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Queensland - Destination Queensland (QLD)

Queensland, the sunshine state, covers over 1.7 million sq km's, is hot year-round and has the countries fastest growing population.  This state has everything and from desert outback, lush green rainforests and coral reefs to miles of golden beaches. Queensland is, by its own admission 'beautiful one day, perfect the next'. 

Occupying the northeast corner of the country, Queensland shores break the waters of the Coral Sea in the north and the South Pacific Ocean in the east. Its borders join those of New South Wales and South Australia in the south and the Northern Territory to the west.

The states capital, Brisbane, located in the southeast corner is steadily transforming itself from 'big country town' to 'competitive city'.  South of Brisbane is the Gold Coast a 42km stretch of beaches, theme parks and of course Surfers Paradise.  Home of bikini clad meter maids, neon lights and flashy lifestyle Surfers Paradise is a place where you can either party hard all night or just relax in the sun and enjoy the beaches.

The Bruce highway is the main route heading north from Brisbane, links a string coastal towns, and islands offering every marine pastime imaginable. 

The Great Barrier Reef - a 2,300km stretch of marine national park and the world's largest living organism is perhaps Queensland most famous icon. Beginning along the Capricorn Coast southeast of Rockhampton and ending in the Torres Strait off Papua New Guinea, diving or snorkelling on the reef is an awesome experience not to be missed.

The far north city of Cairns attracts travellers year round and is the place to go if adventure and water-sports are what you want. The coastline north and south of Cairns is pristine and incorporates the towns of Port Douglas and Ayre, known for their isolated beaches and national parks

North of Cairns is the Cape York Peninsula - wild country which if you are going to travel, be prepared for a rough ride.  If it's a taste of Australian frontier life you're after check out Cooktown at the base of The Cape. A few hours inland from Cairns is the world heritage listed Daintree rainforest and the Atherton Tablelands with lush vegetation and laidback towns.
 
The main route west goes through the outback mining town of Mt Isa, a town where the men definitely outnumber the women and the beer is always cold.  Heading southwest along the old stockmen's route is the town of Longreach famous for its Stockmen's Hall of Fame. Rural Queensland is vast, hot and dry but the isolated towns are fascinating and the local usually ready for a chat.

Qld has traditionally had an economic base of primary industries and mining but in recent years the state has put a lot of money into making itself an attractive national and international tourist destination.

Images courtesy of Tourism Queensland