Queensland tourism: an invitation from a new destination.

Since Vietnamese citizens have been allowed to travel freely since the end of 1997, Australia has been one of the top choices for distant destinations. Therefore, Vietnamese tourists are already familiar with Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide, with a modest number also knowing about Gold Coast and a few about Perth. So why not explore and enjoy all the exciting things a new destination has to offer in the charming land of kangaroos: Queensland?

This state is by no means small, twice the size of Texas, and has attracted many Vietnamese visitors. It boasts numerous valuable and unique natural "treasures" on the planet, just as the state's tourism industry proudly proclaims: "Our gardens are million-year-old tropical rainforests. Our backyards are vast deserts teeming with fossilized dinosaur bones. And our swimming pools? Oh, the world's largest coral reef!"

The Great Barrier Reef stretches 2,300 km along the continental shelf off the coast of Queensland, and is one of the seven natural wonders of the world recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

In addition, there are world-class entertainment facilities that are modern, safe, and family-friendly. Not to forget that Australians are generally kind and generous; Australian cuisine is diverse, and Queensland is renowned as a wine region with over 180 producers offering a wide variety of delicious wines at very reasonable prices.

Australia is vast, yet it only has six states, which tells you that Queensland, one of those six states, is no small feat. But for travelers who are hesitant about long journeys, there are three destinations offering everything you could want: sightseeing, shopping, entertainment, and relaxation. These are Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Sunshine Coast – three coastal cities easily accessible by road, with travel times ranging from just one hour (from Brisbane to Gold Coast) to one and a half hours (from Brisbane to Sunshine Coast).

If you want to see the world's greatest coral reefs, fly to Cairns, just 140 minutes from Brisbane. If you want to visit the Whitsundays Islands with their world-famous long stretches of white sand beaches, the flight is only 105 minutes. And if you want to sample a variety of strong alcoholic beverages, drive to the Sunshine Coast, as it's the state's "draft beer capital."

Moreover, the "Sunshine Coast" also boasts an extremely attractive entertainment destination, which, according to a female travel agency administrator, is "sad because it has never had the opportunity to welcome only Vietnamese tourists." That is the Sealife amusement park (owned by Merlin Entertainments, UK) in Mooloolaba! Here, nature lovers will be delighted to see "fairy blue penguins," which are small blue penguins with an average height of only 25cm; and to walk through an 80m long underwater tunnel to observe marine life, from giant whales to enormous sea turtles.

Located 35km from Brisbane is Sunset Safaris at Tangalooma Island Resort. At this resort, you can enjoy barbecues on hot rocks, go deep-sea diving… and, even more excitingly, take aboard modern boats to watch whale families migrate from the Southern Ocean to warmer waters during their migration season, which lasts from June to October.

Deep inland lies a pristine region, yet it boasts breathtaking landscapes and numerous works of art created by the Aboriginal people. Australians call it the outback, a vast and impressive backyard, extending westward to the equally magnificent Northern Territory.