Queensland

South East Queensland

Brisbane - the capital of Queensland has warm sunny days and mild nights. It offers diversity with a cosmopolitan flavour. Brisbane also acts as the gateway to some of the finest tourist attractions in Queensland such as the Great Barrier Reef. Brisbane is also home to some fantastic theme parks such as Dream world and Movie world. Brisbane is a most affordable city since living costs are comparatively less than other Australian cities and this offers value for international students.

Gold Coast

The Gold Coast has a sub-tropical climate and enjoys bountiful sunshine all throughout the year. It is just an hour from Sydney with lush tropical rainforests and several water sports attractions. The Gold Coast is a very cosmopolitan city and premier shopping outlets and markets are to be found here. Studying at the Gold Coast is also economical as far as one's pocket is concerned because living costs are significantly less than other Australian cities.

Sunshine coast

The Sunshine coast is an hour's drive from Brisbane and home to some of the world's finest beaches. It has some small relaxed townships in the hinterland and there are bohemian and farming communities to be found here.

University of the Sunshine Coast is providing undergraduate and postgraduate programs, Study Abroad courses, English language programs and research opportunities.

Tropical North Queensland

Cairns is the heart of North Queensland and home to lush tropical rainforests. It also offers opportunities to explore the world famous Great Barrier Reef.
TAFE has a variety of study options for international students interested in studying in this region.

Queensland's Climate : Perfect for Work, Travel or Play

Queensland is a northern state of Australia with a subtropical and pleasing climate. This is because temperatures throughout the calendar year are generally moderate. It is no wonder that Queensland is called the sunshine state.

Brisbane has the hottest and most humid climate on record of all the major centres in the state. Winter is mild and not very uncomfortable and the best time to visit is between September to November. Brisbane receives approximately the same amount of rainfall as the Gold Coast although the temperature range is a pleasant 16 to 25°C.

Travellers to Queensland are warned that the period from November to April sees the onset of the cyclone season although they occur more frequently from January to March.

On the Gold Coast, the region receives the most rainfall in January with 166mm and the least in September with 33mm. The December to February period sees temperatures soaring to a maximum of 29°C and a minimum of 9°C in the July to August period.

Cairns is different from both Brisbane and the Gold Coast in that it receives the most rainfall throughout the state with over 400mm on record in the January to March period. The July to August period is the Winter season and temperatures can reach a mildly pleasant 17°C. However, the same cannot be said about summer in Cairns when temperatures soar to a searing maximum of 31°C in the January to March period.

Many of Australia’s most popular attractions and cities are located on the East Coast of the country. The Northern state of Queensland is famous for its tropical weather, white-sand beaches and lush rainforests. A good time to visit Northern Queensland is during the Dry Season from April to October when rainfall is at its lowest and the waters are free from dangerous box jellyfish which are prevalent from November to March.

The World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef is probably Queensland’s most famous tourist attraction. At over 2000 km long it is the world’s largest living reef and is a hugely popular destination for diving and snorkeling. The warm reef waters contain a rich array of colourful coral, fish, turtles, sharks and other marine life, making it a truly breathtaking sight to behold.

For an unforgettable experience of the Australian wilderness, travelers can visit the many Queensland National Parks. Hiking or ‘bushwalking’ is a popular outdoor pursuit in Australia, and is an ideal way to take in the natural beauty and peace of these special places. The Great Sandy National Park on Fraser Island, the Whitsunday Islands National Park and the Daintree National Park are just some of the many popular parks to visit with landscapes ranging from tropical forests to dramatic sand cliffs.

There are many groups of smaller islands off the coast of Queensland that are worth visiting for fishing, swimming, camping and other outdoor activities. Some of the main island groups include the Whitsundays, the Cumberland Group of Islands, the Newry Group of Islands, the Bunker Group of Islands, the Capricorn Group of Islands, the Southern Reef Islands and the Family islands. Some of these island groups provide a peaceful holiday escape from the more touristy areas of Queensland.

The Queensland capital Brisbane has plenty to see and do with beaches, parks, restaurants and markets. Further South, the Gold Coast region is home to several theme parks that attract thousands of visitors every year, including Dreamworld, Sea World, Movie World and Wet and Wild Water World. The nearby Surfers Paradise is a popular beach strip for surfers with an exciting club and bar circuit - a must-see for backpackers and young travellers.

Queensland is the Australian state situated in the northeastern section of the continent. The Sunshine State is bordered by three other states (the Northern Territory, South Australia, New South Wales) as well as the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean.

This large state is home to nearly 20% of Australia's population and 35% of Australia's coastline, so there are plenty of beautiful days to fill with friendly people, sun, fun, and adventure!

With numerous airports and motorways, as well as an extensive integrated public transportation system, visitors have no problem getting around in Queensland. Brisbane Airport, Gold Coast Airport and Cairns Internationa Airport are major hubs for international and domestic flights, while a number of smaller airports throughout the state provide domestic services. Queensland is well connected to Australia's national highway system and boasts many high-quality motorways, particularly in the southern portion of the state. Most regional centers offer local bus services for traveling short distances, while regional buses and long-distance rail services provide transportation throughout the state. Southeast Queensland boasts an integrated public transportations system, the TransLink, that provides bus, rail, and ferry services around the region.

At over 1,700,000 square kilometers, Queensland is very large so there is significant variation in weather across the state. 

Most regions only experience two weather seasons (winter and summer), with various temperatures and levels of rainfall dependent on the area.  In the far north, temperatures can get very high in the humid summer months and there is a monsoonal 'wet' season.  The coastal regions are more temperate, particularly in the southern parts of the coast. 

Summers are warm and humid with slightly cooler temperatures in the elevated hinterlands and the coastal southeast. The inland portions of the state see more temperature variation between seasons and experience very little rainfall. 

Summers are typically hot and dry, and winter temperatures are generally pretty low, especially in the southern and western regions.

Queensland is home to many places of spectacular natural beauty, including five World Heritage listed preservation areas: the Australian Fossil Mammal Sites at Riversleigh in the Gulf Country, the Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves, Fraser Island, the Great Barrier Reef, and the Wet Tropics of Queensland. 

The Bunya Mountains and the Great Dividing Range offer breathtaking scenery from their numerous lookouts, as well as beautiful waterfalls and relaxing picnic areas. 

Carnarvon Gorge, Whitsunday Islands, and Hinchinbrook Island are also popular destinations for sightseers and photographers.  With a 7,400 kilometer-long coastline, there is no shortage of sea-side sand in Queensland, but the south's Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast have some of the most popular beaches in the state.

 

The Sunshine Coast is also home to UnderWater World at Mooloolaba, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary at Fig Tree Pocket, and Brisbane Forest Park at The Gape, while the Gold Coast boasts the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and the David Fleay Wildlife Park at Burleigh Heads.

While there is no shortage of things to see and do all across the state of Queensland, the major tourist attractions are centered in the southeastern region. 

Brisbane, the state capital, is located on the west coast just 100km north of the New South Wales border and offers a wide variety of shopping and dining options. 

The Gold Coast is in the south east corner of Queensland and is known as "Australia's Theme Park Capital" because of it's five amusement parks: Dreamworld, Movie World, Sea World, Wet 'n Wild, WhiteWater World. 

Hervey Bay, located about 300km north of Brisbane, boasts whale watching, Fraser Island, and Lady Elliot Island as its main attractions. 

North Stradbroke Island and South Stradbroke Island are located 30km southeast of Brisbane and used to be the unified Stradbroke Island until a storm in 1896 broke it in two.

The islands are huge tourist draws because of their beautiful resorts, white beaches, amazing lookout points, and fields of wild orchids that grow on the Northern island.

Sunshine Coast is just north of Brisbane and is famous for incredible beaches, big tourist attractions (including Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo), lush golf courses and a selection of national parks. 

A little further up the coast is the popular Whitsundays, which is a cluster of islands of various sizes that offer a wide range of attractions. 

Far North Queensland, the northernmost point in the state, is also a popular tourist draw because of its warm, tropical weather and sunny beaches.  A number of sports are quite popular in Queensland, so a variety of matches and events can be found all across the state.  From Australian football to rugby to basketball, cricket, netball, and swimming, there is always a game going on somewhere!

Queensland also boasts major race car and surfing events that draw big crowds and famous names.

If you like sunny days, white sandy, beaches, beautiful scenery, and
friendly people you cannot miss out on all that Queensland has to offer!

 

Queensland (QLD)

QLD is often nicknamed the Sunshine State as it is famous for its weather with its hot, humid summers and mild, dry winters, beaches and theme parks. The capital is Brisbane and it is one of the most populated cities in Australia.

South Bank, located next to the Brisbane River, is a popular spot for visitors as it where the Queensland Cultural Centre, the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre and the celebrated South Bank Parklands. If you are in town between August and September, Brisbane has many major annual cultural events to attend.

Surfer’s Paradise is a popular destination for tourists and families but it is also the location for Schoolies Week. In November when the ends of year exams are completed, students in their final year of secondary school travel to the city to celebrate. It is estimated almost 50,000 students visit every year.

Dream World, WhiteWater World, Sea World, Warner Bros. Movie World and Wet’n’Wild Water World are all major theme parks located not too far apart from each other.

One of the 7 natural Wonders of the World is found in QLD. It is the Great Barrier Reef, over 2500 kilometres long it is the largest coral reef system in the world. It has been World Heritage Listed.

Queensland’s national parks and forests are not only ranked among the most breathtakingly beautiful in the world, they also protect the state’s biodiversity and cultural heritage.

