber. For the brave and the adventurous, visitors can scuba dive with the sharks.

Other attractions at Sea World include the seal and dolphin presentations. They keep both children and adults on the edge of their seats - these beautiful marine creatures go through a series of complicated and entertaining jumps, flips and rolls.

Shark Bay and Polar Bear shores, dolphin and seal shows, penguins, rides, a roller coaster and water slides. Adjoining Sea World is the Sea World Nara Resort - a 405-room low-rise resort with four restaurants and a heated lagoon pool.

Large underwater viewing chambers make it easy for guests to see the four bears in the naturalistic and stimulating environment. Sea World also has a water park and a series of exciting rides such as the Corkscrew Roller Coaster and Bermuda Triangle.

Dreamworld

Enter through the impressive gates of Dreamworld, another of the big theme parks on the Gold Coast. A day of excitement for the family.

See IMAX movies, get up close to cuddle koalas, Tiger Island, which has gold and white bengal tigers, Thunder River Rapids, ride a white water raft for a wet soft? jolting, or for those who love heights, the thrilling Tower of Terror and the Giant Drop. You can choose from 16 family rides and another 20 rides and attractions for a great day out.

There are eight super 'thrill' rides for those with little or no fear.

For the little ones, Nickelodeon Central Kids Zone, Tiger Island, Wiggles World, Australian Wildlife Experience are bound to amaze. For the bigger kids, go the Thrill Rides and the FlowRider boardsport attraction.

Dreamworld Parkway, Coomera, Gold Coast. Open daily, 10am-5pm

WhiteWater World

Next door is the the Coast region’s latest theme park - WhiteWater World, with claims to the 4 hottest waterslides available today.

Pacific Motorway, Oxenford. Open from 10am daily, closing times vary

Warner Bros. Movie World

Titled the Australian Tourist Attraction of the year a number of times. At Warner Bros. Movieworld, visitors can watch Warner Bros. movies being made and see a variety of dramatic stunt shows. Rides such as the Lethal Weapon and the Wild West Falls Adventure Ride and the Scooby Doo Spooky Coaster, make it a day to remember.

Other attractions include The Superman Escape, Shrek 4D, Batman - The Ride2 , The Police Academy Stunt Show and the Batwing Spaceshot.

Wet n Wild Waterpark

For the best water slides, wave pools and fun for the whole family. Australia’s largest, this water theme park has slides, pools, rides and entertainment. Heated during the cooler months of the year (April through to September). Note: Seasons in Australia are reversed to those in the Northern Hemisphere.

Gold Coast Activities

On the Gold Coast, adventures and fun are not limited to theme parks. You can find all kinds of excitement from a bungee jump in the middle of Surfers Paradise to a sky dive, paraglide, parasail, hang glide, abseil, hot air balloon, hang-glider, helicopter or even an old-fashioned bi-plane along the coast.

Brave travellers can get onto the racetrack in a go-kart, performance Commodore or V8 Supercar before heading off-road to one of the 4 wheel drive circuits. Maybe leave the road altogether with a private seaplane charter to an island or heli-tour to a local winery, golf course or rainforest. The Great Barrier Reef is also within easy reach and scenic flights from the Gold Coast offer a full day of snorkelling and diving before returning in time for dinner. For something a little offbeat step into the sensory labyrinth of Infinity funhouse, experience the universe at Spacewalker or be truly amazed by the displays in Australias only Ripleys Believe It or Not! Museum.

Gold Coast Animals and Wildlife, Queensland

South East Queensland has a great diversity of Australian Flora and Fauna. The Gold Coast has a number of attractions that feature some of the cutest and some of the most fearsome animals to be found on the planet.

Get up close at these Gold Coast Attractions:

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary - Currumbin

Feeding feathered and furry friends is something everyone can enjoy at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. Start the day with Breakfast with the Birds, a Gold Coast memorable way to start the day. Breakfast is served from 8.00 am each day, guests can enjoy a full, hot breakfast while overlooking the famous wild lorikeet feeding which put Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary on the map.

For almost 60 years, the colourful and noisy Rainbow Lorikeets have flown into the Sanctuary, where guests have the opportunity to hand feed them every morning and afternoon.

O’Reilly’s Rainforest Guesthouse

Birdwatchers’ paradise O’Reilly’s Rainforest Guesthouse - Gold Coast Hinterland Located in the Gold Coast Hinterland, O’Reilly’s Rainforest Guesthouse is world famous for their sanctuary of tropical birds. Each November O’Reilly’s hosts a Bird Week, which attracts birdwatchers from all around the world. They also host regular morning bird walks where guests can meet the hundreds of birds that visit each morning to feed at the guesthouse.

Sea World - Gold Coast

Oceanic learning for the kids. The Rock Pool Adventure is designed to provide an interactive and educational program for children at Sea World’s Shark Bay Inter-tidal Pool, which replicates a natural tropical environment. Children are given an educational talk and are able to walk in the shallow water tidal pool amongst inhabitants including clown fish, anemones, rays and sea stars. The program duration is approximately 20 minutes, designed for children aged up to nine years and a minimum height of 110cm (44 inches).

Other attractions at Sea World include the seal and dolphin presentations. They keep both children and adults on the edge of their seats - these beautiful marine creatures go through a series of complicated and entertaining jumps, flips and rolls. They also have a water park and a series of exciting rides such as the Corkscrew Roller Coaster and Bermuda Triangle.

Worms Alight

The cool, dark environment of Natural Arch Cave at Lamington National Park on the Gold Coast is home to millions of glow worms. These tiny creatures, invisible to the eye during daylight, create a spectacular display at night. Visitors can go on a short walk with an experienced guide through the rainforests of Springbrook Plateau before heading into the Natural Arch.

Binna Burra Lodge

Flora and fauna aplenty - Binna Burra Lodge - Lamington National Park Situated in Lamington National Park, the Binna Burra lodge is a prime location for birdwatchers. With over 160km of walking tracks amongst the diverse flora and fauna, there are bushwalking circuits to suit people of all ages and interests. Beautiful birds like the tiny white browed scrub wren, the bee-eater, king parrot, kookabuura, rainbow lorikeet, crimson rosella, and many more will surprise and delight!

Gold Coast Dreamworld

Touch the tigers - Visitors to Dreamworld are able to take an early morning stroll with a fully grown tiger. As visitors wander through the theme park, they can pat the tigers, chat with the tiger handlers and learn more about the cats with several stops for photo opportunities. There are eight super thrill rides for those with little or no fear.

Outback on the Coast - Paradise Country

Paradise Country takes visitors on a whirlwind Outback Australian experience at their Gold Coast location. They’ll have billy tea and damper around a camp fire, milk a cow, watch sheep dog mustering and a stock horse round-up, see whip cracking and boomerang throwing demonstrations, sheep shearing, a kangaroo and emu sanctuary and of course, an Australian visit would not be complete without a cuddle from a koala.

Live and work on the land Queensland wide

If you want to experience life on the land, you can do just that, at one of the many farmstays across this beautiful state. Help with muster cattle on horseback, learn to ride a motorbike and help feed the baby animals. At night sit back and soak up the serenity, taking full advantage of the laid-back lifestyle

Kilde: Australian Tourist