Tropical Coast of Queensland

About The Tropical Coast of Queensland



The Tropical Coast of Queensland is known for its small townships, pineapple and sugar cane plantations, beautiful beaches, great river and ocean fishing and the many picturesque offshore islands that form the southern section of the Great Barrier Reef. Its superb swimming and dive locations and idyllic climate where year round the average daily temperature is 25 degrees Celsius makes it one of Australia's finest coastal holiday regions.

The climate is warm, moist and amazingly equable, verying little in temperature between winter and summer, but because of the rainfall distribution, May to October is the best time of the year for visitors. Being tropical, the region can experience cyclones between December and March.

Though only one of many natural attractions on queensland's tropical coast, the jewell in the crown of the central coastal regions of Queensland is without doubt the Whitsunday Islands. They are the most well known and well visited island group in Australia and have become the epitome of the perfect tropical island holiday destination. The Whitsundays are Austalia's premier tourist attractions and holiday destinations, considered by Australians and overseas visitors alike as a very special part of Australia.

This website covers the coast of Queensland from 1770 in the south to Townsville in the north. The neighbouring coastal regions to the north and south are covered in other Queensland coastal guides:
Best Time To Go

The climate is subtropical. From November to March humidity is generally high, but sea breezes bring relief along the coast. Winter is mild and sunny with cool nights (July and August). The best time to visit is from September to November. Tropical storms can occur from November to April (mostly during January to March).



How To Get There

The Mackay Region, the Capricorn and Whitsunday Coasts are serviced daily by the Tilt Train from Brisbane and coastal regions between Rockhampton and Brisbane. The region is accessed by road via Bruce Highway which passes north from Brisbane through the Sunshine Coast, Fraser Coast and South Burnett regions.

The Whitsundays, which are centrally located within the Tropical Coast, are around 1,100km north of Brisbane (15 hours drive by road). Rockhampton is 616km north of Brisbane. Both Rockhampton and Gladstone are located on the main North Coast Railway between Brisbane and Cairns. By road the Coral Coast is accessed via the Bruce Hwy from the North & South, and the Capricorn Hwy from the West.



About Queensland

Queensland is known as Australia's Sunshine State although weather conditions vary greatly between the coastal plain and the inland. Queensland offers a great diversity of holiday and touring opportunities, with the Great Barrier Reef, tropical islands, rainforest and wilderness, open sandy beaches, and the vast outback, as well as the sophisticated attractions of Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast.

Queensland is a place of great variety, offering something for everyone. On the coast, particularly in the south east, are some of the country s finest beaches. Straddling the east coast for almost its entire length is the World Heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef, one of the world s favourite places to dive and see amazing fish, coral and other sea life. The north is Tropical, and offers a mix of dense rainforests, fast flowing river, Tropical Savannah plains and magnificent fishing in the warm, shallow waters of the Gulf of Carpentaria.

The people, places and wide-open spaces of Outback Queensland offer a holiday or travelling experience like few other regions in Australia can. The magnificent natural diversity of the Channel Country in the south west, the heritage-rich Matilda Country of the central west, and the ancient lands of the Dinosaur, Fossil and Mining Country in the north west has to be seen and experienced to understand the attraction of this remote corner of Outback Australia. The rocky terrain is harsh but beautiful, and the colours stark but striking.

Queensland is an all year-round destination and the state is a major tourist destination. The best time time of year will be that which matches the activities you have planned. Whether it s a car, 4WD, motorhome or motorbike, make sure you slip off the main road and discover all that s on offer for a memorable road trip.

If you d rather not self-drive, there are coaches, airplanes, helicopters and ferries to get you where you want to be. Or for a unique travel experience, why not embark on a rail journey around Queensland.