Queensland holidays

Your pre-dawn eyes are opened wide at the beauty of the landscape as you float gently above the spectacular Gold Coast Hinterland. There’s so much to see and photograph on your 30 or 60-minute flight – particularly when you realise you’re in a flotilla of brightly coloured balloons all around. After landing, you’re driven to O’Reilly’s Grand Homestead & Boutique Vineyard for a glass of bubbly and a full cooked breakfast as you reflect on a splendid morning adventure. Half Day (AM) daily from the Gold Coast. Includes full brakfast & champagne. NB: $30 aviation levy payable locally.

It’s easy to see why Brisbane is often called the ‘River City’ as you cruise serenely on the river as it snakes through its elegant centre. On the coach, you’ll appreciate the city’s past and present as you tour past historical and significant buildings, including City Hall, Parliament House and St John’s Cathedral. Refreshments are included and you’ll arrive at South Bank with free time to explore attractions like the state art galleries, museum and cultural centre.

Just nine people at a time enjoy the 4x4 experience in this World Heritage area. Cruise the mighty Daintree River in Mossman Gorge, home to rare birds, unique plants, tree snakes and estuarine crocodiles. After a barbecue lunch, travel the infamous Bloomfield Track, last a 250-year-old giant Strangler Fig, to Stingray Bay with ‘Lone Soldier’ mangroves. Walk the world-famous Cape Tribulation rainforest beach, visit Kulki Lookout, then enjoy a delicious afternoon tea at the Daintree Ice Cream Company.

This two-day package includes a ride on the amazing Kuranda Scenic Rail, climbing through tunnels and over bridges spanning spectacular gorges. Take a Dreamtime Walk and watch dances for an insight into Aboriginal history. Day two takes on a distinctly marine slant, spent enjoying the heady excitement on board a Quicksilver catamaran to the Barrier Reef where you can dive or snorkel to your heart’s content.

Australia Zoo is Steve Irwin’s living legacy and the best way to get there is by Croc Express coach. Drive along scenic Steve Irwin Way in sight of the majestic Glass House Mountains to spend a full six hours at the zoo. That’s time enough to see scary demonstrations like crocodile feeding and snake handling, or feeding cute otters and seeing koalas. Some tamer animals are walked through the park for up-close wildlife encounters for the family. Full day. Daily from Brisbane and Gold Coast.

Cross the Noosa River deep into Cooloola National Park to see the Teewah and Rainbow Beach coloured sands. After beachside refreshments, it’s Fraser Island and a mighty ‘Warrior’ 4x4 coach driving along spectacular Seventy Five Mile Beach. Explore this magnificent wilderness with a guided rainforest walk. Enjoy an Aussie barbecue lunch and a refreshing swim in freshwater Lake McKensie. Return to Noosa through the towering forests of Satinay and Brushbox and remote sandy beaches. Full day. Daily from Noosa & Sunshine Coast. Includes morning tea, barbecue lunch, afternoon tea, beverages with lunch.

It’s a unique sensation, being in a hot-air balloon soaring gently over the Atherton Tablelands. It’s not only the wonderful landscape, with long shadows on the ground from the rising sun, but the company of other colourful balloons from Australia’s largest fleet. Your 30 or 60-minute flight gives you time to breathe deep in wide open spaces. After landing, there’s some bubbly and a buffet breakfast to devour with pleasure.

The amazing Kuranda Scenic Railway climbs through tunnels and over bridges spanning spectacular gorges. Pause to view Barron Gorge falls, then explore quaint Kuranda before visiting Rainforestation. Board their amphibious army ‘duck’ which will meander through rainforest, while you spot tropical fruits, ancient plants and native animals. The Dreamtime Walk and dances give insights into Aboriginal history. After a barbecue lunch, visit the Koala and Wildlife Park before returning on Skyrail, skimming the treetops with informative stops along the way.

The Mamu Rainforest Canopy Walkway is where you stand high in the rainforest to take in the vast scale of this beautiful landscape and the North Johnstone River. At Josephine Falls, there’s a short rainforest walk with an experienced guide interpreting the tropical rainforest. Rest for a picnic lunch and a swim in the beautiful tiered waterfalls, before heading for the final stop - the Boulders Wilderness Reserve for that last refreshing dip.

A truly remarkable wilderness area is right on Noosa’s doorstep – the Noosa Everglades or ‘River of Mirrors’. Take the guided boardwalk at Kinaba Interpretive Centre to learn about the wetlands before your cruise. Glide along the pristine river’s dark and tranquil mirrored waterways and lakes, taking you through wetlands supporting abundant wildlife and exotic plants. You can explore and swim, or simply relax until reaching Harry’s Hut for a barbecue lunch. Full day. Daily except Sat from Noosa. Includes morning tea, barbecue lunch with wine & coffee.

Ocean Spirit is a magnificent sailing catamaran, superbly equipped to cater for discerning guests. Michaelmas Cay is a picturesque reef sand island and protected seabird sanctuary, surrounded by coral teeming with an incredible diversity of marine life. Your day gives you four hours on the cay, snorkelling gear, eco-presentations on marine and bird life and a delicious buffet lunch. As an option, take a PADI scuba lesson.

Take in the stunning Gold Coast panoramas from Mt Tamborine and browse Gallery Walk’s beautiful arts and crafts. You’ll then traverse old logging tracks through tropical rainforest to arrive at O’Reilly’s in the heart of Lamington National Park. In this cool, quiet rainforest, you can walk high through the canopy, hearing the calls of native birds. Return through the historic Canungra Valley Vineyards for wine-tasting, or explore and search for platypus in Canungra Creek.

Surf ’s up on the Gold Coast. Do you wish you could learn? Or would you like to brush up on your skills before venturing out? The respected Godfathers of the Ocean Surf School at beautiful Burleigh Heads will give you all the confidence you need. Their ‘hands-on’ approach means they’re in the water with you all the time, making sure you’re safe while you get the thrill of the waves. Lesson is for 1 hour.

Board Quicksilver’s luxury ‘Wavepiercer’ for the 39 nautical mile sprint to a private platform on the Outer Barrier Reef. See multi-coloured fish in the protected snorkel pool, or take a snorkel safari or guided dive at extra cost. You can also view magnificent coral and marine life from a semi-submersible or the underwater observatory. Snorkelling equipment and all meals are included. For the ultimate reef viewing experience, opt for a helicopter flight to or from the reef.

The spirit of wild outback comes to life as you join Nipper and the team bringing you an authentic representation of a working cattle station, with thundering hooves, dog whistles and cracking whips echoing as wild brumbies and herds of cattle are mustered in for the action packed show. During the Stockmans Lunch Muster, you’ll see riders on stunt horses with dogs, quad bikes and a bull catcher. It’s all accompanied by a delicious barbecue lunch, live music and lively bush tales.

White-water rafting is a huge adrenalin rush, especially in the wilderness of tropical rainforests. For the adventurous, we’re bringing you two experiences – each on a great river. Barron River is two hours of brilliant rafting and an unforgettable experience. Tully River is the big one – up to five hours of action-packed adventure over 45 falls. Both include lunch at Tully and all the safety equipment you need, together with digital photos or DVDs of your adventures.