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.