Between 2002 and 2003 the largest and fastest growing state was Queensland with an increase of 85,300 persons (2.3% increase) - source: www.abs.gov.au  

You will see that we don't have much to add under our personal experience of most of the states and territories of Australia, so we welcome some feedback from you. If you have additional info that can contribute, please email me.

• Capital: Brisbane
• Premier: Peter Beattie, Premier and Minister for Trade (www.thepremier.qld.gov.au) since 1998.
• Flag: The Queensland flag (top left) became official in 1876. It consists of the blue ensign, showing the Southern Cross, with the union flag in the corner, and the State Badge. The current design came into use in 1953, when the crown on the badge was changed to the Crown of St Edward's.
• Official government website: www.qld.gov.au
• Slogan: Australia's Smart State
• State colours: Maroon was officially proclaimed as Queenslands State colour by the Governor in Council on 13 November 2003.
• Floral emblem: The Cooktown Orchid, Dendrobium phalaenopsis (since 1959)

• Animal emblem: The Koala, Phasclarctos cinereus (since 1971)

• Bird emblem: The Brolga (Grus rubicunda): is a large grey crane, with a featherless red head and grey crown. The legs are grey and there is a black dewlap under the chin. 

• State Badge: 

• Coat of Arms: The shield depicted on the Queensland Coat of Arms was given to the colony in 1893 by Queen Victoria, making it the oldest State Arms in Australia. The supporters, a red deer and a brolga, were assigned in 1977 by Queen Elizabeth II. The Latin motto 'Audax et Fidelis' is translated as 'Bold, Aye, and Faithful Too'.

Population: as at December 2003, estimated at 3,840,111 (source: www.oesr.qld.gov.au) in Queensland - approximately 19% of Australia's total population. 

Largest Cities (population estimates - source: www.mongabay.com):

• Brisbane (1,544,300)
• Gold Coast (381,300)
• Sunshine Coast (227,800)
• Townsville (137,300)
• Cairns (126,000)
• Rockhampton
• Bundaberg
• Mackay

The Gold Coast starts once you cross the border from the Northern Rivers area of NSW. Brisbane is about another 100km further north of the New South Wales border. The Sunshine Coast is located about 60km north of Brisbane and stretches to Fraser Island.

Queensland's population is concentrated in the south-eastern corner of the State in the Statistical Divisions (SDs) of Brisbane and Moreton, which have 45.6% and 20.4%, respectively, of the population. Moreton was the fastest growing SD in the country with an increase of 3.5% (25,900 persons) from 2002 to 2003 - source: www.abs.gov.au.

Further statistics reveal an increase of 348,519 persons over the five years since June 1998. Queensland continues to be Australia's fastest growing State or Territory with an average growth rate of 1.9% per year during the period 1998 to 2003. Queensland's growth resulted from net interstate migration of 39,207 persons, net overseas migration of 22,813 persons and natural increase of 23,252 persons.

• Brisbane (1,733,000)
• Moreton (774,553)
• Wide Bay-Burnett (244,537)
• Darling Downs (215,587)
• South West (27,002)
• Fitzroy (185,120)
• Central West (12,363)
• Mackay (141,548)
• Northern (197,363)
• Far North (231,219)
• North West (33,974)

• Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world. Located just north of Queensland's Sunshine Coast. Fraser Island is 22km wide at its widest point and is 160km long. The island is named after James Fraser and his wife after they were shipwrecked there. Tourists are attracted to the island by unique sand soil Rainforests, crystal clear freshwater lakes and rainbow coloured sands, not to mentioned the great fishing. Despite tourist pressure a 4WD vehicle is needed to negotiate the island's roads. 
  
• The Great Barrier Reef spans 2,000km (or 2,300km depending who you ask) from the tip of Cape York to Gladstone in the south. Considered one of the world's natural wonders, it was inscribed on the World Heritage List in October 1981. 
  
