12 Great Things to Do in Queensland

"Qualia Islands trace theGreat Barrier Reefup the northeastern coast ofAustralia, clustering in the clear blue waters known as the Whitsundays. There, nestled on Hamilton Island, Qualia has set a new standard for Australian tourism—and resorts worldwide. What is magical about Qualia, however, is not just the champagne on arrival, or the fact that some rooms have their own plunge pools. The winning feature here is how perfectly the resort fits into the natural beauty of the island, almost disappearing into the eucalyptus trees of the surrounding rain forest. Understated and sophisticated, Qualia fosters a sensitive connection to the environment, allowing guests to experience Australia without all the usual tourist fanfare. Rooms look through natural bushland out to the water and surrounding islands, where dolphins are frequently spotted. They also come with their own electric golf carts, which guests can use to tour the entire island. In the epic Long Pavilion, floor-to-ceiling windows on the seaward side open to an infinity pool, while glass windows at the other end offer views of the resort’s bright tropical landscaping."

"Uber cool Port Douglas The heat's been turned up in Port Douglas with the reasonably new QT resort. It's not beach side but with all the relaxing by the in-house lagoons, the juicy citrus tones and staff dressed in bright Hamptons style, who is going to leave the hotel anyway? Make use of the gorgeous vintage-style bicycles - and take them all around town - and use of the lap pool, gym and tennis courts to keep bikini trim. 170 rooms, plus a couple of exclusive villas, are decked in mainly whites, with bright colour pops in cushions and towels. The lobby is really appealing, a place to hang out rather than just sign in and move on. The hotel brings a cool new edge to this tropical town. It's a bit of a discerning young person's hotel, perfect for those looking to do the tropics in style, away from the madding crowds in the centre of town."

"Teleport to Tropical Asia for Lunch or Dinner Walking through the gate at Spirit House feels a bit like you've teleported to an alternate universe. On the outside - a little dirt road in a little hinterland town, with llamas in a paddock across the way. On the inside - walls of bamboo 3 stories tall, gentle stone statues, winding paths, water. You get the sensation that time's shifted. This place has a reputation as being something special, and it definitely is. The restaurant itself winds through the foliage around a pond, and almost every seat has a view. And the food? Incredible. The menu's centred on fresh, flavourful Asian fusion, with lightness and spiciness in equal measure. This is a place for sharing as many different things as possible, and though it has vegetarian options (which I enjoyed), go with meat- or fish-lovers and you'll be even happier. Do not miss the banana creme brulee."

"Sailing The Gorgeous Whitsunday Islands Of Queensland Australia Originally we had not set our sights on the Whitsunday's, rather we had booked a trip to Fraser Island. However a storm had cancelled those plans and suddenly the Whitsunday's came to us with all the magic of spontaneous travel. There are many options to take you sailing these gorgeous waters and exploring their many islands. Most if not all depart from Airlie beach and I would recommend searching for the boat ride to fit your adventure taste. Either a single day on the water or multiple days and nights this is a gorgeous destination. There is a wonderful feeling to gliding over clear waters and even diving into them. Do beware of jellyfish season and wear your wet suits, listening to your guides should keep you safe. We stayed for three days of sailing and two nights sleeping on the islands I would do it again in a heart beat."

"At Lizard Island, luxurious amenities meet an ecologically diverse island paradise. The sole resort on the island, the exclusive spot features 40 rooms as well as 24 private beaches, all but guaranteeing your own pristine sliver of paradise. Accommodations range from posh villas set apart from one another (including the two-bedroom, cliff-top villa, with its 26-foot pool and endless views of the Coral Sea), to garden-view rooms with private terraces and pathways leading directly to Anchor Bay beach. Furnishings follow a tranquil white-and-gray color scheme, while amenities include LCD smart TVs and Apple docking stations. Guests also receive their own motorized dinghy, standup paddleboards, clear-view sea kayaks, and snorkeling gear for exploring Giant Clam gardens and the schools of brightly colored fish in the surrounding waters. The more adventurous can even arrange for private deep-sea dives to locations accessed exclusively by the Lizard Island Marine & Dive team, ensuring you’ll have the coral reefs all to yourself."

"Dreaming Over the Water on a Koala-Filled Island The sound of the ocean's waves lapping the shore greets you when you wake up at Base Backpackers Magnetic Island. As if that's not enough, this Australian hostel is located on Magnetic Island National Park, just a short ferry ride from Townsville, which is inhabited by koala bears living in their natural environment. The hostel's accommodations are standard, but the location is unprecedented. It will run you only $30 a night for a standard dorm accommodation with shared facilities, and private rooms with a double bed and ensuites are also available. In addition to the location of the hostel, Magnetic Island is a magical place that contains snuggly, sleepy koala bears nestled up in tree tops for you to discover as you hike. They blend in with the Eucalyptus trees they slumber in, so look carefully as you go through the trails: I saw 8 perched in trees (most of the time they're sleeping, as they sleep for over 18 hours each day) on my hike, including a mother with a sleeping joey on its back. If you're looking for a beautiful stay with an incredible experience in nature and are traveling on a budget, this is an amazing place to be."

"Catch a Glimpse of Brissy's Skyline Brisbane is a city for the senses. Walking under impossibly blue skies around this foot-friendly city opens up a world of experiences. A well-planned series of paths and bridges connect the city center to South Bank, as well as many of our urban villages that tease the river’s edge as it hugs the city, its parks, and gentle skyscrapers. See more of the South Pacific with the Air New Zealand Explorer Pass. Sponsored by AirNewZealand"