Australia guide
Put down your camera, throw out your Neighbours box set and let our Australia travel guide lead you on an adventure that will become as much a part of who you are as where you go next.
Best time to visit Queensland
Queensland has two seasons, hot and wet, or cooler and dry. Cooler, but not cold. It’s balmy here even in the depths of ‘winter’.
In general the weather tends to be most pleasant outside the hottest months of December to February – when temperatures soar to a sweaty 30C, frequent deluges drench the state and river run off can make for cloudy conditions along the coast. October to March brings box jellyfish to the tropical north, so only swim on netted beaches – but if you’re on a small ship cruise (which run year-round) exploring the offshore reefs you’ll likely avoid them – and still enjoy crystal clear water.
Brisbane (and as far north as Rockhampton and Mackay) has a more temperate climate than the far north and while some rain can still be expected from December to February this is rarely cold. For gloriously warm, dry days consider travelling in March to May, or September, when Brisbane comes to life with a month-long arts festival.
Our Queensland Holidays
Great Barrier Reef cruise in Australia
Explore the pick of the Barrier Reef and Queensland's Coast
From
£2109
8 days
ex flights
Great Barrier Reef & Lizard Island cruise, Australia
4 nights exploring the Great Barrier Reef & Lizard Island
From
£1315
5 days
ex flights
Sydney to Cairns tour, Australia
Have fun in Sydney, snorkel the Barrier Reef & visit Cairns
From
£2515
21 days
ex flights
Australia adventure holiday, tailor made
Experience the outback and coastal life in comfort & style.
From
£3117
13 days
ex flights
Queensland Rainforests & Great Barrier Reef wildlife holiday
Queensland Reefs & Rainforest Wildlife watching holiday
From
£5995
17 days
ex flights
Learn to sail in the Whitsundays
Competent Crew course or Day Skipper course in Whitsundays
From
£1014
6 days
ex flights
Bareboat sailing holiday in Whitsundays
Sail around the breathtaking Whitsundays
From
£3200 to £9184
7 days
ex flights
Great Barrier Reef 4 day cruise in Australia
A short, stunning exploration of Reef, Rainforest and Island
From
£1029
4 days
ex flights
Australia tour, outback & reef
Tailor-made Tour to Australia's Coast, Outback & Reef.
From
£6825
25 days
inc UK flights
Things to do in Queensland
Things to do...
Things not to do...
Our top Queensland Holiday
Great Barrier Reef cruise in Australia
Explore the pick of the Barrier Reef and Queensland's Coast
From
£2109
8 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2019: 25 Nov, 2 Dec, 9 Dec, 16 Dec, 23 Dec, 30 Dec
2020: 6 Jan, 13 Jan, 20 Jan, 27 Jan, 3 Feb, 10 Feb, 17 Feb, 24 Feb, 2 Mar, 9 Mar, 16 Mar, 23 Mar
2019: 25 Nov, 2 Dec, 9 Dec, 16 Dec, 23 Dec, 30 Dec
2020: 6 Jan, 13 Jan, 20 Jan, 27 Jan, 3 Feb, 10 Feb, 17 Feb, 24 Feb, 2 Mar, 9 Mar, 16 Mar, 23 Mar
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Queensland or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
Queensland travel advice
Powell Ettinger from our small ship cruise experts, The Small Cruise Ship Collection, shares his tips and advice for exploring the Great Barrier Reef:
Itinerary tips
“The Great Barrier Reef is huge, and it isn't just an underwater phenomenon. There are many fantastic islands to visit, with glorious beaches, so don't think it is just an underwater realm. Even for those that don't swim much, glass bottom boats can show you a lot of the best of the underwater reefs. Most people will only visit once, so if you have the chance to stay a week you should. It is possible to take in a lot in three to four days on and beneath the surface.”
“It isn’t all reef, some of the islands are magical, e.g. Lizard Island, and some of the outer ribbon reefs are fantastic, and much less visited.”
Small ship cruising
“There is snorkelling and diving available, as we also have a glass bottomed boat on board so everyone can enjoy the reef. We also go ashore at some islands where we undertake bush walks, rainforest walks with naturalists, beach BBQs and beach-combing. We have an on-board Marine Biologist to help you understand what you see, with “touch and learn” displays onboard and interpretation in the water.”
Responsible reef tourism
“The ship carries a permit to remove the Crown of Thorns Starfish. One of the most major threats to the Reef, the starfish population has boomed to plague proportions and is a significant danger to coral. The present outbreak began in 2010. So far, over 300 000 of the deadly creatures have been culled, with more than 80 reefs patrolled.”
More about Queensland
Queensland may be most famous for the Great Barrier Reef lying off its white sand-lined shores, but this ginormous tropical state is also home to the world’s oldest rainforest, out-of-this world surfing and cities that are cultural powerhouses.
The world’s largest living organism, the Great Barrier Reef is a maritime marvel.
From respecting Aboriginal culture, to reducing your carbon emissions to protect the world’s largest living structure, the Great Barrier Reef, we share our tips and advice on how to have a more responsible holiday in Australia’s tropical north.
More relevant guides
protection
Photo credits: [Page banner: Robert Linsdell] [Top box: Steven Ungermann]
[Things to do/not do: Christian Haugen]
[Great Barrier Reef: Beyond Coal & Gas Image]
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