Contents
Beaches
Great Barrier Reef
Whitsunday Islands
Theme parks
July climate
Where to get more information

Brisbane

Brisbane is the capital of Queensland and Australia's third largest city. It's a lively yet relaxed city with a wealth of attractions, services and facilities.

Brisbane provides the perfect base for discovering the many wonders of Southeast Queensland. The city is surrounded by magnificent lakes, dams, mountains, islands and the famous beaches of the Gold and Sunshine Coasts are an hour's drive away.

Australia's newest international airport was opened in Brisbane in 1995. The city is serviced by more than 20 international airlines providing regular services from around the world. The airports are around 15 kilometres from the city centre.

Beaches

Queensland's beaches are famous worldwide for their crystal blue waters and soft white sand. This mixture of sun, surf and sand is a must-see attraction for thousands of tourists eager to experience a slice of Queensland life.

While magnificent beaches run along the entire coast, the most popular are on the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and in north Queensland, especially around Cairns, Townsville and the Whitsunday island group.

Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is pure enchantment. Not only does it delight the senses but it casts a spell over all who enter.

Stretching through the sapphire blue waters of Queensland for over 2000 kilometres, the Great Barrier Reef is the most extensive coral reef system in the world. It is also the largest World Heritage area, and the largest structure made completely by living organisms.

The Great Barrier Reef is not a single reef, but features more than 2900 individual reefs and 900 islands. Some of these islands are deserted while others are small bare sand quays, permanently vegetated quays and continental islands.

The warm waters off Queensland offer some of the best boating and diving in the world. Diving the Great Barrier Reef will introduce you to a fathomless world and thousands of brilliantly coloured species of marine life. This diversity creates a kaleidoscope of colour for divers, snorkellers, and people viewing from underwater observatories and glass-bottomed boats. Average water temperatures range from around 22 degrees Celsius in July to around 27 degrees Celsius in January making it perfect for diving all year round.

Whitsunday Islands

The magnificent Whitsunday Islands in the Whitsunday Passage include Brampton, Lineman, South Molle, Daydream, Hayman, Hook, Hamilton and Long Islands. There are only the resort islands; there are over 70 uninhabited islands.

Hayman Island is 4.8 by 1.6 kilometres, and is the most northerly of the Whitsunday Group and the closest to the outer reef. It is a very exclusive, luxury resort, one of the world's top hotels offering some of the nation's best chefs, service personnel and surroundings. Fishing, sightseeing trips, scenic flights or diving can be arranged.

Hamilton Island is the most developed island. Its 400 berth marina hosts the nation's most famous yachts. The resort accommodates over 1000 people and features a wide range of activities and entertainment including facilities for windsurfing, sailing, scuba diving, parasailing, fishing, tennis and squash.

Theme parks

Popular with tourists and locals alike, Queensland's themeparks pack a ton of fun into one day. You can go behind the scenes on a Hollywood movie set, discover the secret underwater world of the sea, take the ride of your life on a roller coaster, see acrobatic dolphins, whales and seals, or come face to face with native Australian wildlife.

The Gold Coast is the theme park capital of Queensland. Discover eleven themed worlds of fun and excitement at Dreamworld, the largest theme park in the southern hemisphere. Catch the lights, cameras and action at Warner Brothers Movie World, where the magic of the screen comes alive. Be delighted by the friendly marine life at Sea World. Or take the plunge on Wet 'n' Wild's speed slide.

July climate

Where to get more information

Please visit Queensland's Tourism web site at http://www.queensland-holidays.com.au/pfm/index.htm.

All material and images are provided courtesy of Tourism Queensland. Tourism Queensland remain copyright owners.