Celebrate the end of exams with these Queensland holiday ideas for students

Day One: Frolic in Mission Beach, where two World Heritage-listed wonders meet. 14 kilometres of beach will greet you at the destination, two hours south of Cairns, and within an easy water taxi ride to idyllic Dunk Island. After a day’s adventure, rest your weary head at eco-lodge Sanctuary Retreat.

Day Two: Lazily make your way to Cairns, on the way taking in the mountainous scenery of the Atherton Tablelands. Famed for its food trail, graze your way from Australia’s oldest coffee plantation to the farmers markets in Yungaburra.

Day Three: Say hello to Cairns, basing yourself at the budget-friendly Gilligans or Northern Greenhouse. It’s from here that you can gain easy access to the Great Barrier Reef, joining a tour for the day (or overnight) that will see you snorkel among its vibrant marine life.

Day Four: Acquaint yourself with the region’s Indigenous history with a visit to the Daintree Discovery Centre. Or venture further afield to Mossman Gorge where you can join Ngadiku Dreamtime Walks conducted by the local Indigenous people.

Day Five: Hit the bitumen, meandering the famous Great Barrier Reef drive. You’re on your way to Cape Tribulation, all the while cruising beachfront coastline, past the Coral Sea, and on to Port Douglas.

Townsville

Day One: Explore the sights and sounds of Townsville city centre. Take to the picturesque esplanade dubbed The Strand, keeping an eye out for the Ocean Siren sculpture neighbouring the jetty, a part of the Museum of Underwater Art.

Day Two: Spend the day out of doors with a trip north to Paluma Range National Park. One of the most idyllic Queensland holiday ideas for students, this is the southern gateway to the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area and awash with waterfalls and swimming holes to enjoy.

Day Three: Sail your way to Magnetic Island for the day with Pilgrim Sailing. This sandy haven in the centre of the Great Barrier Reef boasts snorkelling and bushwalking galore. Post-swim rest your head at much-loved Base Backpackers.

Day Four: Make way for the highest, permanent, single-drop waterfall in Australia, Wallaman Falls. While you’re free to pull up a pew, and pitch a tent in the neighbouring campsite, more luxurious accommodation awaits back in town’s boutique hotel Rambutan. Note: it’s best to check ahead to ensure access to the falls is open.

The Whitsundays

Day One: Make a home for yourself in Airlie Beach, the gateway to the 72 islands dubbed The Whitsundays. Spend the morning meandering the Airlie Beach markets, or taking it easy at Base Airlie Beach Resort.

Day Two: Take to the high seas with a day sailing around this idyllic island cluster courtesy of Ocean Rafting or Whitsundays Sailing Adventures - dropping in to the iconic alabaster sands of Whitehaven Beach are a non-negotiable. Or paddle your own way via a Salty Dog Sea Kayak tour.

Day Three: Captain your own ship for the day (or week) with bareboating one of the most popular ways to explore the Whitsundays. Or you could instead choose to splurge on a similarly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, sleeping above the coral with ReefSleep.

Day Four: Wander your way through the bushwalking tracks of luscious Conway National Park, stopping off for a dip at its secluded beaches or slightly further afield in the cool waters of Cedar Creek Falls.

Mackay

Day One: Greet the sunrise from Cape Hillsborough where you’ll be joined for the occasion by a troupe of resident wallabies. After a day’s exploration, pitch a tent in the national park or pull up your campervan at the Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park.

Day Two: En route to Mackay centre where you’ll stay at the EconoLodge Beachside Motel, stop in at Finch Hatton Gorge, home to a gathering of waterfalls, luscious flora and volcanic boulder formations.

Southern Great Barrier Reef

Day One: Don’t miss out on a chance to see local icon the Bundaberg Distillery in the flesh while in Bundaberg. After a tour of the rum haven, drop by Bargara Beach or turtle sanctuary Mon Repos for a swim.

Day Two: Join the Lady Musgrave experience for an in-depth explore of the beautiful island. Your trip doesn’t have to end if you don’t want it to - instead you can camp there overnight. Done Lady Musgrave? Take to Heron Island instead.

Day Three: Seek seclusion further south in the township of Agnes Water and neighbouring 1770. This quiet surf town is where you can learn to ride your own waves, hike to hidden beaches, or sunset kayak with 1770 Liquid Adventures. Stay at 1770 Southern Cross Travellers Retreat.

Outback Queensland

Head west, immersing yourself in the red desert with a road trip through Outback Queensland. Convoy from Cunnamulla to Charleville along the Matilda Way or retrace the tracks of the historic Cobb & Co with the Adventure Way.

Gold Coast

Day One: Kick back and relax at Burleigh Heads, where some of the best eateries mingle with an iconic beach and surf breaks. Walk off lunch with a meander around Burleigh Heads National Park, taking in the sunset with the locals from Burleigh Headland.

Day Two: Head for the Gold Coast Hinterland. Make sure you pack your walking shoes - the waterfall-rich Lamington National Park resides here, as does O’Reilly’s, where glamping and lodge accommodation options await you.

Day Three: Commence your journey to the Queensland capital of Brisbane, on your way taking in the mountain ranges of the Scenic Rim. This is the Sunshine State’s wine country - quench your thirst along the way with a visit to one of the many vineyards in these parts.

Brisbane

Day One: Greet the iconic Brisbane River with a kayak along its length courtesy of Riverlife Adventure Centre. Post-workout cater to cultural cravings with a visit to the Gallery of Modern Art, before an edible adventure at the popular Howard Smith Wharves.

Day Two: Get out of town, catching the ferry from Brisbane’s south to the picturesque North Stradbroke Island. Spend days exploring the enthralling natural landscape, beaches included, and its strong Indigenous connection.