The 6 Best Student Hotspots in Queensland, Besides the Big Pineapple

It's time (for a well-earned break).

This post is presented in partnership with YHA. YHA Australia is sending you and a mate to Magnetic Island! Follow the link to enter!

Already plotting your next holiday break? We can't think of any better destination than Queensland, which, for years, has given thousands of Australian and international students experiences and memories to last a lifetime (or the weekend, at least).

Not sure where to start? Let us list the six must-visit spots in the Sunshine State for any visiting Aussie or international student, ranging from the Whitsundays to the Great Barrier Reef and beyond.

1. Cape Tribulation

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Imagine yourself lying on some golden sand with the steamy rainforest metres behind you and turquoise water just metres in front. If that sounds like your idea of a perfect scenario, add Cape Tribulation to your must-see list.

Located about two-and-a-half hours north of Cairns, Cape Tribulation is probably the beach that should come to mind when you think of secluded, tropical paradises. The best part (besides the stunning view)? The absence of teachers, assignments, parents, employers and anyone else who wants something from you.

2. Whitsunday Islands 

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A bit further down the coast from the Cape (okay, actually a good 10-hour drive) is the destination bound to make all your friends drool at your 'gram: Whitsundays. If you've ever peeped the fine, white sand and crystal-clear water on your feed then you know what we're talking about. Looking more like a postcard than a real place, the Whitsunday Islands are the ultimate paradise destination. You just might need to save a few extra dollars to make it a reality, and then you can take all the dorky tourist snaps you want.

3. Magnetic Island

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If Whitsundays is slightly more on the boujee end of your budget, consider heading back up the coast to a little island off Townsville. Called Magnetic Island (because Captain James Cook reckoned it screwed with his compass) this idyllic piece of land has all the hallmarks of a good time: pines, clear water, woodlands, and rugged rock mountains.

Plus, it's within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (see below), which is the only excuse you really need to visit.

4. Fraser Island

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Another island entry for you and your mates (that's not a bad thing!), Fraser Island has red lakes, blue lakes and green lakes, and everyone knows they're the three best colours a lake can be. You can drive length of the entire island in just over five hours, though it's probably worth a week or so to travel to all the great sites you can see. Just don't go to the toilet all over it, because apparently, some tourists can't help themselves and it's becoming a real issue.

Also, you will almost definitely see real-life wild dingoes here. Pro-tip: Don't take a selfie with them.

5. Rainbow Beach

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Remember when we said red lakes, blue lakes and green lakes were the best colour lakes? We lied. Rainbow Beach (so named for the rainbow-coloured sand dunes, apparently, and probably the soldier crabs too) is yet another laidback, beachside destination on the tip of Fraser Island. Like anyone's complaining...

6. Great Barrier Reef

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Despite the effects of climate change, the Great Barrier Reef is still thriving and ready for you to explore. In fact, this natural wonder of the world needs our attention and support. Thankfully, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park protects large swaths of the GBR, and there are plenty of tourism experiences that allow you to snorkel, scuba and even skydive responsibly.

Bonus: The Big Pineapple

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Alright, we said we wouldn't include it, but visiting Queensland and skipping the Big Pineapple (which is exactly what it sounds like: a 16m tall pineapple on the Sunshine Coast) is a bit like going to New York and not checking out the Empire State Building, or heading to London and not visiting the Queen at Buckingham Palace: culturally insensitive.

There you have it. You've got no excuse now that your destinations are sorted. To borrow a line from an old mate...

YHA Australia is sending you and a mate to Magnetic Island! Follow the link to enter! YHA is the largest provider of budget travel accommodation in Australia, with a network of more than 70 hostels in every state and territory around the country. Check 'em out here. Student Edge members get 20% off 40+ hostels around the country with YHA!

This article was originally published on 18 August 2018.

Header Image: Universal Pictures