Whether you drive, fly, train, walk or ride as you arrive in Bundaberg, you can't help but notice rolling rich red soil, rows of sugarcane, macadamias and criss-cross grids of Australia's food bowl that greet you in every which way. Bundaberg city is most fondly associated with rum of the same name and Bundaberg Brewed Drinks which are exported to the world, but a visit to this turtle town will leave much more than just a sweet sensation on the tip of your tongue. If tours are right up your alley, there are several options - the Bundaberg Rum factory, Bundaberg Brewed Drinks, Hinkler Hall of Aviation, Fairymead House and Wednesday art walk at the Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery. If you like to cruise, you can take a leisurely meander up the Burnett River on a guided boat tour. Or, head out to Lady Musgrave Island onboard a luxury vessel departing from the Bundaberg Port. Pack your snorkel and togs though because just 15 minutes from the city, swimming, snorkelling, surfing and beachcombing are all just a quick dip away. Head anywhere between Burnett to Elliott Heads - or even ride a bike along the Coral Coast track to experience the wonders of the Southern Great Barrier Reef. If visiting between November to March you can also have the Mon Repos turtle experience - a night tour offering up close and personal experiences with these ancient mariners while they lay and hatch. Bundaberg is also known to have the pick of the crop when it comes to fresh produce straight from the farm. It's referred to as Australia's food bowl with nearly 90 per cent of the country's sweet potatoes are grown in the region. The pick of the crop can be found there, with farm gate markets, fresh seafood and many local restaurants and cafes serving up the best, seasonal produce. Whether you're a connoisseur, art critic, historian or are into the natural nightlife - Bundaberg is a sweet sugar town with more than meets the eye.

There are no crowds at this seductive and easy-going destination which is perfect for relaxation or discovering adrenalin pumping outdoor activities. This is the birthplace of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, so exploring the reef is a must. Reef boats leave from the Clump Point jetty, join a kayaking tour or hire a dinghy and take a picnic to a deserted Great Barrier Reef island. Mission Beach has 14 kilometres of sandy beaches, so it is easy to find a quiet place to relax with a book or indulge by checking into the couple's room at a day spa and relaxing with the fabulous beach views. Four villages are collectively known as Mission Beach: South Mission Beach, Wongaling Beach, North Mission Beach and Bingil Bay. Lush rainforest touches the shores of Mission Beach, hiding the elusive southern cassowary. Look for these majestic creatures on an easy rainforest walks and keep an eye out for the brilliant blue Ulysses butterfly, another local icon. Nearby is the spectacular Misty Mountains Trail, a series of long-distance walking tracks through the high-altitude rainforest. Several follow the ridgelines used by the area's traditional owners, the Jirrbal and Mamu Aboriginal people. The serene beauty of Mission Beach hides another side to this friendly beachside retreat - adrenalin-pumping adventure. Skydive from a plane on to the beach, head into the heart of the rainforest for white water rafting or explore the area on a jet ski or mountain bike. Luxurious resorts, elegant hill-top apartments and beach houses are favourites for those wanting to escape from their busy lives or choose from family-friendly motels, beach caravan parks and popular backpacker hostels. Mission Beach is about a two-hour drive south of Cairns.

Leave your watch behind when you go to Thursday Island as this colourful island paradise is where time really does seem to stand still. It is one of 274 islands which lie between the northern tip of Queensland and Papua New Guinea in the Torres Strait. This unique tropical region is home to the Indigenous Torres Strait Islanders whose culture is rich in the arts and whose lifestyle has evolved from the sea and its abundance of wildlife. You can reach Thursday Island via Horn Island either by plane from Cairns or Bamaga or by boat from Bamaga. While on Horn Island, visit the museum showcasing the Torres Strait's involvement in World War 2 and the pearling industry before you catch a boat to picturesque Thursday Island. The administrative centre of the Torres Strait, Thursday Island has modern accommodation and tours plus incredible fishing in the surrounding waters. Visit Green Hill Fort and the cannons which once guarded the island's main approaches. Its refurbished underground tunnels house the Torres Strait Historical Museum. Historical artefacts and contemporary Indigenous art can be seen at the Gab Titui Cultural Centre.

"Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong..." You'll be forgiven for relentlessly whistling this famous tune while you're in Winton, as it's the very home of Banjo Patterson's 'Waltzing Matilda'. Reputedly inspired by an 1894 shearer's suicide at the nearby Combo Waterhole and first performed in Winton's North Gregory Hotel on 6th April 1895, you can learn all about Banjo and the adopted national anthem at the Waltzing Matilda Centre in Winton. First settled in 1875 and originally called 'Pelican Waterhole', Winton has plenty on offer to keep you busy for at least a day or two. The town is home to Boulder opals that you can view and buy in town and a day trip will take you to Queensland's oldest opal fields at Opalton. Also just out of Winton is Lark Quarry, where 93 million-year-old dinosaur fossils will give you a glimpse into prehistoric times. The quirky Winton Music Fence, developed by percussionist and composer Graeme Leak, is free and a fantastic spot to let the kids explore their hidden musical talents. Arno's Wall, a wall surrounding a private residential property in town, is worth a look for its unique construction from all sorts of things including motorbikes, lawnmowers, crockery and historical items. Winton is in the heart of Matilda Country, a diverse region in which vast Mitchell grass plains are broken by magnificently coloured gorges, ridges and mesas; what the locals call 'jump-ups'. Visitors to the region will be amazed by the vastness of the plains and the undulating nature of the landscape. There is a wide variety of animal and birdlife in the area, generally best seen around dusk and dawn on minor roads and tracks.

Port Douglas is the gateway to the World Heritage wonders of Tropical North Queensland. It is the closest mainland port to the Great Barrier Reef and only a short drive into the heart of the Wet Tropics rainforest at Daintree and Cape Tribulation. Getting to Port Douglas from Cairns is an hour's drive along one of Australia's most scenic coastal roads with the rainforest on one side and the Great Barrier Reef on the other. Favoured by A-list celebrities as the place to get away, Port Douglas is an intimate and relaxed town where food, wine, arts and culture are appreciated. The friendly locals are only too happy to include visitors whether it's sharing their favourite coffee stops and fishing spots or playing 18 holes on a world-class golf course. Feel the pace slow as you revitalise with lazy days on the beach, or come alive and explore nature's untamed tropical wonders. Swim at beautiful Four Mile Beach, wander down the main street for boutique shopping with a tropical twist, dine with the birds at a wildlife park or dive into the Great Barrier Reef. Nearby is Mossman Gorge, a spectacular freshwater swimming hole where you can experience local Indigenous culture and explore the Daintree rainforest. Restaurants are many and varied with delicious interpretations of local produce and tastes from around the world or relax with a counter meal at a glorious Queenslander pub. While luxury is definitely a highlight of Port Douglas with magnificent resorts, elegant homes and superb apartments the holiday choice of the well-heeled, backpackers and families are equally well catered for in the relaxed tropical atmosphere of Port.