How to Spend a Week in Queensland, Australia

Mining towns, the Gold Coast, safaris and gorgeous beaches, the state is packed with a variety of attractions. It will be nearly impossible to cover it a couple of days but here are a few of the best places to visit in Queensland for a weekend.

1. Gold Coast is perhaps one of the favourite places in the state. The 66 km stretch of beach has some of the best beaches in the world. Surfers Paradise is one of the most popular and is a 3km stretch with a lifeguard on duty every day of the year. Other beaches to visit include Kirra, known for great walking paths, and crystal clear waters. Cabarita, a small coastal town surrounded by a nature reserve. Tallebudgera is a creek that descends to the ocean, known for its exquisite beauty and calming atmosphere. The Gold Coast is famous for its amusement parks as well. Warner Brothers Movie World, Dreamworld, Wet n Wild, and Sea World are the most popular. In terms of National Parks, there is Spring Brook, Mount Tamborine Park, and Lamington National Parks.

2. Mackay is a great city to visit for a weekend while in Queensland. The many attractions include Mackay Regional Botanical Gardens, Bluewater Lagoon supported by the Pioneer River. Eungella National Park, overlooking mist-laden forests is one of the most diverse national parks in Queensland. As Mackay is a coastal city there are many beautiful and secluded beaches to discover such as Bucasia, Lamberts Beach and Dolphins Head. If you are headed up to Mackay Oaks Mackay Carlyle Suites is one of the top Mackay hotels that come highly recommended.

3. North Stradbroke Island is famous for its sandy white beaches; the locals affectionately call it 'Straddie'. This island has a tropical vibe and feels far away from Queensland altogether. The wildlife population is abundant, you may run into kangaroos, and koalas on the North Gorge Walk, Amity Point and Dulwich walking trails. The island is dotted with freshwater lakes and an unusual tea-stained lake known as Brown Lake. Water activities and sports are popular too, such as kayaking, diving, scuba diving, snorkelling and surfing.

4. Moreton Island is just north of Straddie and an ideal place for a day trip from Brisbane. for those who love the sand and sea and offers picture postcard-worthy scenery. The Tangalooma Wreck is one of the most popular diving sites in Australia and has 15 ships to explore. Hand-feeding dolphins are popular in Tangalooma Island, so is whale watching during the winter migration. Dune tobogganing or a beach and bush track trail are few of the adventure sports for those who want an adrenaline rush. With so much going on, one can spend several days discovering this fantastic place!

5. Sunshine Coast located in the north of Brisbane is a commercial and metropolitan hub with pristine beaches all along its shoreline. The beautifully warm and temperate climate makes for inviting waters and an ideal location for dive enthusiasts. Apart from the beaches, there is Mount Coolum, which is the second-largest rock in the world. The monolith is 25 million years old and is south of Coolum Beach, 3.5 km to be exact. Many people have climbed it, however, is advisable that only physically fit people attempt the hike. The highest point is Beerwah which lies at 556 meters, and the most recognised is Mount Tibrogargan which resembles a face. Mount Tibrogargan with Ngungun is open to the public for bushwalking. According to stories of indigenous peoples, couples who climb the rock together will part due to an ancient curse cast on the rock!

Then there are the stunning rocky boulders of the Glass Mountains. The mountains are what remain of volcanic activity over 25 million years ago. Noosa National Park another top attraction has plenty of stunning tracks and winding bush path with incredible scenery.