Queensland

Justifiably known as the “sunshine state,” Queenslanders enjoy a lifestyle that makes other Australians green with envy. Along with its perfect climate and sleepy seaside towns, Queensland is also home to a 110-million-year-old rainforest, and one of the natural wonders of the world, the Great Barrier Reef. When thinking of Australia, most people picture lazy days on white sand beaches. Nowhere is this image of Australia more of a reality than in Queensland. Perhaps the centerpiece of the region, the city of Brisbane, tempts visitors and locals alike with its welcoming Queenslander architecture, cheerful markets and cafés, and a beach right downtown. Wandering a bit further to the south, the Gold Coast is Australia’s version of Miami Beach, offering sophisticated waterfront resorts, gourmet restaurants and a healthy dose of unique beach culture, Aussie-style.

The main attraction of Northern Queensland is undoubtedly The Great Barrier Reef, but the region is full of rich and diverse wonders that deserve their own recognition. As the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, the city of Cairns features an eclectic combination of tropical outdoor living, cosmopolitan sophistication and easy access to adventure. Further north, the Daintree Rainforest is Australia’s equivalent of the Amazon, home to the highest number of rare or endangered plant and animal species in the world. And venture to the tip of the Daintree and you’ll end up at Cape Tribulation, where the rainforest literally meets the Great Barrier Reef, a perfect mix of the best of what Queensland has to offer.