Fun Things To Do In Queensland That Don’t Involve Hitting The Beach

Let me preface this by saying, I am absolutely not knocking the beach as a perfectly acceptable way to spend your days. Especially in Queensland where they’re particularly blessed with some stunners, and that whole Great Barrier Reef thing. I’m just saying, if you ONLY go to the beach on your next QLD vacay, you’re seriously missing out on some cool things to do that aren’t taking a swim.

In fact, there’s so man incredible, uniquely Queensland things to do I do not have room for them all here, but these are some of the best.

Boodjamalla National Park

There is no other place like the Australian outback. We spend so much time focused on the coast that we forget how beautiful inland is. A point is proven by Boodjamalla National Park, particularly once you hit Lawn Hill Gorge which slithers through the dry desert landscape.

The Atherton Tablelands

So now you know my Ingham connection, it’ll probably come as no surprise I’ve now included The Atherton Tablelands, a beautiful, green highland plateau getaway that’s very popular in the tropical north. Whether you want farmers markets, – which you definitely do because this is tropical Australia where they grow the best fruits IMO – fancy dairy fresh cheeses, stunning waterfalls, and swimming holes, or rainforest vibes, this is your jam.

Kuranda Scenic Railway

To me, one of the most unique things about Queensland from the rest of the country is its rainforest. There’s a reason The Wet Tropics are heritage listed after all. But it’s also huge. There are amazing day hikes throughout it but if you can’t get enough, but also just if you have a thing for vintage train rides because they’re just super cute, jump on the Kuranda Scenic Railway.

Rainbow Beach

I know, you’re sitting there all smug thinking I lied because here I’ve included a beach. But there’s a plot twist. While Rainbow Beach is quite well known and dishes out some serious beauty, the real pull here is a horse-ride along it. You can go in the morning, arvo or get really romantic with the whole moonlight ride thing.

Undara National Park

You guys, it’s a VOLCANIC National Park. And you can actually take a tour through the Lava Tubes. I don’t know about you but that’s blowing my mind. Do check the website though for tour times, as times can be restricted at some points in the year to preserve the landscape and such.

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Lamington National Park

Besides the absolutely adorable name, this national park in southeast Queensland is not only beautiful, it’s particulalrly well known for housing the part of the Gondwana Rainforests that plays home to the rare Albert’s lyrebird. And yeah I hear you, I’m not typically a bird person either but rainforest birds are next level. and the sounds just make the whole thing kind of magical.

Glow-Worm Caves, Tamborine Mountain

I don’t care how old you get, glow worms are cool and a cave full of them is cooler! Take a tour through the purpose-built caves on Tamborine Mountain filled with thousands of the little guys. The best part is, your admission fee goes back into ensuring the survival of glow worms in southeast Queensland.

Winton

Never underestimate the charm of a Queensland country town. There’s about a billion I could name, but I’m going with Winton for several important reasons. It’s the Dinosaur Capital Of Australia so you can go visit the largest collection of Australian dino fossils which is pretty rad. Then it’s also the home of Waltzing Matilda’s inspiration and boulder opal, which is essentially a very rare and colourful type of opal found only in Queensland.

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