Why I love Queensland & The Great Barrier Reef

“Growing up in chilly southern Australian towns, the very notion of Queensland – with its beaches, islands, sunshine and swaying palms – was irresistible in our imaginations. Towns like Mission Beach, Noosa and Port Douglas assumed near-mythical status, demanding to be investigated at the first opportunity. Then, when the time came to actually explore the Sunshine State, the reality didn't disappoint. And we haven't...” Read More

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Charles Rawlings
Lonely Planet Writer

Top experiences in Queensland

Recent articles

The Great Barrier Reef and beyond: a beginner’s guide to Queensland’s coast

From Coolangatta in the south to far-flung Cape York in the north, Queensland is huge – twice as big as Texas and full of hearty and adventurous personalities to match. Queensland’s main attraction, though, is the incomparable Great Barrier Reef, which stretches for 2300km of unbelievable undersea ecology. It’s a beacon for adventurers from all over the world and anchors any trip to Queensland, whether you’re a seasoned scuba diver, first-time surfer, resort lover or rainforest wildlife enthusiast.

The Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Queensland. Photo by Rodger Bryant Photography / Getty.
Lonely Planet
Lonely Planet Writer

How to do the Great Barrier Reef on a budget

With around 7000km of coastline, more than 150 islands and the Great Barrier Reef spanning it all, Queensland is Australia’s most dreamed-about tropical destination. The trouble is, it ain't cheap. The cost of living in Australia is pretty high, but there are a few hideaways and deals that can make a trip to this incredible destination affordable even on a budget.

Here are our choices for experiencing Queensland's Great Barrier Reef without busting out the gold credit card.
Celeste Brash
Lonely Planet Writer

Digging Outback Queensland's Jurassic Trail

Dusting off dinosaur bones in the remote Australian outback may not be everyone’s idea of a holiday, but for amateur palaeontologists, forensically-minded fossil finders and dinosaur lovers the world over, this is the mother lode.

Most of us have had at least a fleeting fascination with dinosaurs. The Jurassic Park films (1993) made more than $2 billion in cinemas and the latest movie instalment, Jurassic World (2015), is set to make box office (pre)history. But where do you go to find real dinosaur bones? If you’re in Australia, it’s outback Queensland.
Paul Harding
Lonely Planet Writer
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Travel guides

Starting at $24.99

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Queensland adventures

$380.73 Water sports

2-Day Best of Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef

Spend two days exploring the very best of Cairns. Enjoy a full day in tropical Kuranda and on your second day discover why the Great Barrier Reef is one of the world's a natural wonders. Including a reef cruise and a scenic helicopter flight, this two day package is the ultimate reef and rainforest experience, leaving you with plenty of time to fully appreciate Australia's tropical north.
$277.87 Water sports

2-Day Reef and Rainforest Package Combo: Green Island Cruise and Kuranda Day Trip

Your 2-Day Reef and Rainforest Package Combo will take you to the two extremes of Tropical North Queensland during your stay in Cairns. Spend a day discovering the Great Barrier Reef on a cruise to Green Island. Your second day sees you exploring the rainforest with a trip on the Kuranda Scenic Rail and the Skyrail.
$379.58 Sightseeing tours

Ultimate 3-Day Great Barrier Reef Cruise Pass

For the ultimate Great Barrier Reef experience, grab an Ultimate 3-Day Great Barrier Reef Pass. Save money and see the reef from every angle on three cruises over seven days. Sail to Low Isles or Green Island, or explore the reef from below on a snorkel and scuba diving catamaran cruise to the Outer Great Barrier Reef. The Ultimate 3-Day Great Barrier Reef Cruise Pass is your great value ticket to the reef.
$46.06 Other

Gold Coast Airport and Theme Park Travel Pass

Gold Coast Roo Pass is the most convenient Gold Coast Airport and Theme Park transfer pass. The Roo Pass combines meet and greet pick up service and return transfers to Gold Coast Airport with the choice of one up to seven Theme Park/Attraction return transfers. Choose from Movieworld, Dreamworld, Wet'n'Wild, Seaworld, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and Harbour Town.
$4759 Photography

Complete Australia

Are you ready to completely slather yourself in all things Australia? Travel to the Land Down Under and spend a month exploring everything this island nation has to offer. Start in Melbourne and move on from there to national parks, wine tastings, the Outback, beach days, sea kayaking, sailing, and loads more. Get the total Oz experience with this all-encompassing tour, who knows, you might even acquire a taste for Vegemite by the end.
$337.74 Small group tours

2-Day Great Barrier Reef Reefsleep Experience

Experience the Great Barrier Reef for two days and one night. By day, enjoy all the activities on offer at Reefworld, a pontoon moored on one of the most spectacular areas of the Great Barrier Reef, including snorkeling, semi-sub rides and viewing parts of the world’s largest coral-reef system in an underwater chamber. Later, spend the night at Reefsleep—on the upper deck of the pontoon—to sleep under the stars, 40 nautical miles (74 km) from shore. You can choose to fall asleep under twinkling stars in a swag (tent), or in the comfort of an air-conditioned double room. Round-trip transport and most meals are included. It’s the only place in Australia where you can sleep on the Great Barrier Reef!
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Queensland photo credits