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Queensland - Australia

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Queensland also known as The Sunshine State, half of which is above the Tropic of Capricorn, has much to offer the traveller and is a popular Australian tourist destination, particularly towards the north of the state.

Brisbane is the is the capital city of Queensland. A modern city with a cosmopolitan lifestyle.

There is a wide variety of restaurants and entertainment activities.

Built on both sides of the Brisbane River, it has a sub tropical climate. There are many impressive public and historical buildings for visitors to see.

River cruises, to both upstream of the city as well as down are both interesting and relaxing. Also on the river is the South Bank parklands, a 16 hectare feature with its man made beaches, artificial canals, walking and cycle tracks and several restaurants.

East of Brisbane

Day Trips

Well east of Brisbane is actually the ocean but there are two islands that you should visit if you are in the area.

To the east and slightly south is Stradbroke Island, about an hours ferry ride from the mainland. Here you can enjoy the heavily vegetated areas, excellent fishing and good surf.

Whilst on the island take a trip to Blue Lake National Park and Point Lookout.

Certainly there are spots on the island that can only be reached by 4x4 but most of the roads cater for conventional vehicles.

Try and plan your trip for a week day for relative peace and quiet as the island is invaded weekends by mainlanders.

Also off the Brisbane coast and only a ferry ride away is Moreton Island and Moreton Island National Park Moreton Island id a little different from Stradbroke Island in so far as there is far more four wheel driving that can be done here.

As much of the island is on the beach and in sand you need to be prepared to recover your vehicle if you get stuck. A tide table would be handy to make sure you don't get caught out on the beach with an incoming tide.

I'm sure you don't want to be left standing on the beach watching your 4wd floating off towards New Zealand.

If you are into ship wrecks there a some good spots on this island.

You do need permits to 4wd as well as to camp on the island. Both should be available from the ferry booking office.

South Of Brisbane

Day Trips

South of Brisbane down to the New South Wales border is virtually all within a days trip as Brisbane is situated in the far south east corner of Queensland.

Queensland's entry point from the south is the Gold Coast with its famous skyscapers, Surfers Paradise, the beaches and Sea World, Movie World, Wet 'n Wild Water World and Dreamworld. The Gold Coast is about an hours drive south of Brisbane.

Further down and west of the Gold Coast on the New South wales border is the Lamington National Park.
This trip can be done as a day trip or extended over two or three days if you wish to travel down into NSW and visit Nimbin and Kyogle.

From Kyogle you can travel north into the Border Ranges National Park

West of Brisbane

A couple of hours slightly north west and Brisbane is the Bunya Mountains National Park. This park is a great place to escape Brisbane and enjoy a cooler climate whilst you enjoy the beautiful scenery, bush walking, bird life and rainforests. This can be done as a day trip in a conventional vehicle but is four wheel drive country if you want to go deeper into the park and will take you longer than a day.

Longer than day trips

As mentioned a few lines above, the Bunya Mountains National Park is within a couple of hours north west of Brisbane. There is a spectacular trip up the middle of the park but allow two to three days.

West and inland from the Gold Coast are national parks with magnificent waterfalls, rock pools and subtropical rainforests.

Venture away from any of the main tourist centres and you are definately in four wheel drive country. There ia a mountain range running north to south called the Great Divide. East of the divide towards the sea is relativley fertile and more densely populated than west of The Divide.

Go a little further west of the divide and you start getting into the Outback, or desert areas of Queensland. This is a vaste expanse that stretches as far as the Northern Territory and South Australian borders.

A couple of hours slightly north west and Brisbane is the Bunya Mountains National Park

Further west of Brisbane, and almost north of Roma, is the Expedition National Park and the Carnarvon National Park.

Carnarvon National Park is well known for its outstanding scenery and rock formations. There are several camping areas throughout the park.

North of Brisbane

Day Trips

There are vaste areas of uninhabited countryside as well as hundreds and hundreds of kilometers of beach all of which you can just about have to your self if you like.

A couple of hours drive north of Brisbane is the start of the Sunshine Coast with a wide variety of natural attractions.

The Sunshine Coast is a direct contrast to the Gold Coast. It offers far less commercialism and more uncrowded relaxation.

The Caloundra, Mooloolaba, Maroochydore area is a popular tourist destination with the very trendy Noosa a little further north.

Up in the hills West of Maroochydore is the Jimna State Forest. This an area with a heavy and very scenic growth of eucalypt and pine treas. There are several bush walks as well as fresh water swimming holes. There is also a fairly large natural inhabitaion of birds and other wildlife.

There are several very pleasant camping spots provided by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife. Give them a ring first to check on whether you will require a permit to camp.

Trips longer than a day

Heading north from Noosa and throgh Maryborough you should be aiming for Hervey Bay. Heading north from Noosa and through Maryborough you should be aiming for Hervey Bay.

Hervey Bay has a fleet of pleasure craft that take passengers on cruises to watch dolphins and whales (seasonal).

In the harbour can also be found a colourful array of fishing and pleasure craft. Some of which are chartered out whilst others are for private usage only.

