About Queensland
Take your pick of beachside getaways
With a sprawling eastern coast and idyllic islands off the mainland, Queensland is the perfect place to book in some quality sunshine time. Planning a honeymoon, beach wedding or girls' weekend away? Port Douglas in the tropical north has luxury spa retreats and resorts that are perfectly suited to a champagne budget, while nearby Cairns has the midrange market covered.
Set sail to the Whitsundays, the ultimate reef-bound island escape, where the islands of Hayman, Hamilton and Daydream are lined with family-sized apartments and luxury resorts alike. Further south, the aptly named Sunshine and Gold Coasts, north and south of Brisbane respectively, have enough sand-and-surf adjacent hotels to satisfy even the most seasoned beachcomber.
Cosmopolitan nights at inner-city hotels
Queensland specialises in cities with a "big country town" ambience. Forget monochrome skyscrapers and concrete jungles; Queensland's urban centres are injected with character and are growing at a rapid pace, meaning shopping, dining and entertainment opportunities have never been better. Catch an AFL game at The Gabba, a Broadway show at QPAC or an international art exhibition at GoMA, with a wide range of Queensland accommodation in Brisbane ensuring you can stay in the heart of the action.
For sultry seaside nights on town, check out the high-rise Gold Coast hotels at Surfers Paradise, Coolangatta or Broadbeach, or head north to the pseudo-capital Townsville for a quiet city stay on the Strand.
A relaxing retreat in the hinterlands
While Queensland is best known for its balmy, beach-perfect summer weather, when the days grow shorter down-time is often spent curled up in front of the fire at a hinterland hideaway. Bypass the glitz and glamour of the Gold Coast and head to the hills, where bed and breakfasts and cosy cottages are nestled around the outskirts of Lamington National Park.
The mellow towns of Montville and Maleny, inland from Mooloolaba and Caloundra, play host to resorts and retreats with vistas of rolling hills and rainforest if you're holiday in the "Sunny Coast". If you find yourself in the tropical north, escape the humidity and check in to a Yungaburra hotel – the ideal base for exploring the Atherton Tablelands.