Things to do in Queensland

When you think of Queensland, chances are the Great Barrier Reef takes top billing. But there’s way more to Australia’s “Sunshine State” than just snorkelling and coral. With year-round sunshine, lush rainforests, vibrant cities, and some of the most jaw-dropping natural landscapes in the country, Queensland is packed with experiences that often fly under the radar.

In this guide, we spotlight 3 key regions: Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Cairns. Each comes with its own hidden gems. Depending on what you’d want out of your Aussie vacay, you can zoom in on one area or mix and match to build your own dream itinerary.

– Brisbane –

Brisbane may be the capital of Queensland, but it definitely doesn’t take itself too seriously. With sunshine almost all year round and a laidback riverfront vibe, it’s no wonder this buzzy city has earned a reputation as Australia’s lifestyle capital. It’s even been given the title of the country’s happiest city.

Getting around won’t break the bank. Thanks to a permanent $0.50 flat fare on all Translink public transport across Queensland, you can hop between scenic riverside walks and artsy neighbourhoods without burning a hole in your pocket. Here are 3 attractions you should check out:

1. Story Bridge Adventure Climb

Image credit: @storybridgeadventureclimb via Instagram

For the #1 view of the city, the Story Bridge Adventure Climb is where it’s at. One of only 3 bridge climbs in the world, this experience lets you scale Brisbane’s famous cantilever bridge with a guide – safely harnessed, of course.

Choose from a Day Climb (AUD$150, ~S$126) for clear panoramic views or a Night Climb (AUD$160, ~S$134.40) if you love the city lights. Our pick is the special Twilight Climb (AUD$180, ~S$151.20), where the skyline turns golden before slipping into dusk. Climbers as young as 6  – and up to age 96 – are welcome, and group photos are included in your ticket.

Image credit: @storybridgeadventureclimb via Instagram 

And if you’re feeling extra adventurous, opt for the “Walk The Plank” add on, where you’ll step out onto a suspended plank 80m above sea level.

Find out more about Story Bridge Adventure Climb.

2. Howard Smith Wharves 

Image credit: @yokodining via Instagram

After conquering the Story Bridge, keep the vibes going with a well-earned evening out at Howard Smith Wharves. This riverside precinct is a lifestyle playground with craft breweries, sleek restaurants, and sunset views all nestled under the bridge. Conveniently, the Story Bridge Adventure Climb is located right here too – making it the perfect climb-then-dine combo. Just note: climbers are breathalysed before every climb, so save the drinks for afterwards.

Pop by Yoko Dining if you’re after modern Japanese izakaya-style fare with a fun, energetic crowd – B-SIDE upstairs is where it gets lively. But for something a little more laidback, we’d make a beeline for Ciao Papi.

Image adapted from: @ciaopapi_ via Instagram 

This breezy Italian spot is big on family-style feasting, with dishes made for sharing. Start with the Crudo di Pesce or yellowtail kingfish for AUD$28 (~S$23.52), then move on to the Paccheri al ragù di agnello (AUD$36, ~S$30.24) featuring short tubular pasta with lamb ragù, or a classic pizza (from AUD$24, ~S$20.16). All with a spritz in hand, naturally.

Wrap up the night with a pint under the bridge at Felons Brewing Co., known for their citrusy Paloma Sour.

Find out more about Howard Smith Wharves.

3. Bluey’s World 

If your little ones are obsessed with Bluey, don’t skip Bluey’s World. It’s a brand-new, real-life immersive experience that brings the Heeler family’s home to life. Located at Northshore Pavilion in Brisbane, this 70-minute walkthrough lets kids and parents step inside the world of the hit Aussie show.

Image credit: Bluey’s World 

Explore the full Queenslander-style house, where you can crawl through Bluey and Bingo’s giant cubby, decorate a pavlova in the kitchen, and run around the backyard just like in the episodes. The sets are complete with life-size characters, adorable photo ops, and interactive games that’ll keep kids fully entertained. There’s also a cafe, gift shop, and playground to round out your visit.

Tickets are AUD$49.90/person (~S$41.92), and children under 2 enter for free. Just note: all kids under 18 must be accompanied by a ticket-holding adult. Tip: Plan your visit on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, and you can hop over to the neighbouring Eat Street Northshore – Brisbane’s largest street food container market – for dinner. It opens from 4pm to 10pm and makes for the perfect post-Bluey treat.

