Queensland (QLD) is an Australian state covering the continent’s northeast, with a coastline stretching nearly 7,000km. Its offshore Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral reef system, hosts thousands of marine species. The city of Cairns is a gateway to the reef and tropical Daintree Rainforest. The capital, Brisbane, is flanked by the surfing beaches of the Gold and Sunshine Coasts and is perfect for outdoor activities and water sports. (www.queensland.com)
Cairns
Cairns is celebrated as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, Cape York and the Wet Tropics rainforest.
Its Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park tells the stories of indigenous Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with music and dance. Cairns Esplanade, lined with bars and restaurants, has a swimming lagoon. Northwest of the city, Daintree National Park spans mountainous rainforest, gorges and beaches.
Cairns was founded in 1876 and named after William Wellington Cairns, Governor of Queensland from 1875 to 1877. It was formed to serve miners heading for the Hodgkinson River goldfield but declined when an easier route was discovered from Port Douglas. It later developed into a railhead and major port for exporting sugar cane, gold and other metals, minerals and agricultural products from surrounding coastal areas and the Atherton Tableland region.
Originally the primary source of income for the region was fishing but once gold was discovered in the north at Palmer River and Hodgkinson River, the population of Cairns grew and the European and Chinese settlers introduced agriculture to the region.
The Gold Coast is a coastal city in the Australian state of Queensland, It is the sixth-largest city in Australia, making it the largest non-capital city, and Queensland’s second-largest city.
The Gold Coast is the most popular tourist destination in Queensland. It is Australia’s 5th most visited destination by international tourists. Today, the Gold Coast is a major tourist destination with its sunny subtropical climate and has become widely known for its surfing beaches, high-rise dominated skyline, theme parks, nightlife, and rainforest hinterland. The city is part of the nation’s entertainment industry with television productions and a major film industry.
A global city with the heart of a coastal village, the Gold Coast has plenty of all-star experiences stowed up its sleeve. From kicking off the day with a beachside yoga sesh, to getting salty with a morning surf followed by a caffeine-fix, heading for the hills to cool off in crystal-like cascades, and perusing new menus in alfresco-style eateries, it’s safe to say there’s quite a bit going on in this coastal city. From hitting the hills with a picnic packed and Google maps set to ‘waterfall’, to salty days spent running barefoot in the sand, indulging with a spot of shopping, or feasting alfresco-style in truly superb settings, the Gold Coast’s unique beach-meets-bush backyard will ensure your itinerary is overflowing with one-of-a-kind adventures. Here are 10 best of Gold Coast.
