Queensland has officially been crowned the country’s best holiday destination, taking home six major awards in Australian Traveller’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards, more than any other state or territory.
Noosa has been voted Australia’s best town. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)
The Sunshine State dominated across categories celebrating the country’s best travel experiences. The trophy haul was led by Noosa, which claimed Best Town to Visit thanks to its relaxed yet refined coastal lifestyle, world-class dining, and natural beauty that continues to charm travellers year after year.
Hamilton Island won two awards.
Further north, Hamilton Island made a double appearance – taking out both Best Island Escape and Best Resort Destination. With its postcard-perfect Whitsundays setting, luxury stays like qualia and The Sundays, and easy access to the Great Barrier Reef, Hamilton Island has become synonymous with the quintessential Aussie island getaway.
The Gold Coast is Australia’s playground for families.
Meanwhile, the Gold Coast was voted Best Family Holiday Spot, recognised for its unbeatable mix of beaches, theme parks and entertainment for all ages. The family-friendly streak continued with Sea World Resort, which took home Best Family Accommodation, solidifying Queensland’s reputation as Australia’s playground for families.
Whitehaven Beach is Australia’s best beach. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)
Not to be outdone, Whitehaven Beach – the jewel of the Whitsundays – was crowned Best Beach. Its dazzling white silica sand and turquoise waters remain a bucket-list experience for domestic and international travellers alike.
Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.
Victoria followed closely with four wins, all anchored by the powerhouse appeal of Melbourne/Naarm. The city took out Best City to Visit, Best Cultural or Arts Experience and Best Foodie Experience, while the Great Ocean Road secured Best Road Trip, proving that Victoria continues to punch well above its weight when it comes to urban culture and coastal adventure.
Mudgee in Central West NSW was named Best Country Escape. (Image: Destination NSW)
Melbourne/Naarm took out three major awards. (Image: Visit Victoria)
The Barossa Valley reaffirmed its world-class reputation as Best Wine Region. (Image: South Australia Tourism Commission)
The Ghan was voted best rail journey in Australia. (Image: Tourism Northern Territory/ Annie Nuyen)
Uluṟu is Australia's best outback experience. (Image: Tourism Australia)
Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef was named Best Glamping or Off-Grid Experience. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)
Tasmania/Lutruwita earned one well-deserved nod as Best Under-the-Radar Destination. (Image: Adam Gibson)
South Australia and the Northern Territory tied for three wins each. The Barossa Valley reaffirmed its world-class reputation as Best Wine Region, the Adelaide Fringe lit up the events calendar as Best Festival to Travel For, and The Ghan – shared between SA and the NT – was voted Best Rail Journey. The NT’s other two wins went to Uluṟu, which dominated with Best Outback Destination and Best First Nations Experience, underscoring its powerful cultural and natural significance.
And finally, Tasmania/Lutruwita earned one well-deserved nod as Best Under-the-Radar Destination, proving that smaller states can still make a big impact.
With thousands of votes cast nationwide, the results confirm what travellers already know: when it comes to dream holidays, Queensland reigns supreme.
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Emily Murphy is Australian Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her 4+ years at the company she has been instrumental in shaping its social media and email presence, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire others to explore Australia's vast landscapes. Her previous role was a journalist at Prime Creative Media and before that she was freelancing in publishing, content creation and digital marketing. When she's not creating scroll-stopping travel content, Em is a devoted 'bun mum' and enjoys spending her spare time by the sea, reading, binge-watching a good TV show and exploring Sydney's vibrant dining scene. Next on her Aussie travel wish list? South Australia and The Kimberley.
Townsville is buzzing as the events capital of North Queensland, with a host of festivals, international sporting and arts events on offer.
Perched between the Coral Sea, the towering pink monolith of Castle Hill, and fringed by ancient rainforest ranges, Townsville North Queensland is a genuine tropical playground.
