Queensland closed 2025 on a high, marked by steady tourism recovery and a surge of new, experience-led offerings across the state. From luxury hotel debuts on the Gold Coast and in the Whitsundays to inclusive adventures like the world’s first wheelchair-accessible Story Bridge Climb, the year reflected travellers’ growing appetite for accessible, immersive and high-quality holidays.
The state welcomed a host of standout openings in 2025, including Mondrian Gold Coast, The Sundays on Hamilton Island, eco-retreat Pat’s Farm in Lamington National Park, and new wellness experiences in the hinterland and Sunshine Coast. Food, wine and cultural attractions also expanded, with new dining precincts, Champagne bars, Indigenous-led tours and reef experiences strengthening Queensland’s appeal.
Adventure tourism continued to thrive with new water-based activities, rainforest and reef journeys, and intimate island-hopping tours across the Great Barrier Reef. Major events and night-time attractions further enhanced Queensland’s year-round draw.
Looking ahead, 2026 promises even more innovation. Headlining launches include Happitat, a world-first cliffside adventure park in the Gold Coast Hinterland; new First Nations–led cultural tours; immersive dinosaur and dark-sky experiences in Outback Queensland; major new hotel openings; and landmark multi-day guided hikes such as the Ngaro Track and Thorsborne Trail.
With a packed pipeline of “firsts” across nature, culture, wellness, food and adventure, Queensland enters 2026 firmly positioned as one of the world’s most exciting and experience-rich holiday destinations.
