Guide to Where in Queensland You Should Visit & What Time of Year.

 

Table of Contents

• Visiting Queensland in dry season
• Visiting Queensland in wet season
• Best Places to go for a Romantic Queensland Trip
• Best Places to go for Luxury Lovers
• Best Places to go for the Party Animal
• Best Places to go for the Beach & Ocean Lover
• Queensland Safety Tips

Visiting Queensland May – September (Dry Season)

This is the dry season and the season best for the aquatic activities Queensland has to offer!

Because of the box deadly jellyfish and Irukandji jellyfish, it’s only safe to swim in Queensland’s waters without a special stinger suit for half the year (the dry season half).

That doesn’t mean to say you can’t swim the other six months during the wet season, but you have to take extra precautions to make sure you’re not stung.

May – September is the best time to swim in the waters as they’re jellyfish free!

The dry season is also the season to visit if you want to see whales.

The humpback whales migrate south between May – September, while the dwarf minke whales migrate between June – July.

There are special tour companies that arrange whale watching tours, but for the dwarf minke whales in particular you really need to book far ahead to get a spot on the boat!

Visiting Queensland October – April (Wet Season)

This is the wet season, and the best season for the rainforest and inland activities.

You can still swim and go out to the reefs, but you MUST wear a special lycra stinger suit to avoid getting stung by a deadly jellyfish.

You will still be able to swim off the beaches at designated areas with jellyfish nets, and if you go out to the reef most of the time the stinger suits are provided free of charge.

If you do visit during the wet season, you may get to see lots of turtles as it’s nesting season and then baby hatching season as well!

September – January is also the best time to see coral spawning.

It would be such a shame to miss out on Queensland’s best bits just because you can’t visit during the dry season, so make sure you spend some time on the reef and wear a stinger suit so you still get to experience the beautiful coral and fish!

Best Places to go for a Romantic Queensland Trip

The Islands are perfect for a romantic Queensland experience!

Qualia on Hamilton Island is one of the most famous romantic resorts in Australia, but you don’t need a large wallet to have a romantic trip.

There are more budget-friendly resorts too, including Fitzroy Island and Heron Island.

If a rainforest retreat is more your thing, Silky Oaks Lodge is the one you need to book!

Sir David Attenborough called Queensland’s Daintree Rainforest “the most extraordinary place on earth”, so add it to the top of your bucket list ASAP!

Best Places to go for the Luxury Lover

Port Douglas is one of the most luxurious towns in Queensland.

It’s close to Daintree Rainforest, and you can get a Great Barrier Reef tour straight out from Port Douglas instead of having to drive to Cairns.

Port Douglas is a really special place with a very relaxed and sophisticated vibe – a world away from the backpacker vibe of Cairns!

Lizard Island is a top-class resort in the Great Barrier Reef that I have been desperate to visit ever since I moved back to Australia!

It looks BEAUTIFUL, a total paradise, and ultra-luxe.

What more could you want?!

Best Places to go for the Party Animal

If you’re a backpacker, or just someone in need of a good time and a day on the reef the next day, Cairns is the place to be.

There’s a plethora of bars, cheap restaurants, and backpackers wanting to party the night away.

So you’ve heard of Queensland’s famous party boats, right?

If you haven’t you have now.

The party boats that sail around The Whitsundays are famous for a very good reason, and you don’t have to be a backpacker to go on one!

There are party boats for an older-crowd and party boats for those who prefer a little luxury, too.

For a most sophisticated party animal the Gold Coast is the place to go. Think swanky bars in luxury hotels, and a short walk to the beach to watch the sunrise.

Best Places to go for the Beach & Ocean Lover

This is the category I probably fit into best, I love luxury, I love a party, but most of all, I love the beach and the ocean.

I visited Cairns and Fitzroy Island when I went to Queensland last year because of the aquatic activities, and I loved every minute!

I spent a day out on the Great Barrier Reef, and then a day on Fitzroy Island, and it was the best weekend away I’ve ever done in Australia!

Queensland is home to hundreds of islands, so you have a whole bunch to choose from.

The one on the very VERY top of my list though, is Lady Elliot Island, which is the most famous in Australia for wildlife.

