Thinking about visiting the Sunshine State (Queensland, Australia)? Here’s 10 Fast Facts to get you started!
- Queensland is BIG, it’s the second largest state in Australia. It is almost five times the size of Japan, seven times the size of Great Britain, and two and a half times the size of Texas.
- Queenslanders love their Rugby League. Knowing about the almighty ‘Maroons’ (Cane Toads) and their many victories over NSW (Cockroaches) will stand you in good stead with any true local.
- Our state receives an average of 261 days of sunshine every year – hence its nickname, The Sunshine State.
- Queensland has more than 200 national parks – so many to explore while backpacking.
- Queensland’s tip is the northernmost point of Australia, the Cape York Peninsula, which is the largest unspoiled wilderness in northern Australia.
- Our coastline spans more than 7400km, 2000km of which boasts parts of The Great Barrier Reef – the largest living thing on earth and is even visible from outer space.
- Some of biggest industries include peanuts, bananas, pineapples, cotton, sugar cane, and wool – many of which you can experience by WWOOFing. Tourism and hospitality is the largest industry in Queensland.
- Queensland boasts some of the oldest dinosaur footprints in the world, and they can be found in the outback town of Winton.
- There are over 100 islands off the Queensland coast including Stradbroke, Whitsundays and Magnetic Island.
- Queensland is home to the world largest sand island. The World Heritage listed Fraser Island.