9 Of The Most Adorable Small Towns In Queensland
Queensland is Australia’s second-largest state, known for its wet and tropical climate. It boasts a diverse geography featuring eroded highlands with summits of 600 to 1,500 meters, and a varied coastline, including headlands, sandy beaches, lagoons, and islands, not to mention the world’s largest and most famous reef complex, the Great Barrier Reef.
Most of Queensland’s population is distributed along the eastern coastline, while the rest of its population is sparsely spread over the vast interior of the state. Historically, Queensland’s economy was largely resource-based, with significant contributions from agriculture, mining, and energy sectors. However, tourism has grown rapidly due to the state's promotion of its beaches, reefs, and natural attractions. These factors, along with Queensland’s dispersed population, have encouraged the creation of charming, one-of-a-kind settlements with strong local character.
Port Douglas
Port Douglas is a popular resort destination known as the gateway to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. The best snorkeling and diving spots on the Great Barrier Reef are only 30 nautical miles off the coast. Many tours operate out of Port Douglas, such as Quicksilver Cruises, which offers guided snorkeling and scuba diving, as well as activities for non-swimmers, like their underwater observatory.
Four Mile Beach gently curves along the bay and is a popular location for both sunset and sunrise walks. Alternatively, it is used for swimming, sunbathing, and dozing underneath the palm trees. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy hiking the Bump Track, located in the foothills of Port Douglas which climbs from sea level to 400 meters within just a couple of kilometers of starting the hike.
Maleny
Maleny is a rural town perched high above the Sunshine Coast among rolling green hills. It is known for its scenic wonders, including views of the Glass House Mountains, which can be observed from McCarthy’s Lookout. The lookout grants an almost 360-degree view of the area surrounding Maleny, and features a shelter that provides shade from the sun, as well as picnic tables to enjoy the view and refuel.
Gardeners Falls is an excellent spot for swimming. It is accessible via a short walk along a creek dotted with rock pools that gradually get bigger until you reach the largest pool at the bottom of the falls. The pool is surrounded by forest and grassy banks, as if it were taken straight out of a fairy tale. Maleny Botanic Gardens and Bird World is a great day out for the whole family, with 23 acres of gardens to explore and five walk-through aviaries featuring over 600 native and exotic birds.
Airlie Beach
Airlie Beach is located in the Whitsundays Region of Queensland, making it an ideal spot to explore the Whitsunday Islands. The Port of Airlie regularly runs tours, from day trips to overnight cruises and private charters. The port itself is home to facilities such as waterfront cafes and fine-dining options.
Relax at Airlie Beach Lagoon, which is located on the oceanfront and has spots for sunbathing, barbecues, and a playground. It is favored by locals and visitors alike, offers free admission, and has lifeguards patrolling year-round. Hike or bike to Honeyeater Lookout, a trail named for the birds that show up when the flowers are in bloom. The hike is steep and challenging in sections, but it rewards hikers with impressive views of Pioneer Bay.
Montville
Montville is a quaint village on the Sunshine Coast located close to Kondalilla National Park, an ideal spot to explore waterfalls, hiking trails, or enjoy a picnic. If you visit the park, Kondalilla Falls Circuit is the trail to hike, winding through the trees from the top of the falls down 300 steps to the pools at the bottom. Cooling off in the water is a must before the climb back up to the top.
If you cannot get enough of the water, Baroon Pocket Dam is just outside of town, between Montville and Maleny. It offers a wide range of outdoor recreational activities such as hiking, boating, fishing, swimming, and even the opportunity to view native Australian wildlife, such as kangaroos and koalas. A visit to Montville is not complete without a visit to The Clock Shop, a German chalet-inspired building selling a range of products such as music boxes, weather instruments, and European Christmas decorations.
Stanthorpe
Stanthorpe is the heart of the Granite Belt, a region of spectacular geologic formations, and is the hub for tourism in the region. Girraween National Park is accessible from Stanthorpe and is home to impressive granite outcrops and boulders, which are protected by the park. For panoramic views of Stranthorpe, Mount Marlay Lookout is located within the town itself. It is a short yet steep drive to the top, where many people enjoy the free mounted binoculars and picnic tables.
Granite Belt Christmas Farm brings the magic of Christmas Day to Stanthorpe all year long. It is a great day out for the whole family, where you can browse a range of 20,000 Christmas decorations, enjoy food and drinks at the café and ice cream bar, and take the kids to pet and feed Santa’s animals.
Canungra
Canungra is located in the Scenic Rim region, nestled amongst the foothills of Lamington National Park. The park is full of lush rainforests and is split into two sections—Green Mountains and Binna Burra. It is known for many activities, including hiking, camping, and picnicking. Python Rock Lookout is a popular sunset hike in the Green Mountains that offers scenic views over the McPherson Range and Morans Falls.
For a unique perspective, visit O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards and take a hot air balloon ride high above the Scenic Rim. Soar over rolling pastures and paddocks at sunrise and experience the area like never before. Afterward, return to the vineyards and enjoy a hot breakfast made with fresh, local ingredients.
Mission Beach
Mission Beach is a village sprawling 14 kilometers of coastline and offering plenty of hiking trails and beaches. Explore the water by taking a quick ride via water taxi to Dunk Island. The ferry runs daily, making for a great day trip and providing opportunities for relaxing on the beach, snorkeling, fishing, and bushwalking.
Don’t feel like going out on the water? Clump Point Lookout grants stunning views of Mission Beach, Dunk Island, and the surrounding ocean. Mission Beach’s proximity to rainforests makes for many scenic hikes. Bicton Hill Circuit winds through forest trails and leads to the summit, where a series of lookout points along the circuit reward hikers with views of Bingil Bay, Mission Beach, and the Family Islands.
Tamborine Mountain
Tamborine Mountain is an all-seasons inland retreat an hour from the coast, and is home to Queensland’s oldest National Park, Tamborine National Park. There are numerous trails and lookouts within the park, including the famous Witches Falls Circuit, which winds down the mountainside, through an open forest, and past seasonal lagoons to the lookout of the falls. Witches Falls only flows after heavy rain, making it all the more special to witness.
Explore the canopies on the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk, a unique and thrilling adventure. The walk covers 1.5 kilometers and is a combination of forest floor trails, steel bridges through the highest points of the upper canopy, and a bridge suspended 30 meters above the creek and rainforest below. For a post-adventure meal and signature cocktail, head to Rainforest Restaurant and Lounge Bar, which boasts stunning views and a thoughtful menu featuring seasonal ingredients.
Seventeen Seventy
Seventeen Seventy is known as the birthplace of Queensland, as it was here that Captain James Cook first set foot in Australia in May 1770. The Captain Cook Memorial is a cairn that commemorates the first landing, and it stands on the site where one of Cook’s crew carved the date on a tree when they first came ashore.
Join an excursion to Lady Musgrave Island, which has its own protected lagoon featuring 10 kilometers of coral reef. Different marine life can be viewed throughout the year, including whales, sharks, and turtles. The beach in Seventeen Seventy stretches all the way to its sister town, Agnes Water, and is popular among surfers.
Queensland's Adorable Towns
While Queensland's capital city, Brisbane, is a popular destination and a strong cultural hub home to major arts institutions, its small towns have their own unique charm. Whether you want to hike through ancient rainforests to scenic lookouts and hidden waterfalls, or explore the azure and turquoise waters of the Great Barrier Reef, look no further than these nine adorable small towns.
