| Queensland |
| Queensland, the
Sunshine State, is holiday country, evoking dreams of long, golden days,
tropical islands set in jewel-blue seas and the chance to relax outdoors.
Its mild sunny winter climate and the variety and beauty of its mountains
and reef-fringed tropical coast have attracted holidaymakers for many
years. The coastal region - particularly the Gold Coast, south of Brisbane,
Australia's premier playground; the Great Barrier Reef, known throughout
the world as a natural wonder of the first magnitude; and the tropical
northern region around Cairns - attracts the majority of visitors. Queensland
is neatly divided into four geographic and climatic regions running north
to south: the coastal strip, the fairly complex mountain system of the
Great Dividing Range, the tableland country to the west of it and further
west the wide, semi-arid plains of the Great Artesian Basin - the Sunshine
State is a diverse place |
| |
| Places
of interest |
Cairns -
The idyllic palm-fringed gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and lush tropical
rainforests.
Brisbane - A relaxed, cosmopolitan city ideal for visiting the
Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.
Great Barrier Reef - Dive and snorkel among colourful reefs and
1000s of fish at one of the Natural Wonders of the World.
Whitsunday Islands - Stay in a plush resort or sail to your very
own uninhabited tropical island!
Gold Coast - Major theme parks, busy shopping, nightlife and endless
beaches, all 1 hour from Brisbane.
Sunshine Coast - Visit a national park or relax at a waterfront
café on this pristine coastline. |
| |
| Gold
Coast |
Must see &
do
Go for a leisurely boat cruise
along the canals of Surfers Paradise, enjoy shopping in world-class arcades
and shopping complexes, have a swim in the deep blue waters of the Pacific
Ocean, or simply relax under a beach umbrella on the magnificent white
sand. At night, try your luck at Jupiters Casino at Broadbeach. The hinterland
offers caves, gorges, waterfalls, the subtropical rainforest of Lamington
National Park and the Tamborine Mountain.
Shopping
The heart of the Gold Coast is Surfers Paradise, home to a wide range
of arcades, shopping centers, boutique-filled boulevards and duty free
stores. Further south, Broadbeach features specialty stores and restaurants.
Pacific Fair nearby offers unsurpassed shopping from designer clothing
to souvenirs and has a number of cafes, restaurants and a newly opened
cinema complex. Worth visiting is the Marina Mirage at The Spit on Main
Beach, Australia Fair at Southport, Marine Village at Sanctuary Cove and
Robina Town Centre. Art and craft markets on the Coast operate each Friday
night, Saturday and Sunday where local artists and craft people sell everything
from the practical to the delightfully different.
Family Fun
Fun and entertainment are awaiting at thrill-a-minute theme parks,
wildlife parks, family entertainment centers, farm resorts and working
fruit plantations. At Movie World view stunt shows, special effect stages
and marvel at the "Maverick" illusion and magic show. Ride the
Corkscrew roller coaster at Sea World and view performing dolphins and
sea lions. Dreamworld features an Imax theatre and the opportunity to
have your photo taken with a Koala and feed the kangaroos, feed the colourful
parrots at Currumbin Sanctuary and visit a farm for a BBQ lunch. This
and much more awaits you on the Gold Coast.
Restaurants & Nightlife
International performers, cabaret shows, intimate bars, dinner cruises,
nightclubs and discos and the 24-hour Conrad Jupiters Casino with a showroom
that presents spectacular stage shows. Ballet, theatre, films and exhibitions
are on show at the Gold Coast Arts Centre. Choose from more than 500 restaurants
offering a wide range of Australian and international cuisines.
Golf
There are more than 40 golf courses in this region. Some of the most
popular courses are Hope Island, Palm Meadows, Paradise Springs, Robina
Woods, Royal Pines Resort, The Palms and The Pines at Sanctuary Cove.
Airport Transfers
Brisbane : Coach to the Gold Coast. Journey time is approximately one
hour.
