Getting Oriented

At 1,727,999 square km (667,180 square miles) and more than four times the size of California, Queensland has enormous geographic variety. Its eastern seaboard stretches 5,200 km (3,224 miles) from the subtropical Gold Coast to the wild and steamy rain forests of the far north. Away from the coastal sugar and banana plantations, west of the Great Dividing Range, Queensland looks as arid as any other part of Australia's interior. Not surprisingly, most of the state's 4.6 million inhabitants live on the coast. Brisbane and the beach resorts toward the south of the coast have experienced dramatic expansion over the past decade. The region's main attractions are its glorious coastline, the fertile hinterland, and the reefs and islands that lie offshore.

• Brisbane. Affectionately dubbed Brisvegas, Queensland's capital city is a breezily cheerful, increasingly sophisticated city with a thriving casino, cultural attractions, and some terrific restaurants, galleries, nightspots, and markets all centered around the city's sprawling river.
• The Gold Coast. An hour's drive south of Brisbane, Queensland's first coastal resort has expanded into a busy strip of high-rise hotels, action-packed theme parks, casinos, bars, eateries, and nightclubs. If you need a break from the bustle, walk down to the beach and curl your toes in the sand; alternatively, drive west and spend a day (or several) exploring the lush, mountainous hinterland.
• The Sunshine Coast. This stretch of coastline about an hour north of Brisbane is known for its glorious beaches, stunning national parks, and mountain hinterland dotted with charming, heritage-style townships. In recent years, new roads and infrastructure have spurred a boom in accommodation, eateries, markets, and other attractions.
• Mackay-Capricorn Islands. This smattering of coral cays along the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef—including Heron, Wilson, Lady Musgrave, and Lady Elliot islands—is home to a host of marine wildlife, including seabirds, turtles, rays, sharks, and millions of dazzling tropical fish.
• Fraser Island. A gigantic sand island off Hervey Bay, Fraser Island is paradise for the active visitor. What it lacks in luxe amenities it makes up for in scenery: miles of white-sand beaches, deep-blue lakes, and bushland bristling with wildlife—including some of the world's most purebred dingoes.