The Great Barrier Reef & Queensland

With a population of nearly 2 million, Brisbane is the third biggest and one of the fastest growing cities in Australia. It is located in the south-east corner of the state and is the gateway to the nearby resort destinations of the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. Also accessible from the city are the wilderness hinterland regions of Lamington National Park and the remarkable Glass House Mountains. Australia Zoo, made famous by the late Steve Irwin can be found close by and a day trip to Tangalooma to see the dolphins is a popular choice.

The main gateway city to the Great Barrier Reef is Cairns and with so many Reef day trips and cruises available it's an excellent base from which to explore this region. A short distance to the north of Cairns is the beach resort of Palm Cove offering a laid back vacation experience. A further hour north via an attractive coastal drive is Port Douglas, the smaller cousin of Cairns and our favorite place to stay. In and around Port Douglas you'll find a variety of golf courses, boutique shops, cafes and restaurants and a wide choice of Barrier Reef and day trips to the spectacular rainforests.

The Islands of South Queensland will appeal to those who don't have the time to venture into North Queensland but would still enjoy a relaxing tropical island vacation before returning home. Some are located within a couple of hours of Brisbane and Hervey Bay, 4 hours drive to the north is the gateway to the World Heritage listed Fraser Island. Further north via Gladstone lie Heron Island and Wilson Island, true coral cays and part of the Great Barrier Reef, boasting some of Australia's best dive spots.

These resorts have the advantage of being easily accessible via Hamilton Island, the only island on the Great Barrier Reef with direct flights to Sydney, Melbourne & Brisbane. Centrally located in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, there are 74 tropical islands with some of the finest sailing opportunities in Australia. Sophisticated or uncomplicated, the resorts of the Whitsundays offer romance or adventure, relaxation or activity. Sip cocktails by a pool, take a picnic on a deserted beach, go island hopping, whale watching (June to September), fishing, cruising, kayaking, snorkelling, diving or jet skiing.

These island resorts are situated in the north of Queensland, offshore from Cairns - a few days here is wonderful way to end a visit to the Barrier Reef region. There are luxury spa resorts, islands with beachfront villas, islands for diving and islands for romance. The quality of the reefs that surround the islands in this region is unequalled anywhere along the Queensland coast and without doubt this is where you will find some of the finest island resorts in Australia.