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@ Natural Bridge, Queensland
Siren begins her walkabout in Queensland!
Natural Bridge, Queensland
If you are hiking in the Springbrook National Park, you may come across this bridge created by the waterfall carving out the rock. The soothing sound of the waterfall and the coolness created by the diverse greenery may have you wishing to take a nap before carrying on your hike.

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@ Coral Reefs, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland

Navy Flower Power Egg
The first painted eggs came from Mesopotamia, and because eggs were forbidden food during Lent, people painted eggs while Lent was being observed—after Lent, they would eat the eggs on Easter Day.

Beautifully decorated eggs “pysanka” are associated with Ukraine, and the oldest painted egg that was unearthed in northern Ukraine is dated to the end of the 17th century.

Coral Reefs, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland
The world’s largest coral reef, the Great Barrier Reef, situated on the northeast coast of Australia, is composed of over 2,900 reefs and 900 islands. One of the few living structures visible from space. Over 400 species of coral can be found in the Great Barrier Reef, along with 4,000 species of mollusk, 240 species of birds, sponges, anemones, marine worms, crustaceans, and 1,500 species of fish. A beautiful and very special part of the world, teaming with life.

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@ Shark, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland
Queensland's state bird is the brolga, or the Australian crane.
Shark, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland
The Great Barrier Reef is home to many species of shark, but most of them are harmless to humans unless provoked. The most common shark found here is the black tip and white tip reef shark. So, enjoy a snorkel and or a dive in this beautiful area.

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@ Mt. Louisa, Townsville, Queensland
One little-known fact is that before 1859, Queensland was a part of New South Wales.
Mt. Louisa, Townsville, Queensland
Sunrise on a lovely fall day atop Mt. Lousia. Mount Lousia, a suburb of Townsville, rises to 193 metres (633 ft), and surrounding the base to the north and south are the residential areas. There is a walking trail along the mountain and great views to be enjoyed. Pack a picnic and bring a camera.

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@ Marina, Townsville, Queensland
Crikey, Siren! Was that a crocodile slithering past, or just a giant lizard?
Marina, Townsville, Queensland
If you are visiting Townsville by boat, you can tie up at one of the numerous marinas. Stay for a week or a few days, and enjoy being close to parks, gardens, and dining. There are boat rentals, in case you did not bring your boat and want to spend some time on the water.

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@ Whitsunday Islands, Queensland
The capital of Queensland is Brisbane, also known as the River City due to the serpentine Brisbane River that flows through it.
Whitsunday Islands, Queensland
A group of 74 islands—of various sizes—located 55km (34mi) off the Queensland coast. There are gorgeous white sand beaches, dense rainforests and turquoise waters, with plenty of activities on offer like sailing, diving, hiking, and snorkelling, if you want to do something other than just enjoy the beautiful views.

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@ Heart Reef, Queensland
Crikey, Siren! Was that a crocodile slithering past, or just a giant lizard?
Heart Reef, Queensland
Heart Reef in the Great Barrier Reef of the Whitsundays is one of the most famous sites. It is protected, so the only way to enjoy the view of this naturally occurring coral reef is by flying.

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@ Lagoon, Whitehaven Beach, Queensland
Queensland's state flower is the lilac/purple coloured Cooktown orchid. Cooktown is a coastal down, named after James Cook, in the far north of Queensland.
Lagoon, Whitehaven Beach, Queensland
Located on Whitehaven Island, the largest of the Whitsunday islands. The beach is 7km of white silica sand, some of the purest in the world. The tide coming into the lagoon creates swirls of colours. A beautiful place to spend the day.

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@ Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland
Crikey, Siren! Was that a crocodile slithering past, or just a giant lizard?
Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland
Located 80 kilometres (50 miles) northeast of Gladstone, Queensland, Heron island is a coral cay near the tropic of Capricorn. Heron Island Research Station is located on Heron Island and is one of the world’s principal coral reef research stations. Sir David Attenborough filmed segments of the documentary,Great Barrier Reefat the Heron Research Station.

Shipwrecks, abundant marine life, beautiful turquoise waters, and during the summer, Heron island is home to 200,000 birds.