Find out more about Bluey’s World.

– Gold Coast –

Most Singaporeans think of Gold Coast and immediately picture Surfers Paradise. And fair enough, it’s iconic for a reason. But if you venture beyond the usual haunts, you’ll discover a side of Gold Coast that’s just as vibrant, minus the tourist crowds. We’re talking lush hinterland rainforests, surf neighbourhoods, and local-fave cafes tucked away in South Gold Coast.

Home to famous breaks like Kirra Point and Snapper Rocks, the Gold Coast is a bona fide surf capital. Plus, with an average of 300 days of sunshine a year and breezy temps ranging from 21°C-28.4°C, it’s the kind of place that’ll tempt you to trade city life for sand and hiking trails. Here’s where to go.

4. Burleigh Heads, Southern Gold Coast

Image credit: Marc James via Unsplash

Burleigh Heads is the best place to blend in with the locals. Tucked between Surfers Paradise and Coolangatta, this laidback beach town is beloved for its scenic headland and iconic surf culture.

Image credit: @justinlaneest via Instagram 

Make your way to The Point – the headland lookout – for front-row seats to watch surfers take on Burleigh’s famous right-hand point break. This stretch is one of Goldie’s top surfing spots, so you’re bound to catch some pros doing their thing. Pro tip: locals come here for sunset picnics, so pack a mat, grab some pizza from Justin Lane Establishment, and settle in as the sun dips behind the skyline. But if you want something a little fancier, check out The Tropic, an ocean-facing restaurant with a Mediterranean-inspired menu.

Image credit: @juliastuermer via Instagram 

Up for a little adventure? Take a breezy 1.5km walk through Burleigh Head National Park. It’s a short trail, but the views over the coastline and Tallebudgera Creek are worth every step. And once the sky turns pink, head to one of the area’s 2 beloved watering holes: Burleigh Brewing Co. for a classic craft beer or Grandad Jack’s Craft Distillery for a cheeky G&T to round off the evening.

Find out more about Burleigh Head National Park.

5. Miami Marketta, Miami 

Image credit: @liseyrae via Instagram

You can’t leave the Gold Coast without checking out Miami Marketta. Tucked in an industrial laneway in the Miami suburb, this open-air night market transforms into a bustling hub of global street food, live music, and indie shopping every week.

Image credit: @kabaogc via Instagram 

Grab a table and feast on dishes from around the world – think juicy bao from Ka Bao, or an omurice (from AUD$16, ~S$13.44) from Azus Japan, a fluffy Japanese-style omelette draped over smoky fried sobameshi. The latter is a stir-fry of yakisoba noodles and rice, usually mixed with diced pork, cabbage, and savoury sauces. With about 15 vendors on rotation each night, you’ll never run out of things to try.

Aside from food, the market’s known for its live music. You can expect chill acoustic sets to full-blown gigs on the Cargo Stage, and even the occasional international act. You’ll also find a curated selection of stalls selling everything from handmade jewellery to quirky homeware, perfect if you’re after one-of-a-kind souvenirs.

Just don’t rock up on a Monday. Miami Marketta only runs from Wednesdays to Saturdays, 5pm-10pm, so plan your visit wisely.

Find out more about Miami Marketta.

6. Binna Burra, Lamington National Park

Image credit: @binnaburra via Instagram 

For those who are travelling to be one with nature, add Binna Burra to your itinerary. It’s a lush escape in the Gold Coast Hinterland, perched 800m above sea level in the subtropical rainforest of Lamington National Park, also known as Woonoongoora.

One of the more popular trails lead you to the famous Gwongoorool Pool.
Image credit: @rachalysia via Instagram 

Part of the World Heritage-listed national park, Binna Burra is just a 75-minute drive from Gold Coast Airport. There are over 160km of walking trails, so bring your hiking boots – treks here take you past ancient Antarctic beech trees, misty waterfalls, scenic ridgelines, and even rock pools you can swim in. And if you’re lucky, you might just spot a wild koala hanging out in the treetops.

Views from the Sky Lodges.
Image credit: @binnaburra via Instagram 

If you or your travel companion are a bit more atas, check into the Sky Lodges. These eco-luxury glass lodges have floor-to-ceiling windows that look out to sweeping mountain views. Or if you’re the more rugged type, pitch a tent at the Rainforest Campsite, which comes with BBQ pits, showers, a communal fridge, and even a cosy Tea House cafe nearby.

