Queensland – Australia’s Sunshine State!

Queensland is one of Australia’s most famous states. Full of culture and tourism, there’s plenty to know about this wonderful region of Australia.

Lively and beautiful, with events happening all year round, this is a great place to visit. These are just a few facts about Queensland and its location.

Queensland is the second largest state in Australia. Located in the Northeast of the country. Queensland itself is ten times the size of the UK and spans a vast region of beautiful green landscapes and natural wonders.

To put it bluntly, Queensland is huge! Located next to the Coral Sea and the Pacific Ocean, there are countless beautiful coastlines and beaches to explore.

Queensland’s population reached a whopping 5,000,000 in May 2018 and the majority of this population is concentrated in the South East, where the capital Brisbane is located.

Brisbane is Australia’s third largest city. Due to the region’s warm climate, Queensland is often referred to as the “Sunshine State”.

No wonder it has a great reputation as the State gets sun most days of the year.

History of Queensland Australia

Queensland was originally discovered and inhabited by Australian Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders.

The first European influence on the area was that of a Dutch sailor, Willem Janszoon in 1606. In 1770, much of Australia’s east coast was claimed by the British by Lieutenant James Cook.

Queensland’s name actually comes from British origins and was named to honor the current monarch at the time, Queen Victoria. On 6 June 1859, she signed a letter separating the colony of Queensland from New South Wales.

Queensland cities

There are quite a few cities spread across Queensland, 10 to be exact, many located on its stunning coastline. Brisbane, the capital, is a thriving metropolis with half a million residents.

The city is home to a variety of restaurants, attractions, nightlife and is a major tourist destination.

It is filled with museums, theaters, cinemas and concert halls. Nearby visitors can see the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, home to a variety of Australian wildlife.

Queensland’s other major metropolitan areas include the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. The Gold Coast is an area spanning 60km of beautiful sandy beaches and has been described as a “Surfer’s Paradise”.

Tourism was initially brought to this area specifically because of the good opportunities for surfing and water sports. The warm and predictable climate makes it a great place for surfers to visit year-round.

The Sunshine Coast is located just south of the capital Brisbane. This is another area popular with tourists and again, has many beautiful coastlines and beaches.

It’s also home to several national parks for wildlife lovers, including Australia Zoo, made possible by local hero Steve Irwin.

It is also home to Aussie World, The Majestic Theater and Big Pineapple. Other notable cities in the region include Townsville, Cairns, Toowoomba, Rockhampton, Mackay, Bundaberg, Hervey Bay and Gladstone.