Here, find postcard-worthy landscapes all the way from nearby Magnetic Island to inland swimming holes and waterfalls – all dotted with an array of endemic wildlife. Get the heart racing with adrenaline water sports. Soak in a world-class arts scene. And take advantage of a culinary offering that punches well above its weight.
And, then there’s the fact that Townsville has fast become the destination to an outstanding line-up of events – from live music to top-level sporting contests.
Whether you have a weekend or weeks, there’s plenty here to fill your tropical getaway.
Day 1: An eventful day
Morning
Explore The Strand.
Daily flights offer easy connectivity from all capital cities to Townsville Airport, and within 10 minutes’ drive, you’re in the city centre. Start your stay by recharging with breakfast or coffee at the city’s newest spot, Botaniq Cafe, on the ground floor of the award-winning Bridgewater restaurant on the banks of Ross Creek.
Start exploring on a breezy walk along the 2.5-kilometre foreshore of The Strand. Here, a waterfront path stretches all the way to the headland of Jezzine Barracks parklands. Admire more than 35 sculptures and artworks, as well as stunning views from the top of the park. Further along, Queens Gardens, established in 1870, offers a cool retreat and is Townsville’s oldest botanic garden.
Stroll Gregory Street, off The Strand, for boutiques, homeware stores, cafes and restaurants, or follow a self-guided street art walking trail through the city centre, stopping to admire colourful works by big-name artists including Queenslander Fintan Magee.
Afternoon
Time your trip for one of many Townsville events.
For a casual lunch, stop in at Balabite for Mediterranean and Middle Eastern-inspired street food. Build your own pita with a choice of fillings, before enjoying a relaxing afternoon in preparation for one of Townsville’s big events.
Whether it’s a concert from a big-name international band – think Foo Fighters or Guns ‘n’ Roses – or a night cheering on the Wallabies in the Rugby World Cup, there’s plenty to entertain you.
Take a lunchtime sailing trip with Pilgrim Sailing.
Fuel up with breakfast at Cbar on The Strand, looking out to your destination for the day: Magnetic Island (or ‘Maggie’ to the locals). Catch a quick ferry to spend the day exploring walking trails through national park, choosing from 23 beaches and trying a hand at the island’s water sports.
The Forts Walk is the best place to see wild koalas in Australia, and you’re likely to find friendly wallabies at the Nelly or Geoffrey Bay headlands. Try guided snorkelling with Aquascene Magnetic Island or Pleasure Divers, or take a land-based tour with MI Ride Discovery Tours to the secluded west coast of the island.
Pilgrim Magnetic Island offers four-hour lunchtime sailing trips aboard a 58-foot luxury yacht, dropping in to some of Magnetic Island’s remote bays for snorkelling or swimming and including gourmet grazing platters, drinks and ocean views.
End your day watching the sunset from Ardo’s Rooftop.
However your day looked, end it with cocktails and canapes at Townsville’s Ardo Rooftop. Find something more substantial at the hotel’s elegant but casual Chef-hatted Japanese restaurant Terasu, where each dish is a work of art.
Day 3: Natural delights
Morning
Join the locals for an early walk to the peak of Castle Hill. (Credit: My Colourful World)
Join the local early morning pilgrimage to hike up Castle Hill for the best 360-degree views in town, before heading to breakfast at Spirited Goat for gourmet treats and locally brewed coffee.
A trip to Townsville wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the outer Great Barrier Reef. For those with time, Adrenalin Snorkel and Dive runs full-day trips to the Museum of Underwater Art for snorkellers and divers to admire the reef’s stunning collection of submerged sculptures on John Brewer Reef, about two hours by boat from Townsville.
Afternoon
Stop into the award-winning Shorehouse.
Round off your Townsville getaway with lunch at Shorehouse, awarded Best Restaurant in the North Queensland People’s Choice Awards every year since 2023. Dine on the deck to catch the breeze and sample modern Asian cuisine as you watch the world go.
Keen for something more to extend your stay? There are always more adventures –new, familiar and with a twist – in the events capital of the North.
