 About the area: South East Queensland is in many ways the heart of the Sunshine State. Its capital city - Brisbane - is located there, and its most popular tourist destination - the Gold Coast - is there. South East Queensland not only has the largest concentration of the state's population, it is the fastest growing region in Australia, fuelled principally by migration from the southern states.
A major factor in the area's popularity both as a place to live and a place to visit is its climate. It enjoys slightly drier summers in comparison to the north. Temperatures on the Sunshine Coast, for example, average around 20°C during winter and, although warmer, are still comfortable during summer.
Another factor is the diversity of landscapes here. The ocean beaches are fine broad stretches of golden sand with regular rolling surf. Behind them is a mountainous hinterland offering magnificent scenery and amazingly diverse fauna and flora which is totally and easily accessible. Between the mountains are the pastoral and agricultural areas of Somerset, the Lockyer Valley and the Scenic Rim, which are dotted with picturesue villages and outer suburban residential areas.
Brisbane: for many years, Brisbane was seen by many as little more than a place you travelled through on your way to somewhere else. That all changed in 1982 when Brisbane hosted the Commonwealth Games and came of age as an international city. Today it is a vibrant metropolis with festivals, galleries, wildlife parks, museums, markets, parklands, forests, mountains and offshore islands and an invitation from the friendly locals to enjoy the laid back lifestyle and enjoy the sights and sounds of their city.
The Granite Belt: Focused around the town of Stanthorpe which is bordered by the picturesque Girraween & Sundown National Parks, the Granite Belt is situated on the inner or eastern spine of the Great Dividing Range. Noted for its grand waterfalls, its spectacular and unusual rock formations and the variety of wildflowers that bloom in the mountains during July and August, the Granite Belt is also home to Queensland’s premier wine region. The area is popular with prospectors, rubies, sapphires, garnets and topaz have ben found in the creeks.
The Islands of Moreton Bay: Sheltered from the Pacific Ocean by three large offshore islands - Stradbroke, Moreton and Bribie, Moreton Bay is the city of Brisbane's water playground and aquatic sanctuary. The three islands and the many smaller ones dotted through the enclosed waters of the bay, are wonderful getaway spots that are brimming with natural wonders. Moreton Bay and its islands are ideal for spotting dolphins (hand feeding at Tangalooma), whales, dugongs, turtles and manta rays, as well a vast array of birdlife.
North Stradbroke Island
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Gold Coast: mention the Gold Coast and various images spring to mind - fun, sun, surf, long beaches, theme parks, nightlife, towering apartment buildings. So varied are the activities and the choices of accommodation, some holidaymakers travel from as far away as WA just to experience the place. Beyond the pristine beaches just a short drive inland is the Gold Coast hinterland, which is as totally different an environment as it is possible to be. Here there are quaint mountain villages surrounded by forest, crystal clear streams and waterfalls in the World Heritage listed Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves.
Bunya Mountains: One of the most picturesque reserves on this section of the Great Dividing Range, the Bunya Mountains National Park protects the largest remaining Bunya Pine rainforests in the world which densely cover the mountainous slopes. The mountains are the only outlying section of the Great Dividing Range, rising abruptly from the rich Darling Downs & South Burnett farmland.Other unusal species of vegetation include yellow stringybak and bottle trees. 24 km of graded walking trails have been formed in the park, giving access to its spectacular lookouts and waterfalls. About Bunya Mountains
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