Are there crocodiles in Cairns… and more Queensland questions
Quick questions and answers about the Great Barrier Reef, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Cairns, Noosa. Fraser Island and the Whitsundays in Queensland.
Where is the Great Barrier Reef in Australia?
The Great Barrier Reef runs along the coast of Queensland for just over 2,300km. It starts to the east of Gladstone, at Lady Elliot Island. It finishes at Bramble Cay in the Torres Strait.
More: Great Barrier Reef guide.
What was Brisbane originally called?
The original name of Brisbane was Edinglassie. Edinglassie was settled as a penal colony in 1824. It was very quickly renamed after Sir Thomas Brisbane, the Governor of New South Wales who ordered the exploration of the Moreton Bay area.
More: The best things to do in Brisbane.
Are there great white sharks in Cairns?
The waters around Cairns are too warm for great white sharks. Great whites live off the coast of southern Australia, but they are not a danger in Cairns or the Great Barrier Reef.
More: The best things to do in Cairns.
Save time queuing – Book these Cairns attractions in advance
- From the air: Outer Reef helicopter flight | Sunrise hot air balloon ride | Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.
- At night: Sunset dinner cruise | Pub and club tour | Aquarium by Twilight experience.
- For wildlife: Birdworld Kuranda | Kuranda Koala Gardens | Cairns Zoom and Wildlife Dome | Cairns Aquarium | Rainforestation Nature Park
- For culture: Cairns Museum tickets | Street art walking tour | City and surrounds highlights bus tour.
- For thrills: AJ Hackett giant jungle swing | High speed jet boat tour | Barron Gorge white water rafting | Mulgrave River tubing.
Are there crocodiles in Cairns?
Saltwater crocodiles live in the waterways of tropical Australia. That includes Cairns. Crocodiles have often been found off Cairns beaches, although the likes of Palm Cove and Trinity Beach are patrolled and monitored.
More: How many people are killed by crocodiles in Australia?
Is Noosa a part of the Sunshine Coast?
Noosa is generally regarded as part of the Sunshine Coast area in Queensland. However, Noosa is not part of the Sunshine Coast local government area. The Shire of Noosa split from the Sunshine Coast Region in 2014.
More: The best things to do on the Sunshine Coast.
Can you see Papua New Guinea from Cape York?
The tip of Cape York is approximately 151km from the nearest part of Papua New Guinea. It is too low-lying and distant to be seen with the naked eye.
More: What is the northernmost point of Australia?
Is Brisbane cheaper than Melbourne?
Brisbane is generally a cheaper city to live in and visit. The average house price in Brisbane is around two-thirds the equivalent in Melbourne.
More: The best things to do in Melbourne.
Can you swim in the sea at Fraser Island?
Swimming in the sea off Fraser Island/ K’gari is possible but extremely ill-advised. There are both dangerous rips and sharks to contend with. Stick to swimming in Fraser Island’s freshwater lakes.
More: The best things to do on Fraser Island.
Are there box jellyfish in the Whitsundays?
Potentially fatal box jellyfish – euphemistically known as stingers – inhabit the Coral Sea around the Whitsunday Islands in Queensland. They are more prevalent between November and April. Most tour operators provide stinger suits as protection.
More: What is the best month in the Whitsundays?
Why is the Gold Coast called the Gold Coast?
The Gold Coast was originally a derogatory nickname for the area south of Brisbane known as the South Coast. After local businesses embraced the Gold Coast name, it officially became the Town of the Gold Coast in 1958. It upgraded to the City of the Gold Coast in 1959.