Queensland is the kind of place that makes visitors say, 'why didn't we come sooner?' This is Australia turned all the way up: bigger skies, brighter colours, and experiences that stick long after the tan fades.
Covering more than 1.85 million square kilometres, Queensland is Australia's second-largest state, and trust us, it uses every inch to the maximum. From the tropical north to the laid-back south, this is a destination where clients can dive coral reefs in the morning, wander ancient rainforests by lunch, and sip cocktails on a rooftop by sunset.
For agents, Queensland is a dream to sell: iconic experiences, strong air access, a huge range of accommodation, and that unbeatable Aussie warmth. For clients? It's the trip they'll talk about for years.
Brisbane
Brisbane is Australia’s sunny, riverside capital and one of the country’s most liveable (and loveable) cities: relaxed, welcoming and effortlessly cool. Set along the winding Brisbane River, the city blends outdoor lifestyle with culture, dining and easy access to nature.
Highlights of Brisbane:
- Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary: the world's oldest koala sanctuary, every visit contributes towards the conservation of this cuddly marsupial. Clients can meet and greet koalas up close and learn about their quirky habits from keepers, perfect for families and groups alike.
- The Story Bridge Adventure Climb is a must-do in Brisbane, and offers a fresh perspective on Queensland's capital. Available at dawn, day, dusk and night, this experience also offers a world first in accessible wheelchair access with a motorised stair climber wheelchair.
- The Riverlife Adventure Centre offers a one-stop shop for all things active in Brisbane! From kayaking on the river, abseiling down Kangaroo Cliffs or renting bikes, it offers an activity to suit all clients, whatever their level.
- Local walking tours: we work with a provider of self-proclaimed 'funnest' tours, comprising walking, street art and food and drink tours to really get under the skin of the city.
Perfect for:
- First-time visitors to Australia: an easy, friendly introduction with great weather and simple add-on options.
- Couples: rooftop bars, river cruises, dining precincts and a laid-back romantic vibe.
- Culture lovers: world-class galleries, theatres and museums concentrated around South Bank.
- Foodies: from riverfront dining and modern Australian cuisine to buzzing neighbourhoods like Fortitude Valley.
Brisbane is the ideal gatweway to your clients' Queensland getaway, and is well worth a visit before venturing further afield.
Gold Coast
The Gold Coast is Queensland’s playground – a sun-soaked stretch of coastline where iconic surf beaches, vibrant nightlife and lush hinterland all come together. Famous spots like Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach deliver long sandy beaches, beachfront dining and buzzing entertainment, while the Gold Coast Hinterland offers rainforest walks, waterfalls and wineries just a short drive inland.
Gold Coast
- Centered around Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, the city is known for its long sandy beaches, high-rise skyline, beachfront dining and lively entertainment scene.
- Clients can start the day right with a hot air balloon and breakfast buffet over the Gold Coast - a truly unmissable experience for all travellers.
Burleigh Heads
- Burleigh Heads is where local cool meets beachside charm. With a strong surf culture, a thriving food scene and a genuine community feel, Burleigh offers a more authentic, less commercial side of the Gold Coast.
Surfers Paradise
- Surfers Paradise is the beating heart of the Gold Coast: bold, beachy and unapologetically fun. This is where the famous skyline meets golden sand, with patrolled surf beaches, buzzing nightlife and endless dining and entertainment options.
- Jump in a kayak or on a surfboard and explore the surrounds from the water!
Perfect for:
- Food, wine and indulgence seekers who want long lunches, premium cellar doors and boutique producers.
- Active nature lovers drawn to dramatic coastlines, forest trails, surf breaks and immersive outdoor experiences.
The Whitsundays
The Whitsundays are Queensland at its most idyllic: a collection of 74 tropical islands set in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, where turquoise water, white-sand beaches and laid-back luxury are part and parcel of the experience. With beaches that look too good to be true, clients can choose to sail, snorkel or dive, or just chill out.
Unmissable Experiences
Whitsundays Reefsleep/Reefsuites
- Cruise through the Whitsunday Islands to Hardy Reef, then sleep under the stars on deck, or in Australia's first underwater accommodation and have a front row seat to the dazzling underwater world.
