What I Would Do in 5 Days in Queensland

June 13, 2013COMtnMom
Photo courtesy of Australia.com
Photo Australia.com

When was the last time you daydreamed about taking a trip to Australia?  I’ve got a US passport and I’d be ready at the drop of an Outback hat for a visit to the land Down Under.

To enter this exciting #5DaysInQueensland contest, I did a little research.

What I Would Do in Five Days in Queensland

Would you like to come along on a trip like this?

Day 1:  Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef

Photo courtesy of Australia.com
Photo Australia.com

Legendary.  Breathtaking.  And a once in a lifetime experience.  Queensland is home to the Great Barrier Reef.   A water lover and [mid-level] outdoor adventurer… I believe I’d chose snorkeling, over diving.

Oh, to swim with a sea turtle!  That’s something a mountain girl like me would LOVE to do.

Day 2:  4WD Safari through Daintree Rainforest

Photo courtesy of Adventure North Australia
Photo Adventure North Australia

Numerous companies offer guided tours exploring the Daintree Tropical Rainforest area in 4WD vehicles. Needed to cross numerous streams.  Oh, heck ya!

Learning a bit of the ‘Bama Way (rich Aboriginal culture) and taking in the Wujal Wujal Falls would be a lovely addition.  Air flights are available to bring you back to your starting point in a timely and scenic fashion, if you need to conclude your round trip journey in one day.

Day 3:  Seaplane Tour of Whitsunday Islands

Photo courtesy of Tourism Whitsunday
Photo Tourism Whitsunday

Whitsunday Islands offer endless, white sandy beaches and weather described as “beautiful one day, perfect the next”.  Definitely on my must-do list… sea plane or helicopter both fantastic ways to take it in!

I’m also going to have to ask for some quality, sit on the beach and do absolutely nothing time at some point during this day.  I have a sneaking suspicion it may be my favorite.

Day 4:  Whale Watching Off the Gold Coast

Photo courtesy of Sea World Whale Watch
Photo Sea World Whale Watch

Be still my beating heart.  Few things take my breath away quite like seeing majestic marine life.

From June to September, whales are a common sight off the Queensland coast.  There are numerous boats running whale watching tours off the Gold Coast.

Day 5 – Meet a Koala

Photo courtesy of Australia.com
Photo Australia.com

Today, I meet my first koala.  Where will I find them?  In the “lush hinterland” of Noosa, a natural paradise.  Here, the tourism site states you can “see koalas and exotic birdlife in the trees near your accommodation”.  Are you kidding me?    Where do I sign up for this, again?

And just outside of Noosa, you can also find villages with open-air markets, art galleries, gourmet restaurants and friendly pubs.  Sounds to me like the perfect ending to a perfect Queensland trip!

Aaaaaand…. Back to Reality I Go!

For me, planning and dreaming of amazing travel destinations is half the fun.  I thoroughly enjoyed this little trip down fantasy lane, of “What I would do in five days in Queensland”!

 *o*     *o*    *o*

Thanks to Tourism and Events Queensland, and Johnny Jet for sponsoring this great travel blogger contest.  You can follow along with the Twitter hashtag #5DaysInQueensland.

Comments (17)

  • Satu VW

    June 17, 2013 at 8:20 pm

    Love your list of things to do in Queensland & good luck in the competition! I would be keen to do all but the snorkeling, I’m terrified of sharks and over there, there is bound to be some… 🙂 I found your blog a little while a go but haven’t got around to commenting until now, we’ll soon have two little ones to take outdoors too!

    1. COMtnMom

      June 17, 2013 at 9:42 pm

      Oh, thanks so much! Just checked out your site and learned you are from Norway and write a weekly travel column. I will definitely check it out, I’m so happy you stopped by.