  Majestic creatures, such as the giant humpback whales spend their winters in the tropics and may grow to more than 15 metres [45 feet] in length. Tourists revel in the dances that the whales perform right along side their boats. With huge tail flukes they make an impressive display. 

• The Great Barrier Reef is a scuba divers paradise with 3,400 individual reefs, 71 coral islands, 10,000 species of sponge, 400 different species of coral, 4,000 species of molluscs, 500 types of seaweed,  215 species of birds, 6 species of sea turtles, 15 species of sea-snake, 350 species of echinoderms and over 2,800 species of fish. See the barrier reef website: www.barrierreefaustralia.com, the Australian Government's Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority website: www.gbrmpa.gov.au, and www.greatbarrierreef.aus.net

 
Examples of Mulluscs - mouse over for more info

• Lamington Plateau is a high mountain plateau just west of Queensland's Gold Coast. The area is an ecological haven with tropical, sub tropical and temperate rainforest species all to be found, depending on altitude. Thunderstorms average over 60 per year and can be quite severe in early Spring.
  
• Far North Queensland or the Tropical North is home to the World Heritage Listed Daintree Rainforest, crocodiles, fantastic barramundi fishing and the anglers dream - the Black Marlin.
  
• Darling River - Part of Australia's longest river system. The Darling rises in Queensland's Southern and Central Great Divide and flows south west through western New South Wales. It joins the Murray River in the south western corner of New South Wales. The Murray-Darling River system finally enters the sea in the south east of South Australia. For most of its course the Darling is a slow meandering river. In severe droughts it has dried to waterholes.

• Hottest temperature:  Cloncurry at 53.1°C in 1889.
• Coldest temperature:  Stanthorpe at -11°C
• Wettest town: Tully with an annual average of 4300mm. 
• Highest ever annual rainfall recorded: at Mount Bellenden Ker just south of Cairns in 1979 with 11251mm.

Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast 
Rainfall is moderate to heavy in all areas. Averages are in the 1000mm-1500mm range. There are several areas such as the Lamington Plateau and the hills behind the sunshine coast were rainfall is higher. Rain can fall at any time of year, but the summer and autumn months are much wetter. The Gold Coast's close proximity to the Lamington Plateau which receives over 60 thunder days per years gives the Gold Coast a slightly higher average. Storms with squalls and large hail are no stranger to the area especially in late spring (October - November). Very occasionally these areas may be affected by Tropical Cyclones, more so in the way of floods and high ocean waves rather than direct landfalls. 

Summer daytime highs are very warm and humid, the normal range is 27-32°C. Occasional hotter days occur but not to the same frequency as the inland parts of the state or even the coastal areas of southern states. Winter daytime highs are mild to warm, the typical range is 18-23°C. Both warmer and colder days do occur. Frost can occur away from the coast, but it is not common. Snow does not fall. The following table describes Brisbane's tempretures:
 

Season	Average Min.*	Average Max.*
Spring (September)	13	24
Summer (January)	21	29
Autumn (April)	17	26
Winter (July)	10	20
* = degrees Celsius. Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Capricorn Coast
The Tropic of Capricorn crosses the Queensland coast near the city of Rockhampton. In this section I will be describing the climate of the Queensland coast from Bundaberg in the south, to Mackay in the north. There is a large variation in rainfall along this coast. Many local geographical features determine how much rain will fall. The dry season May - October is rather dry throughout most of the area. Rainfall varies from 900-2000mm. The drier areas are found around the flat river plains near Rockhampton and Bundaberg. Mountains in the north of the area contain the wetter parts where rainfall is plentiful enough to support patches of tropical rainforest. Generally however coastal rainfall is in the 1200-1400mm range. Rainfall also varies considerably from year to year, drought is no stranger to the area, on the other hand some places have recorded close to their annual averages in as short a period as a week. Tropical cyclones may affect the region occasionally. Full strength tropical cyclones have crossed the coast in this region. Very occasionally storms may be severe but this is most common in the south where hail is still possible. 

Summer daytime temperatures are hot and humid, the general range is 28-32°C. Winter daytime temperatures are pleasant ranging from 22-26°C. Colder periods may occur, but never for any more than 1 or 2 days. Frost is a rare visitor to the inland river flats of the Bundaberg area and very occasionally northwards well away from the ocean, but rarely, if ever does it form within close proximity to the ocean.

Far North Queensland - Eastern Cape York
North from Townsville the Queensland coast tends more northwards in direction. The SE trades are now onshore winds. This combined with The Great Dividing range coming close to the coast gives this part of Queensland very high rainfall. The exception is the northern Cape York region. Rainfall is very heavy in all parts except the far north. Tully for example receives an annual average of 4300mm. This is the highest annual average in Australia. Another rainfall record, for highest ever annual rainfall recorded was at Mount Bellenden Ker just south of Cairns in 1979 with 11251mm. Over most of the area annual rainfall is between 170-2000mm. Most of the rainfall comes in the months November - April. In the wettest parts such as Tully rain will fall all months of the year, however even here the summer (wet season) months are by far much wetter. Rainfall over the Eastern Cape York is lower and more seasonal. Tropical Cyclones may affect the area and may be very strong and severe. It has been many years since a really severe destructive cyclone and many think its overdue. 

Summer, the wet season, daytime temperatures are hot and very humid averaging 29-32°C. Winter temperatures are less humid and warm at 25-28°C.

Gulf Country - Western Cape York and the Northern Territory
The Gulf Country refers to the coastline of the Gulf of Carpentaria. Along with the NW of Western Australia, parts of the Gulf Country are some of last frontiers of Australia. The Gulf Country for the most part consists of lowlands vegetated with savanna type scrub. Mangroves and swamps are found close to the coast in many parts. Numerous creeks and rivers drain the area. All saltwater rivers and some fresh water rivers contain man eating saltwater crocodiles. Rainfall is higher than the arid looking country testifies. Rainfall is very dependant on the monsoon. Without a monsoon the only rain that falls is from scattered and frequent summer showers and thunderstorms. The monsoon in this region is quite variable, late, early, long, short, even not arriving at all. Generally rainfall is in the 800-1200mm range. Rainfall from year to year is quite variable. The winter dry season is a virtual drought. The SE trades of the dry season are offshore winds here and carry very little moisture at all. Tropical Cyclones sometimes affect the region. Most develop in the Gulf of Carpentaria itself. These cyclones rarely reach the destructive strength of Coral Sea cyclones. On very rare occasions a cyclone may cross Cape York from the Coral Sea and redevelop in the Gulf of Carpentaria. However the reverse scenario is generally more common. 

Summer, the wet season, has hot and humid weather with temperatures of 30-35°C. Higher temperatures occur in late spring (November - December) especially if the wet is late. Winter temperatures are warm and less humid with temperatures ranging between 25-30°C. 

Southern Highlands
Although only a small area of Queensland, the region has to be treated separately as its climate is unique in all of Queensland, it is the only part of Queensland that very occasionally sees snow. The area is basically a continuation of the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales. The highest parts are just on the border near Stanthorpe. Towards the north around Toowoomba the Great Dividing range is much lower, it is also very narrow at this point. The far south of the region has parts close to 1000m, snow may fall once every few years. Frost is very common in this region in winter. 

Summer daytime temperatures range between 27-30°C. Winter daytime temperatures are the coolest in Queensland at 12-16°C.

Central Great Divide
This is an extremely large area of Queensland. Northwards from Toowoomba the Great Dividing Range swings westwards and widens and for the most part is lower. The whole area, except for isolated national parks like Carnavon Gorge is sheep and cattle country. The east of the region is drained by several large rivers that flow to the Coral Sea. Rainfall is low throughout most of the area. In the west rainfall is approximately 350-500mm. The eastern parts may receive up to 650mm. Most of the rain comes in summer and apart from years when the NW monsoon affects the area or tropical cyclones move inland, the rainfall is reliant on numerous summer thunderstorms. 

