My family and I are going to Australia in august and I was wondering if anyone has any tips or suggestions? We will be staying in Queensland btw.
Hello! More information please!! I live in Brisbane which is the capital of Queensland, so I will be able to help you!
Are you flying into Brisbane? Brisbane is in the south-east corner of the state. Queensland is HUGE!! I read somewhere it is 5 times the size of Texas!
Brisbane is a very pretty city (I am probably biased) on the Brisbane River. It is close to the coast, but no beaches. To go to great beach areas, there is the Sunshine Coast to the north (approx 1 - 1.5 hours drive) and the Gold Coast, approximately the same distance south of the city.
The Gold Coast is very touristy and lots of high-rise, great beaches and heaps of shopping, but also has lots of beautiful scenery in the hinterland. Lots of theme parks there, ie Dreamworld, Movie World etc. From there you can also cross the border into northern New South Wales.
The Sunshine Coast is very beautiful and diverse, ranging from cool green hinterland towns, stunning upmarket Noosa on the coast and touristy beach holiday towns like Maroochydore and Caloundra. Australia Zoo is located in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.
These areas are within day trip range of Brisbane if that is where you are staying. Bear in mind August is winter here and while the weather will be mild with warm sunny days, it probably won't be warm enough to swim in the southern parts of Queensland at that time unless you are very brave!!
If you are planning to travel north, bear in mind that Cairns is 1700 kilometres from Brisbane (about a 2.5hour flight), but this is probably the best area to base yourself if it is the warm, tropical rainforest areas you want to see.
The Great Barrier Reef is huge and can be accessed from a great portion of the Queenland coast, so you don't have to go as far north as Cairns.
If you want great islands, but not as far north, the Whitsunday area is very beautiful too.
Of course Queensland can also offer the true Australian outback experience if this is what you want to see. You just need to head inland!
Anyway, I think that is enough for now! Let me know where you will be landing and how much time you have if you want more detailed information!
You will love it here!