Top 10 Most FUN Must-Do Winter Experiences in Queensland

By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network, Chen Guanxin, compiled and reported

 

As temperatures gradually cool down, netizens who prefer summer over winter—have you planned where to escape the cold with your family during the depths of winter? Recently, Tourism Queensland launched a “Most FUN Family Trip in Queensland” voting campaign, and with the enthusiastic participation of fans, “admiring the captivating underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef” topped the list with an overwhelming support rate of nearly 60%. Following closely were popular experiences such as “hugging a koala” and “listening to dolphins sing.” Whether you’re planning to visit Queensland soon or considering a family trip there during the cold Lunar New Year holiday, why not include the following activities in your itinerary?

[Top 1] Admiring the Captivating Underwater World of the Great Barrier Reef

[Top 2] Hugging a Koala

[Top 3] Listening to Dolphins Sing

[Top 4] Hot Air Balloon Ride

[Top 5] Nighttime Firefly Watching

 

The tropical rainforests of North Queensland are over 135 million years old, making them the oldest in the world. These ancient rainforests boast unparalleled natural beauty and scientific value, encompassing nearly all of Australia’s species and serving as a living museum of the country’s pristine environment. They have been listed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. You can depart from Cairns to the Kuranda rainforest area, traveling via the Skyrail, the world’s longest gondola rainforest cableway in the Southern Hemisphere, or the Tropical Rainforest Train, to reach natural parks, the Jirrbal Aboriginal Cultural Experience, and Cairns Zoo, immersing yourself in the rainforest. Alternatively, drive north from Cairns into the Daintree Rainforest area, exploring more pristine and mysterious rainforests through the Mossman Gorge Visitor Centre, rainforest dinners, and various rainforest resorts.

 

On vacation in Queensland, you definitely shouldn’t miss the delicious local fruits such as avocados, bananas, pineapples, strawberries, and tomatoes. A highly recommended destination is Tropical Fruit World, located on the border of the Gold Coast and New South Wales, which grows over 500 varieties of mouthwatering exotic fruits from around the world, including golden dragon fruit, sweet-and-sour grapes that grow on tree trunks, purple and juicy star fruit, and oddly flavored fruits that taste like chocolate—you’ll be amazed by these rare and unique fruits. Besides sampling various tropical fruits, you can also enjoy freshly made fruit ice cream on-site.

 

From November each year to March of the following year, various species of sea turtles nest along the coast of Queensland. From Bundaberg in the south to Cape York in tropical North Queensland, as well as various islands in the southern Great Barrier Reef such as Lady Elliot Island, Heron Island, Wilson Island, and Lady Musgrave Island, you can spot them. Especially at Mon Repos National Park in Bundaberg, between November and January each year, female sea turtles come here to nest and lay around 130 eggs each time. These ancient and rare marine creatures seem to have built-in GPS, swimming millions of miles every year to return to their birthplace to lay eggs.

 

Surfing, just like swimming, is a national pastime in Australia. Why not take your family to one of Queensland’s surf destinations to learn this enviable skill? The Gold Coast is one of Australia’s most popular holiday destinations and a world-renowned surfer’s paradise. Another top surfing spot is the Sunshine Coast, about a two-hour drive north of Brisbane. Basic surfing gear includes a surfboard, leg rope, wax, and swimwear, while players can choose additional equipment based on personal preference or specific needs, such as surf shorts, rash guards, wetsuits, surfboard nose guards, traction pads, surfboard backpacks, and fin gloves.

 

Besides the beloved koalas and energetic kangaroos, many wildlife parks in Queensland are also home to Australia’s unique rainbow lorikeets. These playful little birds, with their vibrant and colorful feathers like flying pieces of art, regularly visit their favorite zoos. Rainbow lorikeets’ biggest love is honey and milk. In parks where they reside, if you place a plate of delicious breakfast with honey and milk, colorful birds will immediately flutter down like falling leaves to enjoy the tasty meal without any fear of humans.

 

 

●  Further Reading:

HOT！ Melbourne, Australia, Ranked World’s Best City to Live in for the Third Time

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