- Enjoy sunset drinks and a starlit dinner and experience the Whitsundays like never before.
Scenic Flight
- Clients can marvel at this incredible landscape from above with a 60 minute helicopter flight. Taking in Whitehaven Beach, the most famous beach in the Whitsundays, Heart Reef and Hill Inlet, it comes with pilot commentary and the best views of the Whitsundays!
qualia
- An oasis of Australian style and located on the northernmost part of Hamilton Island, qualia offers perfectly positioned pavilions to make the most of the tropical views.
- As well as memorable experiences off site such as private boat charters, qualia offers numerous onsite luxury experiences such as signature food and wine pairing, and sumptuous spa treatments.
Perfect for:
- Honeymooners and high end couples: is there a better location for a romantic break?
- Luxury travellers: high-end island resorts, private charters, helicopter flights and premium reef experiences all elevate clients' stay on these beautiful islands.
Great Barrier Reef & Cairns
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the world’s most extraordinary natural wonders - stretching over 2,300 kilometres along Queensland’s coast and offering unforgettable encounters both above and below the water. Highlights include vibrant coral gardens, tropical fish, turtles, reef sharks and crystal-clear lagoons, with access points from Cairns, Port Douglas, the Whitsundays and Lady Elliot Island.
Cairns & surrounds
- Cairns is the vibrant tropical gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest, as well as being well-worth a visit in its own right.
- Clients can hop aboard the Kuranda Scenic Railway from Cairns Central and then get the cableway down over lush rainforest and past gushing waterfalls.
- Cultural experiences in the Daintree, the world's oldest tropical rainforest. Clients can soak up generations-old knowledge from the area’s traditional custodians, the Kuku Yalanji.
Great Barrier Reef
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Lizard Island Resort: part of the Luxury Lodges of Australia collection, it is the only all-inclsuive resort situated right on the reef. The rooms ooze laidback luxury, with uninterrupted views of the ocean.
- Enjoy a privately chartered boat cruise on the reef, complete with guided snorkel tour with a marine biologist. As the sun starts to set, clients can relax on the deck of the catamaran complete with beverages and canapes - a truly luxe experience for clients.
Perfect for:
- The Great Barrier Reef is ideal for nature lovers, adventure seekers, couples, families with older children and once-in-a-lifetime travellers looking for meaningful, bucket-list experiences.
- With a wide range of tours and accommodation styles, from luxury lodges to reefsleeps, the GBR is both accessible and awe-inspiring, delivering a true sense of scale, colour and wonder that few destinations on Earth can match. The Great Barrier Reef is a true Queensland highlight and no itinerary is complete without it!
Sunshine Coast
The Sunshine Coast is the only destination in Australia where you'll find three UNESCO Biosphere Reserves sitting side-by-side, but that's not all this magical destination has to offer clients.
Noosa
- Noosa is one of Queensland’s most stylish coastal towns, blending natural beauty with an effortlessly relaxed, upmarket vibe. Set around Noosa Main Beach and the iconic Hastings Street, highlights include calm waters, boutique shopping, excellent dining and the spectacular coastal walks of Noosa National Park, where dolphins and koalas are often spotted.
- Visit the Noosa Everglades, one of only two everglade systems on Earth!
K'gari (formerly Fraser Island)
- The world's largest sand island, it is an area of outstanding natural beauty.
- Only a short ferry ride from the mainland, at only 50 minutes.
- We would recommend clients to stay at Kingfisher Bay Resort - a premium accommodation with super on-site facilities such as spa, Discovery Centre and numerous activities bookable from the resort.
Mooloolaba
- We are biased as this is where our wonderful ozsidekick office is based!
- Mooloolaba is tucked in the heart of the Sunshine Coast, filled with sun drenched beaches, a buzzing esplanade and fresh seafood.
Perfect for:
- Families: safe, swimmable beaches, open space, coastal walks and easy day trips make it ideal for multi-generational travel.
