City: Queensland
Top Things to do in Queensland
Top Hotels in Queensland
Top 10 Free Things to do in Queensland, Australia
Queensland (abbreviated as Qld) is the second-largest and third-most-populous state in the Commonwealth of Australia. Situated in the north-east of the country, it is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean. The state is the world's sixth largest sub-national entity, with an area of 1,852,642 km.
Restaurants in Queensland
1. Lake McKenzie
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,810 reviews
Reviewed By Hervey2 - Hervey Bay, Australia
Such a beautiful fresh water lake, only the depth changes the colour, so turquoise in the shallows. Try cleaning your jewellery in the sand. I have cleaned my watch and watch face many times, that tells you how soft the sand is. So pure.
2. Noosa National Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,016 reviews
Reviewed By sundaysap - Sydney, Australia
While visiting Noosa twice last year in January and June I did a lot of bushwalking through their pristine National Park. We have quite a few National Parks here in NSW but none of them compare to this stunning treasure. They were updating the walkways into the National Park when I was there in June last year, but I personally found their walkways were well maintained when I was there previously in January 2018. There is wheel chair access for the disabled and also well paved walking track for families with young children with prams and also the elderly. The best part of this pristine National Park walk are the beaches you come across on your way up which are Tea Tree Bay, Granite Bay and further into the National Park (depends on your fitness level) is the beautiful Alexandria Bay. And before you venture into this beautiful National Park make sure you stop into the Kiosk located at the information centre within the National Park, they make the best coffee ???? I have tasted in Noosa. Seriously a great pick me up for your long walk up into this pristine treasure. Absolutely loved it.
3. South Bank Parklands
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11,529 reviews
South Bank Parklands is Brisbane's premier lifestyle and cultural destination. Located on the southern banks of the Brisbane River, its 17 hectares of lush parklands, world-class eateries, stunning river views and hundreds of delightful events all year round make it the perfect place to relax and unwind.
Reviewed By 934alenas - Bargara, Australia
One of the best places to visit in Brisbane, whether you want to relax in the sun with the Brisbane River at your feet, swim in the simulated beach pool (complete with Life Guards) or dine in the many many amazing restaurants in and around the area, South Bank is the place to be!!!
4. Tamborine Mountain
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 487 reviews
Reviewed By TaniaB12345 - Cape Town, South Africa
What a beautiful day trip this is. Beautiful views looking across the gold coast from the top of Tambourine Mountain where hang gliders take off from, plenty of sights for all the family to see as well as wineries and liqueur tastings.
5. Glass House Mountains National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 118 reviews
Reviewed By 130helenafun - Sydney, Australia
It is the most impressive Mountains National Park on Australia's Eastern Coast. Located just about 70kms from Brisbane, Glasshouse Mountains National Park is a big and beautiful nature Bonsai in the Hinterland region of Sunshine Coast, created by Volcanic activities at least 25 millions years ago. Those dom and pinnacle shaped mountain peaks dominate the lush and otherwise flat landscapes. The secnery is breathtaking. We visited this Park in June 2019, regrettably we did not go for hiking due to the closures of some mountains, as well as our own schedules. Nonetheless, Glasshouse Mountain Lookout and Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve had provided us with wonderful Panoramic views over the National Park, along with easy access, parking and other necessary facilities. Great experiences. Recommended by me.
