Our video this week is thanks to the amazing team at Tourism Australia we know we're going to need
to travel here this year but where exactly is here? In this episode we're going to give you a
whole bunch of inspiration to start planning your very own Aussie adventure by sharing some of the
very best spots to visit for amazing things to see, eat and do, right here in Queensland
(music)
Hello and welcome back to Little Grey Box it's Phoebe here with Matt behind the camera
and on this channel we share with you all our experiences and tips to help you travel well
Now how many times have we heard an overseas visitor list off all the amazing places they've been to
only to realize they've seen more of Australia than we have? Well this is our chance to live
like a local and travel like a tourist with fewer visitors, we've got the place to ourselves so there
has never been a better time to move up those Aussie travel plans and really start experiencing
our beautiful country in a way we don't normally get to I mean after all we have some
of the world's most beautiful, unique and sought after holiday destinations right on our doorstep
and for our overseas visitors don't worry get down a pen, jot down some notes so you have your perfect
itinerary ready to go when international travel resumes
Welcome to Queensland's capital city and our beautiful hometown Brisbane
Located along the Brisbane River it's home to around two and a half million people
and it is a hub of great food fun activities cultural experiences and usually some really sunny days with a dash of the classic Queensland charm
now when it comes to planning your Brisbane itinerary you are going to be spoiled for choice
spend some time exploring unique neighbourhoods like West End, Paddington, Fortitude Valley, New Farm
and the James Street Precinct you can catch a show at QPAC visit the Gallery of Modern Art catch
the free City Hopper around town or wander along the beautiful Kangaroo Point Cliffs
get your feast on at spots like the Eat Street Markets and Howard Smith Wharves and explore
some local icons like the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Mount Cootha and the South Bank Precinct
There are some fantastic regional gems within driving distance of Brisbane
so you could spend a couple of days here then jump in the car and head out on a road trip
Now if like me you're a Brizzy local you may think you have seen and done all the Gold Coast has to offer
Australia's favourite place to play has quite a few experiences us locals haven't even heard of
hop in a boat and head out to Cook Island with Watersports Guru to go swimming with green,
hawksbill and loggerhead turtles or climb aboard a Tweed Eco Cruise for their Pot to Plate Adventure
led by local legend Luther Cora test your balance with SUP Yoga on the glittering Tallebudgera Creek
Eat your way through the region's fantastic food scene with stops spots like Jimmy Wah's, Custard
Canteen and Goodness Gracias stay somewhere you never had before like this quirky loft atop
Burleigh Esplanade Apartments offering rooftop bathtubs and the very best views of the coast
Located 80 kilometres from Brisbane in the Gold Coast Hinterland it'll take you a little over
an hour to get to the Scenic Rim from the heart of Brisbane, the scenery here is nothing short
of spectacular making it the perfect location for a relaxing escape that'll have you feeling
far away from it all explore the little town of Canungra and the Gondwana World Heritage listed
rainforest of Lamington National Park now we did a guided walk with Inari from ParkTours and were
blown away by how much we learned you can stay at Binna Burra Lodge or head out to Boonah and stay
at Baya Eco Retreat a luxurious tiny house where you won't see another soul if you're a real foodie
you absolutely must head out to the Darling Downs a region famous for its incredible produce on the
western slopes of the Great Dividing Range the vibrant city of Toowoomba is home to hundreds of
parks and gardens as well as the iconic Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers spring event the food here
is wonderful with a few of our favorite spots being Phatburgers and of course Emeraude one of
my all-time favorite places to eat in Queensland there's also a whole lot of history in Toowoomba
including the Cobb and Co Museum and the stunning Spring Bluff Train Station Head south past Warwick
and you'll find yourself in Queensland's Granite Belt a spot famous for gorgeous scenery great food
and country hospitality spend your days visiting local vineyards like Ridgemill Estate or do a tour
of the region by bike with the guys at Granite Belt Bicycle Tours hike through the Girraween
National Park pick your own fresh strawberries at Ashbern Farms and feast at local spots like
various restaurant Brinks Deli Cafe, Sutton's Juice Factory and of course Stanthorpe Cheese it's
no secret that Queensland is home to some truly beautiful coastline and honestly we are not shy
when it comes to boasting about For a trip closer to home and adventure up to the Sunshine Coast is
perfect make your way along the Queensland coastline stopping at spots like Caloundra,
Mooloolaba and Coolum then settle in for a whole lot of me time in Noosa a trendy spot
with plenty of fun activities and an epic food scene explore the Noosa National Park go stand
up paddleboarding or kick things up a notch with a heart pumping thrill ride with Noosa Oceanrider