Without doubt the most famous tourist attraction at Hervey Bay is Fraser Island and the Great Sandy National Park. Take your own four wheel drive, hire one in the area or go with a 4x4 tour Fraser Island is a "must go to" destination.

The island stretches from Tin Can Bay in the south to above Bundaberg in the north and is the largest sand island in the world.

If possible plan to camp on the island for a few days. Even then you may wish you had planned to stay longer.

There are many small national parks dotted all the way up the coast but one that is very popular as an international destination is Great Keppel Island, which is part of Keppel Islands National Park. The island is aboat or plane trip from the mainland and you won't be taking your own vehicle.

Moving on much further north and you will arrive at Cairns.

Cairns is in very close proximity to the Daintree National Park. The Great Barrier Reef and other popular tourist destinations. Read on further for more details on these areas.

The area from Cairns north to Cape York, also known as "The Cape" is spectacular to say the least. It is important to plan your trip closer to the winter months in order to miss the tropical monsoonial rains that make much of the area inaccessable.

Cairns is the gateway to the far north of Queensland. Many international visitors in fact arrive at Cairns and spend their whole time in Australia in this one spot. There is certainly a lot to see.

A word of caution to those loving the beach and swimming in the sea the deadly stingers prevent such activities for some parts of the year - check with the locals before taking a plunge

Cairns is the main Gateway to The Great Barrier Reef.

The reef comprises over 700 islands and is a tropical wonderland with coral reefs, crystal clear waters and the most colourful tropical fish you can imagine and stretches for around 2,300 km from Bundaberg up to the top of Cape York.

Swimming, diving and snorkeling are popular activities around the islands where you can swim with the fish, explore the coral, sight humpback and minke whales (seasonal) and see cod fish almost the size of a small car. There are all manner of sea life to be seen, more that you would dream possible.

The actual Great Barrier Reef itself is located along the outer, seaward edge of the island archipelago. Most vistors limit their experience to the islands of which about 20 are inhabited.

The Great Barrier Reef is listed as a World Heritage Area. Its delicate ecosystem lies in the balance as polution takes its toll.

THe area is Australia's most popular tourist destination with a wide variety of activities.

West and inland from Cairns is the Atherton Tablelands with its tropical rainforests and cascading waterfalls and creeks.

There is a good daytrip from Cairns up past Port Douglas to Mossman and then inland onto the tablelands where you swing south again and head back to Cairns via Mareeba and Atherton. At Atherton turn east back towards the ocean and a place called Gordonvale. Gordonvale is about 25 km south of Cairns.

If you have a caravan or camping equipment plan to stay on the tablelands a little longer and head further south eventually ending up at Innisfail on the coast.

North of Cairns is the lovely town of Port Douglas. Whilst it tends to be very busy during the holiday season it is very picturesque.

A few kilometers north of Port Douglas is the outstanding Daintree National Park, sometimes referred to as the Daintree Rainforest or just The Daintree.

The Daintree is the world's oldest rainforest, it is World Heritage Listed and is listed as a world heritage area for future generations.

Here you will find pristine rivers and stunningly lush rainforest vegatation and all surronded by gorgeous natural beauty.

Make sure you pick up some local literature before going into the forest to ensure you are able to identify all of the places of interest.

About 300 km north of Cairns is Cooktown and the Endeavour River National Park. This is the last taste of town life that you will experience between here and Cape York. The roads start getting rougher and four wheel drives become more desirable.

Cooktown can be accessed by normal vehicles by following the slightly inland road that turns off at Mossman.

There is an alternate 4x4 road that goes up through the eastern side of the Daintree, past Cape Tribulation in the daintree National Park and on to Cooktown.

There are some water crossings along the way and the water levels can mean the road gets impassable after rain. Always check with the locals if there has been any rain at all in the area.

Cooktown is very old and heaped with history. Captain cook landed here to repair his ship, Endevour, in 1770. Some years later Cooktown became a booming gold mining town with people flocking here to make their fortunes.

Situated on the Endeavour River Cooktown has some interesting places to visit - Grassy Hill, where you get a 360 degree panoramic view of the town and river, the James Cook Museum and others.

There is the Endeavour River National Park just north of Cooktown as well as 4x4 access heading further north to Starcke National Park and beyond, eventually ending up at Cape Melville National Park at Cape Melville. These 4wd tracks can be rough and hard going so check out with the locals at Cooktown before you depart.

If you have been to Cooktown and you're heading for Cape York and don't particularly want to double back to Lakeland is a road that heads from Cooktown up into the Lakeland National Park.

There is camping allowed in the park but you do need to get a permit from the local ranger. Phone first to make arrangements on 07 4060 3271

This access will eventually bring you out at Coen on the main road north. Again check with the locals first.

There is so much natural beauty that is only accessable by 4x4. If you don't have one don't despair there are several tour operators who offer 4wd trips of varying duration and destination. They mainly operate out of Cooktown.

details on the trip further up unto Cape York

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