Summer daytime temperatures are hot, almost as hot as the plains to the west, the general range is 30-38°C, periods of even hotter temperatures are common. Winter daytime temperatures are pleasant at 20-23°C. In the south of the region winter daytime temperatures may be 2-3°C cooler for a few weeks, but even here winter is a short and even pleasant time of year. Winter frost is by no means uncommon, especially in the south. Snow does not fall.

Central Great Divide
The south of this area is very similar in geography and climate to the Central Divide area. That is, quite low and the Great Dividing Range a long way inland. The northern part around the Atherton Tableland is quite different. The Great Dividing Range suddenly swings eastwards and just west of Cairns comes the closest to the ocean as it gets anywhere along its entire length of eastern Australia. Rainfall slowly increases from the south and west, to the north and east. The south and west parts receive around 600mm per annum, this increases to around 1000-1200mm at the Atherton Tableland. Some parts of the Tableland right on the eastern escarpment receive rainfalls more in tune to the Far North Queensland coast, with some parts receiving over 2550mm. Rainfall mostly falls in summer , especially westwards were there is a virtual winter drought.

Summer daytime temperatures are hot in all areas except the high parts of the Atherton Tableland over 1000m. The general range is 33-40°C. The Atherton tableland is milder with 28-30C. Winter temperatures are mild to warm, generally ranging between 23-28°C, temperatures on the Atherton Tableland being 2-3°C lower.

Darling Downs
The Darling Downs is a low plain/ plateau area west of Queensland's Southern Highlands. The area has rich soil that has eroded from the mountains to the east. Many tributaries to the Darling River start here. It is the only area in Queensland where wheat is regularly grown. Rainfall is low to moderate. It increases from west to east The far western regions receive around 375mm per annum, in the east this rises to maybe 625mm. Unlike most other parts of Queensland some winter rain may fall as well. Winter rain allows the planting of wheat crops but it is risky business and most farms rely on a diverse range of crops. 

Summer daytime temperatures can be just as hot as the plains to the west. The general range is 30-35°C. The west is a little warmer. Winter daytime temperatures are cool to mild, the general range is 15-20°C. However because the region can be affected by both cold fronts from the south west and warmer air from the tropics, late winter temperatures can be quite variable. Frost is quite common in winter and can even be heavy in the higher parts. Snow does not fall in the region.

South West 
This is the driest part of the Queensland state. Yet , it is only in the extreme south west in the Simpson Desert, that no use has been made of the land. Rainfall is low, the driest regions are in the extreme southwest around Birdsville. Even here however the annual average is only slightly lower than 250mm. Rainfall increases slowly from the west, to the north and east with around 375mm in the eastern parts. Most rainfall comes in summer, but parts near the New South Wales and South Australia borders may perceive the odd winter shower with cool fronts. This country is also called channel country and many rivers that start in the east in the Great Dividing range lose themselves in the semi - desert. Once every few decades a massive flood will occur and the whole area may resemble an inland sea and water sometimes eventually flows right through to Lake Eyre in South Australia. 

Summer daytime temperatures are hot, some of Australia's hottest temperatures occur here. The range is 35-40°C, but even hotter days near 50C have occurred. The only relief is that humidity is extremely low. Winter daytime temperatures are generally mild to warm with the range 20-25°C being normal. Temperatures maybe 3-5°C lower near the NSW border after cold fronts. 

Far West
It is in far west Queensland that Australia's hottest temperature has been recorded at Cloncurry, at 53.1C. Despite temperatures like this and erratic rainfall the land is mostly sheep / cattle stations. Rainfall is low, but higher than you would expect by looking at the country. It is very unreliable and wet years alternate with dry. The strength of the NW monsoon determines the wet from the dry years. Other than monsoons, summer thunderstorms bring the only rain. Rainfall is around 300mm in the far west and south but rises to around 600mm in the NE areas. Most rain falls in summer. 

