Queensland first stops

Here's our guide to instant satisfaction when you first arrive in Brisbane, in no time you'll feel right at home and ready to take the city by storm.
Dining at Joey's in Kangaroo Point, Brisbane, Australia

Eat

Brisbane is at the edge of Moreton Bay, which is home to the bug of the same name. Moreton Bay bugs are not insects, they're a type of slipper lobster that looks like something from the Jurassic period. Take it from us, they are absolutely delicious. Find yourself a riverside restaurant and order a plate of grilled bugs, or go the whole hog with a seafood platter.

Beers, Coolangatta, Gold Coast, Australia.

Drink

Find a long cool one by the river, which is hard to miss because it cuts Brisbane in two. You'll find a mass of great bars on the riverbank just north of the botanic gardens. Choose a theme to suit your mood - Italian, uber-cool contemporary, modern Australian or sports pub. The local craft beer scene is fizzing, so ask a barman for a recommendation. Alternatively, Queensland serves up some terrific tropical cocktails.

Moreton Island, Brisbane, Australia.

Explore

Catch a ferry from Brisbane or Redcliffe to spend a day or more on amazing Moreton Island, the third-largest sand island in the world. Activities include hiking, snorkelling, fishing, wildlife spotting and dolphin watching. You can visit the historic Cape Moreton Lighthouse too. The island has a choice of camping grounds, as well as Tangalooma Island resort – an all-in-one holiday destination.

Nightfall Wilderness Camp, Queensland, Australia.

Relax

Queensland has some of the most luxurious day spas on the planet. Relax with a riverbed massage while you glamp in the Hinterland, enjoy beachside yoga after a day at the Gold Coast markets, and kick back in bath-like waters with a cocktail in hand at the Whitsundays Islands. If you travel to unwind, then you've come to the right place.

Poolside at The Emporium Hotel in Southbank, Brisbane

Stay

Queensland's a big state with a coastline that's nearly 7,000 kilometres long, so there's huge scope for finding the kind of holiday accommodation you want. The Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast offer everything from independent beachfront apartments to luxury resorts with all the trimmings. Brisbane has a great line up of world-class hotels and self-catering apartments. In Cairns and the far north you'll find resort hotels that are ideal for families, rainforest retreats and blissful Great Barrier Reef island lodges. Whether your budget's tight or fully flexible, Queensland's ready to make you comfortable.

Vlassof Cay, Great Barrier Reef, Cairns, Australia.

See

Visiting one of nature's finest creations, the Great Barrier Reef, is a powerful experience. With velvety, white sand beaches and turquoise water, the reef will leave you with memories for a lifetime. One of the most captivating ways to experience the reef is by boat, either relaxing as a passenger or adventuring out as your own captain.

Keep exploring Queensland

Image courtesy of Tourism Queensland; Beers image courtesy of Tourism Queensland; Moreton Island image courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland; Nightfall Wilderness Camp image courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland; Vlassof Cay image courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland; Surfing image courtesy of Tourism & Events Queensland; Paronella Park image courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland; Platypus image courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland; Lady Elliot Island image courtesy of Tourism and Events, Queensland; Friends image courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland