By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Network, reported by Chen Guanxin
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 Stunning 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 Spring Festival holiday, be sure to include the following activities in your itinerary.
Admiring the underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef is widely recognized as a must-do experience when visiting Queensland. (Image provided by Tourism Queensland)
[Top 1] Admiring the Stunning Underwater World of the Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest and most extensive coral reef ecosystem, comprising approximately 2,900 individual reefs, 600 continental islands, and 300 coral cays, stretching from northern to southern Queensland, all the way to Bundaberg. There are many ways to explore the underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef: take a day trip by boat, hop on a helicopter or seaplane to a tranquil coral bay, ride a speedboat for thrills or relax on a gentle cruise. For those who prefer to stay dry, you can admire the dazzling underwater scenery through underwater observatories, glass-bottom boats, or semi-submersible vessels. Additionally, activities such as seabed walking, underwater motorcycles, canoeing, cruising, or spending the night sailing the Great Barrier Reef on a yacht are also excellent ways to experience this natural wonder.
[Top 2] Hugging a Koala
Koalas are unique and precious arboreal animals native to Australia. Known for their gentle temperament and adorable appearance, they are deeply loved by people. Therefore, hugging a koala can be considered one of the most iconic animal encounters in the world. Not all states in Australia allow koala cuddling, but in Queensland, any zoo that houses koalas offers the chance to get up close and personal with these furry friends and take memorable photos.
[Top 3] Listening to Dolphins Sing
As night falls, a group of wild dolphins regularly arrives at the dock of Brisbane’s Moreton Island—the world’s third-largest sand island—as if by appointment, meeting visitors from around the globe, just as they have for decades. In addition, at Sea World, a theme park on the Gold Coast, apart from exciting dolphin shows, visitors can also feed and take photos with the dolphins.
[Top 4] Hot Air Balloon Ride
Would you like to experience watching the first rays of morning sunlight from the sky with your family? At the break of dawn, take a hot air balloon ride over picturesque Queensland, gliding above beautiful lakes, orchards, and mountains, feeling like a bird soaring freely in the sky. Hot air balloon activities are available in the Gold Coast, Brisbane, tropical North Queensland’s Cairns and Port Douglas, making it easy to fulfill your family’s dream of flying high.
[Top 5] Nighttime Firefly Watching
For animal activity enthusiasts, Queensland is truly a paradise. Springbrook National Park on the Gold Coast is an excellent spot for nighttime firefly viewing. Led by experienced eco-guides, small tour groups walk through the rainforest at night, where glowing fireflies dance in the caves, creating a magical, starry-night-like atmosphere. If the weather is clear, you can also enjoy a jungle dinner and stargazing after the firefly tour. Moreover, various Queensland zoos, including Cairns Night Zoo and Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary on the Gold Coast, offer “night dates” with wildlife.
Close encounters with dolphins delight both kids and adults alike. (Image provided by Tourism Queensland)
[Top 6] Exploring Tropical Rainforests
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, essentially 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 Rainforest Train, visiting spots like the Rainforest Nature Park, the Jirrbal Aboriginal Cultural Experience, and Cairns ZOO to immerse 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.
[Top 7] Enjoying a Tropical Fruit Feast
When vacationing in Queensland, you simply can’t miss the delicious local fruits such as avocados, bananas, pineapples, strawberries, and tomatoes... The highly recommended destination is Tropical Fruit World, located on the border between the Gold Coast and New South Wales. Here, you’ll find over 500 mouthwatering exotic fruits from around the world, including golden dragon fruit, sour-sweet grapes that grow on tree trunks, purple and juicy star fruit, and oddly-flavored fruits that taste like chocolate... You’ll surely be amazed by these rare and unique fruits. Aside from sampling various tropical fruits, you can also enjoy freshly made fruit ice cream on-site.
[Top 8] Turtle Watching Tour
Between November and March each year, various species of sea turtles nest along the Queensland coast—from Bundaberg in the south to the Cape 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. Especially at Mon Repos National Park in Bundaberg, from November to January each year, female turtles choose this place to nest and lay eggs, with each laying about 130 eggs. These ancient and rare marine creatures seem to have a built-in GPS, swimming millions of miles each year to return to their birthplace to lay eggs.
[Top 9] Learning to Surf
Like swimming, surfing is a popular sport for all Australians. Why not bring your family to one of Queensland’s surf havens to learn this enviable skill? The Gold Coast is one of Australia’s most beloved holiday destinations and a world-renowned paradise for surfers. Another top surf spot is the Sunshine Coast, about a two-hour drive north of Brisbane. Basic surf gear includes a surfboard, leg rope, wax, and swimwear, while players can also choose other equipment based on personal preference or special needs, such as surf shorts, rash guards, wetsuits, surfboard nose guards, traction pads, surfboard backpacks, and fin gloves.
[Top 10] Breakfast with Rainbow Lorikeets
Apart from the universally adored koalas and lively kangaroos, many wildlife parks in Queensland are also home to Australia’s unique bird—the rainbow lorikeet. These mischievous little creatures, with their vibrant and colorful feathers, are like flying pieces of art and regularly visit their favorite zoos. Rainbow lorikeets’ biggest love is honey and milk. In parks where they are found, if you set out a delicious breakfast plate with honey and milk, colorful birds will quickly flutter down like falling leaves to enjoy the tasty meal, completely unafraid of people.
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Taking a hot air balloon ride high up in the sky is also a highly popular activity when visiting Queensland. (Image provided by Tourism Queensland)