Queensland
Brisbane | Cairns | Gold Coast | Noosa | Sunshine Coast | Capricorn Coast |
Port Douglas| Townsville | Mackay | Whitsundays | 1770 |Hervey Bay|
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Queensland is the second largest state in Australia, covering an area of 1,730,650 square kilometres and with a coastline stretching for 7,400 kilometres. It is seven times the size of the United Kingdom, or five times the size of Japan, or twice the size of Texas. The population is 3.5 million, of whom nearly half live in Brisbane. |
Queensland can claim to be both the wettest and the hottest state in Australia. Mt. Bellenden Ker, near Tully, once recorded 1.14 metres of rain in a single day, while Cloncurry claims Australia's record temperature of 53.1C (127.6F) on 16th January 1889.
The first European exploration of Moreton Bay, where Brisbane lies, was carried out in 1797 by Matthew Flinders, who landed where today Redcliffe is situated. In 1799, Flinders, in the Norfolk, charted the east coast of Queensland. In 1823, John Oxley in the Mermaid named the Brisbane River after the Governor of New South Wales at the time and travelled 100 kilometres up the river.A convict settlement was established at Redcliffe in 1824 and moved to Brisbane in the following year. At the time, this territory was still part of New South Wales. The first free settlers arrived in 1837 and by 1840 all convicts had been withdrawn from Brisbane. By 1851, the residents of Queensland had started to think of independence from
New South Wales. Queen Victoria was petitioned and agreed, understandably preferring the name Queensland to the alternative suggestion of Cooksland. Queensland was proclaimed on 6th June 1859.
One of the great wonders of the world is the Great Barrier Reef stretching up the
coast of Queensland, and it is this which makes Queensland the most popular state for
visitors to Australia. The Great Barrier Reef extends for over 2,000 kilometres and
actually consists of some 2,500 individual reefs and 700 small islands, covering a total
area of 345,000 square kilometres.
Queensland transport
Queensland Railways provides the state-wide transport system, almost entirely by rail, but with a few bus connexions . More than any other state, Queensland has kept its branch railways and continued to operate passenger services on them. However, in recent years this state too has bowed to economic pressures and the branch lines have been discontinuing passenger service one by one, so that what is left now is a route all the way up the coast from Brisbane to Cairns, plus three lines leading inland - from Brisbane to Charleville with bus connexions to Cunnamulla and Quilpie, from Rockhampton to Longreach with a bus connexion to Winton, and from Townsville to Mt. Isa. These are supplemented by three tourist train routes in the north of the state and a good electric suburban service around Brisbane. The Tilt Train operated by Queensland Railways between Brisbane and Rockhampton is the fastest service in Australia.
Long-distance bus services are operated by Greyhound and Premier. Some other companies operate more local routes, particularly Coral Coaches in the area north and west of Cairns. Queensland Railways offers the
Sunshine Rail Pass for unlimited use on its services, including Brisbane suburban trains. Sleeping berths can be used on payment of the usual supplement. However, the pass is relatively expensive and most visitors find that the national rail passes are better value.
The East Coast Discovery Pass is also available, offering journeys up or down the east coast, as its name suggests, with unlimited stops. Six months is allowed for the completion of the journey, but sleeping berths cannot be used, nor can Brisbane suburban trains. Travel is restricted to Queensland Railways trains and Countrylink trains and connecting buses. The passes are available only to overseas residents, except for the ones to or from Cairns, which are available to Australians too.
The long-distance bus companies offer passes from Sydney, Melbourne or Adelaide up to Cairns with unlimited stops. There are also sometimes discounted bus tickets available for travel between Brisbane and Cairns and between Brisbane and Sydney or Melbourne.
Oz Experience offers a tour running between Byron Bay and Cairns.
A good air system operates in Queensland, the main carriers being Qantas, Virgin Blue and Jetstar.
Queensland Armchair Guide.
A journey from The Gold Coast in the South of the State, to Port Douglas in the Tropical North, visiting all the major tourism destinations along the way.
Click below to visit our Queensland eguides for comprehensive travel information.
Brisbane
Cairns
Capricorn Coast
Gold Coast
Hervey Bay
Mackay
Noosa
Port Douglas
Sunshine Coast
Townsville
Whitsundays
1770
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