Queensland - Beaches

Choose from thundering surf, coral atolls or tropical beaches with rainforest on one side and reef on the other.

North Queensland is best for real seclusion. Kurriminie Beach south of Innisfail, populated by fishermen and larrikins (rowdy locals), offers a taste of Australia well away from the overdeveloped tourist trail. Sand worshippers will love crystal clear waters at 14km-long Mission Beach flanked by rainforest.

Beaches are the best places for proud Aussies to show off their sporting prowess. Watch Surf Lifesaving Carnivals along the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast all summer. Surfers ignore such posturing and hit the great waves between Maroochydore and Noosa. Fishing enthusiasts should head for the main beach on Fraser Island.

North Queensland's tropical beaches have no surf, just gently lapping water. Take a boat ride to the reef and let kids go snorkelling in season: Port Douglas' Four Mile Beach, Trinity Beach near Cairns and Magnetic Island off Townsville's coast are among the best. For families preferring action-packed fun, the Gold Coast is theme park heaven; try Seaworld and Wet-n-Wild.

At Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach and Coolangatta, the sand and sea are secondary to the sophisticated party scene. Long nights at the Casino and nightclubs are followed by days recovering on the sands. Airlie Beach is the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands with a nightlife scene popular with the backpacker crowd.

Bikinis are de rigeur for women and tops are optional, while men should choose long loose board shorts over Speedos. With ferocious sun, it's a good idea to follow the Aussie maxim and 'slip, slop, slap': slip on a T-shirt, slop on some sunscreen and slap on a hat. Children should cover up with specially designed Spandex tops.