By Dave & Deb Bouskill, on December 20, 2014

The Beauty of Queensland, Australia

When picturing Australia, the first things that come to mind is the rough and tough landscape of The Outback and kangaroos hopping across barren fields (or maybe koalas in trees). While we loved seeing the more rugged side of the country, it was the tropical north, in Queensland, that truly captured our imagination.

Whether we were hiking through the ancient Daintree Rainforest, flying over the enormous Great Barrier Reef, or relaxing on the sandy beaches of the world-renowned Gold Coast, we loved our time in Queensland and will remember the destination forever. The region’s diverse landscape took our breath away. In order to explain how beautiful the place really is, we thought it best to show you through photographs.

Sunrise on the Gold Coast

Sunrise on the Gold Coast

Known as The Spit, this is a popular spot for photographers to meet early in the morning to capture the magnificent sunrise for which the Gold Coast is famous.

Fresh waters of the Daintree Rainforest

Fresh waters of the Daintree Rainforest

The Daintree Rainforest dates back more than 100 million years and is filled with diverse and unique plant and animal life. Water comes from underground springs, making for swimming areas safe from dreaded crocodiles.

Great Barrier Reef from above

Great Barrier Reef from above

Many people come to Queensland to dive the Great Barrier Reef, but seeing it from above by helicopter also is an amazing way to truly gain a sense of how gigantic this reef formation is. It’s impossible to explore the entire 1,400-mile area of the Great Barrier Reef in one visit, but a helicopter tour will make sure you see a lot of it.

Great Barrier Reef from below

Great Barrier Reef from below

There are many ways to explore the Great Barrier Reef underwater, from snorkeling day-trips to live-aboard diving vacations. If you visit Queensland, you must be sure to see the underwater world of the largest coral reef on Earth.

Lush rainforests

Lush rainforests

Queensland is green and lush, and a scenic flight over the countryside is the perfect way to see the true beauty of this tropical landscape.

The Gold Coast

The Gold Coast

Gold Coast City is home to Surfers Paradise and some of the most iconic surfing locations on Earth. It’s an endless strip of sandy white beaches and beach front properties for as far as the eye can see. It’s the spot in Queensland to get your beach time and enjoy the nightlife.

Jungle walks

Jungle walks

Queensland has many luxury lodges that have built stilt houses connected by canopy walkways through the rainforest. These are the perfect romantic escapes to experience a quiet night in the jungle with the safety and comfort of being tucked away in luxurious treehouses.

Traditional smoking ceremony

Traditional smoking ceremony

Before entering the Daintree Rainforest, we took part in a smoking ceremony asking the ancestors of the forest for permission to enter.

Hot air balloon

Hot air balloon

If you haven’t noticed, we like to see the landscape from above. And if ever there is a time to take a hot air balloon ride it is in Australia. In addition to getting a great vantage point on the landscape, we saw kangaroos hiding in the bushes below.

Dreamtime walks

Dreamtime walks

When visiting a new country, it is important for us to learn about the traditions of the land. In Australia the Aboriginal heritage was an important and interesting part of our travels. We entered the sacred land of the Kuku Yalanji Tribe and learned about traditional healing and the ancient way of life that still is passed on from generation to generation.

Glorious sunrises

Glorious sunrises

We never have visited a destination that compelled us to wake up early as often as Queensland did. Queensland truly has some of the best sunrises on Earth, and we couldn’t help but set our alarms each day to make our way outside to see what treat was in store for our eyes. Each day looked as beautiful as this.

Currumbin Beach

Currumbin Beach

Currumbin Beach is a popular spot for experienced surfers, and it offers a quiet cove for swimmers. We loved the rocky shore that allowed waves to create tidal pools filled with velvety blue water.