Queensland’s national parks and forests have a diverse range of scenery and locations that offer up pristine, golden beaches, lush rainforests, rugged bush country and magnificent waterfalls and creeks.

There are many fun and rewarding activities on offer. Visitors can explore numerous hiking trails or experience some of the most exciting surf breaks in the country. Many have relaxed in the natural swimming pools, creeks and spas that occur in the parks.

Visitors can take advantage of the numerous picnic and camping sites that are located in beautiful and tranquil settings. Also, many parks and forests provide for other entertaining and popular pursuits like horse riding, mountain-bike riding and four-wheel-driving.

And it is impossible to speak of Queensland’s national parks and forests without mentioning the Great Barrier Reef.

The Great Barrier Reef is the world's biggest single structure made by living organisms and can be seen from outer space. This magnificent natural reef, which is part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, stretches for over 3000 km and provides unparalleled boating, snorkelling and diving experiences.

Matt M.

Often nicknamed the Sunshine State due to most of the state being situated in the tropics, Queensland is famous for its banana plantations, The Great Barrier Reef and Surfers Paradise – a location in the state named for its amazing surfing conditions. Queensland is a state of many contrasts that range from sunny tropical coastal areas, lush rainforest to dry inland areas. Located on the vast east coast, going all the way to the tip of the mainland, Queensland is large in area and large in local vivacity.

The state is home to many places of natural beauty including many popular beaches and the Whitsunday Islands. Bordered by the Great Barrier Reef and the Coral Sea, the Whitsunday Islands offer beautiful scenery and 99% pure white sand – the most highly sought after sand in the world.

More famously known are the Great Barrier Reef and the islands surrounding it. Just off the coast of Queensland are hundreds of islands that are waiting to redefine your idea of paradise. The main activity for island goers is remarkable scuba diving and snorkeling along the reef. The Reef is classified as one of the seven natural wonders of the world and has been in the heart of protest for years to protect the coral and sea life for future generations.

Queensland is also very commonly known for its wildlife parks and sanctuaries, as well as theme parks. The Sunshine Coast is home to the Australia Zoo founded by Steve Irwin, a popular Australian icon, until his death in 2006. As Australia’s ‘Theme Park Capital’, the Gold Coast houses all 5 of the theme parks; Dream world, Movie world, Sea world, Wet ‘n’ Wild, and more recently Whitewater world. These five major amusement parks have foremost been Queensland’s top tourist attractions in the past decade.

Queensland has a wide spread of sporting competitions nationally and is host to many local and international sporting events. Most popular sports are cricket and rugby but Queensland is nationally known for swimming due to most team members and national competitors coming from the state. But the major annual sporting event for Queensland is the Rugby State of Origin and maintains an important place in the sporting calendar every year.

Queensland is full of sun kissed beaches, bronzed outback landscapes and colourful rainforests. The state offers more than likely the widest spread tourism trade of the states with something for everyone. As Australia’s own personal paradise, the state not only offers international and national guests luxury but provides a greatly loved home to the sunshine coast locals.

ABOUT QUEENSLAND

Queensland is a state that is located in the north east of Australia. Also known as the ‘Sunshine State’, Queensland has a population of over 4.4 million and it continues to grow.

The majority of this incredible population can be found in the south east of Queensland with its capital city of Brisbane also located there.

The state of Queensland occupies the second largest area of land in Australia, the largest being the state of Western Australia, and is bordered by two states and one Australian territory – New South Wales in the south, South Australia in the south west and the Northern Territory in the west.

The vastness of this state means that the climate varies significantly across Queensland with 5 primary zones:

1. In the Far North of Queensland and along the Coast the weather is hot and humid in the summer months,
2. On the South East Coast and in the Hinterlands the weather is warm and humid,
3. In the Central West of Queensland hot dry summers are generally followed by mild winters,
4. In the South Western parts of the state the weather is hot and dry in the summer months but cold in winter and
5. In the South East and Inland areas of Queensland the weather is mostly temperate with warm summers and cold winters.

The highest temperature ever recorded in Queensland was 49.5 degrees Celsius (or 121 degrees Fahrenheit) whilst the lowest temperature ever to be recorded was -10.6 degrees Celsius or 13 degrees Fahrenheit.

With such an array of temperatures it is understandable why Queensland has more winter sunshine and warmth than any other Australian state.

The Queensland economy is primarily boosted by the agricultural industry, tourism and the natural resource sectors. With the lowest taxes in Australia, Queenslanders maintain a relaxed, laidback lifestyle with affordable living conditions.

