15 Free Things To Do In Queensland
When things are free, they always seem better. With the combination of this mentality, alongside the already amazing attractions in Queensland, you’re in for one hell of an exciting ride. So buckle up. This is going to be life-changing.
1. Have a Dip in the Streets Beach in the Heart of South Bank (Brisbane)
As Australia’s only inner-city, man-made beach, Streets Beach is something you simply have to see during your Big Lap. With a sparkling lagoon surrounded by white, sandy beaches and sub-tropical plants, the beach boasts perfect conditions for a relaxing day in the sun. It is free to use, and is patrolled by lifeguards everyday. Their shifts do change throughout the year, so make sure you contact the South Bank Visitor Centre on tel: 07 3029 1797 to find out when they are patrolling.
Discover more about Streets Beach here:
2. Take An Informative Tour Around The Kalki Moon Distilling and Brewing Factory (Bundaberg)
Kalki Moon offers some of the most exquisite, free guided tours of their distillery. Why is it free, you may ask? They offer free tours simply due to their own passion for craft distilled spirits. Pretty amazing, right? Take a journey through the different stages of production by the head distiller Rick, or one of their experienced staff.
Tours / Tastings are free of charge.
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- Tours begin every 30 minutes.
- No booking is required for tours under 10 people.
- Please allow between 30min to 1 hour for the tour/tasting experience.
- Tours strictly conclude 45min prior to closing times. Please check their opening hours to avoid disappointment.
GROUP BOOKINGS: For bookings of more than 10 guests or private functions, please email info@kalkimoon.com or call (07) 4151 0396.
Discover more about Kalki Moon here:
3. Visit The Eyre Lake Basin (Longreach)
The Eyre Lake Basin is truly a sight to behold. Explore the refreshing terrain as arid, sand swept desert transforms into countless channels and flood plains of water, surrounding by lush, green grasslands. As you track down Eyre Creek and cross the Warburton, you’ll come across the inlet of Lake Eyre, which is a stunning river that stretches over 10 miles wide. Want a taste of majesty? Here it is.
Discover more about the Eyre Lake Basin here:
4. Bask In The Sunlight As You Explore Noosa National Park (Noosa)
A beautiful mixture of beach and forest, Noosa National Park is simply a must-see. Take a trip down here with the family, where you’ll have the chance to embark on energizing bush-walks through gorgeous forest, say hello to local koalas and lorikeets, and watch as whales and dolphins glide through the sparkling waves.
Gosh, how lucky are you that you get the chance to visit this place?
Discover more about the Noose National Park here:
5. Cruise down the Brisbane River in the CityHopper
If only it were possible to glide down Brisbane River, on an excellent boat with splendid views. Wait, you can? And it’s free? That’s crazy!
Hop onto the City Hopper, Brisbane City Council’s newest ferry system that runs freely every 30 minutes between 6am and midnight, seven days a week. Better yet, there’s no need to worry about booking – just head over and hop on. Ferries leave from South Bank’s Terminal 3.
Discover more about the City Hopper here:
6. Embrace Your Inner Art Critic As You Explore QAGOMA (Brisbane)
Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) provides a progressive display of Australian and international art, with a focus on the contemporary art of Australia, Asia and the Pacific. Alongside stunning, visually-stimulating works, QAGOMA a Children’s Art Centre, the best in international film and video at the Australian Cinémathèque, cafes, modern dining and shopping.
Discover more about QAGOMA here:
7. Explore The Great Australian Outback & Take In The Historic Sights (Winton)
Visit Winton, a region rich in history as the birthplace of Waltzing Matilda and QANTAS and links to the Great Shearers’ Strike of 1891, but wait till you hear what else they have to offer – dinosaurs!
The landscape here is mind-blowing, with diverse natural history, and rolling grasslands clashing with starkly beautiful red earth and spinifex country, with undulating plains as far as the eye can see. Truly and utterly breathtaking.
With a rich history and plenty of events regularly, Winton is without a doubt the place to be.
Discover more about Winton here:
8. Embark On An Adventure As You Venture Along The North Gorge Walk (North Stradbroke Island)
There’s no question about it. You simply have to see the North Gorge Walk on your visit to North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah). With breathtaking ocean views, naturally spectacular coastal bush land and amazing wildlife, the North Gorge Walk feels like walking at the ends of the earth – in a good way, trust us.
And, of course, it is completely Insta-worthy, so don’t forget to pack a camera to capture the magical moments you will experience here. There’s also a wide variety of marine and bird life. Keep you’re eyes peeled too – you may even spot some giant sea turtles lazing in the waves below.
We told you it was like the ends of the earth. Believe us now?
Discover more about the North Gorge Walk here:
9. Catch A Wave Or Swim In The Crystal Clear Waters Along Mooloolaba Beach (Mooloolaba)
Imagine waking up to the gentle crash of waves onshore. You wake up, the pure white sand and crystal-clear water is at your doorstep. This is Mooloolaba Beach. Enjoy.
