From vibrant Brisbane with Australia’s only beach in the middle of a city to the Daintree National Park with the planet’s oldest rainforest, and the world wonder that is the Great Barrier Reef. The dazzling north-eastern state of Queensland really is another world and one we can’t recommend more highly for an unforgettable adventure.
More than seven times the size of the UK, and covering more than a quarter of Australia’s total expanse, Queensland also has some brilliantly unique places to stay. We’ve shared our favourites, including private islands, treehouses and rainforest retreats — or call your Travel Counsellor for more inspiration.
Moored 40 nautical miles offshore of Airlie Beach at Hardy Reef and accessed by a cruise through the gorgeous Whitsunday Islands, this pontoon invites you to spend the night below deck in its undersea accommodation with floor-to-ceiling windows offering full-on views of some of this region’s world-famous marine life. Stays include thrilling private guided snorkelling and semi-submarine tours, access to the underwater observatory and an unforgettable dinner under the stars.
An hour’s flight from Cairns but making you feel as if you’re a million miles from anything and everyone, this is the Reef’s most northerly resort – on a private island with no fewer than 24 beaches of its own. Accommodation is in beachfront suites, pavilions and a spectacular four-person villa, and food and drink is part of your all-inclusive package – based on close partnerships with local producers including craft brewers, wineries and sustainable caviar.
This iconic escape wows us with its calm setting in the canopy above the Mossman River - perfect for immersing yourself in the nature of this magical part of the word. Sensitively designed to blend into this UNESCO-listed forest, it includes luxurious treehouses blending contemporary furnishings made from local timbers and other natural materials. Nearby experiences include traditional ‘smoking’ ceremonies and guided rainforest journeys with some of the First Nations Kuku Yalanji people whose country Far North Queensland is.
This private polo estate and Wagyu beef farm within the World Heritage-listed Lamington National Park 45 minutes from the Gold Coast welcomes you into farm-style cabins and luxury pavilions with vast countryside views and big skies all around. There's a spa for some indulgent time, but don't miss the surrounding bushwalking trails and foodie experiences including kitchen garden tours and wine tastings.
Perfect for a city break in the state capital, the Ada Lane precinct with its mix of restaurants and boutiques on the ground floor, this is a great urban retreat offering a tantalising mix of poolside cabanas, a spa and fabulous on-site dining ranging from authentic Greek in Hellenika to steak, oysters and martinis in SK and Japanese fine dining in the Sushi Room.
Nestled in the ancient Gondwana Rainforest 90 minutes from Brisbane and the Gold Coast, this luxury glamping experience is in architect-inspired, hand-built, permanent safari tents from which you can fully connect with the surrounding nature – soaring cliffs, lush forests, tumbling waters and star-speckled skies. Think home-grown organic food cooked on a wood fire and making memories around the campfire - bliss!
To book one or more of these unique places to stay in Queensland, perhaps as part of a larger Australia holiday, call your Travel Counsellor today.
Aruba beckons with its serene beauty, making it an irresistible choice for those seeking a luxurious tropical getaway. Aruba boasts award-winning, uncrowded, white-sand beaches that promise a slice of paradise where you can unwind to your heart's content. With guaranteed sunshine, crystal-clear waters, and stunning architecture, Aruba is a gem waiting to be discovered.
The personal experiences of our Travel Counsellors, together with their combined insider knowledge of hotels, resorts, and destinations, ensure that they can hand-pick the very best holidays for your needs.
Continuing the pioneering spirit of the innovative, award-winning Virgin Voyages cruises, Brilliant Lady is set to cross the United States in her highly anticipated 2025 debut season. Highlights among the once-in-a-lifetime five- to 16-night journeys will include a voyage through the Panama Canal and a trip through the glaciers and fjords of Alaska.