Gold Coast : Gold Coast (Coolangatta) Airport is for domestic airline
services only. Transfer time between Gold Coast Airport and Surfers Paradise
is approximately 25 minutes |
| |
| Cairns |
Must see &
do
Take a ride on the Kuranda Scenic Rail to Kuranda and return on the Skyrail,
visit the Outer Barrier Reef resort islands and coral cays. Travel north
to the beaches, Port Douglas and the world heritage listed Daintree and
Cape Tribulation national parks or visit the Undarra Lava Tubes.
Shopping
Shopping in Cairns is a pleasure in arcades, courts, plazas, boutiques
and duty free stores. For visitors to Kuranda a must is the market days
which operate Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays and feature local
arts, crafts and produce.
Family Fun
Take a ride through the rainforest in an army duck at Rainforestation,
learn about the Aborigines at Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park. Meet
our native animals and birds at Wildworld and Birdworld and be entertained
at the Australian Woolshed.
Restaurants & Nightlife
Sample freshly caught seafood and locally produced tropical fruit or try
one of the many restaurants that feature international or Australian cuisine.
The Reef Hotel Casino provides the opportunity to try your luck or relax
at the nightclub.
Airport Transfers
Cairns international and domestic airports are located 6 kms north of
the city. Transfer time is approximately 15 minutes. |
| |
| Brisbane |
The city of Brisbane
is located on the picturesque waters of Moreton Bay and the city centre
straddles the meandering Brisbane River, which wanders through the suburbs
to its mouth at Moreton Bay. Moreton and Stradbroke islands protect the
bay from the Pacific Ocean. To the south, rugged mountains form a natural
backdrop to the high rise development of the Gold Coast, and northward
the strange shapes of the Glass House Mountains herald the natural beauty
of the Sunshine Coast.
The city of Brisbane is small but spacious, a wonderful harmonious mix
of elegant colonial sandstone and modern glass skyscrapers. There are
quiet areas that provide midday retreats for busy office workers and wide
walkways for pedestrians. Most city streets are bordered by bus lanes,
with no parking for regular vehicles, which further enhances the feeling
of spaciousness. In all, this delightful city has an imposing and gracious
character that belies its size. With a population of over 1.3 million,
it is a busy city with a modern and extensive public transport system,
parks and gardens that thrive in the sub-tropical climate, a wide selection
of restaurants, and a surprisingly varied nightlife.
Interesting places
City Botanic Gardens - lush tropical vegetation in a riverside
setting at the edge of the city centre
City Hall - architecturally interesting building with an 85-metre
clocktower, located on King George Square
City Sights Tour - a scenic round-up of the major historic attractions
from tram-style coaches
Cultural Centre - comprises museum, art gallery, library and theatres
in one great location on South Bank, just across the river from the city
centre.
Earlystreet Historical Village - interesting collection of early Queensland
buildings, east of the city at Norman Park
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary - take a ferry ride from the city to the
world's largest koala sanctuary at Fig Tree Pocket
Mt Coot-tha Lookout - located 8 kilometres south-west of the city
centre and easily distinguished by its television towers, this is the
best place from which to see the layout of Brisbane
Newstead House - Brisbane's premier historic house at Newstead, with
period furnishings and exhibits
South Bank Parklands - A beach, restaurants, cruise ships,wildlife
sanctuary, butterfly house, weekend markets and leafy picnic areas, all
just across the river from the city centre
Sunday market at Riverside Centre - Wonderful market with upmarket
wares, located on the banks of the Brisbane River
Getting Around
Brisbane has a comprehensive public transport system. Buses take most
of the load, modern electric air-conditioned trains run to many suburban
areas, and ferries provide a fast, efficient way of getting across or
along the Brisbane River.
There are a number of excellent tourist trips available. The City Sights
Tour departs from the GPO every 40 minutes, taking visitors on a narrated
tour of the city's major historical and cultural attractions. The City
Heights and City Nights tours travel further afield to the Mt Coot-tha
Lookout and a host of other attractions beyond the city centre. Both depart
from City Hall. Ferries operate from North Quay in the city to Kangaroo
Point, East Brisbane, New Farm and South Bank.