The island is an eco-island which I just love, and although it looks very basic and with very little luxuries, the key reason for visiting is the fact the waters around the island are teeming with marine-life, from turtles to manta rays, eagle rays, and a huge array of colourful fish!

Follow their Instagram account to see just how amazing it looks!

The Gold Coast beaches are really similar to the Perth beaches; beautiful, long stretches of white sand, with crystal-clear water.

There isn’t a reef here so leave the snorkel behind, but for a city, the beaches are absolutely stunning, meaning it’s the perfect balance of city/beach if that’s more your thing.

Queensland Safety Tips

Avoiding Jellyfish Stings

Swimming in Queensland’s waters is absolutely magical, but it’s important to be aware of jellyfish, especially during the wet season (October – April).

Here’s everything you need to know to stay safe!

• What to Look Out For: There are two main jellyfish to watch for—the Box Jellyfish and the sneaky little Irukandji Jellyfish. Both can pack a serious sting, so it’s best to be prepared.
• Stinger Suits Are Your Best Friend: If you’re swimming in the wet season, pop on a stinger suit. These lightweight lycra suits are designed to protect you from stings, and the best part is most reef tours provide them for free!
• Stick to Designated Swimming Areas: Queensland’s lifeguarded beaches are often equipped with jellyfish nets, which create safe swimming zones. Always swim between the flags and pay attention to the signs.
• Emergency Tips: If you do get stung, vinegar is your go-to first aid! Many beaches even have vinegar stations, so pour it generously on the sting while you wait for help. For severe reactions, especially with Irukandji or Box Jellyfish stings, get medical attention immediately—better safe than sorry!

What to Do If You Encounter a Cyclone During the Wet Season

Okay, let’s talk cyclones. Queensland’s wet season (October – April) can sometimes bring a cyclone or two, especially up north.

But don’t worry!

Here’s what you need to know to keep your trip stress-free.

• Be Prepared Before You Go: Always check the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) for weather updates before heading up to the tropical north. And if you’re a planner like me, make sure your travel insurance covers cyclones—better to be covered just in case!
• When a Cyclone is on the Way: If you hear there’s a cyclone warning, don’t panic—just head indoors and stay put. Resorts and hotels are pretty experienced with these things and will have their own safety protocols.
• Stock Up on Essentials: It’s a good idea to grab a few days’ worth of snacks, water, and any medications you might need. Power outages aren’t uncommon, so you’ll want to have some goodies on hand.
• During the Cyclone: If the winds start picking up, stay away from windows and keep an ear on the local radio for updates. And if emergency services recommend evacuating, just do it—grab your essentials and go!
• After the Storm Clears: Once the all-clear is given, you can head back out, but be careful of any fallen trees or power lines. The silver lining? The rainforest will be looking lush and vibrant after all that rain!

The Importance of Sunscreen and Hydration in the Australian Sun

Let’s be real—Queensland’s sun can be intense.

I learned the hard way that even on a cloudy day, you can still end up looking like a lobster!

Here’s how to stay sun-safe while exploring this beautiful state.

• SPF, SPF, SPF!: You’ll want to slather on a high SPF sunscreen (think SPF 50+). Go for a broad-spectrum one to protect against both UVA and UVB rays. And remember, it’s not a one-and-done situation—reapply every 2 hours, especially after a swim.
• Reef-Safe Sunscreen: If you’re heading out to the reef, do your part to protect the coral. Look for reef-safe sunscreen that doesn’t contain nasty chemicals like oxybenzone.
• Hydration is Key: Trust me, dehydration can sneak up on you fast in the Queensland heat. Carry a reusable water bottle and sip regularly, even if you’re not feeling thirsty. I also like to pack some electrolyte tablets for those extra hot days.
• Cover Up & Seek Shade: Bring a wide-brimmed hat, UV-blocking sunglasses, and lightweight clothing to cover your arms and legs. And when you’re at the beach, grab a spot under a tree or an umbrella—your skin will thank you later!

Honesty Box: Thank you so much to Flight Centre for partnering with me on this post! As always all views and Australia-love is my own, and I’ve actually been using Flight Centre to book all of my flights for as long as I’ve been booking my own flights – and even before then my parents always used them. Check out their Queensland Calendar Guide to see what there is to do in the month that you’re visiting Queensland!