Summer daytime temperatures are hot, cloud from the monsoon trough may relieve temperatures by January, but usually at the price of higher humidity. This area is such a hot spot that it gives rise to the formation of a heat low each summer over the area. This heat low is one of the important drives behind the monsoon. The normal summer daytime range is 36-42°C, but long periods of hotter weather are common. Heavy monsoon activity may reduce temperatures to the low 30°C's. Winter daytime temperatures are mild to warm, usual range is 24-30°C, this may vary a little with some colder days in the south and west. 

Weather in Queensland

   

Economy

The bases of the State's economy are mining, tourism and agriculture. Queensland accounts for 24% of the total Australian mining production, 37% of Australia's beef production, and almost all of Australia's sugar production. Of the Australian States and Territories, Queensland in 2001-02, was the third largest economy as measured by gross state product (GSP), behind New South Wales and Victoria. GSP is the total value of goods and services produced in a state or territory, after deducting the cost of goods and services used up in the process of production.  (source: www.abs.gov.au)

Economic Growth: The growth rate of the Queensland economy can be measured by the rate at which GSP is increasing. Economic growth in Queensland, measured by growth in real GSP, rose 5.4% in 2001-02, while economic growth for Australia, as measured by real GDP, rose 3.9%. Western Australia was the only state or territory to experience higher growth for 2001-02, at 5.7%.

   

Surfer's paradise 
Shopping (Pacific Fair, Queensland's largest shopping complex), restaurants, bars, casinos and nightclubs. Relax and enjoy the buskers, calypso bands and magicians get up to tricks in Cavill Mall.

Theme parks
Wet 'n' Wild Water Park, Dreamworld (a family theme park with rides, big screen movies, koalas and other animals), Sea World (dolphin, shark and sea lion shows, thrill-a minute ski shows, and the exhilarating Bermuda Triangle ride) and Warner Bros Movie World.

Wild life & National parks
A wide range of attractions and tours offering wildlife experiences, from feeding colourful birds and enchanting Australian animals to exploring spectacular wilderness areas. Some of the most diverse flora and fauna areas in Australia with World Heritage Listed rainforests near the New South Wales border. Walk amongst ancient Antarctic Beech trees, wonder at spectacular Springbrook waterfalls or head to Tamborine or Lamington National Parks. You can view delicate glow worms or see pretty marsupials pademelons.

Great quality golf courses
Over 40 championship golf courses in the region, some designed by Greg Norman, Arnold Palmer or Jack Nicklaus. Three of the area's finest golf courses are found at Hope Island and Sanctuary Cove, each with adjoining resort facilities

Hinterland
Head inland for a contrasting experience. Visit pretty hinterland areas such as Tamborine Mountain or get the sense of rural lifestyle at places such as Beaudesert.
 
Wineries
Within an easy day's outing from coastal areas, sip locally-made wines on the Gold Coast wine trail. Many wineries offer special entertainment through the year with jazz, gourmet food or entertainment.

www.australia-goldcoast.com.au
 

The spectacular Gold Coast

The most northerly city in Queensland, Cairns has a thriving tourist industry centred around the proximity and accessibility of the Great Barrier Reef. 

Off the Cairns coastline are outer edge ribbon reefs which may be up to 25 kilometres long. The waters of the Great Barrier Reef provide the world's busiest and most varied marine habitats. Marine life is in abundance. From the many species of coral to the sought after Black Marlin and all sizes and species of fish in-between.

Although stretching more than 2000 kilometres offshore from Queensland, it is only at Cape Tribulation, just north of Port Douglas that the reefs come right to the shore and meets the tropical rainforests of the Wet Tropics. With over 1000 islands which are easily accessible from North Queensland and coastal cities like Cairns and Port Douglas. The coral islands are very popular tourist attractions.

 

The Blue Ring Octopus

www.barrierreefaustralia.com 
www.cairns.aust.com

Large, detailed map
Small, simple map
[the above links will open in a new window]