Whether you're diving into the magical world of Bluey, indulging in world-class dining with stunning river views, or exploring the diverse landscapes of the Sunshine Coast, this year promises unforgettable experiences for every traveller.

Whether you're a family looking for adventure or a couple seeking relaxation, these 25 Queensland offerings guarantee unforgettable memories in stunning settings.

Children enjoying the fun of Bluey's World. Photo Bluey's World

It’s Bluey’s World

It’s one of the most popular TV shows in the world and now fans can immerse themselves in the playful universe that is Bluey’s World – a unique experience that takes families into the heart of the cartoon dog’s iconic Queenslander home, backyard and neighbourhood. Bluey’s World opened in November and delivers real-life sets, beloved characters and games from Bluey. Located at the 4,000sq.m Northshore Pavillion, 15 minutes from Brisbane CBD, the game-changing venue will attract from around the world and across Australia.

Lifestyle fit for a queen

Staying in the Queensland capital, the official opening of Queen’s Wharf and The Star Brisbane – the new luxury hotel and lifestyle precinct perched adjacent to the Brisbane River – has dramatically sculpted a new skyline above the city. The imposing Sky Deck ‘hangs’ 100m above the riverbank below and offers unparalleled views across South Bank, Mount Coo-tha and wider Brisbane. Levels below boast a delectable lineup of restaurants, bars and entertainment spaces with a raft of retail offerings on the horizon.

Sleep in comfort at these new stays

Take a drive north from Brisbane, along the Pacific Coast Way, to find NRMA Parks and Resort’s newest nature-based accommodation, Turtle Sands, at Mon Repos Beach near Bundaberg. The beachfront accommodation combines a selection of stays including camping, glamping and cabin accommodation with an incredible close-up encounter with the region’s population of nesting and hatching turtles (November–March). RACQ members enjoy discounted accommodation at NRMA Parks and Resorts.

Tucked away in the hills behind the Gold Coast’s glistening beaches, and set in the tranquil surroundings of Mount Tamborine, The Tamborine Boutique Hotel is now open and offers luxe stays across 23 rooms with mountain views. Guests won’t want to leave the comforts of the property thanks to the heated mineral pool and spa, a central bar, and a selection of indoor and outdoor lounging spaces for guests to lap up the serenity of the lush surrounding landscapes.

A view of the Gold Coast skyline for TRYP by Wyndham's pool. Photo Shon Productions

The highly anticipated TRYP by Wyndham hotel on the Gold Coast, spans 225 suites alongside a state-of-the-art fitness centre and an inviting rooftop pool with ocean views. 

Travellers looking for a totally wild stay can now perch themselves at the new Crocodile Cabins adjacent to Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast, where the neighbours happen to be kangaroos, emus, koalas, freshwater crocodiles and turtles. Forming part of the Crocodile Hunter Lodge, which launched in 2022, guests have access to the resort’s existing facilities, including onside restaurant, and access to Australia Zoo. RACQ members can save on pre-purchased tickets to Australia Zoo.

Surrounded by the vistas of the towering Bunya Mountains, just a 2.5-hour drive northwest of Brisbane, The Firebreak is the perfect place to digital detox with luxury off-grid cabins surrounded by rolling pastures of the property’s working regenerative farm. Heading west from Brisbane, at the southern end of the Lockyer Valley lies Valhalla Glamping – a luxury glamping getaway offering breathtaking views across the valley.

Great things happening on the reef

Pure Snorkelling is a new experience designed for reef lovers short on time but big on diving into the wonders of the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef. The new half-day snorkelling tour departs from Cairns and is a joint venture between two Cairns family-owned reef operators Passions of Paradise, and Ocean Free and Ocean Freedom, who together have more than 60 years’ combined experience showcasing the Great Barrier Reef to inquisitive travellers.

Pure Snorkelling is a new Great Barrier Reef tourism experience off Cairns. 

Also in the tropical north, the Quicksilver Group relaunched Poseidon in October, an adventure-focused ecotourism experience targeted at small groups of keen divers and snorkellers with access to exclusive remote reef sites and citizen science opportunities. Operating from Port Douglas, the day trip visits three different sites at Agincourt Ribbon Reef.

Sunlover Reef Cruises has partnered with Zoom Helicopters offering visitors a birds-eye view of the Great Barrier Reef on an all-new Reef Zoom Half Day Tour from Cairns. Cruise or fly out in the morning to the Moore Reef pontoon to explore below the surface before flying back to Cairns, taking in the breathtaking patchwork of cerulean and turquoise blues of the Reef from above.

Emporium Hotel South Bank in Brisbane has launched a new ‘reef and retreat’ package, taking guests straight from the city to the Great Barrier Reef. The package includes two nights’ accommodation at the Emporium South Bank and a full-day adventure by air, land and water to Lady Elliott Island Eco Resort on the Southern Great Barrier Reef, with five hours to explore the island before returning to Brisbane.

Lady Musgrave Experience now has a day tour offering, launching a second pontoon off Lady Musgrave Island, Reef Sanctuary, which serves as a base for critical science, research and data collection initiatives. Guests can get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the important work being undertaken to futureproof the Reef when visiting the Southern Great Barrier Reef with Lady Musgrave Experience.

