Millions of visitors fly to Queensland every year to take in the pristine beaches, walk the tropical islands, venture into the lush rainforests, and tour the bustling cities and authentic Australian outback. Queensland, also known as Australia’s “Sunshine State,” has been tagged the ultimate vacation destination by travelers familiar with the area.
The capital of Queensland is Brisbane, an energetic city complete with style, arts and culture for the worldly traveler. The city comes alive at night when the bars and dance clubs open their doors and keep patrons occupied until the sun comes up. After a wild night in Brisbane, relax in the freshwater lakes of Fraser Island, the largest sand island in the world. The Great Barrier Reef is another Queensland must-see. The reef stretches approximately 2300 km (1429 miles) along the coast and is best seen by way of snorkeling or scuba diving. Travelers to Queensland have the chance to revive and rejuvenate at rainforest resorts in North Queensland, or test survival skills in Queensland’s outback.
Getting to Queensland is an adventure for some. Most international flights arrive in Sydney or Melbourne where travelers can board flights to Queensland. Once in Queensland, tourists can explore the various regions by car or bus, or booking Queensland flights with hiring local airlines.
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Straddling the Tropic of Capricorn, Queensland's climate is subtropical. From November to March humidity is generally high throughout the state, but sea breezes bring some relief along the coast. Brisbane in the south has a hot and humid climate, particularly in summer, but winter is mild and sunny with cool nights (July and August). The best time to visit the northern part of the state is from September to November. Tropical cyclones can occur in the north from November to April (mostly during January to March).
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Peak Season
The peak travel season in Queensland is April through September (the Aussie winter months), when daytime temperatures are warm and comfortable and it rarely rains. June, July, and August are the busiest months in Queensland and when flights to Queensland and accommodations are usually booked full. It’s likely Queensland flights and hotels are higher priced, too, so you’ll want to make reservations in advance.
Off Season:
The summer months (October through March) are hot, humid and wet. Some attractions close, but this is also a good time to find cheap flights to Queensland and lower hotel rates.
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Travelers head to Queensland by way of airline (Air New Zealand National and Air New Zealand Link) from such cities as Christchurch, Auckland, Wellington, and Rotorua. Air New Zealand also has a weekly flight from Sydney year-round and a weekly Queensland flight from Brisbane during ski season. Qantas has a weekly Queensland direct flight from Sydney and Brisbane in winter.
Once in Queensland, travelers can take a Super Shuttle downtown or the Airport Bus transports visitors to/from the airport and major accommodations. Bus rides are available between Queensland and Christchurch, Dunedin, Fox Glacier, Franz Josef, Invercargill, Milford Sound, Mount Cook, Te Anau, and Wanaka.
Renting a car is another great way to see Queensland, but it's likely that car travel can take an entire day to get from one destination to another. All major rental-car companies have offices in Queensland.
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- Take a visit to the Australian Workers Heritage Center, located in Barcaldine. The center pays homage to the history and traditions of all working Australians, and also provides a retreat for the weary traveler. Opened in 1991, this museum-style complex is located on the grounds of the old Barcaldine State School and feature many of the original structures. Picnic areas, barbecue pits and a children’s playground are located on the site of the Heritage Center.
- If shopping is your game, then head straight to the Oasis Shopping Center in Broadbeach for hours of fashion, food and fun. Located just a few steps from Surfers Paradise, the center features award winning restaurants and cafes, fashion boutiques and retail stores, and specialty stores and services including a post office, news kiosk, a tavern and more.
- The Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane always has something fascinating to see. From now until the end of March 2008, the Andy Warhol Exhibition makes its way to Brisbane for the first-ever look at the famous artist's 300 works, spanning all areas of his practice from the 1950s until his death in 1987. Works include paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, films, videos and more, including his most popular and influential Pop art.
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