Flights to Queensland

Travelling to Queensland

Welcome to the Sunshine State! Showcasing the world’s largest coral reef system - the Great Barrier Reef, 7,000 kilometres of coastline, and lush sub-tropical rainforests.

Australia’s second largest State, with a population now tipped over 5 million, Queensland is famous for its pristine beaches, tropical islands, over 200 national parks, and vibrant cities such as Brisbane and Cairns. Queensland boasts five of Australia’s eleven World Natural Heritage areas, including Fraser Island, Wet Tropics (including Daintree National Park), and one of the wonders of the world – the Great Barrier Reef.

Book flights to Queensland with Virgin Australia and discover this slice of paradise for yourself.

Where do you fly into Queensland?

Virgin Australia flies into the Queensland hubs of Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Cairns, Gold Coast, Hamilton Island, Mackay, Townsville, Bundaberg, Emerald, Gladstone, and Mount Isa - from most major Australian cities and connecting flights from other cities within Australia.

Flights to Brisbane 
Flights to Sunshine Coast 
Flights to Cairns 
Flights to Sunshine Coast 
Flights to Gold Coast 
Flights to Hamilton Island 
Flights to Mackay 
Flights to Townsville 
Flights to Bundaberg 
Flights to Emerald 
Flights to Gladstone 
Flights to Mount Isa 

When is the best time of year to fly to Queensland?

The best time to fly to Queensland depends on where you’re planning to spend your holiday and the activities involved.

In general the best and most popular time to travel to Queensland is between May and October, when the State is less prone to rainfall, offers comfortable day temperatures, good diving conditions, and moderate winter nights.

If travelling to Queensland to visit Tropical North Queensland, or the regions of Cairns, Palm Cove and Port Douglas, the winter months (June to August) are the most pleasant temperature wise – a little less humid than the rest of the year whilst maintaining the average temperature of 31 degrees.

If you fly to Hamilton Island, be aware that from October to March stingers are prevalent, so you’ll need to kit up in a stinger suit whilst swimming in the Whitsundays - which spans across the Great Barrier Reef, Whitehaven Beach and Daydream Island. If you’re hoping for slightly cooler weather, opt for a visit between July and August

The Sunshine Coast, boasting ever-so-popular Noosa, offers mild temperatures and sunny days year-round, the hottest time of year between December and February, and winter evenings not dropping below 10 degrees. The spring months, between September to November, is often thought of as the perfect time to fly to the Sunshine Coast.

What are Queensland’s top attractions?

Great Barrier Reef

One of the world’s seven natural wonders, the Great Barrier Reef comprise of 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands that stretch over 2,300 kilometres, located off the coast of Queensland. The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system, with Cairns in Queensland the major gateway to this majestic underworld. Swim, snorkel, dive, or sail - to experience this wonder. Explore the reef on one of the many day trips departing from Cairns, or by cruise, luxury catamaran, or based from one of the pontoon sites. For the seasick folk, opt for a scenic helicopter tour instead.

Whitsundays

Made up of 74 island wonders, and a 2,300-kilometre stretch along Queensland’s coastline, right in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef lies the Whitsundays. A World-Heritage listed natural wonder, it’s best known for popular mainland Airlie Beach, and the renowned islands of Hamilton Island, Hayman Island, Daydream Island, and Long Island. The Whitsundays boasts stunning landscapes, friendly towns, and secluded beaches – a natural paradise to explore.

Queensland Islands

900 Islands are sprinkled along Queensland’s coastline stretching 7,000 kilometres from Moreton and Stradbroke Islands off Brisbane, to the world’s largest sand island of Fraser Island off the Fraser Coast. Explore one of the 74 tropical islands within the Whitsundays region, experience Magnetic ‘Maggie’ Island off Townsville, or Fitzroy Island’s coral reef system off Cairns. For the honeymooners, choose a visit to the romantic Bedarra and Lizard Island, and for the divers and nature lovers explore Lady Elliot, Heron Island, and Lady Musgrave. For a super luxurious holiday, fly by helicopter to Orpheus Island.

Gold Coast

Famed for golden beaches, thrilling theme parks, epic surfing spots, and a history of gold-bikini-clad metre maids, the Gold Coast has long been a favourite Queensland holiday destination since the first tourists visited in the ‘60s. One of the biggest attractions to the Gold Coast, and to Queensland alone, is the theme parks. Home to the Village Roadshow group - Sea World, Warner Bros Movie World, Wet ‘n’ Wild, the kid-friendly farm-park Paradise Country; and Ardent Leisure’s Dreamworld and WhiteWater World. The Gold Coast boasts Australia’s favourite beaches – iconic Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, Burleigh Heads, and Palm Beach to name a few. And if you need a beach escape to somewhere cooler, drive to the nearby UNESCO World Heritage Listed Lamington National Park, and volcanic landscapes in the Springbrook National Park, boasting extensive walking trails for nature lovers.

Sunshine Coast

A famous drawcard for visitors to Queensland is the boho vibes, white sandy beaches, cool cafes, natural attractions, and foodie scene found on the Sunshine Coast. Spanning the coastline from Bribie Island to the Cooloola Coast, this is where you’ll find the famous and favourite beach destinations of Noosa, Coolum, Mooloolaba, and family-oriented Caloundra, to name a few. Hike the hinterland, laze on the beach, or experience the farmers markets and a visit to a gin distillery – the Sunshine Coast offers a true quintessential Queensland beach holiday.

Feeling inspired for a visit to the Sunshine State? Book your flights to Queensland with Virgin Australia today. We can’t wait to fly with you.