Queensland by land, air and water

Queensland’s first permanent light show, Illumina, recently launched at Kingfisher Bay Resort on the western shores of K’gari (Fraser Island). By beaming light, colour and sound across the island’s natural environment backdrop, to showcase the vibrant ecosystem that makes the island special, Illumina presents as a unique nightly attraction for guests of the resort.

September saw the first stage of the Wangetti Trail open to hikers and mountain bikers at Palm Cove in Tropical North Queensland. The two-way, shared track takes about 1.5 hours to hike and 45 minutes to ride one way from the Palm Cove Jetty to Ellis Beach. The 7.8km Grade 3 track is suitable for most ages and fitness levels.

Local Sauce Tours offers two walking tours of Brisbane.

Keep the walking shoes on as there’s pavement to pound in the state’s capital with Local Sauce Tours kicking off its Brisbane endeavour in October with two new tours. Brisbane Small Bars & Street Art is perfect for those wanting to get antiquated with local watering holes off the beaten track as well as funky street art that adorns many of the city’s lanes. The Ultimate Brisbane Walking Tour puts Brisbane’s culture, history, society and First Nations people front and centre allowing newcomers to delve deeper into Brisbane’s past.

Travellers exploring the charm of Outback Queensland can now sink into the depths of relaxation under big blue skies at Cunnamulla Hot Springs, which opened its doors at the start of the year. Nestled alongside the Warrego River in South West Queensland, the experience serves up a series of geothermal pools brimming with mineral-rich artesian water to sooth and revitalise the mind, body and soul in the middle of the outback. Cunnamulla Hot Springs discounts are available for RACQ members.

Oceanview Helicopters’ new Picnic on a Peak experience, takes food tourism on the Sunshine Coast to new heights with a scenic flight over the Glass House Mountains before landing on a private peak in the hinterland hills to enjoy a secluded picnic brimming with local produce, craft beer, wines and premium spirits.

Coast to family-favourite theme parks

With three clicks of their heels, thrill-seekers will be transported to a wickedly entertaining new experience on the Gold Coast with the Wizard of Oz Precinct at Warner Bros. Movie World set to open at the end of the year. With Wicked now showing in cinemas across Australia, fandom for all things Oz is high, so the new precinct – with two new rides centred around the classic 1939 movie – will be in high demand this summer.

Meanwhile at Dreamworld, visitors can step into the wild jungle of Rivertown when it opens this summer. The new precinct features a revamped Murrissippi Motors and Jane's Rivertown Restaurant alongside the main attraction - Jungle Crush - a mine-style coaster showcasing the world’s first inclined turntable. RACQ members can save on Dreamworld/Village Roadshow theme park tickets.

How members can save on more great Queensland experiences

What’s coming in 2025

The highly anticipated Mondrian hotel at Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast is set to open in autumn 2025. Spanning 24 floors with sprawling views across the iconic Burleigh Beach and out to the Pacific Ocean, as well as west to the leafy Hinterland, it’s the Los Angeles-based brand’s first foray into Australia with the design of the 208 studios, suites and homes inspired by the white sands and pandanus trees it will call home. To keep guests entertained, the third floor hosts an oceanfront restaurant and pool adding an exclamation point to the style and comfort on offer.

The Sundays at Hamilton Island in the heart of the Whitsundays will make every day feel like a Sunday. Sitting on the shores of Catseye Beach, the luxe boutique hotel encourages guests to relax, reconnect and recharge at one of the 59 rooms boasting stunning views and a gentle sea breeze. Opening in April 2025, the hotel has also teamed up with Australian award-winning chefs Josh and Julie Niland to open a new restaurant at the property, ensuring a dining experience that complements the Instagram-worthy setting.

Traverse the outback by rail with two new tours on track from Outback Aussie Tours. Poised to run in 2025 the first tour is the five six-day Outback Whistle-Stop Longreach tour (May to October), which includes visits to the region’s most historic attractions, mouthwatering tucker and sunset cruises. A second tour, the seven-day Great Southwestern Adventure (April to August), travels through the Mulga heartland with stops at historic homesteads, Queensland's largest planetarium and a secret World War II base.

Construction has already started on the long-awaited $250 million 4.5-star Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel on the Sunshine Coast, just 100m from the surf and sand of Mooloolaba. Designed by renowned architect Cottee Parker Architects, the new hotel will feature 180 rooms plus four restaurants, a rooftop pool bar with panoramic water views and event spaces. Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel is slated to open in spring 2025.

Just down the road from the iconic Big Pineapple on the Sunshine Coast, luxury farm stay venue Sixty6 Acres Woombye is undergoing a multi-million-dollar redevelopment to build a high-end caravan park including 93 powered sites, heated outdoor plunge pools, restaurant and bar. These new offerings will complement the luxe seven farm quarter stays and cute farm animals the popular accommodation provider is renowned for so families, couples and friends will find it harder to leave.

With so many new experiences to check out, start planning a 2025 Queensland holiday at queensland.com.

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Source Tourism and Events Queensland