If you’re planning a memorable trip Down Under, don’t skip Australia’s Sunshine State. Aside from ancient tropical rainforest, the world-famous Great Barrier Reef and rugged outback landscapes, the state is also chock full of heart-pumping activities for those who crave a little adventure. Here’s our ultimate guide to activities in Queensland for those who want to leave no stone unturned while keeping the adrenaline flowing.
Hot Air Balloon GC
A scenic hot air balloon ride over the Gold Coast is one of the best ways to see a breathtaking bird’s eye view of the region’s diverse landscape from above. Wake up early and watch the sun come up as you float through the clouds and soak up the 360-degree panoramic views from 2,000ft, snapping photos of the sprawling coastline, iconic skyscrapers, and golden beaches below. Your journey can begin from a variety of different launching points, from which you’ll soar high above vineyards, spot stingrays gliding around in the shallow waters or follow meandering waterways through the Gold Coast hinterland. You can even round off your morning experience with breakfast post-flight.
O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat
Nature lovers are in their element in Queensland, but places like O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat make it that bit more special. Located in the World Heritage-listed Lamington National Park, just a 90-minute drive from the Gold Coast, the retreat offers a place to stay among breathtaking nature and native wildlife. Enjoy tree-top canopy walks on suspension bridges installed high up throughout the rainforest, or head on a glow-worm tour, where a four-wheel-drive bus will take you to a secluded gully lit up by the bioluminescent glow of these abundant little beetles. There’s also a flowing creek that makes for the perfect picnic spot and naturalist-guided walks where you might catch sight of wallabies, pademelons (small, wallaby-like hopping marsupials) and platypus. For those who are all about wining and dining, the retreat has its own vineyard with wine-tasting sessions and three restaurants with epic landscape views.
Visit the ancient Daintree Rainforest
The Daintree Rainforest is a magnificent, ancient ecosystem and one of the oldest rainforests in the…
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