Don’t go to Queensland without reading this first – 21 quirky Queensland facts to help you navigate your way in the northern state. There are things you just gotta know before you go and I’m here to help.
The Sunshine State
Are you thinking of packing your bags and going to sunny Queensland? Well, you aren’t the only one. It’s the holiday destination of choice for most Australians and on many people’s travel bucket list for the vast array of landscapes and jam-packed adventures waiting to be had.
Queensland is a magnificent part of Australia with epic things to see and do. You’ll have the time of your life exploring epic sites and enjoying a range of different activities, at beaches, parks, islands, reef, rainforests, mountains, waterfalls, outback, and cities.
Amazingly, the wonderful state of Queensland is home to no less than 5 Unesco World Heritage Sites:
You will want to read these 21 quirky Queensland facts to help prepare you for your visit. Some are important things you should know and others are fun bits of information I’ve learnt along my travels there.
I love learning fun and interesting things about places I visit to gauge some insight into the land and culture there.
I’m sure you’ll appreciate these quirky Queensland facts to help prepare you for your travels.
You may be a bit surprised at some of these, and have a little chuckle. Every place in the world has unusual things that make up the character of the place, don’t you agree?
So let’s dive in and check out this list of weird and wacky stuff about one of my favourite states to visit, the Sunshine State.
1.
The Queensland outback has some of the oldest dinosaur footprints in the world, located in the town of Winton. In fact, there was a dinosaur stampede here 95 million years ago!
2.
Queensland has 4 of the largest sand islands in the world, the biggest being K’Gari’ Fraser Island.
3.
K’Gari is the only place in the world where a rainforest grows on a sand island.
4.
Brisbane used to be the Moreton Bay punishment colony for criminals from NSW, in the mid 1800’s.
5.
Queenslanders are often affectionally called banana benders due to the large banana growing areas.
6.
Queensland is home to more than 200 separate national parks. So much nature to explore.
7.
In the middle of the Queensland rainforest there are ruins of an old Spanish Castle called Paronella Park which was built in 1929 by a Catalan migrant.
8.
Queensland’s Simpson Desert has the world’s biggest sand dune. Nappanerica, or Big Red as it’s called, is 40 metres high.
9.
The Queensland Government sunk 15 ships over a 20 year period to create an anchorage breakwall for small boats at Moreton Island. The Tangalooma Wrecks, as they are known, are a popular tourist attraction and a famous snorkelling and diving spot.
10.
Queensland is a gigantic place. In fact, it is 7 times the size of Great Britain, more than twice the size of Texas, and the same size as Alaska.
11.
The state was named in honour of Queen Victoria for granting it independence from New South Wales in 1859, hence the name Queensland.
12.
Queensland parliament had no female toilet when the first lady minister was elected to the house, so she used to leave her shoes outside the toilet to let people know she was in there.
13.
Mt Isa in Queensland is home to the Purple-Necked Rock-Wallaby, so called for the purple pigment it secretes around its face, neck and chest.
14.
Caboolture in Queensland is proudly home to the quirky Poultry and Bird Museum. I kid you not.
15.
During the peak of Summer on the Gold Coast, sunrise is at 4.30am! Consequently, many Queenslanders get up ridiculously early and go to bed early.
16.
Queensland has a lot of sun and people love catching the rays, but sadly, Queensland holds the title of skin cancer capital of the world.
17.
Queensland has a place called Alligator Creek in Townsville, despite the fact there are no alligators in Australia. Crocodiles are native to Australia.
18.
Queenslanders are a bit obsessed with big quirky sculptures, such as the Big Pineapple, Big Cane Toad, Big Dugong, Big Mango and Big Barramundi, just to name a few. They have become much loved iconic landmarks of the state.
19.
Queensland is home to about 120 species of snakes, mostly in the north of the state. More than half are venomous. Just don’t touch them and you’ll be fine.
20.
There is a naturally formed pyramid in outback Queensland at Porcupine Gorge, a monolith carved from multi-coloured sandstone.
21.
Lastly, most Queenslanders choose to live on the coast rather than in the city, which has only one third of the population. Can’t say I blame them.
Book an adventure in Queensland
Accommodation in Queensland
If you liked Quirky Queensland Facts, please pin it
More on Queensland