check out the iconic Noosa Main Beach the Laguna Lookout and Noosa Farmers Market treat your taste
buds to delicious dining at El Capitano, Bistro C, Light Years and Paradise Arcade Journey into
the Sunshine Coast Hinterland with visits to some of our favorite spots like the Eumundi Markets,
Gerard's Lookout and must visit towns Maleny and Montville which require mandatory stops at Maleny
Cheese and of course Spicer's Clovelly Estate head a little further north to Fraser Island
the world's largest sand island stretching over 120 kilometers take your own or hire a four-wheel
drive setting off an adventure at your own pace drive along the 75 mile beach highway
float down Eli Creek marvel at Lake Mackenzie and the incredible Stone Tool Sand Blow You can camp
of course or stay at spots like Kingfisher Bay Resort whatever you do just make sure you catch
the sunsets because they are truly gorgeous here Iconic experiences do not get much better than
the trip to beloved Bundaberg or Bundy Here you'll find yourself with easy access to the
southern great barrier reef with a chance to get up close with incredible turtles at the Mon Repo
Turtle Centre you can get even closer still at Lady Elliott Island and Lady Musgrave Island Now
we did a day trip with Lady Musgrave Experience and absolutely loved it We snorkled with turtles
and did an introductory scuba dive, took a guided tour of the island and learned a lot about the
fragile ecosystem from a master reef guide Of course you cannot leave Bundy without a trip to
the Bundaberg Rum Distillery make your way further up Queensland's coastline and you will find
one of my all-time favorite holiday spots Yeppoon Spend your days on beautiful beaches and have a
dip at the Yeppoon Lagoon relax at a wellness retreat, go sailing at sunset, spot turtles from
turtle lookout or do a street art tour Yeppoon has an incredible food scene too with a range of
restaurants and cafes serving up fantastic bites you could also head across the Great Keppel Island
for snorkeling, jet skiing, wakeboarding and more or bliss out at the truly stunning Pumpkin Island
Take a walk back in time at the Capricorn Caves, explore the beautiful scenery of Byfield or visit
the Cooberrie Park Wildlife Sanctuary You don't have to go far to find beautiful spots in and
around Brisbane but dig a little deeper into country Queensland and you can experience even
more of Australia's iconic scenery located west of Bundaberg in Queensland's Central Highlands,
Carnarvon Gorge is one of those spots you'll visit and never forget Now the scenery here is nothing
short of spectacular with plenty of local aussie animals to be spotted, loads of roos and so much
more We stayed at Takarakka Bush Resort and we really really enjoyed it but there's accommodation
options for every budget including camping You can spend your days in the great outdoors exploring
the Australian bush by following the walking trails through the Gorge to gorgeous spots
like Moss Garden, Amphitheatre, Wards Canyon and many more Great Queensland towns do not get much
more iconic than Longreach Local legends Outback Dan and Smithy were on hand to show us around the
best spots as part of a trip with Outback Aussie Tours it was truly memorable including our stay
at Saltbush Retreat from touring a working sheep station exploring the Stockman's Hall of Fame and
taking a guided tour of the Qantas Founders Museum to dining out under the stars with a campfire
cooked dinner and local musicians and storytellers performing, cruising along the Thompson River at
sunset, having a beer at the Wellshot Hotel and getting an actual Akubra every moment was magical
If you do find yourself in Brisbane make sure you visit Nodo Donuts that is one of our all-time
favorite cafe food spots Now we have come here to their South Bank store and we decided to grab
some takeaway so we could come out here and enjoy it under these beautiful trees it's so relaxing
under here now if you watch this channel regularly you know I pretty much live on acai bowls I always
order them I love them so much and this is in my opinion the best acai bowl in Brisbane it
is so so good it's like candy but healthier oh my gosh they even have like vegan Ice Magic on there
and whatever you do do not sleep on their donuts they are seriously so good so they have
gluten-free and vegan options this one is like a chocolate orange delicious Now in this video we
have only scratched the surface and shared with you some of the best things to do in Queensland
there is even more to do further up north and that is an area we are really hoping we get a chance
to explore more this year now we want to take the time to say a huge thank you to Tourism Australia
for supporting us and local tourism especially at this time you guys more than ever our local
tourism industry needs our help and it is just a great excuse to take a holiday for Australia
so start dreaming of planning and booking your next Aussie adventure All right and that is our
video for the week I hope you are coming away with it with a whole lot of local inspiration
and plenty of great spots that you want to visit here in Queensland now you guys I really hope you
enjoyed this video and if you don't already be sure to subscribe right now so you never miss
a single episode and everything I mentioned in this video is going to be linked below for you
say hello in the comments below and we will be back with a brand new episode next week Love ya!
you