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
Lady Musgrave Island, Queensland
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
Accommodation
Whitehaven Beach, Whitsundays Queensland
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.
Local Immersion
Nandroya Falls, Wooroonooran National Park, Tropical North Queensland
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
Nightlife
Nightlife on the Gold Coast, Queensland
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
- The nightlife in Airlie Beach is hard to miss, whether it’s electronic beats or super cheap drinks
- Enjoy the best of both worlds at a beachfront bar in Tropical North Queensland
Useful Links
Destination Highlights
Accommodation
- Myella Farm Stay
- Magnetic Island
- The Whitsundays Sailing
- Aquarius Backpackers Gold Coast
- Cairns Central YHA
Local Immersion
Nightlife
