Queensland

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Brisbane

Australia’s third largest city, the Capital of Queensland is situated on the Brisbane River. “Brissy” is named after Sir Thomas Brisbane, the 1823 Governor of New South Wales.

Koala House

Anzac Square

City at Night

The streets follow a grid named after British Royalty: queens and princesses run north-south, kings and princes run east-west. Below are just some of the many city highlights.

City Parklands

University of Queensland

Jacarandas

Carnarvon Gorge

Carnarvon Gorge National Park is a lush oasis hidden amongst rugged ranges. Carved by the flowing waters of Carnarvon Creek, the sandstone gorge meanders through the park. Explore creeks, mossy gorges and cool rainforests on 21 kilometres of walking track.

Carnarvon Gorge National Park map

Lamington National Park

Lamington National Park contains densely forested valleys and ranges rising over 1100m on the crest of the McPherson Range. It is 20,200 hectares of varying forest types, from temperate Antarctic Beech forest high on the border ranges to sub-tropical rainforests to the northern escarpment’s dry eucalypt forest.

Mount Barney National Park

The peaks in Mount Barney National Park reach 1359 meters, the 2nd highest in Queensland. They are: Mount Barney, Maroon, May, Lindesay, Ernest, Ballow, and Clunie. They are NOT easy climbs and require good fitness.

The park is the result of several national parks being amalgamated in 1980. The park covers 17,659ha of some of Queensland’s most rugged terrain. It is also one of the largest areas of undisturbed vegetation remaining in southeast Queensland. There are many rare and significantly endangered plant & animal species, especially on the higher peaks.

Mount Cootha

Mt Coot-tha supports 1,500 hectares of open eucalypt forest, offering sweeping view of the city, Moreton Bay, and the southern and western ranges. Explore the open forests via the walking tracks. In many places the only sounds are running water, birds chirping, and wind in the trees.

Mount Gravatt

Mt Gravatt, named after Lt. George Gravatt, is part of the Toohey Forest and Brisbane’s eastern skyline. The mountain offers views of the Moreton Moreton Bay Islands, the D’Anguilar Range, and even the Glasshouse Mountains on clear days.

Purlingbrook Falls

The magnificent Purlingbrook Falls located in Springbrook National Park. The falls plunge more than 100 metres and are the highest in Queensland.

The lookouts are an easy 10 minute hike from the family picnic area and are literally right at the cliffs’ edge. One trek will find you walking across the very top of the falls! If you continue around the circuit, it will bring you to the pool at the base of the falls.

Queensland’s Oldest Building

The oldest surviving building in Queensland, the Windmill was constructed in 1828 to grind maize into meal for convicts. It didn’t work well for various reasons, so the jailers replaced wind power with convict power by attaching a giant treadmill to the grinders.

In 1861 it was converted to a signal station, also being used as a look-out for bush-fires.

In its third role, it served as a clock in which a cannon would fire at 1pm every day.

Brisbane’s Roma Street Parkland

The Roma Street Parkland is the world’s largest sub tropical garden found in a city center. Spread over 16 hectares the parkland is a collection of themed and interlinked gardens with plenty of recreational areas.

There are plenty of maps to help you navigate the web of pathways and boardwalks traversing the parkland’s cascading waterways, rocky outcrops, subtropical forests, unique artworks and spectacular vistas.

Tree Top Walk in O’Reilly’s Lamington National Park

The Tree Top Walk consists of 9 suspension bridges up to 15 meters (approximately 48 feet) above ground. This walk is fully accessible to everyone, including those who are handicapped.

Because of weight restrictions, only six people are allowed on each suspension bridge at one time. Not for the feint hearted! These bridges squeak, shake, and move with the wind!

Along the walk, a bird’s eye view is obtained from a deck 30 meters (approximately 95 feet) above ground in a fig tree over the walkway. The best time to climb this deck is early morning or late day to capture absolutely gorgeous sunrises and sunsets!

Compare with the Otway Fly Treetop Walk, Tahune Airwalk, and the Valley of the Giants Treetop Walk.

Whitsundays

Bordered by the Great Barrier Reef and the Coral Sea, the Whitsundays lie midway along the Queensland coast. The region spans from the beaches of Bowen in the north to the golf greens of Laguna Whitsundays in the south. The 74 Islands, of which only 8 are inhabited, form the largest offshore island chain along Australia’s coastline.

Whether you choose to bush walk, scuba dive, or sail, there are a myriad of ways to experience the Whitsundays. Island and coastal accommodation options range from camp sites in National Parks to luxury resorts.

Wild Horse Mountain Lookout

Wild Horse Mountain Lookout is named for the brumbies that once roamed the area. It stands 123 meters above sea level and is in Beerburrum State Forest, east of the Bruce Highway. Turn off at the Mobil Service Station and drive along Johnston Road to the lookout.

Wild Horse Mountain offers a steep, paved track to the lookout from the carpark. Enjoy 360-degree views of Pumicestone Passage, coastal plains, the Glass House Mountains, and forestry plantations from the sheltered fire tower platform.

The lookout is provided by Telstra and the Department of Primary Industries (Forestry). It serves as a mobile telephone transmitting station, a working fire tower, and excellent public viewing platform.