Couples: laid-back beach towns, great dining, hinterland escapes and a slower, romantic pace. - Repeat visitors to Australia: those looking to go beyond the major cities and experience a more local, authentic side of Queensland.
Practical Information for Agents
Driving Tips
As Australia's 2nd largest state, distances can be vast! Luckily, Southern Queensland is more manageable, with distances from Sunshine coast to Gold Coast doable in a day.
Brisbane Airport → Brisbane CBD: 25 minutes
Brisbane → Gold Coast: 1 hour
Brisbane → Sunshine Coast: 1 hour 15 minutes
Sunshine Coast → Noosa: 1 hour
Cairns → Daintree National Park: 2 hours
Need To Know
Queensland is arguably Australia’s most naturally diverse, spanning tropical rainforests, coral reefs, island chains, fertile hinterland, long sandy coastlines and vast inland landscapes. While the southeast corner is well developed and easy to navigate, distances quickly increase outside major centres, making preparation important for self-drive travellers. In regional and outback Queensland, this can mean refuelling whenever possible, carrying extra water and planning driving days carefully
National Parks
Most Queensland national parks are free to enter for day visits, which makes them easy to include in itineraries. However, camping permits are required, and some parks - particularly those involving 4WD or beach access such as K’gari (Fraser Island) require vehicle permits. Facilities can be limited in more remote parks, so travellers should arrive prepared with water, sun protection and appropriate footwear.
Mobile Service
Mobile coverage is generally good in South East Queensland, but can become patchy or unavailable in regional, inland and Far North Queensland. Travellers heading off the main routes should download offline maps and consider safety planning. If emergency services are needed and 000 cannot be reached, the free Emergency+ app can assist by providing accurate GPS location details.
Booking Advice
While Queensland offers a wide range of accommodation, key regions can book out early, particularly during peak season and school holidays. Areas such as the Whitsundays, Great Barrier Reef islands, Noosa and popular national park camping areas often require bookings 6–12 months in advance for peak travel periods. Early planning is especially important for island stays, 4WD permits and popular eco-experiences.
When To Travel
December - February
Shoulder
March-May and September - November
These shoulder seasons offer a balance between favourable weather conditions and fewer crowds, making them an excellent time to explore Queensland’s diverse landscapes. The temperatures remain pleasant, and there is more availability due to the schoolkids being back at school! It's a great time of year for agents to push for clients wanting great weather without peak pricing.
Off-peak
March to November
The off peak season offers clients the opportunity to catch the best wildlife encounters on offer in Queensland. Whilst the Great Barrier Reef can be visited year around, the best time for snorkelling and diving is during the dry season in May to October, when the visibility is at its best.
Unique Selling Points
Home to two world class natural icons: Queensland is the only Aussie state where clients can experience the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree National Park. Where else can they see the largest coral reef system on one day and then one of the oldest rainforests the next?
Excellent value for money: Outside peak periods, Queensland often offers better value for money than southern destinations, especially for beach, resort and family travel.
Elevated island experiences: From luxury private islands in the Whitsundays, to eco-islands on the Reef and easy-access sand islands like K’gari (Fraser Island), Queensland offers more island variety than any other state.
Why work with ozsidekick?
Fast, Seamless Booking
Our platform delivers instant quotes and simple online booking for New Zealand, Australia or combination itineraries. With 500+ ready made options and custom builds, you’ll find the perfect fit in minutes.
We’re a dual-market Destination Management Company / Inbound Tour Operator with teams in New Zealand and Australia. That means you’ll get insider knowledge, on the ground support and authentic experiences across both destinations.
Manage New Zealand and Australia in a single platform so you don’t need to juggle multiple suppliers. We’re your sidekick for quoting, booking and after sales support, freeing you up to focus on selling.
At ozsidekick, we proudly belong to the Australian Tourism Export Council, showcasing our dedication to excellence in the tourism industry. Our team members are certified through the Aussie Specialist Program, providing them with expert insights into Australia’s diverse destinations and unique experiences
Browse our website Inside Australia Travel for self drive and coach touring itineraries!