Queensland is Australia's second largest state measuring more than 1.72 million square kilometres, 25% of Australia's land mass, which is four times the size of Japan, nearly six times the size of the UK and more than twice the size of Texas in the US. Queensland is known as Australia's Sunshine State. Brisbane, the capital makes an excellent base for touring the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Noosa. Only a couple hours away is Fraser Island - the largest sand island in the world, where you can drive 4WD on the beaches and swim in any of the plentiful freshwater lakes. Sail around the Whitsundays and immerse yourself in the breathtaking views of the world-renowned Hill Inlet. Revel in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef in Cairns, your gateway to the rainforests and islands of Tropical North Queensland.

Brisbane

Brisbane is Queensland's contemporary urban capital and Australia's fastest growing city. Enjoying an excellent positioning along the eastern seaboard, Brisbane is widely recognised as a major city on the Pacific Rim. Savvy and youthful, with a slightly irreverent, 'can do' personality, Brisbane's downtown heartland offers a tantalising blend of dining, shopping, nightlife and culture. Refuel on five continents of culinary choice, from trendy sidewalk cafes and authentic noodle bars to hip restaurants and up-market establishments. Shopping is a seven-day-a-week adventure in Australia's busiest open air retail mecca, Brisbane's Queen Street Mall, with over 1,000 shops and eateries to explore. For the ultimate in edgy urban style, hit Fortitude Valley, downtown's creative hub. After dark, catch an international performance, have a flutter at the Conrad Treasury Casino, cruise the river, or get seriously cool at downtown's funky mix of nightclubs and live music venues. Brisbane's surrounding regions boast a feast of spectacular experiences. Refresh in World Heritage listed rainforest, laze on sun-drenched beaches, explore the untouched charm of country towns, head south to the Gold Coast or north to the Sunshine Coast (home to the Crocodile Hunter), cuddle koalas or hand feed dolphins in the wild . all within an hour's reach of downtown.

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• Enjoy Mt Coot-tha panoramic views.

• Southbank Parklands with local craft market and inner city sand beach.

• Riverside Craft markets every Sunday along the river among city skyscrapers and restaurants.

• Handfeed wild dolphins and sand toboggan down the southern hemisphere's steepest sand dunes at Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Resort.

• Attractive local Brisbane River City Cats and for just a few dollars cruise the majestic Brisbane River discovering the hidden treasures of Brisbane City and its suburbs.

• Explore Brisbane's Moreton Bay & Islands.

Gold Coast

Queensland's Gold Coast, an hour south of Brisbane, has long held its reputation as a top family destination, with 25 themed attractions and safe, clean white beaches. Its wildlife sanctuaries are ideal for children, with pleasures as simple as feeding the birds or patting a kangaroo. Mingle with dolphins and polar bears at world-class theme parks, party on at nightclubs, dig your toes into fine white sand, ride sparkling waves, visit an island, and explore the lush, subtropical hinterland. The Gold Coast is glamorous and relaxing to some, adventurous and active to others, the Gold Coast has 70 kilometres of coastline and 446 kilometres of canals and tidal rivers. Southport's Broadwater and South Moreton Bay make Australia's largest expanse of calm water, and you can swim and surf safely all year at 35 patrolled beaches. The beachfront esplanades of vibrant centres like Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, Burleigh Heads, Palm Beach and Coolangatta, invite you to sit back, relax and soak up the fun and holiday atmosphere. The Gold Coast is a holiday destination of wonderful contrasts! It really is...the coast with the most!

Shoppers paradise : The Gold Coast has 3,500 shops, open seven days a week! Beachside retailers and huge shopping centres stock colourful fashions and gifts, and 20 markets flourish on the beachfront and hinterland.

Theme park capital : The Gold Coast is Australia's theme park capital, with over 25 themed attractions and heart-thumping rides at four major parks. For the more unusual, meet some of Australia's unique animals and marine life.

Action packed fun : premier spot for fun, the Gold Coast has something happening all year-round. Leading events include the Magic Millions horse races and the Indy 300. Major surfing, marathon, Iron Men and Women events draw the crowds to the streets and bring the coast alive with fever. For a different flavour, the Gold Coast Food and Wine Festival and other gourmet weekends offer vibrant social gatherings while you try out the best of the coast's chefs.

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• Try a spot of golf in one of the Gold Coast's many international standard golf courses?

• Visit some of the Gold Coast's more hidden dimensions with a trip to the hinterland to visit the popular villages, creative local communities and stunning lookouts over the Gold Coast.

• Within the Gold Coast there are over 100,000 hectares of World Heritage Listed National Parks including Lamington National Park that showcases a large area of sub-tropical rainforest.

