Text by MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Network, reported by Chen Guanxin
Queensland is the second-largest state in Australia after Western Australia, with Brisbane as both its largest city and capital, and the Gold Coast as its second-largest city and a major tourist hub. As a large part of Queensland is located in the tropics, the region enjoys over 300 days of sunshine annually, earning it the nickname “Sunshine State.”
In Queensland, there are various activities to enjoy the region’s bright scenery throughout the year. For example, you can spend a rare summer Chinese New Year in Queensland during the Lunar New Year, share a sweet moment with your loved one at the Heart Reef in the Great Barrier Reef on Valentine’s Day, indulge in unique local cuisine at the Noosa International Food & Wine Festival in May, participate in the spectacular early winter road run in the Southern Hemisphere in July, and witness the coral spawning season and sea turtle sightings in November. Throughout the year, there are different celebrations and events waiting for visitors to discover the beauty of Queensland.
Queensland offers diverse festivals and events all year round, allowing visitors to experience the multifaceted charm of the “Sunshine State.” (Image provided by Tourism Queensland)
Summer Sunshine During Lunar New Year
When Taiwan is still in the cold and damp winter, sunny and hot summer reigns in Queensland, the southern hemisphere. It becomes a popular holiday destination for travelers from the north escaping the cold. During this time, you can bid farewell to the harsh winter of the northern hemisphere and celebrate a warm summer Lunar New Year with family in Queensland. Regions such as Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef, and the Whitsunday Islands offer a series of celebratory events, providing Taiwanese visitors with a uniquely festive Lunar New Year experience.
Witness Love at the Heart of the Great Barrier Reef on Valentine’s Day
Queensland is never short of romantic experiences—whether it’s the spectacular underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef, the vast depths of the rainforest, atop the Story Bridge in Brisbane, or floating above the mountains in a hot air balloon. The charming and enchanting Queensland is undoubtedly the ultimate choice for proposing, holding a wedding, going on a honeymoon, or simply enjoying a romantic getaway. Especially the Whitsunday Islands, made up of 74 pristine tropical islands, resemble a paradise on Earth. It boasts the famous Heart Reef and the pristine Whitehaven Beach, attracting couples and newlyweds from around the world every year. Amidst the shimmering ocean, let the eternal Heart Reef witness the enduring power of love.
The iconic Heart Reef of the Great Barrier Reef is a witness to enduring love. (Image provided by Tourism Queensland)
Discover Queensland’s Imagination Through Art
From November 23, 2013 to May 11, 2014, the first solo exhibition in Australia by renowned artist Cai Guo-Qiang, titled “Returning Home,” was held at the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) in Brisbane. The works “Heritage” and “Eucalyptus” were specially created for the museum, inspired by Cai’s family travels in Queensland. This time, instead of using gunpowder and explosions, Cai expressed his imagined utopian world in a silent and poetic manner.
Savor Fine Food and Wine Amidst Breathtaking Scenery
When visiting Queensland, Australia, you can’t miss its unique cuisine such as Australian beef, barramundi, Queensland mud crabs, Moreton Bay bugs, macadamia nuts (native to Queensland), crocodile meat, kangaroo meat, mangoes, and a variety of fine wines. From May 15 to 18, 2014, Noosa, a seaside town on the Sunshine Coast, will host the “Noosa International Food & Wine Festival” for the 11th consecutive year. Over 200 chefs, winemakers, foodies, and media from around the world will gather to enjoy a top-tier gastronomic feast. Additionally, you’ll have the chance to admire the scenic Noosa River, the beautiful inland areas of the Sunshine Coast, as well as Brisbane and Fraser Island, the world’s largest sand island.
Hot air balloon rides, a favorite among tourists, offer a relaxing aerial view of the land. (Image provided by Tourism Queensland)
Spectacular Early Winter Road Run in the Southern Hemisphere
If you love running amidst stunning landscapes that fuel your motivation, then pack your bags and head to the Gold Coast in 2014. The Gold Coast Marathon, the largest road running event in the Southern Hemisphere, takes place on the first weekend of July each year in Australia’s Gold Coast, with registration opening in March or April. This event is suitable for runners of all levels, featuring a full marathon, half marathon, 10-kilometer run, 5.7-kilometer challenge, and 4-kilometer and 2-kilometer family fun runs. Enjoying the sunshine, beaches, breathtaking coastline, and fresh air is what makes this one of the most scenic marathons in the world unique. July also marks the early winter in Australia, with temperatures around 18°C—perfect for morning runs.
Encounter Ocean Rock Stars
In Queensland, between late July and early November each year, humpback whales migrate toward Antarctica. During this time, you can head to the shallow waters near the Great Barrier Reef to wait for their appearance. Hervey Bay on the Fraser Coast serves as a “pit stop” for the whale migration and is the easiest place to spot whales, earning it the title of Australia’s whale-watching capital. In addition, Brisbane’s Moreton Bay, the Gold Coast, the Whitsunday Islands, and the coastal areas of North Queensland are also excellent spots for whale watching.
Enjoy a Relaxed Game of Golf in Poetic Landscapes
Queensland is the golf capital of Australia, offering ideal conditions for golf year-round. Whether on beaches, islands, mountains, inland areas, cities, or rainforests, you’ll find golf courses and well-equipped resorts everywhere. The courses are situated in spectacular settings and close to resorts, allowing you to focus on your game away from the hustle and bustle. If you want to watch master golfers in action in Queensland, plan your trip during the Australian PGA Championship. From 2013 to 2017, the Australian PGA Championship will be held for four consecutive years at the RACV Royal Pines Golf Resort on the Gold Coast. In 2014, the Royal Pines course on the Gold Coast will once again host a highly sought-after top-tier golf event.
Explore Brisbane with ease by bike. (Image provided by Tourism Queensland)
Witness the Miracle of Coral Spawning
The formation of the magnificent Great Barrier Reef is thanks to tiny organisms—coral polyps, often no larger than grains of rice. For four to six nights after the November full moon, nature provides the perfect conditions for coral spawning: warm seawater, setting sun, and minimal tidal movement. Unable to move, the corals release clouds of sperm and eggs, quietly triggering an underwater reproductive spectacle. The fertilized coral eggs settle and gradually form new reefs, ensuring the continuous regeneration of the unparalleled Great Barrier Reef. In 2013, coral spawning in the Cairns Great Barrier Reef occurred around the November full moon. To witness the next natural wonder of coral spawning, it’s recommended to book your 2014 trip in advance.
Queensland Sea Turtle Watching Season
Between November and March each year, various species of sea turtles—including green turtles, loggerhead turtles, leatherback turtles, and flatback turtles—nest along Queensland’s coastline. Mon Repos in Bundaberg, Queensland, is one of the best places in Australia to observe sea turtle habitats. Every year, hundreds and thousands of turtles return to these rich waters to fulfill their natural breeding mission. At Lady Elliot Island at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef, you can witness not only the miracle of turtle egg-laying but also an unprecedented abundance of bird nesting during the same period.
● Further Reading:
Slow Travel in Australia: Immerse Yourself in Brisbane’s Relaxed Lifestyle
http://goo.gl/XUKY2D