Australia in a Nutshell – Part 1 of 8: QUEENSLAND

Queensland also referred to as “Sunny Queensland” or more recently the “Sunshine State”. As the names suggest it is renouned for its fantastically warm and sunny weather which provides for a must visit destination in Australia for all the beach goers and water activity seekers.

The Tropics and the Great Barrier Reef

Whitsunday Region, Islands of the Great Barrier Reef & Mackay

Outback (including Gulf & Western Downs)

Central Queensland, Southern Barrier Reef & Bundaberg

Sunshine Coast & Fraser Coast

Brisbane & South East Queensland Country

Gold Coast & Hinterland

The Tropics and the Great Barrier Reef

The Tropics:

In North Queensland (‘NQ’) the most popular backpackers hub is the city of Cairns which provides for a strong variety of activities, attractions and highlights for any backpacker no matter where their interests may lie.

For backpackers keen on some of the more amazing natural wonders Cairns the mainland gateway to the wonderful Great Barrier Reef where you can enjoy world class scuba diving and snorkling. It is also the starting point to take a trek through the majestic Daintree Rainforest where you can be led through the rainforest by local Indigenous Aboriginals.

There are lots of activities to take care of the thrill-seekers and adventure backpackers such as sky-diving, river rafting, scuba diving and snorkling, para-sailing, bungy jumping and so much more that you literally will not stop the whole time you spend there.

However, for the more relaxed backpacker looking to chill out and get some cosmic sun rays then there is no shortage of pristine white beaches.

Cairns is easily accessable by either flying into its domestic airport, ctaching a train or a bus from Queensland’s capital Brisbane which travels from South East Queensland all the way up to NQ with regular sites and stops recommended along the way and if your keen you can even yachts up the coast line to Cairns and also experience the Great Barrier Reef at the same time.

In relation to accomodation in Cairns there are a vast array of hostels, motels and even hotels for the flashpackers, perhaps. The nightlife is non-stop and something is happening every single night of the week. Cairns is generally a must do place on the Australian backpackers trails. It is not completely off the beaten track and you will find it busy with a raft of other backpackers from all over the world so dont expect it to be a quiet secluded place, in fact quite the opposite.

But fun you will have!!

The Great Barrier Reef:

The Great Barrier Reef (‘GBR’) is the highlight of any Australia backpacker journey especially if you are a keep snorkler or scuba diver. GBR is the world larget and most beautiful reef as a result it has been labelled as 1 of the 7 natural wonders of the world. The entire reef spans an area of approximately 344,400 square kilometres and is situated just off the coast of Northern Queensland.

The GBR is the worlds largest structure of living organisms which provides for a wide range of marine wildlife. In 1981 it was chosen as a World Heritage Site and since that time the government has, arguably, tried to make it a priority to preserve this magnificent natural living structure.