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@ Lady Musgrave Island, Queensland
Not another coastal resort, Siren? Surely there's more to Queensland than just suntans and surf beaches?
Lady Musgrave Island, Queensland
Lady Musgrave Island, a coral cay is the second southernmost island in the Great Barrier Reef. The island and surrounding area are a national park and part of the Capricornian Cays, a designated Important Bird Area. Limited camping is permitted on the island but there is no fresh water so campers must bring in portable water.

In the 1890s the island was used to mine guano. Pisonia trees are the primary vegetation, used by nesting seabirds, one of which is the white-capped noddy. The island is also a nesting place for green and loggerhead turtles.

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@ Binnington Esplanade Beach, Queensland
The state animal of Queensland is the koala.
Binnington Esplanade Beach, Queensland
Situated in East Mackay, the esplanade beach of white sands is the perfect place for a morning stroll after breakfast or before. Offering a view of Round Top Reef/Island and Flat Top Reef/Island.

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@ Lake Cooroibah, Noosa, Queensland
Some of biggest industries in Queensland include peanuts, bananas, pineapples, cotton, sugar cane and wool.
Lake Cooroibah, Noosa, Queensland
Sunset over Lake Cooroibah, “Places of possums” in the aboriginal language. This is a large lake situated on Noosa’s north shore. The south entrance to the lake is good for fishing, and this relatively shallow lake is a great place to have a picnic and spend the day swimming.

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@ D'Aguilar National Park, Brisbane, Queensland
Not another coastal resort, Siren? Surely there's more to Queensland than just suntans and surf beaches?
D'Aguilar National Park, Brisbane, Queensland
D’Aguilar Park is situated a mere 10km from northwest of central Brisbane. There are 36,000 hectares of eucalypt woodlands, gum forests, and sub-rainforests, with over 800 plant species. D'Aguilar National Park is also home to the South East Queensland Wildlife Centre, where you can see platypi, turtles, pythons, and gliders. You can hike, bike, go horse riding, or camping.

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@ Moreton Bay Ramsar Wetland, Queensland
The state animal of Queensland is the koala.
Moreton Bay Ramsar Wetland, Queensland
The Moreton Bay Wetlands extend from the foreshores of Brisbane. Comprising 120,000ha of freshwater lakes and sedge swamps on the offshore sand islands, intertidal mudflats, marshes, sandflats, coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves. Conservation and study of these extremely important wetlands are of international importance.

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@ Brisbane Sign, Queensland
Oh look ... you won a pet!
Brisbane Sign, Queensland
The now iconic sign was created in 2014, during the G20 Leaders Summit, built by local volunteers. It was only meant to be temporary, but the popularity of the sign caused a rebuilding with sturdier materials so that the sign could withstand the elements.

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@ Southbank, Brisbane, Queensland
The capital of Queensland is Brisbane, also known as the River City due to the serpentine Brisbane River that flows through it.
Southbank, Brisbane, Queensland
The cultural heart of Brisbane includes Australia's largest Gallery of Modern Art, the Queensland Theatre Company, the Queensland Museum, the Queensland Performing Arts Centre and the State Library of Queensland. For tourists and locals, there are parks to be enjoyed, fine food to experience, markets, music and swimming in the man-made Streets Beach.

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@ Brisbane, Queensland
"What did you think of the Australia Zoo, Siren?"
"Those crocodiles look a little too feisty for my liking Shadow!"
Brisbane, Queensland
Brisbane is the capital of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. A global city, Brisbane is the center of research and innovation, in the Asia-Pacific, with the main strengths being in medicine and biotechnology. A vibrant city that is a popular tourist destination. The most famous landmark in Brisbane is the city hall which is the largest and grandest in all of Australia, featuring a circular concert hall and a grand piano.

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@ Kangaroo On Beach, Brisbane, Queensland
"From Coolangatta to the Cape, I didn't find a single Queenslander who could speak the Queen's English well, Siren."
"Perhaps they don't teach elocution in Australian schools, Petunia?"
Kangaroo On Beach, Brisbane, Queensland
What a wonderful sight. If you go to Casuarina Beach, in the Hillsborough National Park, and if you arrive before first light breaks, you can view the kangaroos and wallabies coming out of the scrub to eat the seaweed and mangrove seedpods. Rangers are on hand in this area to give talks about the kangaroos.

