Queensland
Travel Guide > Oceania > Australia > Queensland
Introduction
Known as the "Sunshine State", Queensland enjoys a very agreeable climate with 300 days of sunshine a year. Its natural environment is a major drawcard, particularly with spectacular natural wonders like the Great Barrier Reef beckoning.
Regions
- South East Queensland
- The Great South West
- Wide Bay Burnett
- Gladstone
- Central Queensland
- Mackay
- Northern Queensland
- North West Queensland
- Far North Queensland
Cities
- Brisbane is the state's capital
- Bundaberg
- Cairns
- Caloundra
- Gladstone
- Gold Coast
- Hervey Bay
- Ipswich
- Mackay
- Mount Isa
- Rockhampton
- Toowoomba
- Townsville
Other towns and smaller cities include Airlie Beach, Caboolture, Charters Towers, Gympie, Maryborough and Warwick
Sights and Activities
- Cape Tribulation
- Crystal Cascades
- Fitzroy Island
- Fraser Island
- Great Barrier Reef
- Green Island
- Low Isles
- Port Douglas
- Whitsunday Islands
Events and Festivals
Weather
"Beautiful one day, perfect the next" is Queensland's mantra. It's the warm weather destination for many Australians trying to escape the cold of the south-eastern states. Queensland only has two real seasons: hot, and not so hot. The wet season coincides with summer, though there is usually at least one part of the state suffering from drought in any given year.
Summer (December-February) can be unbearably hot and humid in Queensland, even as far south as Brisbane and the Gold Coast. But, heat is more bearable when spent by a beach, of which there is no shortage in Queensland. Average daytime temperatures are around 30 °C, but it is the humidity that makes it worse. Humidity increases the further north you go along the coast. Temperatures are higher the further inland you go, though the humidity goes down.
Central, North and Far North Queensland are very pleasant places to travel in during winter (June-August) as the weather is generally dry, warm (an average of 25 °C during the day), and it is still warm enough to swim. South-East Queensland is cooler in winter (around 20 °C on average), though it is still balmy compared to most other winters in the world.
Get current temperatures from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology website.
Getting There
By Plane
There are direct international flights to Cairns and Brisbane, and local carriers (including low-cost airlines) fly to many other destinations from within Australia.
By Train
By Car
By Bus
By Boat
Eat
Australia's two great culinary treats are at their very best in Queensland - Steak and Seafood.
The hinterland is dotted with cattle ranches, making top quality beef available and cheap. Rockhampton is the self-proclaimed capital of steak.
Upmarket restaurants in Brisbane and Port Douglas dish up some of the finest seafood you're likely to taste.
Drink
Sleep
References
- 1 Source: Queensland Government
This is version 22. Last edited at 10:54 on Jan 31, 08 by Peter (+166). 3 articles link to this page.
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