Bordering the Pacific Ocean and the Coral Sea Queensland is known as the sunshine state and offers some beautiful beaches and vibrant cities. It is Australia's second largest state by area, after Western Australia and has a population of over 4.5 million.

It borders the Northern Territory, New South Wales and South Australia. Some of the more popular destinations in Queensland include Cairns, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Hervey Bay, Port Douglas, Fraser Island and Whitsundays. 

There are hundreds of islands to choose from where you can relax and enjoy the many white sandy beaches on offer. 

Queensland has a variation in climate across the state, with low rainfall & warm summers typical for inland and a wet season further north. There is two weather season in Queensland: a "winter" period of warm temperatures and minimal rainfall and a sultry summer period of hot, humid temperatures with a higher level of rainfall.

Plane
There are international airports in Brisbane, Cairns and the Gold Coast, plus numerous regional and island airports. The major airlines are Qantas Airways, Virgin Blue and Jetstar plus a number of smaller regional carriers.

Train
There are stations in all major cities and towns including Cairns, Townsville, Charleville and Longreach.  Queensland Rail offers many different services from backpacker single tickets to a travel train holiday package. Here are some of the services on offer:

• The Inlander: Townsville to Mount Isa. This is a 977 km trip, which travels through Charters Towers across the Great Dividing Range and through Hughenden and Julia Creek before arriving at the mining centre of Mount Isa.
• Fraser Island: Get a train from Brisbane to Hervey Bay, transfer to the port for a boat to Fraser Island.
• The Sunlander : Brisbane to Cairns. A favourite with travellers venturing into the Tropical North. The Sunlander caters for all travellers, from the first class traveller to the budget backpacker.

Bus
There are many different bus services on offer from a single journey to a tour.

• Countrylink - operates bus services throughout the state.
• Greyhound – operates to all major cities and other state capitals, servicing towns along the way.
• Premier operates from Brisbane to Cairns or visa versa.
• Oz Experience where you can hop on and off where ever you like. Passes are valid for up to 12 months & will take you to the popular destinations and the must see. These tours can also go from one state to another.