6. Blackdown Tableland National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 63 reviews
Reviewed By talbahtstravels
This breathtaking national park is just off the Capricorn Highway, about 170km inland from Rockhampton. With hikes for a range of fitness levels, gorgeous lookouts, a waterfall to swim under and Ghungalu art work on rock faces, it’s absolutely worth a trip. Best of all, you don’t even need a 4×4! Stay overnight at the campsite, in one of the nearby towns, or get up early and do it as a day trip from Rockhampton. The first time we got a glimpse of the tablelands from the Capricorn Highway, we were seriously impressed. Rising 900m higher than anything else around, this flat topped national park is one of the most beautiful places I’ve visited in Australia. How to get to Blackdown Tablelands: It’s just off the Capricorn Highway, about 170km west of Rockhampton in Central Queensland. If you don’t have all day to visit or it’s too hot to hike, I’d still recommend driving up and going to the first lookout called Yaddamen Dhina (formerly Horseshoe). It’s all on a sealed road, the lookout is just a couple of hundred metres walk from the car park, and the view is incredible. I’d say the drive up there from the highway takes around half an hour, via a winding and scenic road. Do I need a 4×4 to visit Blackdown Tablelands?: No! There are some areas only accessible to 4x4s, but there’s plenty to see and do if you don’t have one. However the road up is very steep in parts, and once you’re at the top it’s pretty bumpy and unsealed. We took our little Kia Rio and she managed OK, but was covered in red dust by the end! I think anything too low to the ground would struggle. If you’ve got a trailer or a caravan don’t even try to get up. When to visit Blackdown Tablelands: The temperature at the top is about five degrees cooler than at the bottom, but as it’s over 200km inland coast prepare for it to be pretty warm whenever you go. If you’re going to do a day trip from Rockhampton then I’d say only do that in the cooler months, as you don’t want to be hiking up there in the 35+ degree midday heat of summer. If you’re happy to stay overnight or camp then it’s good to go anytime, as you can get up nice and early to start your walks. Always check the latest Queensland park alerts before you set off, and bring everything you’ll need to keep yourself safe – drinking water, first aid kit, sunscreen, sensible footwear etc. There is no drinking water up three and there are no bins, so bring a bag for your rubbish and plenty of fluid. What to do at Blackdown Tablelands: Go on some hikes, enjoy the amazing scenery and learn about the Ghungalu people who lived here for thousands of years before any Europeans showed up. There is even some indigenous art on the rock faces. If you only do one hike make it the Gudda Gumoo (formerly Rainbow Falls) one. It’s about 4km in total, and includes 240 stairs down into the gorge to enjoy the pool at the bottom of the waterfall. Obviously that means you have to do 240 steps back up, but as long as you take your time I’d say most people – even with lower fitness levels like me – are able to do it. When we got to the top of the steps we turned left (instead of right to head back to the way we came). If you follow this route for a few minutes you’ll be able to get to the rocks and rock pools that sit above the waterfalls. It’s a little bit of a scramble down, but the views are absolutely worth it – it was our favourite spot in the whole park. Plan your time so you can have a swim in the pool and under the waterfall – it’s a beautiful spot for a picnic too. It had been quite dry so the waterfall was relatively small and gentle, but if you’re lucky enough to go after a period of rain it would be spectacular. Oh and a top talbaht’s travels tip for you – if you’re going to take your drone don’t let it fly out of range and be forever lost to the gorge…(still hurts). (When we went that national parks website helpfully informed us that the Blackdown Tableland Two Mile Walking Track was closed, but nothing on any map shows which track that actually is and none of the tracks are two miles long. Even the man at the Queensland National Parks call centre couldn’t tell us! After lots of investigating, I can confirm it’s the Goodela walk. You’re welcome.) Where to eat at Blackdown Tablelands: I’m sure you won’t be shocked to hear that there’s no supermarket at the top of the tablelands, so you’ll need to bring a picnic or something for the BBQs. And remember there’s no drinking water, so bring lots! We were going to use one of the picnic tables next to the Yaddamen Dhina lookout, but a big lace monitor lizard thing was trying to hunt us/play with us/chase us and so we ran away like the cowardly Poms we are. Eating in the front seat of the Kia Rio wasn’t exactly the scenic experience I’d imagined for our lunch, but needs must. We had food the night before, and breakfast before we set off, in Blackwater. Where to stay at Blackdown Tablelands: There is a campsite inside the national park itself. It’s basic – drop toilets and no showers – but it’s beautiful and has fire pits and BBQs. It’s only $6.55 per person per night, or $26.20 per family, but you’ll need to book before you show up. If you don’t fancy camping, the nearest town is Dingo, which has a couple of accommodation options. We chose to go a little further and stay overnight in Blackwater. All in all it’s absolutely worth exploring the Blackdown Tableland National Park – it’s beautiful.