      And all the best on that baby on the way, Satu! 🙂

      1. Satu VW

        June 18, 2013 at 10:04 am

        Thanks!! Oh and I’m actually from Finland, but live in Norway these days. Trying to keep my Finnish & English blogs going while doing the weekly column on Skimbaco as well. At least I’ll have bit more time now on maternity leave… Well, until number two arrives! 🙂

  • Disney on Wheels

    June 23, 2013 at 9:42 pm

    Meeting a koala would be at the top of my list. 🙂

    1. COMtnMom

      June 23, 2013 at 9:46 pm

      My coworker has some pictures of their Australia trip. Her shots of the Koalas in the wild, just sitting in eucalyptus trees hanging out, blew my mind! Seeing Australian-habitat animals would be so amazing. 🙂

      thanks for stopping by!

  • Hedy @ WDW Not Just for Kids

    June 23, 2013 at 9:51 pm

    Sigh. I would love to get to Australia, but the plane trip scares me (it length, plus “losing” a day”

    1. COMtnMom

      June 24, 2013 at 3:25 pm

      I always remind myself during air travel how much safer planes are than driving around in your car – ha! 😉 You are right, it would be quite a journey. They have so many amazing things you can’t see elsewhere, I still think I’d tackle it.

      Thanks for your comment, Hedy!

  • Kuleen

    June 23, 2013 at 9:54 pm

    Looks like fun. Minus the snorkeling. I have a little fear of drowning. I would substitute that day with a search for kangaroos.

    1. COMtnMom

      June 24, 2013 at 3:23 pm

      lol – we better keep you in the boat Kuleen. No need to scare you! Your comment actually makes me curious about what the options are to see the Great Barrier Reef without having to get in the water. Glass bottom boats? I’m going to check that out…

      I went with koalas because they look so darn cuddly, but kangaroos are a close 2nd for me!

      Thanks for stopping by, Kuleen 🙂

  • Disney Babies Jenn

    June 24, 2013 at 12:17 am

    Great list! I was lucky enough to go to Australia in HS with my youth orchestra.. I feel like I’ve forgotten most of it – it was 16 years ago (eek!) but it was amazing and we didn’t get near Queensland and the beauty that is the Great Barrier Reef. Snorkling doesn’t work for me, but I sure do love koalas!

    1. COMtnMom

      June 24, 2013 at 3:21 pm

      Wow, what a fantastic place to take a HS trip… I’ve never heard of such an adventure. Sounds like you are due to head back! 😀

      Thanks, Jenn!

  • Nana J

    June 24, 2013 at 3:15 am

    Wow, thanks Tami, for renewing my interest in an a trip to Australia!!! ….and just when we have become a newly “retired” couple and are hoping to do some travel but can’t decide where to go. Years ago, after seeing the beautiful movie, “Man from Snowy River”, the only place in the world I wanted to travel to was Australia. At that time it was out of the question. Since then, I had forgotten the dream. Great job renewing that desire and introducing the great variety of things to do there.

    1. COMtnMom

      June 24, 2013 at 3:20 pm

      Man From Snowy River!!!! I can’t believe I forgot about that amazing movie, and I for sure forgot it took place in Australia! Ohmygoodness, I’ve really got the Australia Trip bug BAD now! 🙂

      Sounds like there’s SO much to do, it could consume much more than a 5 day trip. Thanks for swinging by, and reminding me of one of my all time favorite [Australian] movies!

  • Mouse Fan Diane

    June 24, 2013 at 4:16 am

    I like the whole list but I think Meeting a Koala and swimming the Great Barrier reef are my picks..

    1. COMtnMom

      June 24, 2013 at 3:18 pm

      Koalas appear to be taking it, by a mile… 😉

      Thanks for your comment, Diane!

  • Trace

    June 24, 2013 at 4:10 pm

    wow.. what an exciting opportunity.. I agree with the ocean.. being in Colorado myself I would not hesitate to get wet (unless there are sharks around, then I can be a huge wuss, lol). I would also love to get into the local cuisine, I want to try ‘roo, and some exciting seafood, what about aboriginal dishes.. hopefully I would not get lost in the outback.. Good Luck!

    1. COMtnMom

      June 25, 2013 at 3:55 pm

      Ahhh, yes… enjoying some Aussie cuisine will definitely be a highlight!

      See how positively I’m thinking? “will” be a highlight… HA! 🙂 Whether I win this trip or not, Australia is definitely now on my dream travel radar.

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