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Sport & Activities
Watersports: The geographic proximity to the Great Barrier Reef and the long stretches of golden beach in Queensland mean leisure pursuits are associated predominantly with the sea – from surfing off the beaches in the south or scuba diving on the corals of the Reef to deep-sea fishing for black marlin and sailing round the islands. Many of the most exotic dive sites are within 20-35km (12-22 miles) north and south of Cairns. Some of the most popular are Thretford Reef; the Ribbon Reefs (comprising a string of ten coral ramparts covering a huge area, including the Cod Hole, Pixie Pinnacle and Dynamite Pass); Magnetic Island; the Pompey Complex; the Swain Reefs (near Gladstone); Great Keppel Island; Heron Island (reputed to support a record diversity of tropical fish); and Lady Elliot Island. Canoeing and sea-kayaking around the Great Barrier Reef are also popular. The best surfing can be found at Surfers’ Paradise, the Sunshine Coast, Bribie, Moreton and the Stradbroke Islands.
Bushwalking: Given the high humidity encountered during the summer in the northern regions, the cooler southern parts tend to be more popular for walking. Lamington National Park has a well maintained, graded track system in the McPherson Range (on the border with New South Wales), which features tall rainforests, waterfalls and gorges. A three-day circuit is possible around Fraser Island, which has rainforest, huge sand dunes and beautiful lakes. A series of fairly demanding trails lead to the summit of the state’s highest mountain, Mount Bartle Frere. Popular day walks are available on the islands of Dunk, Green and Hinchinbrook. For further details contact the QLD Environmental Protection Agency, PO Box 155, Albert Street, Brisbane QLD 4002 (tel: (7) 3227 7111; fax: (7) 3225 1769; website: www.epa.qld.gov.au).
Golf: Many of Queensland’s courses, especially those on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, tend to be part of luxury resorts. There are however also several good public courses, including the Palm Meadows Golf Club (on the Gold Coast); the Paradise Springs Golf Course (in tropical northern Queensland); the Palms Sanctuary Cove; and the Brisbane City Public Golf Course.
Adventure sports: Queensland is Australia’s centre for paragliding and parasailing, which can be practised all along the coast. Abseiling is possible in the Lamington and Carnarvon national parks. The Sunshine Coast and Mount Tamborine are the main destinations for hang gliding. The Tully and Barron rivers in the north are suitable for whitewater rafting. Speed boating trips can be arranged in Cairns.
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