The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system, stretching over 2,300 km along the Queensland coast. Made up of nearly 3,000 individual reefs and hundreds of islands, it supports an extraordinary range of marine life. Visitors snorkel, dive or take scenic flights from Cairns and Port Douglas. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Kuranda is a village in the rainforest-covered hills above Cairns, known as the "village in the rainforest". Visitors arrive via the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway or the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway over the canopy. The village has markets, butterfly and bird sanctuaries, and walks along the Barron River.

The Daintree Rainforest in far north Queensland is considered one of the oldest rainforests on Earth, around 180 million years old. It meets the Great Barrier Reef at Cape Tribulation, where two World Heritage areas sit side by side. Visitors take river cruises to spot crocodiles, walk boardwalks and look for the rare cassowary.

Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island stretches about 7 km and is famous for its brilliant white silica sand, which stays cool underfoot. At Hill Inlet, shifting tides swirl the sand and turquoise water into striking patterns best seen from the Tongue Point lookout. It is reached by boat, seaplane or helicopter from Airlie Beach.

K'gari, formerly known as Fraser Island, is the largest sand island in the world, stretching about 120 km off the Queensland coast. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with freshwater lakes such as Lake McKenzie, rainforest growing on sand, and the 75 Mile Beach used as a highway by 4WD vehicles. Wild dingoes roam the island.

South Bank Parklands is Brisbane's riverside cultural and leisure precinct, built on the site of World Expo 88. It includes Streets Beach, a man-made lagoon in the city, the Wheel of Brisbane, gardens and the Arbour walkway draped in bougainvillea. Nearby are the Queensland Museum, Art Gallery and Performing Arts Centre.

Surfers Paradise is the vibrant heart of Queensland's Gold Coast, known for its long surf beach backed by a skyline of high-rise towers. The SkyPoint Observation Deck atop the Q1 tower offers panoramic views. The area is busy with restaurants, nightlife, beachfront markets and easy access to the region's theme parks.

Byron Bay is a laid-back coastal town in northern New South Wales, famous for its beaches, surf and alternative culture. Cape Byron Lighthouse marks mainland Australia's most easterly point, where dolphins and migrating humpback whales are often seen. The town has a vibrant food scene, markets and nearby rainforest hinterland.