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@ Brisbane At Dawn, Queensland
The international airline Qantas (Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services) was established in Longreach, Queensland, in 1920.
Brisbane At Dawn, Queensland
A dramatic capture of the clouds over Brisbane just as the sun is rising. Will you be able to get up early enough to experience a wonderful view like this for yourself? Pack a thermos of your favourite warm beverage and take an early morning stroll, don’t forget your camera.

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@ Gold Coast, Queensland
Some of biggest industries in Queensland include peanuts, bananas, pineapples, cotton, sugar cane and wool.
Gold Coast, Queensland
The Gold Coast was originally known as the South Coast because it is south of Brisbane. But, during the 1050s, real estate and some goods and services became so over-inflated that the area was nicknamed, Gold Coast.

With miles of sandy beaches and some of the world’s best surfing areas, the Gold Coast is a popular tourist destination. The Gold Coast is nearly half forests of various types, including small patches of near-pristine ancient rainforest, mangrove-covered islands, patches of coastal heathlands and farmland with areas of uncleared eucalyptus forest.

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@ Springbrook National Park, Queensland
One little-known fact is that before 1859, Queensland was a part of New South Wales.
Springbrook National Park, Queensland
Cool lush rainforests to walk, cascading waterfalls, ancient trees (some as old as 3,00 years), and diverse flora and fauna can all be found in this 6,197-hectare park, located on the McPherson Range in the Gold Coast, 100 kilometres from Brisbane. One feature of the park is the Natural Bridge, formed by water undercutting the rock below the waterfall into a cave, leaving an arching bridge. The cave is home to a colony of glow worms, and swimming is no longer permitted in order to protect the colony.

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@ Bigge's Camp Park, Grandchester, Queensland
Some of biggest industries in Queensland include peanuts, bananas, pineapples, cotton, sugar cane and wool.
Bigge's Camp Park, Grandchester, Queensland
The rail station was built in 1865 and is the oldest surviving in Queensland. Originally the area was called Bigge’s Camp. The governor at the time thought the name sounded too much like ‘Big Scamp,’ and a name change was suggested. Grandchester was chosen, Grand for Big and the Latin Chester for Camp. There are working models of steam locomotives that you can take a ride behind. Bigge’s Camp Park has plenty of shady space for picnics, and electric barbecues are on site.

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@ Outback, National Park, Queensland
"We got this amazing ointment for Foxy's insect bites on his paws, Siren!" remarked Yozaria. "We went into the chemist's in Brisbane and I asked if they had any poor paw ointment. They at once gave him just the thing. It's made by Lucas and it comes in bright red tubes or tubs. And you know what? The poor paw ointment is made from paw paws!"
"Ah, it must be an Ozzie accent thing," responded Siren. "It's called Papaw ointment but it's actually made from papayas!"
Outback, National Park, Queensland
The term ‘Outback’ or ‘the bush’ means any area far away from larger settled areas; the terrain is arid or semiarid. Less than 5 percent of the population of Australia lives in the Outback. Queensland Outback starts at the Great Dividing Range and heads west to the Northern Territory and South Australia borders. The longest passenger train in the world runs through the Outback, and there are over a million purebred camels, more than anywhere else in the world.

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@ Misty Beach, Queensland Coast
The international airline Qantas (Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services) was established in Longreach, Queensland, in 1920.
Misty Beach, Queensland Coast
Situated along the northern Queensland coast. Sand, ocean, sky, a perfect spot to lay down our blanket and have a picnic.

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@ Another Beautiful Day In Queensland
Siren has now completed her walkabout in Queensland! As she prepares to go home, she receives a wonderful gift!
Skateboarding Goanna, Brown
Hey! Hi, how are you? I am just goanna go for a skate, hehe. I love my new skateboard, and it is such a lovely day the sun is shining; I have my new hat on my head, though I don’t need it to protect me from the sun, it is rather stylish. Let’s race over to the barbecue; I like mine rare, how about you?

Another Beautiful Day In Queensland
Turquoise water, blue skies, the sun is shining down, and you have nowhere to be but here.
Siren has enjoyed her walkabout in Queensland, but it is time to go home now! Please select another pet as visitor, so it can also enjoy an Australian Walkabout!