7. Surfers Paradise Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,921 reviews
The iconic skyline and golden beaches of Surfers Paradise is the Gold Coast’s postcard image to Australia and the world. Each year, millions of visitors discover an energetic foreshore precinct boasting an incredible diversity of restaurant, cafe, shopping and fashion and nightlife experiences. Restaurants offering everything from fresh seafood to international cuisine have made Surfers Paradise a serious dining hub, while shopping centres and arcades display top labels and the best in lifestyle and beauty. Surfers Paradise contains 50% of the Gold Coast’s accommodation – everything from five-star beachfront resorts to cheerful backpacker digs – making it the perfect base from which to explore the region. Locals and visitors are kept busy with a year-round calendar of events, highlighted by free family entertainment. And fronting it all – Surfers Paradise Beach, Australia’s iconic beach and a locale that conjures up ‘paradise’ to millions. It's "Always On" in Surfers Paradise!
Reviewed By williamsN3015EP - Surfers Paradise, Australia
I have traveled extensively and this stretch of beach beats plenty others I have seen, including Santa Monica, Hoi An, and others. If you are escaping the colder climates of Australia and beyond, this beach will be all you need to feel fantastic. Beautiful clean sand, gorgeous rolling surf, superb sunrises and moonrises, all patrolled by Australia’s famous surf life savers. Ideal for romantic strolls along the beach. Don’t forget to swim between the red and yellow flags, and bring your sunscreen and hat. Who says there is nothing to do? Just enjoy the world class beach and stunning vistas.
8. Esplanade
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 837 reviews
Reviewed By glaitken1 - Nambour, Australia
This walk goes for miles - literally. I can't think of anywhere else in the world with such a relaxed walking environment, but complete with discrete toilets, picnic seating, regular access to the beach - and of course with a range of coffee shops, restaurants, ice-cream shops, motels and pubs just on the other side of the road. I hope that is never over-developed, so that it retains its ambience. 20 paces and you are off the walking track, and walking along the endless beach front, with a wide, gently sloping sandy beach, Frazer Island in the distance, and great shade spots under the bordering trees. Truly a paradise.
9. Pacific Fair Shopping Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,166 reviews
Pacific Fair is centrally located in the heart of the Gold Coast adjacent to the Star Gold Coast and the Broadbeach entertainment precinct. Pacific Fair is one of Australia's largest shopping centres and boasts an outstanding collection of luxury, high-street fashion, and dining and bar experiences, plus a world-class indoor/outdoor leisure and entertainment precinct and around 400 specialty stores. The centre also boasts two supermarkets, a fresh food market, Big W, David Jones, Kmart, Target and the Gold Coast’s largest Myer. Pacific Fair has a first-class Visitor Lounge including showers/amenities, luggage storage, coach set-down, free WiFi, stylist service, quiet room and an exclusive Visitor Privileges Pass with over a hundred special offers. There's also a free shopping shuttle that services Sea World (Southport) in the north to Burleigh Heads in the south daily (see website for timetable). A visit to the Gold Coast isn’t complete without a visit to Pacific Fair.
Reviewed By mohomadr2017 - Young, Australia
While holidaying at the Gold Coast we had the opportunity to go shopping at Pacific Fair, it had a range of tremendous and vast range of named stores and my favorite a massive food court to tingle your trate buds. Great place to kill some time and your pocket.
10. Four Mile Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,022 reviews
Reviewed By PaulBartleyW - Lichfield, United Kingdom
We stayed at The Peninsula Boutique Hotel, at the far end of this awesomely serene Beach (just off Main Street, at the town end). The hotel, sits back but next to the beach and is ideally scenically located for the beach. Four Mile Beach is a Stunning view to see & a pleasure to explore.. Its wide; clean and the sand is not grainy underfoot.. Yes, there can sometimes be jellyfish in the water - BUT, you can swim in the safe / secure netted area (at the one end of the beach), snorkel & see the sea life very safely.. There’s also a lifeguard here, should you get into distress - again, adding to the safety of this lovely beach.. Additionally, you can cycle down this beach easily and safely - as well as enjoying a gentle stroll???? Just, don’t forget the sunscreen - whatever your doing on the beach????
