Go epic in Queensland

Experience Australia’s greatest icons, best-kept secrets, ancient cultures and freshest cities in the glorious Sunshine State – guaranteeing an unforgettable adventure for every visitor

They call Queensland the Sunshine State – but that golden weather is just the start of it. This fabled stretch of Australia is so rich in natural beauty and diversity, so layered with adventure and spectacle, that its reputation among travellers has become as vast as the state itself. The twin pulls of the Sunshine Coast and the Cairns & Great Barrier Reef region make it the kind of place travellers want – and need – to explore for weeks.

It’s easily visited, too – a straightforward flight into Brisbane and out of Cairns, or vice versa. It’s even more stress-free if you book with a company in the know. Flight Centre’s decades of experience means its Travel Experts are able to tailor the perfect Queensland itinerary for travellers, combining the very best of what makes the state such an irresistible prospect – from those headline destinations to the secret spots that aren’t on most peoples’ radar yet.

The lovely problem for travellers is that there are options for unforgettable travel experiences at every turn. The Sunshine Coast remains the quintessential Australian coast experience – a beach for every visitor’s needs, whether sun, surf, culture or cuisine.

Meanwhile the Great Barrier Reef is the jewel in the east coast’s crown. Stretching along the coast for some 2,300km, the planet’s largest coral reef system is a bona fide wonder of the world. As many as 10% of the world’s fish species inhabit its waters, as well as 30 species of whales and dolphins. Both chilled-out, multicultural Cairns – the unofficial capital of Tropical North Queensland – and laid-back Port Douglas serve as easy, instant access points for visitors seeking to sink into this realm of shimmering islands, sealife-rich beds and thrilling activities.

Whether you’re underwater in worldrenowned dive sites, interacting with minke whales in the water (an experience unique to Tropical North Queensland), taking a scenic flight above the seascape, strapping on a mask and snorkel, or just kicking back with a cold beer and a sunset beach barbecue, you’ll soon slip under the spell of the place.

Luckily for visitors, the accommodation matches the spectacular landscape, with stays ranging from secluded Silky Oaks Lodge to the beachfront eco-retreat of Thala Beach Nature Reserve. It’s all part of an ethos about creating unforgettable experiences, and that’s before you get to the Instagrammable sand cays, peerless marine life – which includes the likes of marine turtles and manta rays – or thrilling coastal tropics.

Of course, it’s hard to overstate how impressive the snorkelling and diving options are; however, above the waves the region’s blend of waters, white sands and lush vegetation – and the myriad ways to explore them – are every bit as deserving of your time. So breathe deep, loosen those shoulders and give the place as much time as you can: the ultimate Australian adventure virtually demands it.