Find out more about Binna Burra Lodge.

– Cairns –

When someone mentioned Cairns, odds are the Great Barrier Reef pops up first – and honestly, same. It’s Australia’s most legendary natural wonder for a reason. But Cairns is more than just a launchpad for snorkelling tours. This tropical town serves up a chilled, outdoorsy lifestyle and is the gateway to some of the country’s most stunning nature spots. We don’t make the rules.

Once you’ve ticked the Reef off your bucket list, here are 2 more adventures worth diving into.

7. Daintree National Park

Image credit: @myadvenature via Instagram 

Daintree National Park is the kind of place that’ll make you forget Wi-Fi exists. Clocking in at over 180 million years old, this one-million-hectare rainforest is officially the oldest tropical rainforest in the world. Even Sir David Attenborough called it “the most extraordinary place on Earth,” and we’re not about to argue with that.

The park is split into 2 main sections, both offering wildly different experiences. Mossman Gorge is the more accessible half, where you can take a refreshing dip in crystal-clear streams and wander through towering canopies via scenic boardwalks. To learn more about the rich Indigenous history of the land, join the Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk led by the local Kuku Yalanji community.

Meanwhile, Cape Tribulation in the north of the Daintree River is where the rainforest meets the reef, literally. Expect untouched beaches, mountain ranges, and maybe even a cassowary sighting if you’re lucky.

Image adapted from: @backcountryblissadventures via Instagram 

Other must-dos: Take a croc-spotting cruise with Crocodile Express, swing by the Daintree Discovery Centre, or try the River Drift Experience by Back Country Bliss, where you’ll float downstream under a canopy of ancient trees.

Find out more about Daintree National Park.

8. Kuranda Village experiences

Image credit: @kurandascenicrailway via Instagram 

A visit to Cairns isn’t complete without hopping over to Kuranda, a mountain village tucked away in the rainforest of the Atherton Tablelands. Getting there is half the fun – choose between 2 scenic routes, or combine both for a full-day rainforest adventure.

Board the Kuranda Scenic Railway, a historic train journey over 100 years old that winds its way through Barron Gorge National Park, climbing 300m above sea level. You’ll pass cascading waterfalls, cross deep ravines, and stop at Barron Falls Station for some jaw-dropping views of the mighty falls. The train ride ends at Kuranda Station, a leafy heritage site that looks like something straight out of a Studio Ghibli film.

For a different perspective, glide above the canopy on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, a 7.5km gondola ride offering panoramic views of the rainforest, rivers, and gorge below.

Image credit: Kuranda Village

Once in Kuranda Village, make your way to the famous Kuranda Market, where you’ll find local arts, crafts, handmade jewellery, and a spread of international cuisines. Stop by Busk Japanese Teahouse for a quiet tea break or have sushi at 4628 Yorozuya.

Then head to Rainforestation Nature Park for the Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience, a 30-minute immersive encounter with Dreamtime stories, Aboriginal dance performances, and even a shot at boomerang throwing. You’ll walk away with a deeper appreciation of Australia’s Indigenous culture, and maybe a newfound skill.

Find out more about Kuranda Village.

Queensland’s calling, time to plan your next adventure 

City, surf, rainforest, and wildlife… Queensland really said “why not all?” If you’ve been meaning to plan that epic Australia getaway, this is your sign.

You can fly direct to Brisbane or Cairns from Changi Airport with Singapore Airlines or Qantas, making both cities great starting points for your adventure. From Brisbane, it’s just a 1-1.5 hour train ride or drive to the Gold Coast. And if you’re headed north, hop on a 2.5-hour flight to Cairns to explore the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree.

Singapore Airlines also has direct flights to Cairns. If you’re starting there, it’s easy to fly down to Brisbane or the Gold Coast, with flights taking around 2.5-4.5 hours depending on the route. For those who prefer slow travel, hop on the Spirit of Queensland train for a scenic 25-hour ride to Brisbane, or make the drive down the coast over a few days with pit stops at charming small towns and national parks.

Whichever way you do it, it’s easy to piece together all 3 regions into one unforgettable trip. All you have to do now is to use up those ALs and book that flight.

Find out more about Queensland, Australia

Cover image adapted from: @storybridgeadventureclimb, @backcountryblissadventures & @juliastuermer via Instagram