Brisbane's domestic and international airports are 17 kilometres north
of the city centre. There is a half-hourly bus service running between
the City Transit Centre and both airport terminals. A cab from the airport
will cost you around $17. Taxi ranks are scattered around the city, or
cabs can be hailed on the street and fares are fully regulated. Car rental
agencies are to be found at the airport and around the city.
Brisbane, with its wonderful climate, wide streets and glorious parklands
is a terrific place to explore on foot. The Brisbane Council has prepared
a series of self-guide heritage walks; pamphlets are available from information
centres. Cycling is another pleasant way to explore the city. There is
an excellent network of bike tracks, particularly along the river and
through the city's parklands.
Shopping
The moderate size of this city, along with its wonderful weather,
make it a paradise for shoppers. The stylish and cosmopolitan boutiques
of the city centre, the designer shops in Park Road, Milton, the Asian
stores in Fortitude Valley, the exceptional weekend markets at Eagle Street
and South Bank are just some of the highlights.
The Queen Street Mall, located between Edward and George streets, is the
heart of Brisbane and its major shopping precinct. Here you will find
fashion and fun, as well as good dining, busy cafes, entertainment, movies
and night life. An information centre is centrally located in the Mall
and can answer all your questions and provide details of all tours and
places of interest in Brisbane and its environs.
In Park Road, Milton there are a cluster of upmarket cafes, art galleries
and shops offering designer fashions and interiors. Chinatown in Fortitude
Valley offers distinctive shopping, with oriental market stores selling
exotic delicacies, Asian kitchenware and Chinese herbal medicines. There
are also great cosmopolitan cafes and tempting Asian restaurants. Brunswick
Street, in the same area, is the site for a colourful market on Saturdays.
Other markets of note are those at the Eagle Street Pier on Sundays and
the South Bank Parkland markets which operate all weekend. Both are renowned
for their arts and crafts, collectibles and gourmet products, and their
more unusual services such as therapeutic foot massages and tarot readings.
Restaurants & Nightlife
Queensland's beautiful weather makes eating out a particularly pleasurable
experience. Venues range from sophisticated city restaurants, licensed
brasseries, suburban eateries (frequently housed in old Queenslander cottages)
and al fresco cafes. Most international cuisines are represented, but
visitors to Queensland should not miss the regional specialities such
as Moreton Bay bugs, tiger prawns, awesome mudcrabs, delicious reef fish
and barramundi.
Brisbane top-range of restaurants are generally fully licensed and offer
a great selection of both Australian and imported wines. Some top spots
include Siggi's, Michael's Riverside and Marco Polo East West Cuisine.
Many of Brisbane's restaurants overlook the river. A cluster of fine dining
establishments is situated at the Eagle Street Pier and a good mix of
eateries and cafes is to be found on the other side of the river in the
South Bank area.
Fortitude Valley is the city's most colourful, loud and generally most
anarchic eating spot. Diners spill out of cafes, street tables and chairs
jostle for room on the pavement, people eat breakfast at two in the afternoon
and dinner at midnight. Expect lashings of multiculturalism, particularly
around the Chinatown end of the district. Spring Hill, Paddington, Petrie
Terrace and Highgate are all inner-city precincts known for their eclectic
range of eateries.
Brisbane offers a range of night entertainment in theatres, theatre restaurants,
jazz clubs, the casino and a number of night clubs in the city and suburbs.
It is hard to keep up with the ever-changing night-club scene, but the
action tends to centre around certain areas.
Caxton Street in the city has numerous pubs and clubs; Riverside, by the
Eagle Street pier, has long been a club area; and you can find more alternative
entertainment every night in Fortitude Valley. Many restaurants, such
as Baguette at Ascot and Sans Souci at Milton, also provide live music
on some days and evenings. The Queensland Performing Arts Complex is located
in South Bank and is where most major dance, opera and theatre performances
are staged.
Airport Transfers
Brisbane's domestic and international airports are 17 kilometres north
of the city centre. There is a half-hourly bus service running between
the City Transit Centre and both airport terminals. |
| |