Youth Experiences Queensland

Queensland offers up epic experiences all year long, made up of unique and captivating destinations to explore.

From a seemingly endless coastline to the great expanses of the outback, the world famous Great Barrier Reef and an array of luscious rainforests, discover a place where the locals want to share their secrets, wildlife pose for photos and visitors can dine like a star one night and recover in a tiny coastal town the next morning.

Queensland’s capital Brisbane is located 1200 kilometres (746 miles) north of Sydney, a short 90 minutes flight. The Gold and Sunshine Coasts are only an hours drive from Brisbane, while Cairns and the Tropical North, 1700 (1056 miles) kilometres to the north, is two hours flying time from Brisbane.

Destination Highlights

Few natural wonders are as truly unforgettable as the Great Barrier Reef, dotted with over 1050 amazing islands and corals cays along the coastline from Bundaberg in the south to Tropical North Queensland in the North.

With more than 1,000 national parks within the State borders, opportunities to encounter rare wildlife in its natural habitat are always around the corner. Explore underground lava tubes, relax at some of the world’s most famous beaches or pitch a tent under the stars.

Visit and discover a vibrant capital city in Brisbane, filled with bustling bars and Australia’s only inner-city beach. From here you can easily hop to the nearby Gold Coast for the Surfer’s Paradise entertainment precinct, or head further south to Coolangatta for that iconic Aussie beach lifestyle.

Highlights

Learn to surf on one of the many beautiful white sandy beaches on the Southern Queensland coastline

Complete the Great Beach Drive with its spectacular beach driving and dramatic coastline of Sunshine Coast and World Heritage Listed Fraser Island

Watch the sunrise with wallabies on the beach at Cape Hillsborough National Park

Witness the 268 metre wall of water at Wallaman Falls – the longest single drop waterfall in Australia

Sail, dive, snorkel or kayak on the Great Barrier Reef

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Destination Highlights
Accommodation
Local Immersion
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Whitehaven Beach, Whitsundays Queensland

Accommodation

In Queensland feel right at home in a beachfront cabin, a city sanctuary or a swag on the red dirt gazing at the stars.

With a number of award winning backpackers accommodations, Queensland has flop and drop hostel resorts in Cairns and the Gold Coast or the ultimate tour basecamps to choose from in Airlie Beach and Hervey Bay.

Head off the beaten track, step outside a Great Keppel Island cabin and grab a snorkel to swim with the local turtles in the stinger free waters. Or grab a paddle and join a kayak tour in The Whitsundays where guests camp on a Great Barrier Reef Island.

Highlights

Experience the true outback way of life on a genuine cattle farm near Rockhampton.

Let Aquarius Backpackers be the Gold Coast basecamp in Queensland’s social capital

Base yourself at the Gold Coast, Queensland’s social capital, for easy access to world-famous beaches and pristine hinterland hikes.

Cuddle a koala and enjoy a bush tucker breakfast on Magnetic Island.

Join an overnight sailing trip in the Whitsundays and let the World Heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef provide a peaceful night's sleep.

Explore Cape Tribulation in Tropical North Queensland, where the rainforest meets the reef.

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Destination Highlights
Accommodation
Local Immersion
Nightlife
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Local Immersion

Queensland is where 300 warm and sunny days a year are the norm... pair that with kilometres of coastal shoreline and understand why Queenslanders are always so happy.

Cuddle up to some of our cuddly creatures: koalas, kangaroos, wombats and bilbys – on a tour through their native habitat at one of the many sanctuaries around the state.

Hang ten on the Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve or venture west to attend one of the weird and wonderful events like yabby races in the Outback or camel races in Southern Queensland Country.

Throw on hiking gear and trek through a tropical rainforest or chase a waterfall or two.

Sail The Whitsundays for a once in a life-time experience.

Highlights

Soak up the sun on one of Queensland’s many beaches or swim in volcanic craters, under waterfalls and down natural waterslides

Hunt for mud crabs the traditional way with the Walker brothers at Cooya Beach north of Port Douglas

Float down Eli Creek on Fraser Island, the world’s largest sand island

Catch a wave along the Southern Queensland coast where anyone from a first timer to a pro can enjoy the perfect wave

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Destination Highlights
Accommodation
Local Immersion
Nightlife
Useful Links

Nightlife

Meal and beverage deals can be found at most hostels, with many hosting their very own onsite pubs and nightclubs.

Get out and meet the locals. In Brisbane hit up Eat Street Markets on a Friday or Saturday night where it’s possible to visit ten times and still not have tried half the food - but don’t forget to try a Cronut!

The best bars in Queensland come with a side-serve of million-dollar views such as the waters of the Great Barrier Reef or a Gold Coast surf break.

Explore Queensland ‘off tap’ at a number of craft breweries across the state, with the Great Barrier Reef beer from Good Beer Co. a must.

Highlights

Watch the sun go down, shaken and stirred with a cocktail in hand at Brisbane’s best rooftop bars

Whether it’s Food Truck Friday on the beachfront, a Sunday session at local breweries or some good tunes at Miami Marketta, the Gold Coast has the entertainment plans sorted