Travel
Planning a holiday in Queensland
Queensland offers many unique regions for you to explore, each offering countless places to visit. You can also browse through a variety of holiday experience ideas, whether you’re interested in adventure travel, going to an island, visiting a national park, or taking in the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef.
Get travel advice to help plan your holiday in Queensland. The state is large, so knowing travel times and a distance between destinations is always handy. Local Visitor Information Centres will also provide useful tourist information and advice.
Planning a holiday overseas
Visit the Smartraveller website to find out about safety and security issues and other useful practical tips on health, local laws, local customs as well as entry and exit requirements for overseas destinations. This advice can help you make well-informed travel decisions.
This checklist will help guide your travel preparations, and covers all three phases of your travel: before you go, while you're away and coming home. The better prepared you are, the more enjoyable your travel will be.
Passports
Australian passports are issued only to Australian citizens and are needed for overseas travel. Visit the Australian Passport Office website for more information.
Travel health
Every year Australian travellers become ill while travelling overseas. Make an appointment with your doctor or travel clinic for a basic health check-up at least 8 weeks before you depart. To find out more about healthy travel and vaccinations visit the Smartraveller website.
If you plan to take medicines overseas, it is recommended you:
- discuss with your doctor the medication you'll need to take
- carry a letter from your doctor detailing what the medication is, how much you'll be taking with you, and stating that it's for your own personal use
- leave the medication in its original packaging so it's clearly labelled with your name and dosage instructions.
If you're travelling with medication, make sure it's legal in the countries you're visiting by contacting the relevant embassy or consulate in Australia.
Travel insurance
If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. Overseas medical costs are not covered by Medicare. It is strongly recommended you to take out comprehensive travel insurance.
Make sure it covers all medical expenses for injury or illness, as well as theft of valuables, damage to baggage, and cancellations or interruptions to flight plans. Fully disclose any pre-existing medical conditions in writing. It will save you worry and possible financial hardship. Medical costs overseas can be in the tens of thousands of dollars and many families have been burdened financially in paying these costs when things go wrong.
Find out more about travel insurance.
Travel registration
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade no longer asks you to register your overseas travel with them 'just in case' something happens.
Instead, they will activate a crisis page on their website if there is a situation overseas that could affect Australians. At that point in time, if you're affected or need their help, you can contact them.
Getting help overseas
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade provides assistance to Australians who find themselves in trouble overseas. This support is referred to as consular services, however there are legal and practical limits to what can be done.
Emergency consular assistance is available 24 hours a day by calling the Consular Emergency Centre (CEC) in Canberra on:
- 1300 555 135 (within Australia)
- +61 2 6261 3305 (from overseas)
- or by sending an SMS to +61 421 269 080.
If you're overseas and it is outside working hours, you can call the Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate in the country you're visiting and follow the phone prompts for connection to the CEC.
Accommodation
Backpacking
YHA Australia is part of the world’s largest backpacker accommodation network, Hostelling International, providing YHA hostels in over 80 countries. YHA is a membership-based, not-for-profit association, with all profits going back into the hostels and the experience they provide.
The Welcome to Queensland website also has a searchable list of backpacker accommodation in a variety of destinations.
Camping and caravanning in Queensland
Find out how to get a camping permit and where you can go camping or caravanning.
Other accommodation
Accommodation in Queensland is varied. There are thousands of hotels, B&Bs, resorts and hostels meaning you can find a place to rest, tailor-made to your holiday plans. Whatever your taste in accommodation, you can find it on the Welcome to Queensland website.
Transport
Road safety
Read tips on driving and travelling safely. For the latest road conditions, visit the Traffic and Travel Information website.
Driving interstate or overseas
Find out what to do if driving interstate or overseas with a Queensland driver licence, or if you need to renew your licence while travelling.
Travelling on public transport
Plan your holiday travel on Queensland public transport.
Hiring a vehicle
Drive, cruise or ride your way around with style and ease. Visit the Welcome to Queensland website to find out more about hiring the most suitable form of transportation for the holiday you have in mind.
More information
- Smartraveller website
- Smartraveller subscription service
- Holidays and travel
- School holiday activities
- Welcome to Queensland website