This article will help you get started with your planning . OH… just one thing. Queensland is huge and you must allow for the travel distances involved . You can’t surf on the Gold Coast in the morning and dive the outer Barrier Reef in the afternoon…. it’s not that kind of place!

So here you go …….

Great Barrier Reef holidays – diving, snorkeling, glass bottomed boats, reef walks, sailing, aerial tours, kayaking etc at all of the island resorts. Several of the most popular resorts are located in the Whitsunday Island group off the coast from Proserpine in North Queensland.

Surfing – if surfing is on your agenda , head for the Gold Coast (pre-booking of Gold Coast accommodation is strongly recommended) which lies to the south of Brisbane or the Sunshine Coast which is to the north of Brisbane.

Diving – This populat activity be done at many locations with the Gold Coast, Whitsundays and Cairns being the most popular bases for diving charters.

Sailing the Whitsunday Islands – Airlie Beach and the marina at Shute Harbour are the major centre for crewed and bare boat sailing throughout all the islands of the Whitsundays Passage .
 
Explore the tropical north rainforests – That’s easy… just head for the world famous Daintree Rainforest to the north of Port Douglas in tropical far North Queensland,  

Eco tours -  these increasingly popular tours are available in many areas throughout the state . A great way to see Australia’s unique flora and fauna.

Bushwalking in the National Parks – there are plenty of opportunites to hike the designated trails and heritage walks throughout the states’ numerous National Parks. The Lamington National Park in the Gold Coast hinterland is a popular hiking area.

Sport fishing – fishing of all kinds is possible anywhere along the coast as well as inland rivers, and the Great Barrier Reef in particular offers excellent fishing . Blue water sports fishing takes place in the waters off the coast from Cairns.

Barramundi fishing – catching the sought after Barramundi will require a trip to north Queensland and most of the time you’ll need to head further into the tropical north. Inexperienced anglers will need the services of a professional fishing guide .

Jet boating on the Gold Coast – several operators offer the adrenalin rush of jet boat rides on both open water beach locations as well as calm water locations like the Broadwater.

Whale watching - Hervey Bay is Australia’s whale watching capital. It’s the home port for the whale watching vessels during the season from July to November.

Outback tours and adventures – outback tours range from “armchair adventure” bus tours on sealed roads through to off-road 4WD adventure tours to remote locations.

Hot air ballooning – there are several ballooning locations throughout the state with Cairns in the tropical north and Gold Coast in the south east being two of the popular locations.

White water rafting in the tropical north – there are several white water locations in far north Queensland, with the operator companies based out of Cairns.

Campervan & 4WD tours – rent your own custom fitted van and hit the road to wherever you want to go . 2WD campers are restricted to sealed roads and 4WD campers can be hired for off-road trips.

Nightlife - usually found in hotels or as part of bar entertainment to draw patrons. The entertainment varies from lavish floorshows at Jupiters Casino on the Gold Coast, bands playing the pubs through to DJ’s pumping out the latest craze at the local club .
 
Golf – choose from hundreds of world class courses throughout the state. The heaviest concentration of courses is on the Gold Coast.