The 8 Can't-Miss Towns In Queensland

The northeastern Australian state of Queensland puts you within reach of the ecologically rich Great Barrier Reef outside of Airlie Beach, and the world's oldest rainforest in Kuranda. In these towns, you can find all manner of peaceful spots to recharge, whether that's by taking a scenic railway tour of the rainforest in Kuranda, gazing out onto the white sands of Airlie Beach, or swimming by a waterfall in Montville. Out of all the places in Queensland, these are the can't-miss towns.

Noosa Heads

Noosa Heads sits by several bodies of water: with the Noosa River to the north and the Coral Sea to the east. One of its best features is how easily you can walk to and from various beaches and lookouts. Its biggest attraction is the Noosa National Park, filled with eucalypt forest, wetlands, and, of course, several beaches like the Noosa Main Beach, with sheltered waters for surfers. There is a coastal track that will guide you to more secluded beaches, such as Sunshine Beach. Another standout quality in Noosa Heads is its art scene, with shows held at picturesque locations such as the amphitheater within the nearby Noosa Botanic Gardens and the Noosa Arts Theatre, which hosts plays and community theater events.

Airlie Beach

When it comes to Queensland, there are beach towns everywhere, and each one has its own quirks that make it worth a trip. Airlie Beach, in particular, sits next to the Great Barrier Reef with tropical weather all year round. You can go snorkeling in the waters here to see the diverse coral reefs underwater, or you can go hiking through the rainforests of Conway National Park. One of the best sites in Airlie Beach is at its Whitehaven Beach, known for its white sands and turquoise waters. The best place to view it is from up on the Hill Inlet lookout. As befitting its beach culture, the community gathers right by the beach to buy and sell local goods for charity at the Lions Airlie Beach Community Markets.

Port Douglas

Named after a former Premier of Queensland, John Douglas, the town of Port Douglas sits between the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest. With the discovery of gold at the Hodgkinson River in 1876, the population exploded. Today, the town is a quieter place that is ideal for families looking for a relaxing retreat, especially at Four Mile Beach. This undeveloped beach is ideal for walking along the shore, catching small crabs, or swimming. You can also hike up the Flagstaff Hill Walking Trail for the Port Douglas lookout, which gazes out onto the beach and the ocean.

Childers

Founded in 1885, Childers offers a quaint, historic guide just a short distance away from the Queensland beaches. Although a fire destroyed the majority of the town in 1902, residents worked diligently to restore its buildings to their former specifications. The best way to see these buildings is through the Childers Street Walk, going by 25 historic buildings, such as the Old Pharmacy. This pharmacy contains many odd medicines and potions from the late 1800s that showcase how medicine has changed over the years. Further down is the Military and Memorabilia Museum, which contains more than 26,000 artifacts collected from 140 countries. There are multiple trails to follow in Childers, like the Childers Wine Trail going by the Hill of Promise Winery, which keeps Sicilian wines in stock to sip.

Maleny

Maleny sits outside the beach in the Blackall Range of mountains on the outskirts of the Sunshine Coast. You won't want to miss this picturesque mountain town while visiting Queensland, especially with its rich dairy scene and scenic hikes. First off, escape into the 55 acres of rainforest left in the Blackall Range at the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, or go hiking down to the Gardners Falls. These falls flow down into a freshwater pool that is great for a mountainside swim. For a fun destination just outside of town, there is the Maleny Botanic Gardens & Bird World, featuring well-maintained garden walkways and exotic bird encounters. After you have worked up an appetite from all that exploring, you can try out Maleny's local cheese from Maleny Cheese or the Maleny Food Co. Cafe, which stocks more than 200 cheeses.

Kuranda

One of the best rainforest towns in Queensland is Kuranda, located in the tropical mountains of northern Queensland. Its rainforest is listed as a World Heritage Site for being the oldest of its kind in the world. There are many ways to see it, including taking a railway journey via the Kuranda Scenic Railway, which passes through 15 tunnels and across 55 bridges deep through the forest. This line also passes through the Barron Gorge National Park, featuring hiking trails first used by Aboriginal people. For those who want to see native wildlife, you can go to the Birdworld Kuranda encounter with more than 350 birds on site, or the Kuranda Koala Gardens to get up close with these adorable marsupials.

Montville

Montville is home to just under 1,100 people in the Blackall Range. Its name literally means Mountain Village, which suits its location within the Kondalilla National Park. This area was discovered by a man looking for lost cattle who instead found rushing waters and bubbling creeks. Much like Maleny, you can go for a swim in the rock pools in the pool by the upper falls. The town of Montville has several artsy stops, including the Montville Art Gallery, with 37 artists on display in a 1920s Queenslander home, and The Clock Shop. This shop is a German chalet which sells German cuckoo and grandfather clocks, along with other German-inspired gifts. One of the best ways to relax in Montville is by stopping by one of its cafes and coffee shops, which are often just a short walk away from each other, like the Poets Cafe right across the street from the Fiorio & Co-French Bistro and Bar.

Agnes Water

This quirky town gets its name from a schooner named Agnes, which was lost in the waters around the settlement. It is right next to the Town of 1770, named after the landing of James Cook in May 1770. You can learn all about this momentous sea journey at the Agnes Water Museum, featuring information on Lieutenant James Cook and ingenious artifacts. After learning about Cook, you can see the shores where he and his men landed at several beaches, such as the Agnes Water Main Beach. From there, you can make your way south to go wildlife viewing on the Red Rock Walking Trail, which is known for having large populations of nesting mother turtles, dolphins, and other marine wildlife.

The Best of The Sunshine State

Queensland's main nickname is The Sunshine State, with its tropical climate and adventurous disposition, and these towns perfectly encapsulate those features. They preserve both the adventurous spirit of explorers like James Cook and the bright, beautiful lands of the rainforest, Blackall Mountains, and, of course, the Sunshine Coast itself. Whether you are looking to browse local art, stroll by long beaches, or escape into the mountainous rainforest of Queensland, you won't want ot miss any of these towns.