Queensland Australia
Queensland, Australia
Queensland is a state located in the northeastern part of Australia, known for its diverse landscapes, vibrant cities, and rich cultural heritage.
We went through the various maps through these websites https://libguides.library.qut.edu.au/maps/qld - first nations map of queensland and https://aiatsis.gov.au/explore/map-indigenous-australia map of the different mobs that lived across Queensland.
Here are some key aspects we discovered on our trip;
1. **Geography**: Queensland features a range of environments, from tropical rainforests and lush hinterlands to stunning beaches along the coastline from the great barrier reef down to gold coast on the NSW (New South Wales) border. The state is bordered by the Coral Sea to the east and has a varied climate, with the northern region being tropical and the southern region more temperate. We expereinced the tropical weather when we headed north of Brisbane to Beerwah to Australia Zoo where it was definitely humid.
Photo: Glass House Mountain National Park - Mount Beerwah Road Queensland Australia
Australia Zoo entrance, Beerwah Qld
2. **Capital City**: Brisbane is the capital of Queensland and the third-largest city in Australia. It's known for its outdoor lifestyle, cultural events, and riverfront parks. We hit the town running with a Brisbane river cruise.
Brisbane river criuse tours
We were given a history lesson on the Brisbane river and the founding familiies that began using the river to for transport. From 1862 the Brisbane River was dredged for navigation purposes. The river served as an important carriageway between Brisbane and Ipswich before a railway linking the towns was built in 1875. By the late 1920s, water quality in the river had significantly deteriorated
3. **Tourism**: Queensland is a major tourist destination, attracting visitors to its natural wonders, including the Great Barrier Reef, one of the world's most famous coral reef systems, and the Daintree Rainforest, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Other popular destinations include the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast, known for their beaches and surf culture.
For this trip we did not get all the way up to far north queensland but we did explore Gold coast. We did the theme parks and Currumbin National Park.
Upper left hand side: Gold coast view Lower left hand side Currumbin National Park
Right side: Warner Brothers Movie World theme park
Currumbin National Park, Gold Coast Qld
4. **Culture and Heritage**: Queensland has a rich Indigenous history, with many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The state's cultural scene includes festivals, art galleries, and theaters that showcase both contemporary and traditional Indigenous art. ‘Being welcomed to Country means that you are talking to your spiritual ancestors and you’re saying just let this person come through. We trust that they’re not going to do any harm on this Country and so do not harm them.’ — Jude Barlow, Ngunnawal Elder (https://aiatsis.gov.au/explore/welcome-country)
5. **Economy**: Queensland has a diverse economy based on agriculture, tourism, mining, and manufacturing. It is a significant producer of sugar, beef, and various tropical fruits.
6. **Climate**: The state has a warm climate, with hot, humid summers and mild winters. The northern parts experience more tropical weather, while the southern regions are generally cooler.
Overall, Queensland is known for its natural beauty, vibrant cities, and cultural diversity, making it a unique and popular destination in Australia.
References
https://aiatsis.gov.au/explore/welcome-country
https://libguides.library.qut.edu.au/maps/qld