Cycle up to Mooloolaba Spit for calm swimming and excellent seafood cafes, or explore the shopping and foodie delights along Mooloolaba’s beachfront esplanade. Everyone goes to Mooloolaba to unwind, especially with family and friends – and we can’t blame them.
Discover more about Mooloolaba Beach here:
10. Stop and Smell The Roses! Take In The Beauty Of Laurel Bank Park (Toowoomba)
Laurel Bank Park is a premier park of Toowoomba that provides manicured gardens, mature trees, children’s play equipment, barbecue and picnic areas and two croquet lawns. It is also a must-see destination during the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers in spring, when gardens truly come alive in all their vibrancy and splendor.
Laurel Bank Gardens offers even more amazing facilities, such as all season topiary, scented gardens, a spring bulb display, a Camellia and maple walk, a children’s ornament garden, Topiary hedges, a Thomas the Tank Engine Train, main floral display and viewing platform, and a Peach walk. Believe it or not, this is actually free.
Discover more about the Laurel Bank Park here:
11. Splash Around In Muddy’s Playground (Cairns)
The name may throw you off (who wants a car full of muddy kids?) but Muddy’s Playground is a facility that offers educational and stimulating activities for kids, and everyone is in love. Open every day of the year from 9.00am and 7.00pm (including public holidays and weekends), Muddy’s is a modern, fun, safe, splash playground and parkland.
Sometimes, sections of Muddy’s are closed for maintenance on Tuesday and/or Thursday morning until noon, but even then the Council always aims to have at least half the playground available for use.
Muddy’s provides active, passive, interactive and educational facilities with a combination of play equipment. The playground includes water play areas plus a flying fox, sound chimes, track ride, rope bridge, slides, mouse wheels, play houses, story telling areas, see-saw, trick track and puzzle games – its “Life in Trinity Bay” theme is obviously at play here.
Take a trip out with the kids and have a blast!
Discover more about Muddy’s Playground here:
12. Take A Swim In The Rockpool At The Strand (Townsville)
The Strand is 2.2 kilometres of pure fun. Along this palm tree-lined stretch are bike and walkway paths, safe swimming beaches, sunny picnic spots, playgrounds, exercise stations, a water park and restaurants and bars with stunning views of the coastline.
Enjoy splashing around in The Strand Water Park, fish off the pier, jog alongside the scenery, or simply laze on the beach and enjoy the breathtaking views of Magnetic Island.
“The Strand offers the best of all worlds.”
The Strand Rockpool is another amazing facility that is located on the northern end of The Strand. This stinger resistant seawater pool is the perfect place to enjoy a picnic or BBQ and cool off for free! The pool provides a shallow area ideal for children, and leads into a gentle slope into a deeper pool for swimming.
Can you still believe this is all free?
Discover more about The Strand here:
13. Watch The Sunrise Over Mount Coot-tha (Brisbane)
Brisbane is home to riverside vistas around almost every corner, but you need to drive up Sir Samuel Griffith Scenic Drive to find the city’s best angle. Brisbane Lookout Mount Coot-tha provides a mesmerizing viewpoint to look out on Brisbane and its glimmering skyscrapers, and the greenery beyond.
The Summit Restaurant and Bar, Function Centre, Kuta Cafe, Gift Shop and Observation Deck, is located in a perfect position to take advantage of these wonderful views.
On a clear day, you have a crystal-clear view of Brisbane City, and all the way out to Moreton Bay. At night, the city lights and star-lit skies come to life, like a striking performance made just for you.
There are also plenty of bush-walks around the Lookout, so be sure to make use of these scenic walks. Take the Aboriginal Track down to Slaughter’s Falls, and keep your eyes peeled for some original Aboriginal art. Mount Coot-tha is also inhabited by picnic areas filled with gas barbecues.
Discover more about Mount Coot-tha here:
14. Delight in the Tropical North Queensland scenery, take a stroll down the Cairns Esplanade
Cains is located in possibly the most beautiful spot in the world, between the Great Barrier Reef, the lush rain forests and foggy plateau of the Atherton Tableland. Brimming with life and tourist attractions, Cairns is offers a base for trips to these nearby natural jewels, but the town itself also has a plethora of attractions.
Stroll along the Cairns Esplanade, a seafront promenade filled with parks, playgrounds, cafés, and water-themed attractions. If the attractions aren’t enough to appease your thirst for fun, then perhaps the astonishing oceanic views will satisfy you.
Discover more about The Cairns here:
15. Take a Day Trip to the Misty Village on the Mountains (Paluma)
“Paluma is a very special place.”
Surrounded by National Parks and misty upland rain forests, Paluma is village that allows true engagement with nature. Paluma is embedded in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, offering respite from the summer heat of nearby Townsville. During winters, the atmosphere is gobsmackingly-beautiful, with the comforting smell of smoke from wood stoves drifting from the village. It has that certain homey feel that makes it such a special destination.
Discover more about Paluma here:
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