Sunshine Coast

The Sunshine Coast is undoubtedly one of Australia's most scenically beautiful regions. Trek through the pristine rainforest dotted around the coast and visit wetland sanctuaries teeming with wildlife. Always beckoning are the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean, where it's not uncommon to see dolphins join the surfers off the rocky points. Experience the stunning views guaranteed to take your breath away in the Blackall Ranges. Visit charming mountain villages, secluded sandy beaches, national parks, state forests, rainforests or marvel at the magnificent Coloured Sands enroute to the World's largest sand island - World Heritage Listed Fraser Island. National parks in the region include: Cooloola National Park, Conondale National Park, Mooloolah River National Park, Glass House Mountains National Park, Kondalilla National Park and don't miss the opportunity to go koala spotting in Australia's most visited national park- Noosa National Park. There is also a vast array of tours available on the Sunshine Coast ranging from rainforest safaris to ecotourism tours and cruises, four wheel drive tours and tours to Fraser Island. Not to be missed is a trip up the Noosa River through the Everglades. The riverbanks are home to all manner of birdlife including cormorants, osprey eagles, ibises and cockatoos

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• Visit The Crocodile Hunter's 'Australia Zoo', UnderWater World, The Ginger Factory and the vibrant Eumundi Markets

• Visit the regions art and craft galleries and discover the creativity of the local artists and craftspeople . Experience the awesome beauty of the ancient Glass House Mountains

• Sample the award winning fresh local produce and test your cooking skills at one of the local cooking schools

Fraser Island

The world's largest sand island where rainforest grows from sand, pristine fresh water lakes and crystal clear creeks. Experience the island as part of an organised tour or hire a 4WD for a Self Drive experience

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• Try a spot of golf in one of the Gold Coast's many international standard golf courses?

• Visit some of the Gold Coast's more hidden dimensions with a trip to the hinterland to visit the popular villages, creative local communities and stunning lookouts over the Gold Coast.

Whitsundays

• 74 islands surrounded by pristine waterways and fringing coral reef.

• Easy access to the Great Barrier Reef including Heart Reef

• Whitehaven Beach' - 7km pure silica sand beach that has to be seen, to be believed.

• Two thirds of the region is National Park

• Diverse range of accommodation to suit all tastes & budgets. Ten island resorts & the resort village of Airlie Beach on the Whitsunday Coast.

• A myriad of day trips to swim, snorkel, scuba dive, golf, laze on a beach and explore the Great Barrier Reef & islands.

• A great range of overnight sailing options, choosing from either crewed sailing adventures or skipper yourself sailing charters

Cairns & Great Barrier Reef Region

The heart of the tropical north, Cairns offers great access to reef and islands and is a perfect base for exploring the wider region. With 600 day tours departing the city daily there is plenty to do. Cairns is a colourful city in its own right with plenty of shopping, markets and dining. Located on the shores of Trinity Inlet, it flows with a relaxed hospitality not uncommon in Australia's tropics. As an international port, Cairns offers the best in duty-free as well as locally-made products. In addition to a central business district and Pier Marketplace are five regional shopping centres close by. One of the most popular day-tour options from Cairns (aside from the reef) is the Kuranda hinterland. Take the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway or the Kuranda Scenic Railway and explore the bustling Kuranda township. Walk through the rainforest, stop for a photo at the Barron River Gorge and make sure you leave plenty of time to stroll through the markets.

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• The best access and variety of options to explore the world's largest living organism, The World Heritage Great Barrier Reef, from sailing to extended cruises.

• Visit the colonial frontier town of Cooktown, the gateway to the wilderness area of Cape York Peninsula.

• Get the ultimate adrenalin rush on a white water rafting, bungy jumping, Hot Air ballooning, trekking, parachuting or a Scuba diving excursion.

• Learn about Australia's 40,000 year old aboriginal culture at Tjapukai and Rainforestation or take an intimate tour with an aboriginal guide in the Daintree Rainforest.

• See Australia's unique wildlife at one of the many wildlife parks, Hartley's Creek Crocodile Adventures, Cairns Tropical Zoo, The Rainforest Habitat, Rainforestation or the Cairns Rainforest Dome.

• Indulge your senses at one of the region's many spa resorts including a visit to Palm Cove - Australia's Spa Capital.

• Discover Australia's most accessible Outback and the geological wonders of the Undara Lava Tubes.

• Stay at one of the beautiful beach resorts such as Port Douglas, Trinity, Kewarra, Clifton, Palm Cove or Mission Beach

• Discover the tropical wilderness of the Daintree and Cape Tribulation National Parks at one of the many interpretive centres including the Daintree Discovery Centre.