Not many places on Earth can claim they are the home of as many as five Natural Heritage Areas. Queensland is one of those places. While these five areas are stunning, they are far from all that Queensland has to offer. If you want to experience this place in a unique way, put these 10 locations in your itinerary and read how and why you should get there.

Brisbane

The top places in Brisbane are Lone Pine Koala, City Botanic Gardens, and SeaWorld. Lone Pine Koala is amongst the top ten zoos in the world, according to AOL. You can enjoy the guided audio tours and learn about all of these spectacular animals. Lone Pine Koala has the largest number of koalas in the world, and the best part, they offer the option to be a “keeper for a day” to take care of and interact with all of the animals. If you are looking to relax and revive yourself, the City Botanic Gardens is the place to be. Take some time out to enjoy the great walks, history and extensive display of plants and gardens, or just kick back in one of the garden’s many shaded areas and reflect. For the best view in the city make sure to check out Mt. Coot-tha lookout, a vantage point offering panoramic views of Brisbane City as far as Moreton Bay. It’s truly breathtaking and worth a stop day or night.

Gold Coast and Surfers’ Paradise

With 70 kilometres of sun-drenched beaches and four epic point breaks, it’s easy to see why the Gold Coast is home to a city called Surfers Paradise. Whether you’re a professional surfer or trying it for the first time, surfing in the Gold Coast, is a must! For an incredibly fun alternative to surfing, try Zorbing. It is great fun and it includes a huge transparent ball that is hollow in the middle, and an epic ride down a massive hill. It is kid friendly and virtually impossible to get hurt. If you are looking for the best mixture of fun and relaxation, be sure to visit the Gold Coast’s most sought after beach, Burleigh Heads Beach. You won’t be disappointed, this place is beautiful. There is a great walking track around the headland, and heaps of cool shops and restaurants.

Lamington National Park

Bushwalking and hiking in this magnificent natural gem is something you’ll regret not trying. The beautifully exotic tropical plants are good enough reason to visit this national park. However, that is not all that Lamington Park offers. In addition to the bushwalking and hiking, the Glow Worm Tour is a must. This translucent and glowing insect will make your night unforgettable and offer some fairy tale sightings.

Sunshine Coast

To do something entirely different when visiting the Sunshine Coast, check out the second largest karting track. It is 1.2 kilometers long and great for beginners, all the way to experienced drivers. You do not have to race, just stand in awe and observe up to 50 cars maneuvering and racing along this Big Kart Track. Another thing that you can do to get to know the Sunshine Coast is to take a boat trip along the Noosa Rivers and canals. This is a ride that lasts just over two hours. You will get a nice tea or coffee, and an incredible view! Interesting and informative stories from your guide will make the time fly.

Noosa Biosphere

This magical and natural place is the perfect spiritual retreat. Naturally, hiking and enjoying the nature are the first two reasons to visit Noosa. But to get the full experience, book an appointment with some of the experts at this retreat and allow them to develop you a personal exercise and diet plan. To complete this healthy mind, body, and spirit rejuvenation, throw in the amazing spa treatment as well. You won’t regret it!

Daintree Rain Forest

This is the home of the magnificent Ulysses Butterfly, and the ancient Idiot Fruit that have been around since the dinosaurs. Go hiking and try to find these glorious butterflies or this unique plant. Daintree Rainforest is also the home to 10 unique species, that when viewed, will surely make your experience one of a kind. Professional guides know all about them, so hire one and let them show you this uniquely spectacular flora and fauna.

Great Barrier Reef

Seen from outer space, the Great Barrier Reef is the world’s coral reef system. If that isn’t enough, it’s also composed of over 2,900 individual reefs, and 900 islands stretching for over 2,300 kilometres. A couple of days of scuba diving and sailing around this stunning place will get you ready for an adventure of a different kind. Quite close to the Great Barrier Reef, on the Cairns northern Beaches, you will find the amazing Opal Mines. The tour starts with a very short and interesting documentary about the history of opal mining. Once you get to know these facts, you will be guided through the corridors that show different types of opal. They are embedded into walls, so that you get the authentic experience. Once you finish this interesting tour, you will be able to differentiate types of opal and you will know how to pick a good and high-quality gem.

Whale Watching Harvey Bay

The stunning humpback whales come to Harvey Bay to play and enjoy themselves. You just need to book the tour that you find the most interesting, and experience the marine life at its best. Experienced guides will get you as close to the whales as possible and neither you nor the whale will be in danger. This is a truly life changing experience shouldn’t be missed!

Fraser Island

The clash of sand and rainforest makes Fraser Island a most unique place. It has many creeks, ponds, waterfalls and beaches for you to explore. To make this a bit more dynamic, opt for the 4wd camping tour. This will bring together the experience of driving through sand and enjoying a sky full of stars during the camping nights.

Whitsunday Island

The best way to experience this island is to go for a sailing and snorkeling adventure on a catamaran. This is a whole-day trip that starts with setting up the catamaran. You get to help your skipper set it up which offers a more authentic experience that you don’t get elsewhere. It is not difficult and it is completely safe. After you begin your cruise, your skipper will take you to the best places for snorkeling. Make sure that you take a break from snorkeling to visit the Whiteheaven Beach. It is a lovely secluded beach, perfect for a nice pause before you finish your sailing trip.

It is absolutely impossible to come to Queensland and not have a good time. It is all up to you to choose which type of fun and experience you seek. Queensland has it all, for every kind of visitor. Seek your own perfect adventure or let Queensland surprise you. Sailing, snorkeling, and diving should definitely be a part of your holiday here. However, exploring the jaw-dropping rainforests and opal mines can be fun and educative at the same time. There are infinite possibilities here, so my suggestion, take as long of a holiday as you can and explore as many places on this list as you can.