INTERESTING FACTS:

• Queensland is home to booming tourism and mining industries.
• The most common tourist destinations in Queensland are; Brisbane (the states capital), the Gold Coast (home of the theme parks), the Daintree Rainforest (the largest continuous rainforest in Australia), the Great Barrier Reef (the worlds largest reef system), Hervey Bay (a whale watchers paradise), the Sunshine Coast (famous for its beautiful beaches) and the Whitsundays (a collection of continental islands).
• Queensland is considered to be Australia’s Theme Park capital with major theme parks found on the Gold Coast. These parks are: Movie World, Sea World, Dream World, Wet n Wild and White Water World.
• Queensland is also home to many wildlife parks including: Australia Zoo (home of the late Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin), Currumbin Wild Life Sanctuary, Underwater World and the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.
• The state of Queensland is home to many natural wonders with world class beaches and waterways, national parks, rainforests and tropical reefs

 

 

The state of Queensland has so many adventures to be had by all walks of life. No matter where your interests lay, Queensland has it covered. From outdoor activities to upscale shopping in world class boutiques and exhibitions of artworks by the local Indigenous Peoples, Queensland has it all.
For those who prefer their adventures to be out in the wide open air there are hundreds of miles of golden, sandy beaches where complete relaxation or extreme water sports are amongst your options. The marine life in Queensland is so amazing and the opportunities to interact with it is vast from scuba diving and snorkeling through the reefs to underwater viewing stations and glass bottom boats for those who like to keep their feet dry. You can even explore the weird and wonderful life forms from the sea with ‘touch pools’ found in the aquariums.

Queensland is home to five world heritage listed sites: the Great Barrier Reef which covers around 1200 miles of reefs and islands, Fraser Island on the south coast of Queensland is the worlds largest sand island, the Wet Tropics with its many rainforests is located in the Tropical North of Queensland, the Outback where ancient Aboriginal carvings and paintings can be found on rock faces and finally Riversleigh Fossil Mammal site has extensive fossil exhibits and fossicking sites. And for those who are interested in steeping themselves in the native Australian cultures there are many different ways you can explore from visiting the many Indigenous galleries and museums, take lessons in ‘Bush Tucker’ (food eaten found on the land and eaten by the native peoples) and learn about the natural medicines that have been used for centuries to attending celebrations or festivals that aim to promote traditional values and Indigenous awareness.

For tourists who prefer to see the “different” side of Queensland there are such destinations as The Big Pineapple which can be found in the Queensland town of Nambour. The Big Pineapple is a giant structure in the shape of a pineapple which allows visitors to climb inside and view the entire pineapple plantation on which it sits.

Another interesting place to visit is the Bundaberg Rum Distillery, home of the Bundy Bear (an Australian icon). The distillery allows guest to tour through its factory and museum and offers a shop where merchandise can be purchased.
Or why not explore the Australian wilderness at the northern most point of Australia, Cape York Peninsula. The peninsula is a popular destination in the dry season for camping, hiking and bird watching.

For visitors to Queensland who prefer to spend their time indoors there are a plentitude of activities on hand. Visit the State Library and explore all it has to offer, even free movies on Sundays, go shopping in the many malls, discount factory outlets or undercover markets, relax in the many cinema complexes or simply admire the talents on display in the museums and art galleries. For those who enjoy a little “flutter” or taking in a theatrical show why not spend a day in one of Queensland’s luxurious casinos?

For anyone planning an Australian holiday, the state of Queensland is certainly worth a visit! ... Brisbane with Kids

Queensland facts and figures

1. Queensland is the second largest state or territory in Australia with a total distance covered of 1,772,000 square kilometres. It occupies the north eastern corner of the country
2. The state has the third largest population out of all the states and territories behind New South Wales and Victoria, with a population of more than 3.6 million people
3. The capital of Queensland is Brisbane, which is the third largest city in the country in terms of size and population. The population of Brisbane is 2,043,185
4. The state is distinguished by two distinct regions: Far North Queensland and Southern Queensland. There are a few groups in the far north who have proposed the two halves separate into their own states to receive better benefits and money from the Australian Government
5. Queensland is famed for its sun, sand and water, with its catchphrase often being 'The Sunshine State'. It is one of Australia's most popular tourist destinations
6. To the south of Brisbane is the Gold Coast, which is home to some of the most amazing beaches in the world. Surfers Paradise is a tourist Mecca, with tall buildings lining the beach, clubs, as well as numerous theme parks to keep the family occupied
7. Queensland is also home to the largest reef in the world. The Great Barrier Reef in the northern part of the state is often described as one of the seven natural wonders of the world, and numerous tour operators will take tourists out on to the reef and to it's many islands
8. Queensland initially attempted to be it's own country when first inhabited and even had it's own 'empire' for several years, with ownership of several pacific islands
9. Queensland enjoys a strong, friendly rivalry with its southern neighbour New South Wales. This is put on display particularly when the two states play each other in the annual State of Origin rugby league matches
10. Queensland has borders with the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales