View source for Queensland

{{Use Australian English|date=December 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Infobox political division
| name = Queensland
| native_name = 
| settlement_type = [[States and territories of Australia|State]]
| image_flag = Flag of Queensland.svg
| flag_size = 140px
| flag_link = Flag of Queensland
| image_seal = Coat of Arms of Queensland.svg
| seal_size = 110px
| seal_type = Coat of arms
| seal_link = Coat of arms of Queensland
| motto = {{native name|la|Audax at Fidelis}}<br/ >({{langx|en|Bold but Faithful}})
| nickname = The Sunshine State
| image_map = {{Australian state map|Map=Queensland in Australia.svg|align=center|border=none|width=300px}}
| map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = [[Australia]]
| established_title = First British settlement
| established_date = {{start date|1824|9|df=yes}} ([[Moreton Bay Penal Settlement|Moreton Bay]])
| established_title2 = Separation from [[Colony of New South Wales|New South Wales]]
| established_date2 = {{start date|1859|6|6|df=yes}} (as [[Colony of Queensland]])
| established_title3 = [[Federation of Australia|Federation]]
| established_date3 = {{start date|1901|1|1|df=yes}}
| named_for = [[Queen Victoria]]
| demonym = Queenslander
| capital = [[Brisbane]]
| largest_city = capital
| coordinates = {{coord|27|28|08|S|153|1|25|E|display=inline}}
| admin_center_type = Administration
| admin_center = [[Local government areas of Queensland|77 local government areas]]
| leader_title1 = [[Monarchy of Australia|Monarch]]
| leader_name1 = {{Current Australian monarch |Charles III}}
| leader_title2 = [[Governor of Queensland|Governor]]
| leader_name2 = [[Jeannette Young]]
| leader_title3 = [[Premier of Queensland|Premier]]
| leader_name3 = [[David Crisafulli]] ([[Liberal National Party of Queensland|LNP]])
| government_type        = Parliamentary [[constitutional monarchy]]
| legislature = [[Parliament of Queensland]]
| judiciary = [[Supreme Court of Queensland]] and [[List of Queensland courts and tribunals|lower courts]]
| national_representation = [[Parliament of the Commonwealth]]
| national_representation_type1 = [[Australian Senate|Senate]]
| national_representation1 = [[List of senators from Queensland|12 senators]] (of 76)
| national_representation_type2 = [[House of Representatives (Australia)|House of Representatives]]
| national_representation2 = [[List of electoral divisions in Queensland|30 seats]] (of 150)
| area_land_km2 =  1723030<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ga.gov.au/scientific-topics/national-location-information/dimensions/area-of-australia-states-and-territories | title=Area of Australia - States and Territories | date=26 July 2023 |website=Geoscience Australia  |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328075052/https://www.ga.gov.au/scientific-topics/national-location-information/dimensions/area-of-australia-states-and-territories |archive-date= Mar 28, 2024 }}</ref>
| area_rank = 2nd
| area_rank_link = States and territories of Australia#Statistics
| elevation_max_m = 1622
| elevation_max_point = [[Mount Bartle Frere]]
| population_estimate = {{IncreaseNeutral}} 5,647,468 (March 2025)<ref>{{Cite web | title=National, state and territory population, September 2025 {{!}} Australian Bureau of Statistics | url=https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/population/national-state-and-territory-population/latest-release | access-date=2025-06-02 | website=www.abs.gov.au}}</ref> [[States and territories of Australia|(3rd)]]
| GDP_nominal = {{increase}} AU$503.4 billion<ref name="gspref">{{cite web |url=https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/economy/national-accounts/australian-national-accounts-state-accounts/latest-release |title=5220.0 – Australian National Accounts: State Accounts, 2019–20 |publisher=Australian Bureau of Statistics |date=20 November 2020 |access-date=20 January 2021 |archive-date=17 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617110448/http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/allprimarymainfeatures/E6765105B38FFFC6CA2568A9001393ED?opendocument |url-status=live }}</ref>
| GDP_nominal_type = [[List of Australian states and territories by gross state product|GSP]]
| GDP_nominal_year = 2021
| GDP_nominal_rank = 3rd
| GDP_nominal_rank_link = List of Australian states and territories by gross state product
| GDP_nominal_per_capita = {{increase}}AU$73,030
| GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 5th
| GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank_link = List of Australian states and territories by gross state product
| HDI = 0.947<!--number only-->
| HDI_year = 2023<!-- Please use the year to which the data refers, not the publication year-->
| HDI_change = increase
| HDI_ref = <ref name="GlobalDataLab">{{cite web|url=https://hdi.globaldatalab.org/areadata/shdi/|title=Sub-national HDI – Area Database – Global Data Lab|website=hdi.globaldatalab.org|language=en|access-date=11 November 2025}}</ref>
| HDI_rank = 5th
| HDI_rank_link = List of Australian states and territories by Human Development Index
| timezone = [[Australian Eastern Standard Time|AEST]]
| utc_offset = +10:00
| calling_code = 
| postal_code_type = [[Postcodes in Australia#Allocation|Postal abbreviation]]
| postal_code = QLD
| website = {{URL|qld.gov.au}}
| iso_code = [[ISO 3166-2:AU|AU–QLD]]
{{Infobox place symbols| embedded=yes
| mammal = [[Koala]] <small>(''Phascolarctos cinereus'')</small>
| bird = [[Brolga]] <small>(''Grus rubicunda'')</small>
| fish = [[Amphiprion akindynos|Barrier Reef Anemone Fish]] <br> <small>(''Amphiprion akindynos'')</small>
| flower = [[Vappodes phalaenopsis|Cooktown orchid]] <br> <small>(''Dendrobium phalaenopsis'')</small><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.anbg.gov.au/emblems/qld.emblem.html |title=Floral Emblem of Queensland |publisher=[[Australian National Botanic Gardens]] |access-date=23 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308010937/https://www.anbg.gov.au/emblems/qld.emblem.html |archive-date=8 March 2012}}</ref>
| mineral = [[Sapphire]]
| colour = [[Maroon]] (official and sport)<ref name="state-colour"/>
[[Blue]] (government logo and branding, since 2025)<ref>{{cite web |title=Queensland logo changes from maroon to blue under LNP government |date=23 June 2025 |publisher=[[Brisbane Times]] |access-date=25 June 2025 |url=https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/queensland/the-most-unqueensland-thing-miles-blasts-maroon-to-blue-logo-change-20250623-p5m9lu.html}}</ref>
| fossil = ''[[Muttaburrasaurus langdoni]]''
}}
}}

'''Queensland''' ({{IPAc-en|local|ˈ|k|w|iː|n|z|l|æ|n|d}} {{respell|KWEENZ|land}},{{NoteTag|In the UK and US, {{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|w|iː|n|z|l|ə|n|d}} {{respell|KWEENZ|lənd}} is the preferred variant.<ref>{{citation|last=Wells |first=John C. |year=2008 |title=Longman Pronunciation Dictionary |edition=3rd |publisher=Longman |isbn=9781405881180}}</ref>}}  commonly abbreviated as '''QLD''') is a [[States and territories of Australia|state]] in northeastern [[Australia]], the second-largest and third-most populous state in Australia. It is bordered by the [[Northern Territory]], [[South Australia]] and [[New South Wales]] to the west, south-west and south, respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the [[Coral Sea]] and the [[Pacific Ocean]]; to the state's north is the [[Torres Strait]], separating the Australian mainland from [[Papua New Guinea]], and the [[Gulf of Carpentaria]] to the north-west. With an area of {{convert|1723030|km2}}, Queensland is the world's [[List of country subdivisions by area|sixth-largest subdivision]] of any country on earth; it [[List of countries and dependencies by area|is larger than all but 16 countries]]. Due to its size, Queensland's geographical features and climates are diverse, and include [[tropical rainforest]]s, [[river]]s, [[coral reef]]s, [[mountain range]]s and white sandy beaches in its [[Tropical climate|tropical]] and [[Humid subtropical climate|sub-tropical]] coastal regions, as well as [[desert]]s and [[savanna]] in the [[Semi-arid climate|semi-arid]] and [[Desert climate|desert]] climatic regions of its [[Outback|interior]].

Queensland has a population of over 5.5 million,<ref name=ABSPop>{{cite web|url=https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/population/national-state-and-territory-population/latest-release|title=National, state and territory population – September 2022|publisher=Australian Bureau of Statistics|date=16 March 2023|access-date=16 March 2023|archive-date=16 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116201130/https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/population/national-state-and-territory-population/latest-release|url-status=live}}</ref> concentrated in [[South East Queensland]], where nearly three in four reside. The capital and largest city in the state is [[Brisbane]], Australia's [[list of cities in Australia by population|third-largest city]] and comprising fully half of the state's population. Ten of Australia's thirty largest cities are located in Queensland, the largest outside Brisbane being the [[Gold Coast, Queensland|Gold Coast]], the [[Sunshine Coast, Queensland|Sunshine Coast]], [[Townsville]], [[Cairns]], [[Ipswich, Queensland|Ipswich]], and [[Toowoomba]]. 24.2% of the state's population were [[Immigration to Australia|born overseas]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 2023 |orig-date=cited 24 April 2024 |title=Australia's Population by Country of Birth |url=https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/population/australias-population-country-birth/latest-release |access-date= |website=[[Australian Bureau of Statistics]] |language=en |archive-date=5 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205214725/https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/population/australias-population-country-birth/latest-release |url-status=live }}</ref> The state has the highest inter-state net migration in Australia.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 2024 |orig-date=cited 19 September 2024 |title=National, state and territory population |url=https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/population/national-state-and-territory-population/mar-2024 |website=[[Australian Bureau of Statistics]] |language=en}}</ref>

Queensland was first inhabited by [[Aboriginal Australians]], with the [[Torres Strait Islands]] inhabited by [[Torres Strait Islanders]].<ref>{{cite web|title=How Old is Australia's Rock Art? |url=https://www.aboriginalartonline.com/art/rockage.php |work=Aboriginal Art Online |access-date=15 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130504175713/https://www.aboriginalartonline.com/art/rockage.php |archive-date=4 May 2013}}</ref> Dutch navigator [[Willem Janszoon]], the first European to land in Australia, explored the west coast of the [[Cape York Peninsula]] in 1606. In 1770, [[James Cook]] claimed the east coast of Australia for the [[Kingdom of Great Britain]]. In 1788, [[Arthur Phillip]] founded the colony of New South Wales, which included all of what is now Queensland. Queensland was explored in subsequent decades, and the [[Moreton Bay Penal Settlement]] was established at Brisbane in 1824 by [[John Oxley]]. During the [[Australian frontier wars]] of the 19th century, colonists killed tens of thousands of Aboriginal people in Queensland while consolidating their control over the territory.

On 6 June 1859 (now commemorated as [[Queensland Day]]), [[Queen Victoria]] signed the letters patent to establish the colony of Queensland, [[separation of Queensland|separating it from New South Wales]] and thereby establishing Queensland as a [[Self-governing colony|self-governing]] [[Crown colony]] with [[responsible government]]. A large part of colonial Queensland's economy relied on [[Blackbirding|blackbirded]] South Sea Islander slavery.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}

Queensland was among the six colonies which became the founding states of Australia with [[federation of Australia|Federation]] on 1 January 1901. Since the [[Joh Bjelke-Petersen|Bjelke-Petersen]] era of the late 20th century, Queensland has received a high level of internal migration from the other states and territories of Australia and remains a popular destination for interstate migration.

Queensland has the [[list of Australian states and territories by gross state product|third-largest economy]] among Australian states, with strengths in mining, agriculture, transportation, [[international student|international education]], insurance, and banking. Nicknamed the ''Sunshine State'' for its tropical and sub-tropical climates, [[Great Barrier Reef]], and numerous beaches, tourism is also important to the state's economy.

==History==
{{Main|History of Queensland}}

===Pre-European contact ===
{{Main|History of Indigenous Australians}}

Queensland was one of the largest regions of pre-colonial Aboriginal population in Australia.{{Sfnp|Ørsted-Jensen|2011|pp=10–11}} The Aboriginal ownership of Queensland is thought to predate 50,000&nbsp;BC, and early migrants are believed to have arrived via boat or land bridge across [[Torres Strait]]. Through time, their descendants developed into more than 90 different language and cultural groups.

During the last [[ice age]], Queensland's landscape became more arid and largely desolate, making food and other supplies scarce. The people developed the world's first seed-grinding technology.<ref>{{cite journal|title=65,000-years of continuous grinding stone use at Madjedbebe, Northern Australia {{!}} Abstract|journal=Scientific Reports|publisher=Nature|date=11 July 2022|volume=12 |issue=1 |page=11747 |doi=10.1038/s41598-022-15174-x |last1=Hayes |first1=Elspeth H. |last2=Fullagar |first2=Richard |last3=Field |first3=Judith H. |last4=Coster |first4=Adelle C. F. |last5=Matheson |first5=Carney |last6=Nango |first6=May |last7=Djandjomerr |first7=Djaykuk |last8=Marwick |first8=Ben |last9=Wallis |first9=Lynley A. |last10=Smith |first10=Mike A. |last11=Clarkson |first11=Chris |pmid=35817808 |pmc=9273753 }}</ref> The end of the [[glacial period]] brought about a warming climate, making the land more hospitable. It brought high rainfall along the eastern coast, stimulating the growth of the state's tropical rainforests.<ref name="r-evans-hoq">''A History of Queensland'' by Raymond Evans, Cambridge University Press, 2007 {{ISBN|978-0-521-87692-6}}.</ref>

The [[Torres Strait Islands]] is home to the [[Torres Strait Islanders|Torres Strait Islander peoples]]. Torres Strait Islanders are ethnically and culturally distinct from mainland Aboriginal peoples. They have a long history of interaction with both Aboriginal peoples of what is now Australia and the peoples of [[New Guinea]].

===European colonisation===
[[File:Captain Cook at Possession Island.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|right|Captain [[James Cook]] claims the [[Eastern states of Australia|east coast of Australia]] for the [[Kingdom of Great Britain]] at [[Possession Island (Queensland)|Possession Island]] in 1770]]
[[File:SeventeenSeventyNov082024 01.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|The peninsula of [[Seventeen Seventy, Queensland]], where Captain Cook landed in 1770]]
[[File:Bulla Queensland 1861.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|Fighting between [[Burke and Wills expedition|Burke and Wills]]'s supply party and Aboriginal Australians at Bulla in 1861]]
In February 1606, Dutch navigator [[Willem Janszoon]] landed near the site of what is now [[Weipa, Queensland|Weipa]], on the western shore of [[Cape York Peninsula|Cape York]]. This was the first recorded landing of a European in [[Australia]], and it also marked the first reported contact between Europeans and the [[Aboriginal people of Australia]].<ref name="r-evans-hoq"/> The region was also explored by French and Spanish explorers (commanded by [[Louis Antoine de Bougainville]] and [[Luís Vaez de Torres]], respectively) before the arrival of Lieutenant [[James Cook]] in 1770. Cook claimed the east coast under instruction from [[King George III]] of the [[Kingdom of Great Britain]] on 22 August 1770 at [[Possession Island (Queensland)|Possession Island]], naming eastern Australia, including Queensland, ''New South Wales''.<ref>{{cite web|website=culture.gov.au |url=https://www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au/articles/australianhistory/ |title=European discovery and the colonisation of Australia |access-date=24 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110216230554/https://www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au/articles/australianhistory/ |archive-date=16 February 2011}}</ref>

The Aboriginal population declined significantly after a [[History of smallpox#Pacific epidemics|smallpox epidemic]] during the late 18th century and massacres by the European settlers.<ref>{{cite book|last=Cumpston|first=JHL|title=The History of Small-Pox in Australia 1788–1908|year=1914|publisher=Australian Government Printer|location=Melbourne}}</ref>{{Page needed|date=January 2024}}

In 1823, [[John Oxley]], a British explorer, sailed north from what is now [[Sydney]] to scout possible penal colony sites in [[Gladstone, Queensland|Gladstone]] (then [[Port Curtis]]) and [[Moreton Bay]]. At Moreton Bay, he found the [[Brisbane River]]. He returned in 1824 and established a penal settlement at what is now [[Redcliffe Peninsula|Redcliffe]]. The settlement, initially known as [[Edenglassie]], was then transferred to the current location of the [[Brisbane central business district|Brisbane city centre]]. [[Edmund Lockyer]] discovered outcrops of coal along the banks of the upper Brisbane River in 1825.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newhopegroup.com.au|title=New Hope Group|access-date=25 February 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227032917/https://www.newhopegroup.com.au/|archive-date=27 February 2014}}</ref> In 1839 transportation of convicts was ceased, culminating in the closure of the Brisbane penal settlement. In 1842 free settlement, which had already commenced, was officially permitted. In 1847, the [[Port of Maryborough]] was opened as a wool port. While most early immigrants came from New South Wales, the first free immigrant ship to arrive in Moreton Bay from Europe was the [[Artemisia (ship)|''Artemisia'']], in 1848.

Earlier than this immigrant ship was the arrival of the Irish famine orphan girls to Queensland. Devised by the then British Secretary of State for the Colonies, The Earl Grey Scheme established a special emigration scheme which was designed to resettle destitute girls from the workhouses of Ireland during the Great Famine. The first ship, the "Earl Grey", departed Ireland for a 124-day sail to Sydney. After controversy developed upon their arrival in Australia, a small group of 37 young orphans, sometimes referred to as The Belfast Girls or the Feisty Colleens, never set foot on Sydney soil, and instead sailed up to Brisbane (then Moreton Bay) on 21 October 1848 on board the ''Ann Mary''. This scheme continued until 1852.<ref>{{Citation|author1=Harrison|first=Jennifer|title=The Forty-Niners: Brisbane : schemes and dreams nineteenth century arrivals|date=4 July 2014|pages=47|publication-date=2014|publisher=Brisbane History Group; Salisbury Qld. : Boolarong Press|isbn=978-1-925046-99-1}}</ref>

In 1857, Queensland's first lighthouse was built at [[Cape Moreton]].<ref>{{cite QHR||Cape Moreton Lightstation|600257|access-date=11 January 2024}}</ref>

=== Frontier wars and massacres ===
{{Further|Australian frontier wars#Queensland||List of massacres of Indigenous Australians#Queensland}}
The frontier wars fought between European settlers and Aboriginal tribes in Queensland were the bloodiest and most brutal in colonial Australia.<ref>{{cite thesis |last1=Loos |first1=Noel |title=Frontier conflict in the Bowen district 1861–1874 |date=1970 |publisher=[[James Cook University]] of North Queensland |doi=10.25903/mmrc-5e46 |url=https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/1136/ |access-date=11 September 2019 |type=other |archive-date=26 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126071541/https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/1136/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Many of these conflicts are now seen as acts of genocide.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Baldry |first1=Hannah |last2=McKeon |first2=Alisa |last3=McDougal |first3=Scott |title=Queensland's Frontier Killing Times{{Snd}} Facing Up to Genocide |url=https://lr.law.qut.edu.au/article/view/583/564 |journal=[[QUT Law Review]] |volume=15 |issue=1 |pages=92–113 |issn=2201-7275 |access-date=27 August 2023 |archive-date=28 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231228031650/https://lr.law.qut.edu.au/article/view/583/564 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Palmer |first=Alison |year=1998 |title=Colonial and modern genocide: explanations and categories |journal=[[Ethnic and Racial Studies]] |volume=21 |issue=1 |pages=89–115 |doi=10.1080/014198798330115}}</ref><ref name="queteen">{{cite journal |last=Tatz |first=Colin |date=2006 |title=Confronting Australian Genocide |url=https://press-files.anu.edu.au/downloads/press/p72971/pdf/ch0251.pdf |journal=The Indigenous Experience: Global Perspectives |publisher=Canadian Scholars Press |volume=25 |pages=16–36 |isbn=978-1551303000 |pmid=19514155 |editor-first1=Roger |editor-last1=Maaka |editor-first2=Chris |editor-last2=Andersen |access-date=9 February 2024 |archive-date=14 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114055722/https://press-files.anu.edu.au/downloads/press/p72971/pdf/ch0251.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Rogers |first1=Thomas James |last2=Bain |first2=Stephen |date=3 February 2016 |title=Genocide and frontier violence in Australia |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14623528.2016.1120466 |journal=[[Journal of Genocide Research]] |volume=18 |issue=1 |pages=83–100 |doi=10.1080/14623528.2016.1120466 |s2cid=147512803 |access-date=8 March 2022 |archive-date=31 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331143722/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14623528.2016.1120466 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription }}</ref>

The wars featured the most frequent massacres of First Nations people, the three deadliest massacres on white settlers, the most disreputable frontier police force, and the highest number of white victims to frontier violence on record in any Australian colony.{{Sfnp|Ørsted-Jensen|2011}} Across at least 644 collisions at least 66,680 were killed — with Aboriginal fatalities alone comprising no less than 65,180.<ref name="ReferenceA">Evans, Raymond & Ørsted–Jensen, Robert: 'I Cannot Say the Numbers that Were Killed': Assessing Violent Mortality on the Queensland Frontier" (paper at AHA 9 July 2014 at University of Queensland) publisher Social Science Research Network</ref> Of these deaths, around 24,000 Aboriginal men, women and children were killed by the Native Police between 1859 and 1897.<ref>R Evans, quoted in T Bottoms (2013) ''Conspiracy of Silence: Queensland's Frontier Killing Times'', Allen & Unwin, p.181</ref>

The military force of the Queensland Government in this war was the [[Australian native police|Native Police]], who operated from 1849 to the 1920s. The Native Police was a body of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander troopers that operated under the command of white officers. The Native Police were often recruited forcefully from far-away communities.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/frontier/stories/ep3.htm |title=Episode Three |work=Frontier |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=4 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060718191740/https://www.abc.net.au/frontier/stories/ep3.htm |archive-date=18 July 2006}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=29 May 2023 |title=Frontier wars |url=https://www.qld.gov.au/recreation/arts/heritage/archives/collection/war/frontier-wars |access-date=2023-08-27 |website=Queensland Government |language=en |archive-date=27 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230827144736/https://www.qld.gov.au/recreation/arts/heritage/archives/collection/war/frontier-wars |url-status=live }}</ref> 
[[File:Wills_Tragedy_1861.jpg|thumb|Aftermath of the 1861 [[Cullin-La-Ringo massacre]] in which 19 settlers were killed by Aboriginal people, the deadliest attack on settlers in the frontier wars]]
Conflict spread quickly with free settlement in 1838, with settlement rapidly expanding in a great rush to take up the surrounding land in the [[Darling Downs]], Logan and Brisbane Valley and South Burnett onwards from 1840, in many cases leading to widespread fighting and heavy loss of life. The conflict later spread north to the [[Wide Bay–Burnett|Wide Bay]] and [[Burnett River]] and [[Hervey Bay]] region, and at one stage the settlement of [[Maryborough, Queensland|Maryborough]] was virtually under siege.{{Sfnp|Broome|1988|p=102}}

The largest reasonably well-documented massacres in southeast Queensland were the [[Kilcoy, Queensland|Kilcoy]] and [[Whiteside, Queensland|Whiteside]] poisonings, each of which was said to have taken up to 70 Aboriginal lives by use of a gift of flour laced with [[strychnine]]. At the [[Battle of One Tree Hill]] in September 1843, [[Multuggerah]] and his group of warriors ambushed one group of settlers, routing them and subsequently others in the skirmishes which followed, starting in retaliation for the Kilcoy poisoning.<ref name="kerkhove">{{cite web |last=Kerkhove |first=Ray |date=19 August 2017 |title=Battle of One Tree Hill and Its Aftermath |url=https://frontierbattle.wordpress.com/battle-of-one-tree-hill-and-its-aftermath/ |access-date=5 August 2020 |archive-date=29 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029130225/https://frontierbattle.wordpress.com/battle-of-one-tree-hill-and-its-aftermath/ |url-status=live }} Ray Kerkhove, owner of this site, is a reputable historian. See [https://uniqld.academia.edu/raykerkhove here] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200824020134/https://uniqld.academia.edu/raykerkhove |date=24 August 2020 }} and [https://www.boolarongpress.com.au/our-authors/authors-k/ray-kerkhove/ here] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020113350/https://www.boolarongpress.com.au/our-authors/authors-k/ray-kerkhove/ |date=20 October 2020 }}.</ref><ref name="marr">{{cite news |last=Marr |first=David |date=14 September 2019 |title=Battle of One Tree Hill: remembering an Indigenous victory and a warrior who routed the whites |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/sep/15/battle-of-one-tree-hill-cutting-through-silence-to-remember-a-warrior-who-routed-the-whites |access-date=5 August 2020 |archive-date=5 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805060402/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/sep/15/battle-of-one-tree-hill-cutting-through-silence-to-remember-a-warrior-who-routed-the-whites |url-status=live }}</ref>

Central Queensland was particularly hard hit during the 1860s and 1870s, several contemporary writers mention the Skull Hole, Bladensburg, or Mistake Creek massacre{{efn|Not to be confused with the 1915 [[Mistake Creek massacre]] in [[Western Australia]].}} on [[Bladensburg Station]] near [[Winton, Queensland|Winton]], which in 1901 was said to have taken up to 200 Aboriginal lives.<ref>Queenslander 20 April 1901, page 757d-758c and [[Carl Lumholtz]] Among Cannibals (London 1889) page 58–59; See also {{harvnb|Bottoms|2013|pp=172–174}}.</ref> First Nations warriors killed 19 settlers during the [[Cullin-La-Ringo massacre]] on 17 October 1861.{{Sfnp|Connor|2008|p=220}} In the weeks afterwards, police, native police and civilians killed up to 370 members of the [[Gayiri]] Aboriginal people in response.<ref name="Jackson">{{cite web |last=Jackson |first=Russell |date=18 September 2021 |title=Research discovery suggests AFL pioneer Tom Wills participated in massacres of Indigenous people |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-18/suggests-afl-pioneer-tom-wills-participated-indigenous-massacres/100463708 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917193518/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-18/suggests-afl-pioneer-tom-wills-participated-indigenous-massacres/100463708 |archive-date=17 September 2021 |access-date=17 September 2021 |website=ABC News |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation}}</ref>

Frontier violence peaked on the northern mining frontier during the 1870s, most notably in Cook district and on the [[Palmer River (Queensland)|Palmer]] and Hodgkinson River goldfields, with heavy loss of Aboriginal lives and several well-known massacres.<ref>''Queenslander'', 8 March 1879, page 313d</ref> Raids conducted by the [[Kalkatungu|Kalkadoon]] held settlers out of Western Queensland for ten years until September 1884 when they attacked a force of settlers and native police at Battle Mountain near modern [[Cloncurry, Queensland|Cloncurry]]. The subsequent battle of Battle Mountain ended in disaster for the Kalkadoon, who suffered heavy losses.{{Sfnp|Coulthard-Clark|2001|pp=51–52}} Fighting continued in [[North Queensland]], however, with First Nations raiders attacking sheep and cattle while Native Police mounted heavy retaliatory massacres.{{Sfnp|Connor|2008|p=221}}<ref>Queensland State Archives A/49714 no 6449 of 1884 (report); QPG re 13 July 1884, Vol 21:213; 21 July 1884 – COL/A395/84/5070; Q 16 August 1884, p253; 20 August 1884 Inquest JUS/N108/84/415; POL/?/84/6449; 15 Queensland Figaro November 1884 and Queensland State Archives A/49714, letter 9436 of 1889.</ref>

=== Blackbirding ===
{{Further information|Blackbirding#Queensland}}
Tens of thousands of [[South Sea Islanders]] were forced, deceived or coerced into [[indentured servitude]] and slavery on Australia's agricultural plantations, despite slavery being outlawed in Australia and other parts of the [[British Empire]] by the [[Slavery Abolition Act 1833]]. This process was known as blackbirding.<ref name="Mortensen 2000">Mortensen, Reid, 2000. "Slaving in Australian courts: Blackbirding cases, 1869-1871." ''Journal of South Pacific Law'', 4, pp.7-37: "Between 1863 and 1904, over 62,000 people from the Melanesian archipelagos provided the colony of Queensland with indentured labour for its emerging agricultural industries. [...] Although by the latter nineteenth century, abolitionism had ended both the transatlantic slave trade and slavery in European colonies, indentured labourers (or ''libres engagés'') were sought as an alternative: working under limited term contracts and wages but otherwise, on occasion, similar conditions to the slaves."</ref><ref name="McDonald 2023">McDonald, Willa, 2023. "Blackbirding, Subjectivity and the Unseeing 'I'." ''Literary Journalism in Colonial Australia'', pp. 189-216. Cham: Springer International Publishing: "Whether or not the Pacific Island labour trade was a form of slavery is still being debated in Australia. On the one hand, unlike slavery, the indenture contracts were of limited duration, the Islanders were paid, and the rights of the plantation owners over the labourers were extensive 
but not absolute. [...] As Brooke Kroeger says, the blackbirding trade, if not slavery itself, was at least slavery's 'just-as-evil twin'."</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article22275598 |title=General news |newspaper=[[The Queenslander]] |date=9 November 1907 |access-date=5 July 2019 |page=32 |via=Trove |archive-date=24 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201224003143/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/22275598 |url-status=live }}</ref> This trade in what were then known as [[Kanaka (Pacific Island worker)|Kanakas]] was in operation from 1863 to 1908, a period of 45 years. Some 55,000 to 62,500 were brought to Australia,  most being recruited or blackbirded from islands in [[Melanesia]], such as the [[New Hebrides]] (now [[Vanuatu]]), the [[Solomon Islands]] and the islands around [[New Guinea]].<ref name="AHRC">Tracey Flanagan, Meredith Wilkie, and Susanna Iuliano. [http://www.hreoc.gov.au/racial_discrimination/forum/Erace/south_sea.html "Australian South Sea Islanders: A Century of Race Discrimination under Australian Law"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110314080249/http://www.hreoc.gov.au/racial_discrimination/forum/Erace/south_sea.html|date=14 March 2011}}, Australian Human Rights Commission.</ref>
[[File:Australian South Sea Islander cane cutters on a sugar cane plantation in Queensland (9205204184).jpg|alt=South Sea Islander men standing in front of a row of sugarcane.|thumb|Blackbirded South Sea Islanders on a [[Sugarcane]] plantation in Queensland.]]
The majority of those taken were male and around one quarter were under the age of sixteen.<ref>{{Citation |author1=Corris, Peter |title=Passage, port and plantation: a history of Solomon Islands labour migration, 1870–1914 |date=2013-12-13 |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/188267294 |type=Thesis |access-date=5 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727000253/https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/188267294 |url-status=live |archive-date=27 July 2020}}</ref> In total, approximately 15,000 South Sea Islanders (30%) died while labouring in Queensland – excluding those who died in transit or were killed in the recruitment process – mostly during three-year contracts.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McKinnon |first1=Alex |date=July 2019 |title=Blackbirds, Australia had a slave trade? |page=44 |newspaper=[[The Monthly]]}}</ref> This is similar to the estimated 33% death rate among enslaved Africans in the first three years of arriving in America,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ray |first1=K.M. |title=Life Expectancy and Mortality rates |url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/humanities/applied-and-social-sciences-magazines/life-expectancy-and-mortality-rates |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190705070912/https://www.encyclopedia.com/humanities/applied-and-social-sciences-magazines/life-expectancy-and-mortality-rates |archive-date=5 July 2019 |access-date=5 July 2019 |website=Encyclopedia.com |publisher=Gale Library of Daily Life: Slavery in America}}</ref> Brazil, and the Caribbean; the conditions were often comparable to those of the [[Atlantic slave trade]].<ref name="McDonald 2023" /><ref name="Mortensen 2000" />

The trade was legally sanctioned and regulated under Queensland law, and prominent men such as Robert Towns made massive fortunes through blackbirding, helping to establish some of the major cities in Queensland today.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sparrow |first=Jeff |date=2022-08-04 |title=Friday essay: a slave state - how blackbirding in colonial Australia created a legacy of racism |url=http://theconversation.com/friday-essay-a-slave-state-how-blackbirding-in-colonial-australia-created-a-legacy-of-racism-187782 |access-date=2023-08-27 |website=The Conversation |language=en |archive-date=27 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230827144739/http://theconversation.com/friday-essay-a-slave-state-how-blackbirding-in-colonial-australia-created-a-legacy-of-racism-187782 |url-status=live }}</ref> Towns' agent claimed that blackbirded labourers were "savages who did not know the use of money" and therefore did not deserve cash wages.<ref>{{cite news |date=20 March 1871 |title=A fair thing for the Polynesians |page=7 |newspaper=[[The Brisbane Courier]] |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1300671 |access-date=1 June 2019 |via=Trove}}</ref>

Following Federation in 1901, the [[White Australia policy]] came into effect, which saw most foreign workers in Australia deported under the ''[[Pacific Island Labourers Act 1901]]'', which saw the Pacific Islander population of the state decrease rapidly.<ref>{{cite web |title=Documenting Democracy |url=https://www.foundingdocs.gov.au/item.asp?sdID=86 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091026225820/https://www.foundingdocs.gov.au/item.asp?sdID=86 |archive-date=26 October 2009 |access-date=4 August 2010 |publisher=Foundingdocs.gov.au}}</ref>

===Independent governance===
{{further|Colony of Queensland}}
[[File:StateLibQld 2 93580 Parade of troops in Queen Street, Brisbane, March, 1900.jpg|thumb|Parade of troops in Brisbane, prior to departure for the [[Second Boer War|Boer War]] in South Africa]]
[[File:Groupe de Kanakas dans une exploitation de canne à sucre du Queensland.jpg|thumb|[[Kanaka (Pacific Island worker)|Kanaka workers]] in a sugar cane plantation, late 19th century]]
A public meeting was held in 1851 to consider the proposed [[separation of Queensland]] from New South Wales. On 6 June 1859, Queen Victoria signed letters patent<ref>{{cite web|title=Documenting Democracy|url=https://www.foundingdocs.gov.au/item-did-60.html|access-date=27 November 2021|website=[[Museum of Australian Democracy]]|archive-date=3 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303143343/https://www.foundingdocs.gov.au/item-did-60.html|url-status=live}}</ref> to form the separate colony of Queensland as a [[self-governing colony|self-governing]] [[Crown colony]] with [[responsible government]]. [[Brisbane]] was selected as the capital city. On 10 December 1859, a proclamation was read by [[George Bowen]], the first [[Governor of Queensland]], formally establishing Queensland as a separate colony from New South Wales.<ref name="q150">{{cite web|url=https://www.osr.qld.gov.au/historical-information/revenue-history-timeline/static-timeline.shtml|title=Q150 Timeline|publisher=Queensland Treasury|access-date=28 October 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903032933/https://www.osr.qld.gov.au/historical-information/revenue-history-timeline/static-timeline.shtml|archive-date=3 September 2011}}</ref> On 22 May 1860 the first Queensland election was held and [[Robert Herbert]], Bowen's private secretary, was appointed as the first [[Premier of Queensland]].

In 1865, the first rail line in the state opened between [[Ipswich, Queensland|Ipswich]] and [[Grandchester]]. Queensland's economy expanded rapidly in 1867 after James Nash discovered gold on the [[Mary River (Queensland)|Mary River]] near the town of [[Gympie]], sparking a gold rush and saving the Colony of Queensland from near economic collapse. While still significant, they were on a much smaller scale than the gold rushes of Victoria and New South Wales.

Immigration to Australia and Queensland, in particular, began in the 1850s to support the state economy. During the period from the 1860s until the early 20th century, many labourers, known at the time as [[Kanakas]], were brought to Queensland from neighbouring Pacific Island nations to work in the state's sugar cane fields. Some of these people had been kidnapped under a process known as [[blackbirding]] or press-ganging, and their employment conditions constituted an allegedly exploitative form of indentured labour. [[Italian Australians|Italian immigrants]] entered the sugar cane industry from the 1890s.<ref>{{cite book|first=John|last=Rickard|title=Australia: A Cultural History|year=2017|pages=173|publisher=Monash University |isbn=978-1-921867-60-6}}</ref>

During the 1890s, the six Australian colonies, including Queensland, held a series of referendums which culminated in the [[Federation of Australia]] on 1 January 1901. During this time, Queensland had a population of half a million people. Since then, Queensland has remained a [[federated state]] within Australia, and its population has significantly grown.

===20th century===
[[File:StateLibQld 1 114168 Returned World War Two soldiers march in Queen Street, Brisbane, 1944.jpg|thumb|Returned World War II soldiers march in Queen Street, Brisbane, 1944]]

In 1905 women voted in state elections for the first time. The state's first university, the [[University of Queensland]], was established in Brisbane in 1909. In 1911, the first alternative treatments for polio were pioneered in Queensland and remain in use across the world today.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |last1=Patrick |first1=Ross |title=Kenny, Elizabeth (1880–1952) |chapter=Elizabeth Kenny (1880–1952) |url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/kenny-elizabeth-6934 |encyclopedia=Australian Dictionary of Biography |publisher=National Centre of Biography, Australian National University |access-date=1 January 2023 |archive-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117014457/https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/kenny-elizabeth-6934 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[World War I]] had a [[Queensland in World War I|major impact on Queensland]]. Over 58,000 Queenslanders fought in World War I and over 10,000 of them died.<ref>{{cite web|title=Queensland Registry of Births, Deaths, and Marriages World War One commemorative death certificates {{!}} Queensland's World War 1 Centenary |url=https://blogs.slq.qld.gov.au/ww1/2015/04/02/queensland-registry-of-births-deaths-and-marriages-world-war-one-commemorative-death-certificates/ |website=blogs.slq.qld.gov.au |access-date=20 January 2016|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203144252/https://blogs.slq.qld.gov.au/ww1/2015/04/02/queensland-registry-of-births-deaths-and-marriages-world-war-one-commemorative-death-certificates/ |archive-date=3 February 2016 }}</ref>

Australia's first major airline, [[Qantas]] (originally standing for "Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services"), was founded in [[Winton, Queensland|Winton]] in 1920 to serve outback Queensland.

In 1922 Queensland abolished the [[Queensland Legislative Council]], becoming the only Australian state with a [[unicameral legislature|unicameral]] [[Parliaments of the Australian states and territories|parliament]].

In 1935 [[Cane toads in Australia|cane toad]]s were deliberately introduced to Queensland from Hawaii in an unsuccessful attempt to reduce the number of French's cane and greyback [[cane beetle]]s that were destroying the roots of sugar cane plants, which are integral to Queensland's economy. The toads have remained an environmental pest since that time. In 1962, the first commercial production of oil in Queensland and Australia began at [[Moonie, Queensland|Moonie]].

During [[World War II]] Brisbane became central to the [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] campaign when the AMP Building (now called [[MacArthur Central]]) was used as the [[South West Pacific Area (command)#Command|South West Pacific headquarters]] for [[Douglas MacArthur|General Douglas MacArthur]], chief of the Allied Pacific forces, until his headquarters were moved to [[Jayapura|Hollandia]] in August 1944.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://home.st.net.au/~dunn/ausarmy/hiringsno1lofc.htm|title=Hirings Section|publisher=Australia @ War|author=Peter Dunn|date=2 March 2005|access-date=7 January 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012165321/https://home.st.net.au/~dunn/ausarmy/hiringsno1lofc.htm|archive-date=12 October 2007}}</ref> In 1942, during the war, Brisbane was the site of a violent clash between visiting US military personnel and Australian servicemen and civilians, which resulted in one death and hundreds of injuries. This incident became known colloquially as the [[Battle of Brisbane]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://home.st.net.au/~dunn/ozatwar/bob.htm|title=The Battle of Brisbane&nbsp;— 26 & 27 November 1942 |publisher=Australia @ War |access-date=7 January 2008 |first=Peter |last=Dunn |date=27 August 2005 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080110092844/https://home.st.net.au/~dunn/ozatwar/bob.htm |archive-date=10 January 2008}}</ref>

The end of World War II saw a [[Post-war immigration to Australia|wave of immigration]] from across Europe, with many more immigrants coming from [[Southern Europe|southern]] and [[Eastern Europe|eastern]] Europe than in previous decades.

In the later decades of the 20th century, the [[subtropical climate|humid subtropical climate]]—regulated by the availability of air conditioning—saw Queensland become a popular destination for migrants from interstate.<ref>{{cite book|title=Bigger Or Better?: Australia's Population Debate|last=Lowe|first=Ian|year=2012|publisher=[[University of Queensland]] Press|isbn= 9780702248078}}</ref> Since that time, Queensland has continuously seen high levels of migration from the other states and territories of Australia.

In 1966, [[Lyndon B. Johnson]] became the first U.S. president to visit Queensland. During his visit, he met with Australia prime minister [[Harold Holt]].{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}}

The end of the [[White Australia policy]] in 1973 saw the beginning of a wave of immigration from around the world, and most prominently from Asia, which continues to the present.

In 1981 the [[Great Barrier Reef]] off Queensland's northeast coast, one of the world's largest coral reef systems, was declared a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]].

===21st century===
In 2003 Queensland adopted [[maroon]] as the state's official colour. The announcement was made as a result of an informal tradition to use maroon to represent the state in association with sporting events.<ref name="state-colour">{{cite web | url=https://www.qld.gov.au/about/how-government-works/flags-emblems-icons/state-colour | title=State colour &#124; State flags, emblems, and icons | access-date=7 December 2022 | archive-date=7 December 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207015933/https://www.qld.gov.au/about/how-government-works/flags-emblems-icons/state-colour | url-status=live }}</ref>

After three decades of record population growth, Queensland was impacted by major [[2010–2011 Queensland floods|floods between late 2010 and early 2011]], causing extensive damage and disruption across the state.<ref name="Berry">{{cite news|last=Berry|first=Petrina|title=Brisbane braces for flood peak as Queensland's flood crisis continues|url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/breaking-news/brisbane-braces-for-flood-peak-as-queenslands-flood/story-fn7ik8u2-1225986784487|access-date=14 January 2011|newspaper=The Courier-Mail|date=13 January 2011|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110816145500/https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/breaking-news/brisbane-braces-for-flood-peak-as-queenslands-flood/story-fn7ik8u2-1225986784487|archive-date=16 August 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/infographics/qld-floods/beforeafter2.htm/ |title=Brisbane floods: Up close |date=Jan 18, 2011 |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=4 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110712045536/https://www.abc.net.au/news/infographics/qld-floods/beforeafter2.htm |archive-date=12 July 2011}}</ref>

In 2020, Queensland was impacted by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. Despite a [[COVID-19 pandemic in Australia|low number and abrupt decline in cases]] from April 2020 onward, [[social distancing]] requirements were implemented from March 2020 including the closure of the state borders.

In September 2025, Queensland effectively outlawed [[pill testing]]. The move passed by legislation reinforced the Crisafulli government's zero-tolerance approach to [[illicit drug]]s, which saw testing facilities stripped of public funding.

==Geography==
{{Main|Geography of Queensland}}
[[File:Qld region map 2.PNG|thumb|right|Commonly designated [[regions of Queensland]], with [[Central Queensland]] divided into [[Mackay Region|Mackay]] and [[Shire of Fitzroy|Fitzroy]] subregions]]
[[File:La Gran Barrera 2.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Great Barrier Reef]], which extends along most of Queensland's [[Coral Sea]] coastline]]
[[File:Mossman River during the wet season.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Mossman River]], flowing through the [[Daintree Rainforest]] in [[Far North Queensland]]]]
[[File:BinnaBurra5.JPG|thumb|right|The [[McPherson Range]] at [[Lamington National Park]] in [[South East Queensland]]]]
[[File:LakeMcKenzieNov112024.jpg|thumb|right|Lake McKensie, [[K'gari (Fraser Island)]]]]

With a total area of 1,729,742 square kilometres (715,309 square miles), Queensland is an expansive state with a highly diverse range of climates and geographical features. If Queensland were an independent nation, it would be the world's 16th largest in terms of area.

Queensland's eastern coastline borders the [[Coral Sea]], an arm of the Pacific Ocean. The state is bordered by the [[Torres Strait]] to the north, with [[Boigu Island (Queensland)|Boigu Island]] off the coast of [[New Guinea]] representing the northern extreme of its territory. The triangular [[Cape York Peninsula]], which points toward New Guinea, is the northernmost part of the state's mainland. West of the peninsula's tip, northern Queensland is bordered by the [[Gulf of Carpentaria]]. To the west, Queensland is bordered by the [[Northern Territory]], at the [[138th meridian east]], and to the southwest by northeastern [[South Australia]]. The state's southern border with New South Wales is constituted in the east by the [[drainage divide|watershed]] from [[Point Danger (Tweed Heads)|Point Danger]] to the [[Dumaresq River]], and the Dumaresq, [[Macintyre River|Macintyre]] and [[Barwon River (New South Wales)|Barwon]] rivers. The west of the southern border is defined by the [[29th parallel south]] (including some minor [[Queensland and New South Wales boundary encroachments|historical encroachments]]) until it reaches South Australia.

Like much of eastern Australia, the [[Great Dividing Range]] runs roughly parallel with, and inland from, the coast, and areas west of the range are more arid than the humid coastal regions. The [[Great Barrier Reef]], which is the world's largest [[coral reef]] system, runs parallel to the state's [[Coral Sea]] coast between the [[Torres Strait]] and [[K'gari (Fraser Island)]]. Queensland's coastline includes the world's three largest sand islands: [[K'gari (Fraser Island)]], [[Moreton Island|Moreton]], and [[North Stradbroke Island|North Stradbroke]].

The state contains six [[World Heritage Site|World Heritage]]-listed preservation areas: the Great Barrier Reef along the Coral Sea coast, K'gari (Fraser Island) on the [[Wide Bay–Burnett]] region's coastline, the [[Wet Tropics of Queensland|wet tropics]] in [[Far North Queensland]] including the [[Daintree Rainforest]], [[Lamington National Park]] in [[South East Queensland]], the [[Australian Fossil Mammal Sites (Riversleigh)|Riversleigh fossil sites]] in [[Gulf Country|North West Queensland]], and the [[Gondwana Rainforests]] in South East Queensland.

The state is divided into several [[Regions of Queensland|unofficial regions]] which are commonly used to refer to large areas of the state's vast geography. These include:
* '''[[South East Queensland]]''' in the state's coastal extreme south-eastern corner, an urban region which includes the state's three largest cities: capital city Brisbane and popular coastal tourist destinations the [[Gold Coast, Queensland|Gold Coast]] and [[Sunshine Coast, Queensland|Sunshine Coast]]. In some definitions, it also includes the city of [[Toowoomba, Queensland|Toowoomba]]. South East Queensland accounts for more than 70% of the state's population.
* The '''[[Darling Downs]]''' in the state's inland southeast, which consists of fertile agricultural (particularly cattle grazing) land and in some definitions includes the city of Toowoomba. The region also includes the mountainous [[Granite Belt]], the state's coldest region which occasionally experiences snow.
* '''[[Wide Bay–Burnett]]''' in the state's coastal southeast, to the north of the South East Queensland region. It is rich in [[sugar cane]] farms and includes the cities of [[Bundaberg]], [[Hervey Bay]] as well as [[K'gari (Fraser Island)]], the world's largest sand island.
* '''[[Central Queensland]]''' on the state's central coastline, which is dominated by cattle farmland and coal mining. It contains the [[Capricorn Coast]] and [[Whitsunday Islands]] tourist regions, as well as the cities of [[Rockhampton]] and [[Mackay, Queensland|Mackay]].
* '''[[North Queensland]]''' on the state's northern coastline, which is dominated by cattle farmland and mining and which includes the city of [[Townsville]].
* '''[[Far North Queensland]]''' on the state's extreme northern coastline along the [[Cape York Peninsula]], which includes [[tropical rainforest]], the state's highest mountain, [[Mount Bartle Frere]], the [[Atherton Tablelands]] pastoral region (dominated by [[sugar cane]] and [[tropical fruit]]s), the most visited section of the [[Great Barrier Reef]], as well as the city of [[Cairns, Queensland|Cairns]].
* '''[[South West Queensland]]''' in the state's inland south-west, which is a primarily agricultural region dominated by cattle farmland, and which includes the [[Channel Country]] region of [[braided river|intertwining rivulets]].
* '''[[Central West Queensland]]''' in the state's inland central-west, dominated by cattle farmland and which includes the city of [[Longreach, Queensland|Longreach]].
* The '''[[Gulf Country]]''' (also known as North West Queensland), in the state's inland north-west along the [[Gulf of Carpentaria]], which is dominated by [[savanna]] and mining and includes the [[city of Mount Isa]].

===Climate===
[[File:Queensland Köppen.svg|thumb|[[Köppen climate classification|Köppen climate types]] in Queensland]]

Because of its size, there is significant variation in climate across the state. There is ample rainfall along the coastline, with a [[monsoon]]al wet season in the [[Tropical climate|tropical]] north, and [[Humid subtropical climate|humid sub-tropical]] conditions along the southern coastline. Low rainfall and hot humid summers are typical for the inland and west. Elevated areas in the south-eastern inland can experience temperatures well below freezing in mid-winter providing [[frost]] and, rarely, [[snowfall]]. The climate of the coastal regions is influenced by warm ocean waters, keeping the region free from extremes of temperature and providing moisture for rainfall.<ref>{{cite web|author=National Climate Centre|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/lam/climate/levelthree/ausclim/ausclimqld.htm|title= Climate of Queensland|publisher=Bureau of Meteorology|access-date=4 August 2010|archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20090317054300/https://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/96122/20090317-1643/www.bom.gov.au/lam/climate/levelthree/ausclim/ausclimqld.html|archive-date=17 March 2009}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

There are six predominant climatic zones in Queensland,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/cgi_bin_scripts/clim_classification.cgi|title=Australian Government, Bureau of Meteorology – Australian climatic zones|publisher=Bom.gov.au|access-date=4 August 2010}}{{dead link|date=December 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> based on temperature and humidity:
* Hot humid summer, warm humid winter (far north and coastal): [[Cairns]], [[Innisfail, Queensland|Innisfail]]
* Hot humid summer, warm dry winter (north and coastal): [[Townsville]], [[Mackay, Queensland|Mackay]]
* Hot humid summer, mild dry winter (coastal elevated areas and coastal south-east): [[Brisbane]], [[Bundaberg]], [[Rockhampton]]
* Hot dry summer, mild dry winter (central inland and north-west): [[Mt Isa]], [[Emerald, Queensland|Emerald]], [[Longreach]]
* Hot dry summer, cool dry winter (southern inland): [[Roma, Queensland|Roma]], [[Charleville, Queensland|Charleville]], [[Goondiwindi]]
* Warm humid summer, cold dry winter (elevated south-eastern areas): [[Toowoomba]], [[Warwick, Queensland|Warwick]], [[Stanthorpe]]

The annual average climatic statistics<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/index.shtml|title=Australian Government, Bureau of Meteorology – Climate statistics for Australian locations|publisher=Bureau of Meteorology|date=19 July 2010|access-date=4 August 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110224073401/https://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/index.shtml|archive-date=24 February 2011}}</ref> for selected Queensland cities are shown below:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!City
!Mean daily min. temp
!Mean daily max. temp
!No. clear days
!Rainfall
|-
|[[Brisbane]]
|align=center| {{convert|15.7|C}}|| align=center | {{convert|25.5|C}} || align=center | 113.1 || align=center | {{convert|1149.1|mm|abbr=on}}<ref>{{BoM Aust stats|site_ref = cw_040214 |site_name = Brisbane Regional Office |access-date =26 September 2010}}</ref>
|-
|[[Mackay, Queensland|Mackay]]
|align=center | {{convert|19.0|C}} || align=center | {{convert|26.4|C}} || align=center | 123.0 || align=center | {{convert|1570.7|mm|abbr=on}}<ref>{{BoM Aust stats|site_ref = cw_033119 |site_name = Mackay M.O. |access-date =26 September 2010}}</ref>
|-
|[[Cairns]]
|align=center | {{convert|21.0|C}} || align=center | {{convert|29.2|C}} || align=center | 89.7 || align=center | {{convert|1982.2|mm|abbr=on}}<ref>{{BoM Aust stats|site_ref = cw_031011 |site_name = Cairns Aero |access-date =20 October 2018}}</ref>
|-
|[[Townsville]]
|align=center | {{convert|19.8|C}} || align=center | {{convert|28.9|C}} || align="center" | 120.9 || align=center | {{convert|1136.7|mm|abbr=on}}<ref>{{BoM Aust stats|site_ref = cw_032040 |site_name = Townsville Aero |access-date =26 September 2010}}</ref>
|}

The coastal far north of the state is the wettest region in Australia, with [[Mount Bellenden Ker]], south of Cairns, holding many Australian rainfall records with its annual average rainfall of over {{convert|8|m}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/extreme/records.shtml|title=Rainfall and Temperature Records|date=28 February 2013|work=Climate Extremes|publisher=Bureau of Meteorology|access-date=26 March 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140313040735/https://www.bom.gov.au/climate/extreme/records.shtml|archive-date=13 March 2014}}</ref> Snow is rare in Queensland, although it does fall with some regularity along the far southern border with New South Wales, predominantly in the Stanthorpe district although on rare occasions further north and west. The most northerly snow ever recorded in Australia occurred near [[Mackay, Queensland|Mackay]]; however, this was exceptional.<ref>{{cite web|title=Queensland Snow Events|url=https://www.weatherarmidale.com/Qld%20Snow%20Table.htm|access-date=16 May 2014|publisher=Weather Armidale|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131210210100/https://www.weatherarmidale.com/Qld%20Snow%20Table.htm|archive-date=10 December 2013}}</ref>
 
Natural disasters are often a threat in Queensland: severe [[tropical cyclone]]s can impact the central and northern coastlines and cause severe damage,<ref>{{cite web|title = Queensland Cyclones|url=https://www.emergency.qld.gov.au/emq/css/cyclone.asp |publisher=Emergency Management Queensland|access-date=4 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140528055451/https://www.emergency.qld.gov.au/emq/css/cyclone.asp |archive-date=28 May 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> with recent examples including [[Cyclone Larry|Larry]], [[Cyclone Yasi|Yasi]], [[Cyclone Ita|Ita]] and [[Cyclone Debbie|Debbie]]. Flooding from rain-bearing systems can also be severe and can occur anywhere in Queensland. One of the deadliest and most damaging floods in the history of the state occurred in [[2010-11 Queensland floods|early 2011]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Queensland Floods Summary |url=http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/flood/fld_history/floodsum_2010.shtml |publisher=Bureau of Meteorology |access-date=4 June 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606224918/https://www.bom.gov.au/qld/flood/fld_history/floodsum_2010.shtml |archive-date=6 June 2014 }}</ref> Severe springtime [[thunderstorm]]s generally affect the south-east and inland of the state and can bring damaging winds, torrential rain, large [[hail]] and even [[tornado]]es.<ref>{{cite web|title=Queensland Severe Storms |url=https://www.emergency.qld.gov.au/emq/css/severe_storm.asp |publisher=Emergency Management Queensland |access-date=4 June 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140710081838/https://www.emergency.qld.gov.au/emq/css/severe_storm.asp |archive-date=10 July 2014 }}</ref> The [[Bucca tornado|strongest tornado]] ever recorded in Australia occurred in Queensland near [[Bundaberg]] in November 1992.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tornadoes|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/lam/climate/levelthree/c20thc/storm1.htm |publisher=Bureau of Meteorology |access-date=6 April 2008 |archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20090317054300/https://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/96122/20090317-1643/www.bom.gov.au/lam/climate/levelthree/c20thc/storm1.html |archive-date=17 March 2009}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Droughts and [[Bushfires in Australia|bushfires]] can also occur; however, the latter are generally less severe than those that occur in southern states.

The highest official maximum temperature recorded in the state was {{convert|49.5|C}} at Birdsville Police Station on 24 December 1972.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rainfall and Temperature Records|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/extreme/records.shtml|publisher=Bureau of Meteorology (Australian Government)|access-date=13 June 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130604220616/https://www.bom.gov.au/climate/extreme/records.shtml|archive-date=4 June 2013}}</ref> The lowest recorded minimum temperature is {{convert|−10.6|C}} at Stanthorpe on 23 June 1961 and at The Hermitage (near [[Warwick, Queensland|Warwick]]) on 12 July 1965.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/extreme/records/national.pdf|title=Rainfall and Temperature Records: National|publisher=Bureau of Meteorology|access-date=14 November 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101110130846/https://www.bom.gov.au/climate/extreme/records/national.pdf|archive-date=10 November 2010}}</ref>{{Weather box
| location = Queensland
| metric first = Yes
| single line = Yes
| Jan record high C = 49.0
| Feb record high C = 47.2
| Mar record high C = 46.7
| Apr record high C = 41.7
| May record high C = 39.3
| Jun record high C = 36.0
| Jul record high C = 36.1
| Aug record high C = 38.5
| Sep record high C = 42.8
| Oct record high C = 46.1
| Nov record high C = 48.7
| Dec record high C = 49.5
| year record high C = 49.5
| Jan record low C = 5.4
| Feb record low C = 3.3
| Mar record low C = -0.2
| Apr record low C = -3.5
| May record low C = -6.9
| Jun record low C = -10.6
| Jul record low C = -10.6
| Aug record low C = -9.4
| Sep record low C = -5.6
| Oct record low C = -3.6
| Nov record low C = 0.0
| Dec record low C = 2.2
| year record low C = -10.6
| source 1 = Bureau of Meteorology<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/daily_extremes.cgi?climtab=tmax_high&area=qld&year=2017&mon=02&day=12|title=Official records for Queensland in February|date=30 June 2017|work=Daily Extremes|publisher=Bureau of Meteorology|access-date=8 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180312213434/http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/daily_extremes.cgi?climtab=tmax_high&area=qld&year=2017&mon=02&day=12|archive-date=12 March 2018}}</ref>
| source 2 = Bureau of Meteorology<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/daily_extremes.cgi?period=%2Fcgi-bin%2Fclimate%2Fextremes%2Fdaily_extremes.cgi&climtab=tmin_low&area=qld&year=2016&mon=10&day=31|title=Official records for Queensland in October|date=30 June 2017|work=Daily Extremes|publisher=Bureau of Meteorology|access-date=8 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180312213437/https://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/daily_extremes.cgi?period=%2Fcgi-bin%2Fclimate%2Fextremes%2Fdaily_extremes.cgi&climtab=tmin_low&area=qld&year=2016&mon=10&day=31|archive-date=12 March 2018}}</ref>
| date = July 2017
| source = Bureau of Meteorology<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/monthly_extremes.cgi?period=%2Fcgi-bin%2Fclimate%2Fextremes%2Fmonthly_extremes.cgi&climtab=tmax_high&area=qld&year=2018&mon=9year=2016&mon=10&day=31|title=Official records for Queensland in September|date=December 31, 2022|work=Daily Extremes|publisher=Bureau of Meteorology|access-date=December 24, 2023|archive-date=4 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240104142803/http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/monthly_extremes.cgi?period=/cgi-bin/climate/extremes/monthly_extremes.cgi&climtab=tmax_high&area=qld&year=2018&mon=9year=2016&mon=10&day=31|url-status=live}}</ref>
| source 3 = 
}}

==Demographics==
{{See also|Demographics of Australia|Demographics of Brisbane}}
[[File:Skylines of Brisbane in winter misty morning seen from Kangaroo Point, Queensland 04.jpg|thumb|[[Brisbane]], capital and most populous city of Queensland]]
<div class="thumb tright">
{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="margin:0;"
|-
!scope="col"|Historical populations
|-
|align=center|{{Historical populations
|title=Queensland{{refn|group="N"|Pre-1971 figures may not include the Indigenous population.}}
|align = left
|footnote = Source:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.qgso.qld.gov.au/products/tables/historical-tables-demography/index.php |title=Historical tables, demography, 1823 to 2008 (Q150 release) |website=Queensland Government Statistician's Office |access-date=22 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616052744/https://www.qgso.qld.gov.au/products/tables/historical-tables-demography/index.php |archive-date=16 June 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.qgso.qld.gov.au/products/tables/historical-tables-demography/pop-capital-city-rest-state-queensland.csv |title=Population by capital city and rest of state, Queensland, 1823 to 2007 |publisher=Queensland Government Statistician's Office |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401070030/https://www.qgso.qld.gov.au/products/tables/historical-tables-demography/pop-capital-city-rest-state-queensland.csv |archive-date=1 April 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Previousproducts/3101.0Main%20Features1Jun%202016?opendocument&tabname=Summary&prodno=3101.0&issue=Jun%202016&num=&view= |publisher=Australian Bureau of Statistics |title=3101.0 - Australian Demographic Statistics, Jun 2016 |access-date=31 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200223130302/https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Previousproducts/3101.0Main%20Features1Jun%202016?opendocument&tabname=Summary&prodno=3101.0&issue=Jun%202016&num=&view= |archive-date=23 February 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|1826 |160
|1836 |400
|1846 |2,258
|1856 |18,544
|1864 |73,578
|1876 |182,185
|1886 |332,311
|1891 |400,395
|1906 |538,973
|1916 |677,026
|1926 |862,486
|1936 |982,978
|1946 |1,096,831
|1956 |1,381,591
|1966 |1,674,324
|1976 |2,092,375
|1986 |2,624,595
|1996 |3,338,690
|2006 |4,090,908
|2016 |4,844,500
| graph-pos=bottom
}}
|}
</div>

In December 2021, Queensland had an estimated population of 5,265,043.<ref name=ABSPop /> Approximately half of the state's population lives in Brisbane, and over 70% live in [[South East Queensland]]. Nonetheless, Queensland is the second most decentralised state in Australia after [[Tasmania]]. Since the 1980s, Queensland has consistently been the fastest-growing state in Australia, as it receives high levels of both international immigration and migration from interstate. There have however been short periods where [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]] and [[Western Australia]] have grown faster.

===Cities===
[[List of cities in Australia by population|Ten of Australia's thirty largest cities]] are located in Queensland. In 2019, the largest cities in the state by population of their Greater Capital City Statistical Area or Significant Urban Area (metropolitan areas) as defined by the [[Australian Bureau of Statistics]] were:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/3218.0 |title=Regional population |access-date=31 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718073106/https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/mf/3218.0 |archive-date=18 July 2019 |url-status=live |publisher=Australian Bureau of Statistics}}</ref>
{{columns-list|colwidth=16em|
* [[Brisbane]]: 2,514,184
* [[Gold Coast, Queensland|Gold Coast]]–[[Tweed Heads, New South Wales|Tweed Heads]]: 693,671
* [[Sunshine Coast, Queensland|Sunshine Coast]]: 341,069
* [[Townsville]]: 181,668
* [[Cairns]]: 153,951
* [[Toowoomba]]: 138,223
* [[Mackay, Queensland|Mackay]]: 80,264
* [[Rockhampton]]: 79,081
* [[Bundaberg]]: 71,309
* [[Hervey Bay]]: 55,345
* [[Gladstone, Queensland|Gladstone]]–[[Tannum Sands, Queensland|Tannum Sands]]: 45,631
}}

===Ancestry and immigration===
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right;"
|+Country of Birth (2016)<ref name="quickstats.censusdata.abs.gov.au">{{cite web |title=2016 Census Community Profiles |url=https://quickstats.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/getproduct/census/2016/communityprofile/3?opendocument |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190622052159/https://quickstats.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/getproduct/census/2016/communityprofile/3%3Fopendocument |archive-date=22 June 2019 |access-date=28 May 2020 |publisher=Australian Bureau of Statistics}}</ref><ref name="censusdata.abs.gov.au">{{cite web |title=2016 Census of Population and Housing: General Community Profile |url=https://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/CensusOutput/copsub2016.NSF/All%20docs%20by%20catNo/2016~Community%20Profile~3/$File/GCP_3.zip?OpenElement |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222045156/https://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/CensusOutput/copsub2016.NSF/All%20docs%20by%20catNo/2016~Community%20Profile~3/$File/GCP_3.zip?OpenElement |archive-date=22 December 2020 |access-date=31 May 2020 |publisher=Australian Bureau of Statistics |format=ZIP}}</ref>
! Birthplace{{refn|group="N"|In accordance with the Australian Bureau of Statistics source, England, [[Scotland]], [[Mainland China]] and the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and [[Macau]] are listed separately}} !! Population
|-
| Australia ||3,343,657
|-
| New Zealand ||201,206
|-
| England ||180,775 <!-- England and Scotland are listed separately as per the source. Do not combine -->
|-
| [[India]] ||49,145
|-
| [[Mainland China]] ||47,114 <!-- Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau SARs are listed separately as per the source. Do not combine -->
|-
| South Africa ||40,131
|-
| [[Philippines]] ||39,661
|-
| Scotland ||21,882 <!-- England and Scotland are listed separately as per the source. Do not combine -->
|-
| Germany ||20,387
|-
| [[Vietnam]] ||19,544
|-
| [[South Korea]] ||18,327
|-
| United States ||17,053
|-
| [[Papua New Guinea]] ||16,120
|-
| [[Taiwan]] ||15,592<!-- Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau SARs are listed separately as per the source. Do not combine -->
|}
Early settlers during the 19th century were largely [[English Australians|English]], [[Irish Australians|Irish]], [[Scottish Australians|Scottish]] and [[German Australians|German]], while there was a wave of immigration from [[Southern Europe|southern]] and eastern Europe (most notably [[Italian Australian|Italy]]) in the decades following the [[World War II|second world war]]. In the 21st century, [[Asian Australians|Asia]] (most notably [[Chinese Australian|China]] and [[Indian Australian|India]]) has been the primary source of immigration.

At the 2016 census, the most commonly nominated ancestries were:{{refn|group="N"|As a percentage of 4,348,289 persons who nominated their ancestry at the 2016 census.}}<ref name="quickstats.censusdata.abs.gov.au"/><ref name="censusdata.abs.gov.au"/> <!-- Only ancestries with >1% are listed. Do not use the QuickStats data from ABS for ancestries. Use the full ancestry data series (eg from ABS Community Profiles series) as the QuickStats data shows each ancestry as a percentage of all ancestry responses (where each person can list up to two, thus a far greater number than the total population) while the full data series in the ABS Community Profiles show the percentage of people nominating a given ancestry as a percentage of the population who nominated an ancestry -->
{{columns-list|colwidth=13em|
* [[English Australians|English]] (41.3%)
* Australian (37.9%){{refn|group="N"|The Australian Bureau of Statistics has stated that most who nominate "Australian" as their ancestry are part of the [[Anglo-Celtic Australian|Anglo-Celtic]] group.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/abs@.nsf/94713ad445ff1425ca25682000192af2/49f609c83cf34d69ca2569de0025c182!OpenDocument|title=Feature Article – Ethnic and Cultural Diversity in Australia (Feature Article)|date=January 1995|publisher=Australian Bureau of Statistics|access-date=28 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420205113/https://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/abs%40.nsf/94713ad445ff1425ca25682000192af2/49f609c83cf34d69ca2569de0025c182%21OpenDocument|archive-date=20 April 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
* [[Irish Australians|Irish]] (13%)
* [[Scottish Australians|Scottish]] (11.2%)
* [[German Australians|German]] (6.8%)
* [[Indigenous Australians|Indigenous]] (4%){{refn|group="N"|Of any ancestry. Includes those identifying as [[Aboriginal Australians]] or [[Torres Strait Islanders]]. Indigenous identification is separate from the ancestry question on the Australian Census and persons identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander may identify any ancestry.}}
* [[Chinese Australians|Chinese]] (3.1%)
* [[Italian Australians|Italian]] (3%)
* [[Indian Australians|Indian]] (1.7%)
* [[Dutch Australians|Dutch]] (1.6%)
* [[New Zealand Australians|New Zealander]] (1.6%)
* [[Māori Australians|Maori]] (1.2%)
* [[Filipino Australians|Filipino]] (1.2%)
}}

The 2016 census showed that 28.9% of Queensland's inhabitants were [[Immigration to Australia|born overseas]]. Only 54.8% of inhabitants had both parents born in Australia, with the next most common birthplaces being New Zealand, England, [[India]], [[Mainland China]] and South Africa.<ref name="quickstats.censusdata.abs.gov.au"/><ref name="censusdata.abs.gov.au"/> Brisbane has the [[Foreign born#Metropolitan and Urban regions with largest foreign-born populations|26th largest immigrant population]] among world metropolitan areas.

4% of the population, or 186,482 people, identified as [[Indigenous Australians]] ([[Aboriginal Australians]] and [[Torres Strait Islanders]]) in 2016.{{refn|group="N"|Of any ancestry. Includes those identifying as [[Aboriginal Australians]] or [[Torres Strait Islanders]]. Indigenous identification is separate from the ancestry question on the Australian Census and persons identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander may identify any ancestry.}}<ref name="quickstats.censusdata.abs.gov.au"/><ref name="censusdata.abs.gov.au"/>

=== Language ===
At the {{CensusAU|2016}}, 81.2% of inhabitants spoke only English at home, with the next most common languages being [[Mandarin Chinese|Mandarin]] (1.5%), [[Vietnamese language|Vietnamese]] (0.6%), [[Cantonese]] (0.5%), Spanish (0.4%) and Italian (0.4%).<ref name="quickstats.censusdata.abs.gov.au2">{{cite web |title=2016 Census Community Profiles |url=https://quickstats.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/getproduct/census/2016/communityprofile/3?opendocument |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190622052159/https://quickstats.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/getproduct/census/2016/communityprofile/3%3Fopendocument |archive-date=22 June 2019 |access-date=28 May 2020 |publisher=Australian Bureau of Statistics}}</ref><ref name="censusdata.abs.gov.au2">{{cite web |title=2016 Census of Population and Housing: General Community Profile |url=https://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/CensusOutput/copsub2016.NSF/All%20docs%20by%20catNo/2016~Community%20Profile~3/$File/GCP_3.zip?OpenElement |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222045156/https://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/CensusOutput/copsub2016.NSF/All%20docs%20by%20catNo/2016~Community%20Profile~3/$File/GCP_3.zip?OpenElement |archive-date=22 December 2020 |access-date=31 May 2020 |publisher=Australian Bureau of Statistics |format=ZIP}}</ref>

At the {{CensusAU|2021}}, 80.5% of inhabitants spoke only English at home, with the next most common languages being [[Mandarin Chinese|Mandarin]] (1.6%), [[Vietnamese language|Vietnamese]] (0.6%), [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] (0.6%) and Spanish (0.6%).<ref name="census2021">{{cite web |title=Snapshot of Queensland | date=28 June 2022 |url=https://www.abs.gov.au/articles/snapshot-qld-2021#:~:text=In%20the%202021%20Census%2C%20the,Census%20counted%201.7%20million%20people. |access-date=11 July 2022 |archive-date=29 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220629022215/https://www.abs.gov.au/articles/snapshot-qld-2021#:~:text=In%20the%202021%20Census%2C%20the,Census%20counted%201.7%20million%20people. |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Religion===
At the {{CensusAU|2016}}, the most commonly cited religious affiliations were [[Irreligion|'No religion']] (29.2%), [[Catholic Church in Australia|Catholicism]] (21.7%) and [[Anglican Church of Australia|Anglicanism]] (15.3%).<ref>{{cite web |date=27 June 2017 |title=Media Release – 2016 Census: Queensland |url=https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/mediareleasesbyReleaseDate/ED6AC1443949FE77CA258148000C1A01?OpenDocument |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222045155/https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/mediareleasesbyReleaseDate/ED6AC1443949FE77CA258148000C1A01?OpenDocument |archive-date=22 December 2020 |access-date=1 April 2020 |website=[[Australian Bureau of Statistics]] |language=en}}</ref> In the 2016 Census the majority of Queenslanders were identified as Christian, most of which were of various Protestant denominations.<ref name="m906">{{cite web | title=Census 2016, Religious Affiliation by Sex (SA2+) | website=dataexplorer.abs.gov.au | url=https://dataexplorer.abs.gov.au/vis?tm=queensland&pg=0&fs[0]=Census%202016%2C1%7CGeneral%20Community%20Profiles%20for%20SA2%20and%20above%23GEN_PROFILE_C16%23%7CReligion%23RELIGION_C16_GP%23&fc=Census%202016&hc[State]=&snb=1&df[ds]=CENSUS_2016_TOPICS&df[id]=ABS_C16_T10_SA&df[ag]=ABS&df[vs]=1.0.0&dq=....3&pd=2016%2C&to[TIME_PERIOD]=false&ly[cl]=SEX_ABS&ly[rs]=STATE&ly[rw]=RELP_2016&vw=tb | access-date=2025-02-21}}</ref>

According to the {{CensusAU|2021}}, 45.7% of the population follows Christianity, and 41.2% identified as having [[Irreligion|No religion]]<ref name="census2021" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/mediareleasesbyReleaseDate/ED6AC1443949FE77CA258148000C1A01?OpenDocument|title=Media Release – 2016 Census: Queensland|date=27 June 2017|website=[[Australian Bureau of Statistics]]|language=en|access-date=1 April 2020|archive-date=22 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222045155/https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/mediareleasesbyReleaseDate/ED6AC1443949FE77CA258148000C1A01?OpenDocument|url-status=live}}</ref> About 5% of people are affiliated with a non-Christian religion, mainly [[Buddhism]] (1.4%), [[Hinduism]] (1.3%) and [[Islam]] (1.2%).<ref name="census2021"/> The 2021 census found that Protestants of various denominations outnumbered Catholics in Queensland.<ref name="b868">{{cite web | title=Census 2021, G14 Religious affiliation by sex, Main Statistical Areas Level 2 and up (SA2+) | website=dataexplorer.abs.gov.au | url=https://dataexplorer.abs.gov.au/vis?fs[0]=Census%202021%2C1%7CStatistical%20Areas%20%28ASGS%202021%29%23C21_ASGS%23%7CGeneral%20Community%20Profiles%23C21_ASGS_GCP%23&fs[1]=Region%2C1%7CAustralia%23AUS%23%7CQueensland%233%23&pg=10&fc=Region&snb=62&df[ds]=C21_ASGS&df[id]=C21_G14_SA2&df[ag]=ABS&df[vs]=1.0.0&dq=..3..&pd=2021%2C&to[TIME_PERIOD]=false&ly[cl]=SEXP&ly[rs]=STATE&ly[rw]=RELP | access-date=2025-02-21}}</ref>

===Education===
[[File:University of Queensland.jpg|thumb|right|The Great Court at the [[University of Queensland]] in Brisbane, Queensland's oldest university]]

Queensland is home to numerous universities. The state's oldest university, the [[University of Queensland]], was established in 1909 and frequently [[College and university rankings|ranks among the world's top 50]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2020 |title=World University Rankings |access-date=31 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201226033634/https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2020 |archive-date=26 December 2020 |url-status=live |publisher=QS Quacquarelli Symonds |website=TopUniversities.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/rankings |title=Top World University Rankings &#124; US News Best Global Universities |access-date=28 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028092904/https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/rankings |archive-date=28 October 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.leidenranking.com/ranking/2017/list |title=CWTS Leiden Ranking - Ranking 2017 |access-date=28 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223071037/https://www.leidenranking.com/ranking/2017/list |archive-date=23 December 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Other major universities include [[Queensland University of Technology]], [[Griffith University]], the [[University of Southern Queensland]], the [[University of the Sunshine Coast]], [[James Cook University]] (which was the state's first university outside of [[South East Queensland]]), [[Central Queensland University]] and [[Bond University]] (which was Australia's first private university).

[[International student|International education]] is an important industry, with 134,312 [[International students in Australia|international students enrolled in the state]] in 2018, largely focused on Brisbane. Most of the state's international students are from Asia.<ref name="IntlStudying">{{cite web|url=https://internationaleducation.gov.au/research/Research-Snapshots/Documents/Location%20of%20International%20Students%20in%202018.pdf|title=International students studying in regional areas|date=February 2019|access-date=28 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190309065851/https://internationaleducation.gov.au/research/Research-Snapshots/Documents/Location%20of%20International%20Students%20in%202018.pdf|archive-date=9 March 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref>

At the primary and secondary levels, Queensland is home to numerous [[Queensland state schools|state]] and private schools.

Queensland has a [[List of libraries in Queensland#Public libraries|public library system]] which is managed by the State Library of Queensland.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Queensland |first=c=AU; o=The State of Queensland; ou=State Library of |title=State Library of Queensland - Queensland public libraries directory |url=https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/public-libraries |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=www.data.qld.gov.au |language=en-AU |archive-date=21 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521103244/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/public-libraries |url-status=live }}</ref> Some university libraries are also open to the public.

==Economy==
{{Main|Economy of Queensland}}
{{See also|Economy of Australia}}

[[File:Brisbane City Skyline.jpg|thumb|right|Skyline of the [[Brisbane central business district]]. Brisbane is a [[global city]] and the state's largest economic hub.]]
[[File:Ravenswood, Queensland - Gold Mine 3.jpg|thumb|right|[[Gold mining|Gold mine]] at [[Ravenswood, Queensland|Ravenswood]] in [[North Queensland]]. Mining is one of the state's major industries]] 
[[File:Gold Coast skyline.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Gold Coast, Queensland|Gold Coast]], Queensland's second-largest city and a major tourist destination]]
[[File:Sunset in Noosa Heads, Queensland 02.jpg|thumb|right|[[Noosa Heads, Queensland|Noosa Heads]] on the [[Sunshine Coast, Queensland|Sunshine Coast]], Queensland's third largest city and a major tourist destination]]

In 2019, Queensland had a [[List of Australian states and territories by gross state product|gross state product]] of A$357,044&nbsp;million, the [[List of Australian states and territories by gross state product|third-highest in the nation]] after New South Wales and [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/5220.0Main+Features12018-19?OpenDocument |title=Australian National Accounts: State Accounts 2019-20 financial year |access-date=31 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200420082847/https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/5220.0Main+Features12018-19?OpenDocument |archive-date=20 April 2020 |url-status=live |publisher=Australian Bureau of Statistics }}</ref> The construction of [[sea port]]s and railways along Queensland's coast in the 19th century set up the foundations for the state's export-oriented mining and agricultural sectors. Since the 1980s, a sizeable influx of interstate and overseas migrants, large amounts of federal government investment, increased mining of vast mineral deposits and an expanding aerospace sector have contributed to the state's economic growth.<ref name="aus">{{cite news |url = https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/queensland-falls-back-with-the-pack/story-e6frg6n6-1225811164206 |title=Queensland falls back with the pack |author=Tom Dusevic |access-date=10 January 2010 |date=17 December 2009 |work=The Australian |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120129171328/https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/queensland-falls-back-with-the-pack/story-e6frg6n6-1225811164206 |archive-date=29 January 2012}}</ref>

[[Primary sector of industry|Primary industries]] include bananas, [[pineapple]]s, peanuts, a wide variety of other tropical and temperate fruit and vegetables, grain crops, [[Winery|wineries]], cattle raising, cotton, [[sugarcane]], and [[wool]]. The mining industry includes [[bauxite]], coal, silver, lead, [[zinc]], gold and copper.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://qurex.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/qld-significant-minerals1.pdf |title=Queensland's significant mineral mines, advanced mineral projects and new intersections |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=July 2017 |website= |publisher=Queensland Government |access-date=7 November 2023 |quote= |archive-date=1 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301054211/https://qurex.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/qld-significant-minerals1.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/mining-energy-water/resources/minerals-coal/outlook-statistics |title=Mineral and coal industry outlook and statistics |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=12 July 2018 |website=Business Queensland |publisher=Queensland Government |access-date=7 November 2023 |quote= |archive-date=7 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107093702/https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/mining-energy-water/resources/minerals-coal/outlook-statistics |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Secondary sector of the economy|Secondary industries]] are mostly further processing of the above-mentioned primary produce. For example, bauxite is shipped by sea from [[Weipa, Queensland|Weipa]] and converted to alumina at [[Gladstone, Queensland|Gladstone]].<ref name="rta">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090817110714/https://www.comalco.com/localcommunities/294.asp |archive-date=17 August 2009 |url=https://www.comalco.com/localcommunities/294.asp |title=Gladstone |access-date=9 March 2016 |website=Comalco.com |publisher=Rio Tinto Aluminium}}</ref> There is also copper refining and the refining of sugar cane to sugar at a number of mills along the eastern coastline.

Major [[tertiary sector of the economy|tertiary industries]] are retail, tourism, and [[international student|international education]]. In 2018, there were 134,312 [[International students in Australia|international students enrolled in the state]], largely focused on Brisbane. Most of the state's international students are from Asia.<ref name="IntlStudying"/>

Brisbane is [[Globalization and World Cities Research Network|categorised]] as a [[global city]], and is among Asia-Pacific [[List of cities by GDP|cities with largest GDPs]]. It has strengths in mining, banking, insurance, transportation, information technology, real estate and [[food industry|food]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.etravelblackboard.com/index.asp?id=73027&nav=13|title=Brisbane business visitor numbers skyrocket|date=3 January 2008|work=Brisbane Marketing Convention Bureau|publisher=e-Travel Blackboard|access-date=13 January 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110120134851/https://www.etravelblackboard.com/index.asp?id=73027&nav=13|archive-date=20 January 2011}}</ref> Some of the largest companies headquartered in Brisbane, all among Australia's largest, include [[Suncorp Group]], [[Virgin Australia]], [[Aurizon]], [[Bank of Queensland]], [[Flight Centre]], [[CUA (company)|CUA]], [[Sunsuper]], [[QSuper]], [[Domino's Pizza Enterprises]], [[Star Entertainment Group]], [[ALS Limited|ALS]], [[TechnologyOne]], [[NEXTDC]], [[Super Retail Group]], [[New Hope Coal]], [[Jumbo Interactive]], [[National Storage]], [[Collins Foods]] and [[Boeing Australia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businessnewsaus.com.au/articles/brisbane-top-companies.html|title=Brisbane Top Companies|date=11 October 2019|publisher=Business News Australia|access-date=19 April 2020|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200423092037/https://www.businessnewsaus.com.au/articles/brisbane-top-companies.html|archive-date=23 April 2020}}</ref>

===Tourism===
{{See also|Tourism in Brisbane}}
[[File:Whitsunday Islands National Park (23720070439).jpg|thumb|right|Hill Inlet at the [[Whitsunday Islands]].]]
As a result of its varied landscapes, warm climate, and abundant natural environment, tourism is Queensland's leading tertiary industry with millions of interstate and international visitors visiting the state each year. The industry generates $8.8&nbsp;billion annually, accounting for 4.5% of Queensland's Gross State Product. It has an annual export of $4.0&nbsp;billion annually. The sector directly employs about 5.7% of Queensland citizens.<ref name="qtprofile">{{cite web |url = https://www.tq.com.au/about-tq/profile/profile_home.cfm |title=About TQ – Profile |publisher=Tourism Queensland |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090914225016/https://www.tq.com.au/about-tq/profile/profile_home.cfm |archive-date=14 September 2009 |url-status=dead|access-date=6 January 2010}}</ref> Accommodation in Queensland caters for nearly 22% of the total expenditure, followed by restaurants/meals (15%), airfares (11%), fuel (11%) and shopping/gifts (11%).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.discoverqueensland.com.au |title=Tourism related information and statistics |website=Discoverqueensland.com.au |access-date=4 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110220121810/https://www.discoverqueensland.com.au/ |archive-date=20 February 2011}}</ref>

The most visited tourist destinations of Queensland include Brisbane (including [[Moreton Island|Moreton]] and [[South Stradbroke Island|South Stradbroke]] islands and the [[Gold Coast, Queensland|Gold Coast]]) as well as the [[Sunshine Coast, Queensland|Sunshine Coast]], the [[Great Barrier Reef]], [[Cairns]], [[Port Douglas, Queensland|Port Douglas]], the [[Daintree Rainforest]], [[K'gari (Fraser Island)|K'gari]] and the [[Whitsunday Islands]].<ref name="LonelyPlanet">{{cite web|url=https://www.lonelyplanet.com/australia/queensland/travel-tips-and-articles/the-great-barrier-reef-and-beyond-a-beginners-guide-to-queenslands-coast |title=The Great Barrier Reef and beyond: a beginner's guide to Queensland's coast |author=<!-- Lonely Planet Writer, no byline --> |date=1 September 2015 |website=Lonely Planet |access-date=20 October 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021140859/https://www.lonelyplanet.com/australia/queensland/travel-tips-and-articles/the-great-barrier-reef-and-beyond-a-beginners-guide-to-queenslands-coast |archive-date=21 October 2016 }}</ref><ref name="AirportRentals">{{cite web |last=Haines |first=Kristof |date=19 August 2015 |title=Earth's Top Travel Destinations Revealed |url=https://www.airportrentals.com/blog/news/earths-top-travel-destinations-revealed |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021140656/https://www.airportrentals.com/blog/news/earths-top-travel-destinations-revealed |archive-date=21 October 2016 |access-date=20 October 2016 |website=Writer for AirportRentals.com |publisher=AirportRentals.com |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="TravelTreks">{{cite web|url=https://www.discountmyflights.com.au/traveltreks/australias-top-50-small-towns/ |title=Australia's Top 50 Small Towns |author=TravelTreks |date=8 September 2016 |publisher=DiscountMyFlights.com.au |location=Stapylton, Queensland, Australia |access-date=20 October 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161027011201/https://www.discountmyflights.com.au/traveltreks/australias-top-50-small-towns/ |archive-date=27 October 2016 }}</ref>

Brisbane is the third most popular destination in Australia following [[Sydney]] and [[Melbourne]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tourismaustralia.com/content/Research/Factsheets/TopTen_Regions_Dec2006.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927062419/https://www.tourismaustralia.com/content/Research/Factsheets/TopTen_Regions_Dec2006.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 September 2007 |title=International Market Tourism Facts |publisher=Tourism Australia}}</ref> Major attractions in its metropolitan area include [[South Bank Parklands]], the [[Queensland Cultural Centre]] (including the [[Queensland Museum]], [[Queensland Art Gallery]], [[Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane|Gallery of Modern Art]], [[Queensland Performing Arts Centre]] and [[State Library of Queensland]]), [[Brisbane City Hall|City Hall]], the [[Story Bridge]], the [[Howard Smith Wharves]], [[ANZAC Square, Brisbane|ANZAC Square]], [[St John's Cathedral (Brisbane)|St John's Cathedral]], [[Fortitude Valley, Queensland|Fortitude Valley]] (including [[Fortitude Valley, Queensland#Commercial area|James Street]] and [[Chinatown, Brisbane|Chinatown]]), [[West End, Queensland|West End]], the [[Teneriffe, Queensland|Teneriffe woolstores precinct]], the [[Brisbane River]] and its [[Brisbane River#Brisbane Riverwalk|Riverwalk]] network, the [[City Botanic Gardens]], [[Roma Street Parkland]], [[New Farm Park]] (including the [[Brisbane Powerhouse]]), the [[Kangaroo Point Cliffs]] and park, the [[Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary]], the [[Mount Coot-tha Forest|Mount Coot-tha Reserve]] (including [[Mount Coot-tha Lookout]] and [[Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mount Coot-tha|Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens]]), the [[D'Aguilar Range]] and [[D'Aguilar National Park|National Park]], as well as [[Moreton Bay]] (including [[Moreton Island|Moreton]], [[North Stradbroke Island|North Stradbroke]] and [[Bribie Island|Bribie]] islands, and coastal suburbs such as [[Shorncliffe, Queensland|Shorncliffe]], [[Wynnum, Queensland|Wynnum]] and those on the [[Redcliffe Peninsula]]).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://visit.brisbane.qld.au/inspiration/top-attractions |title=DISCOVER BRISBANE'S TOP MAJOR ATTRACTIONS |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=18 January 2023 |website=Brisbane |publisher=BEDA |access-date=23 November 2023 |quote= |archive-date=23 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231123033230/https://visit.brisbane.qld.au/inspiration/top-attractions |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Attractions-g255068-Activities-oa0-Brisbane_Brisbane_Region_Queensland.html |title=Things to Do in Brisbane |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= |website= |publisher=Tripadvisor |access-date=23 November 2023 |quote= |archive-date=22 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231122165116/https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Attractions-g255068-Activities-oa0-Brisbane_Brisbane_Region_Queensland.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.brisbane-australia.com/brisbane-destinations.html |title=BRISBANE TOURIST DESTINATIONS |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= |website=Brisbane Australia |publisher=Intaanetto.com Social Media. |access-date=23 November 2023 |quote= |archive-date=22 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231122165111/https://www.brisbane-australia.com/brisbane-destinations.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[Gold Coast, Queensland|Gold Coast]] is home to numerous popular surf beaches such as those at [[Surfers Paradise, Queensland|Surfers Paradise]] and [[Burleigh Heads, Queensland|Burleigh Heads]]. It also includes the largest concentration of [[amusement park]]s in Australia, including [[Dreamworld (Australian theme park)|Dreamworld]], [[Warner Bros. Movie World|Movie World]], [[Sea World (Australia)|Sea World]], [[Wet'n'Wild Water World|Wet 'n' Wild]] and [[WhiteWater World]], as well as the [[Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary]]. The Gold Coast's hinterland includes [[Lamington National Park]] in the [[McPherson Range]].{{Citation needed|date=July 2021}}

The [[Sunshine Coast, Queensland|Sunshine Coast]] includes popular surfing and beach destinations including [[Noosa Heads, Queensland|Noosa Heads]] and [[Mooloolaba]]. It is also home to [[UnderWater World, Queensland|UnderWater World]] and [[Steve Irwin]]'s [[Australia Zoo]]. Its hinterland includes the [[Glass House Mountains National Park]].<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-09-02 |title=Glass House Mountains National Park |url=https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/glass-house-mountains |access-date=2022-12-23 |website=Parks and forests {{!}} Department of Environment and Science, Queensland |language=en-AU |archive-date=23 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221223160617/https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/glass-house-mountains |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Cairns]] is renowned as the gateway to the [[Great Barrier Reef]], [[Far North Queensland]] (including [[Port Douglas, Queensland|Port Douglas]]) and the [[Daintree Rainforest]]. The [[Whitsunday Islands]] off the coast of [[North Queensland]] are a popular tourist destinations for their [[resort]] facilities and access to the Great Barrier Reef.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Australia |first=Tourism |date=2022-10-12 |title=Guide to the Whitsunday Islands - Tourism Australia |url=https://www.australia.com/en-us/places/whitsundays-and-surrounds/guide-to-the-whitsundays.html |access-date=2022-12-23 |website=www.australia.com |language=en-US |archive-date=23 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221223160617/https://www.australia.com/en-us/places/whitsundays-and-surrounds/guide-to-the-whitsundays.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Politics and government==
{{Main|Politics of Queensland}}
[[File:Parliament House, Brisbane, Queensland with Christmas tree in 2019, 05.jpg|thumb|right|[[Parliament House, Brisbane|Parliament House]], seat of the [[Parliament of Queensland|Queensland Parliament]]]]
[[File:Government House seen from street, Brisbane, Queensland, 2019, 01.jpg|thumb|right|[[Government House, Brisbane|Government House]], seat of the [[Governor of Queensland|Governor]]]]
[[File:Queen Elizabeth II Courts of Law seen from Albert Street, Brisbane 02.jpg|thumb|right|[[Queen Elizabeth II Courts of Law, Brisbane|Queen Elizabeth II Courts of Law]], headquarters of the [[Supreme Court of Queensland]] and [[District Court of Queensland]]]]

One of the six founding [[States and territories of Australia|states of Australia]], Queensland has been a [[federated state]] subject to the [[Constitution of Australia|Australian Constitution]] since 1 January 1901. It may legislate on all matters not [[Section 51 of the Constitution of Australia|ceded in the Australian Constitution to the federal government]]. It is a [[parliamentary system|parliamentary]] [[constitutional monarchy]]. The [[Constitution of Queensland]] sets out the operation of the state's government. The state's constitution contains several [[entrenched clause|entrenched provisions]] which cannot be changed in the absence of a [[referendum]]. There is also a [[Statutory law|statutory]] [[charter of rights]], the ''Queensland Human Rights Act 2019''. Queensland's system of government is influenced by the [[Westminster system]] and [[Politics of Australia|Australia's federal system of government]].

The government power [[Separation of powers in Australia|can be divided]] into three groups:
* Legislature: the [[unicameralism|unicameral]] [[Parliament of Queensland]], comprising the [[Legislative Assembly of Queensland|Legislative Assembly]] and the [[Monarchy of Australia|Monarch]] (represented by the [[Governor of Queensland|Governor]]);
* Executive: the [[Queensland Government]], which consists of the [[Executive Council of Queensland]], which formalises decisions of the [[Cabinet of Queensland]], which is composed of the [[Premier of Queensland|Premier]] and other ministers of state appointed by the Governor on the advice of the premier;
* Judiciary: the [[Supreme Court of Queensland|Supreme Court]] and other state courts, whose judges are appointed by the Governor on the advice of Parliament.

[[Executive (government)|Executive authority]] is nominally vested in the [[Governor of Queensland]] (currently [[Jeannette Young]]) who represents and is appointed by the [[Monarchy of Australia|Monarch]] (currently {{Current Australian monarch |Charles III}}) on the advice of the [[Premier of Queensland]]. The Premier, who is the state's [[Head of government]], along with the [[Cabinet of Queensland]] (whose decisions are formalised by the [[Executive Council of Queensland|Executive Council]]), exercise executive authority in practice. The Premier is appointed by the Governor and [[Responsible government|must have support]] of the [[Legislative Assembly of Queensland]]. The Premier is in practice a leading member of the Legislative Assembly and parliamentary leader of his or her political party, or coalition of parties, and members of the Cabinet will be drawn from the same party or coalition. The current Premier and [[Deputy Premier of Queensland|Deputy Premier]] are [[David Crisafulli]] and [[Jarrod Bleijie]] of the [[Liberal National Party of Queensland|Liberal National Party]] respectively. [[Government House, Brisbane|Government House]] at [[Paddington, Queensland|Paddington]] in Brisbane is the seat of the Governor, having replaced [[Old Government House, Queensland|Old Government House]] at [[Gardens Point, Brisbane|Gardens Point]] in Brisbane's [[Brisbane central business district|CBD]] in the early 20th century. The executive branch is simply referred to as the [[Queensland Government]].

[[Legislature|Legislative authority]] is exercised by the [[Parliament of Queensland|Queensland Parliament]] which uniquely for Australian states is [[unicameralism|unicameral]], containing only one house, the Legislative Assembly. The Parliament was [[bicameral legislature|bicameral]] until 1922 when the [[Queensland Legislative Council|Legislative Council]] was abolished by the Labor "suicide squad", so called because they were appointed for the purpose of voting to abolish their own offices.<ref name="apg">{{cite book |title=Australian Politics and Government: The Commonwealth, the States, and Territories |last=Wanna |first=John |editor-last=Moon |editor2-first=Jeremy |editor2-last=Sharman |editor-first=Campbell |chapter=Queensland |year=2003 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |location=Cambridge, United Kingdom |isbn=978-0-521-82507-8 |page=47 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=37Sel9HEYgUC |access-date=15 November 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102073504/https://books.google.com/books?id=37Sel9HEYgUC |archive-date=2 January 2016}}</ref> [[Bill (law)|Bills]] receive [[royal assent]] from the [[Governor of Queensland|Governor]] before being passed into law. The Parliament's seat is at [[Parliament House, Brisbane|Parliament House]] at [[Gardens Point, Brisbane|Gardens Point]] in Brisbane's CBD. Members of the Legislative Assembly represent [[Electoral districts of Queensland|93 electoral districts]]. Elections in Queensland are held at the end of each fixed four-year parliamentary term and are determined by full [[instant-runoff voting|preferential voting]].

The state's [[judiciary]] consists of the [[Supreme Court of Queensland]] and the [[District Court of Queensland]], established by the Queensland Constitution, as well as the [[Magistrates Court of Queensland]] and other courts and tribunals established by legislation. Cases may be appealed to the [[High Court of Australia]]. As with all Australian states and territories, Queensland has a [[common law]] legal system. The Supreme and District courts are headquartered at the [[Queen Elizabeth II Courts of Law, Brisbane|Queen Elizabeth II Courts of Law]] in Brisbane's CBD.

The state's politics are traditionally regarded as being [[Conservatism in Australia|conservative]] relative to other states.<ref name="Daly, Leffman, Dehne 2003 p397">{{cite book|first=Margo|last=Daly|year=2003|title=The Rough Guide To Australia|publisher=Rough Guides Ltd|isbn=978-1-84353-090-9|page=397}}</ref><ref name="Penrith, Seal 2008 p478">{{cite book|first=Deborah|last=Penrith|year=2008|title=Live & Work in Australia|publisher=Crimson Publishing|isbn=978-1-85458-418-2|page=478}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/federal-election/face-it-queensland-were-conservative-20100823-13ftu.html|title=Why Labor struggles in Queensland<!-- Bot generated title -->|work=Brisbane Times |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115235440/https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/federal-election/face-it-queensland-were-conservative-20100823-13ftu.html|archive-date=15 January 2013|date=23 August 2010}}</ref><ref>George Megalogenis, "The Green and the Grey", ''Quarterly Essay'', Vol. 40, 2010, p69.</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10410929 |work=BBC News |title=Australia ready for first female leader |date=25 June 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425041823/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10410929 |archive-date=25 April 2012 }}</ref> Historically, the lack of an [[upper house]], the "[[Bjelkemander]]" (a [[Malapportionment|malapportion]] favouring rural electoral districts) has meant that Queensland had a long tradition of domination by strong-willed, [[populism|populist]] premiers, often accused of authoritarian tendencies, holding office for long periods. This tendency was exemplified by the government of the state's longest-serving Premier [[Joh Bjelke-Petersen]].

===Local government===
{{Main|Local government in Queensland}}

Local government is the mechanism by which [[Local government areas of Queensland|local government areas]] can manage their own affairs to the extent permitted by the Local Government Act 2009. Queensland is divided into 77 local government areas, which are created by the state government under the legislation.<ref>''[https://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/qld/consol_act/lga1993182/ Local Government Act 1993]'' {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110423015759/https://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/qld/consol_act/lga1993182/ |date=23 April 2011}}, s.34. (Reprint 11E, as in force at 22 November 2007.)</ref> Each local government area has a council responsible for providing a range of local services and utilities. Local councils derive their income from both rates and charges on resident ratepayers, and grants and subsidies from the state and federal governments.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.localgovernment.qld.gov.au/?id=2668 |title=Rates and valuations |publisher=Department of Local Government, Sport and Recreation |place=Queensland |date=26 July 2007 |access-date=5 April 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080319021454/https://www.localgovernment.qld.gov.au/?id=2668 |archive-date=19 March 2008 }}</ref>

===Federal representation===
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin:1em; font-size:95%;"
|+ Queensland – [[Australian Parliament|Federal parliamentary]] delegations<ref>{{cite web|url=https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/handbook/newhandbook/2008-12-19/toc_pdf_repeat/Part%206%20-%20Historical%20information%20on%20the%20Australian%20Parliament.pdf;fileType=application%2Fpdf |title=Historical information on the Australian Parliament |publisher=Parliament of Australia |access-date=24 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525173020/https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/handbook/newhandbook/2008-12-19/toc_pdf_repeat/Part%206%20-%20Historical%20information%20on%20the%20Australian%20Parliament.pdf;fileType=application/pdf |archive-date=25 May 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|- style="background:lightgrey;"
! rowspan="3" | [[Elections in Australia|Election]]
|-
! colspan="3" | [[Members of the Australian House of Representatives|House of Representatives]]
! colspan="3" | [[Members of the Australian Senate|Senate]]
|-
! [[Coalition (Australia)|Coalition]]{{refn|group="N"|Includes the [[Liberal Party of Australia]], [[National Party of Australia]], [[Liberal National Party of Queensland]] and [[Country Liberal Party]]. In 2008, all Coalition parties in Queensland merged into the Liberal National Party of Queensland.}}
! [[Australian Labor Party|Labor]]
! [[Independent politicians in Australia|Other]]{{refn|group="N"|Includes [[Independent politicians in Australia|independents]] and [[List of political parties in Australia|minor parties]].}}
! [[Coalition (Australia)|Coalition]]
! [[Australian Labor Party|Labor]]
! [[Independent politicians in Australia|Other]]
|-
| 2001
| style="background:#00bfff;"|'''19'''
| 7
| 1
| style="background:#00bfff;"|'''5'''
| 4
| 3
|-
| 2004
| style="background:#00bfff;"|'''21'''
| 5
| 1
| style="background:#00bfff;"|'''7'''
| 4
| 1
|-
| 2007
| 13
| style="background:#f66;"|'''15'''
| 1
| style="background:#00bfff;"|'''7'''
| 5
| 0
|-
| 2010
| style="background:#00bfff;"|'''21'''
| 8
| 1
| style="background:#00bfff;"|'''6'''
| 5
| 1
|-
| 2013
| style="background:#00bfff;"|'''22'''
| 6
| 2
| style="background:#00bfff;"|'''6'''
| 4
| 2
|-
| 2016
| style="background:#00bfff;"|'''21'''
| 8
| 1
| style="background:#00bfff;"|'''5'''
| 4
| 3
|-
| 2019
| style="background:#00bfff;"|'''23'''
| 6
| 1
| style="background:#00bfff;"|'''6'''
| 3
| 3
|-
| 2022
| style="background:#00bfff;"|'''21'''
| 5
| 4
| style="background:#00bfff;"|'''5'''
| 3
| 4
|-
|2025
|style="background:#00bfff;"|'''16'''
|12
|2
|4
|4
|4
|}

In the [[Commonwealth Parliament|federal Parliament]], Queensland accounts for 30 of the 151 [[Divisions of the Australian House of Representatives|electoral divisions]] in the [[House of Representatives (Australia)|House of Representatives]] (based on population size) and 12 of the 76 seats in the [[Australian Senate|Senate]] (based on equality between the states).

The current partisan makeup of Queensland's House of Representatives delegation is 16 [[Liberal National Party of Queensland|Liberal National]], 12 [[Australian Labor Party|Labor]], 1 [[Australian Greens]], and 1 [[Katter's Australian Party]].

The current partisan makeup of Queensland's Senate delegation is 4 [[Liberal National Party of Queensland|Liberal National]], 4 [[Australian Labor Party|Labor]], 2 [[Pauline Hanson's One Nation|One Nation]], and 2 [[Australian Greens|Green]].

==Culture==
[[File:EKKA.jpg|thumb|left|The Ekka (the [[Ekka|Royal Queensland Exhibition]]) is held each August at the Brisbane Showgrounds.]]

Queensland is home to major art galleries including the [[Queensland Art Gallery]] and the [[Queensland Gallery of Modern Art]] as well as cultural institutions such as the [[Queensland Ballet]], [[Opera Queensland]], [[Queensland Theatre Company]], and [[Queensland Symphony Orchestra]], all based at the [[Queensland Cultural Centre]] in Brisbane. The state is the origin of musicians such as the [[Bee Gees]], [[the Go-Betweens]], [[the Veronicas]], [[The Saints (Australian band)|the Saints]], [[Savage Garden]], and [[Sheppard (band)|Sheppard]] as well as writers such as [[David Malouf]], [[Nick Earls]] and [[Li Cunxin]].

Major annual cultural events include the [[Ekka|Royal Queensland Exhibition]] (known locally as the Ekka), an agricultural exhibition held each August at the [[Brisbane Showgrounds]] as well as the [[Brisbane Festival]], which includes one of the nation's largest annual fireworks displays called 'Riverfire', and which is held each September.

===Sport===
{{Main|Sport in Queensland}}
[[File:The Gabba Panorama.jpg|thumb|right|[[Cricket]] game at [[The Gabba]], a 42,000-seat round stadium in [[Brisbane]]]]

The state of Queensland is represented in all of Australia's national sporting competitions and it is also host to a number of domestic and international sporting events. The most popular winter and summer team sports are [[rugby league]] and [[cricket]], respectively.

In the [[National Rugby League]], the [[Brisbane Broncos]], [[North Queensland Cowboys]], [[Dolphins (NRL)|The Dolphins]] and [[Gold Coast Titans]] are based in the state. Rugby league's annual [[State of Origin series]] is a major event in the Queensland sporting calendar, with the [[Queensland rugby league team|Queensland Maroons]] representing the state.

In cricket, the [[Queensland Bulls]] represent the state in the [[Sheffield Shield]] and the [[Ryobi One Day Cup]], while the [[Brisbane Heat]] compete in the [[Big Bash League]].

Queensland is also home to the [[Brisbane Lions]] and the [[Gold Coast Suns]] in the [[Australian Football League]] ([[Australian rules football]]), and the [[Brisbane Roar FC]] in the [[A-League]] (soccer). In netball, the [[Queensland Firebirds]] went undefeated in the 2011 season as they went on to win the Grand Final. Other sports teams are the [[Brisbane Bullets]] and the [[Cairns Taipans]], who compete in the [[National Basketball League (Australia)|National Basketball League]].

The state is represented by the [[Queensland Reds]] in the [[Super Rugby]] (rugby union).

Swimming is also a popular sport in Queensland, with many Australian team members and international medalists hailing from the state.

Brisbane will host the [[2032 Summer Olympics]], marking the third time Australia hosted the Olympic Games following [[1956 Summer Olympics|Melbourne 1956]] and [[2000 Summer Olympics|Sydney 2000]].<ref>{{cite web|last=IOC|date=12 July 2021|title=Brisbane 2032 Summer Olympics - Summer Olympic Games in Australia|url=https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/brisbane-2032|access-date=21 July 2021|website=Olympics.com|language=en|archive-date=21 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721085138/https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/brisbane-2032|url-status=live}}</ref> Major recurring sporting events hosted in Queensland include: the [[Gold Coast 600]] (motorsport; since 1994), the [[Gold Coast Marathon]] (athletics; since 1979), the [[NRL All Stars Game]] (rugby league; since 2010), the [[Townsville 400]] (motorsport; since 2009), the [[World championship tour (WCT) surfing|Quicksilver Pro and Roxy Pro]] (surfing) and [[Australian PGA Championship]] (golf; since 2000).

===Symbols and emblems===
{{Main|Symbols of Queensland}}
The official state emblems of Queensland are prescribed in the Emblems of Queensland Act 2005.

[[Queen Victoria]] granted the Queensland Coat of Arms to the Colony of Queensland in 1893, making it the oldest State Arms in Australia.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|title=Coat of Arms|url=https://www.qld.gov.au/about/how-government-works/flags-emblems-icons/coat-of-arms|access-date=26 August 2021|website=Queensland State Government Website|archive-date=17 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217025147/https://www.qld.gov.au/about/how-government-works/flags-emblems-icons/coat-of-arms|url-status=live}}</ref> It depicts Queensland's primary industries in the 19th century with a sheaf of wheat, the heads of a bull and a ram, and a column of gold rising from a heap of quartz. Two stalks of sugar cane which surround the state badge at the top, and below is Queensland's state motto, ''Audax at Fidelis'', which means "Bold but Faithful". In 1977, [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth II]] granted the supporting animals, the [[brolga]] and the [[red deer]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{cite web|title=Queensland Flags & Emblems|url=https://www.australias.guide/qld/flags-emblems/|access-date=26 August 2021|website=Australias Guide |language=en-AU|archive-date=26 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826014630/https://www.australias.guide/qld/flags-emblems/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In November 2003 [[maroon]] was officially named Queensland's state colour, after many years of association with Queensland sporting teams. In 2025, Queensland Government branding changed to blue, with not yet an impact on the official state colour.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Johnson |first=Hayden |date=June 20, 2025 |title=George St Beat: State's bizarre rebrand not even public servants saw coming |url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/qld-politics/george-st-beat-states-bizarre-rebrand-not-even-public-servants-saw-coming/news-story/1637155c339087f05fdf0282986a52ad?amp&nk=29729879f85d7b04fb2188f36dc8fc35-1750417068 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250620105731/https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/qld-politics/george-st-beat-states-bizarre-rebrand-not-even-public-servants-saw-coming/news-story/1637155c339087f05fdf0282986a52ad?amp&nk=29729879f85d7b04fb2188f36dc8fc35-1750417068 |archive-date=20 June 2025 |work=The Courier Mail}}</ref>

The [[koala]] was officially named the animal or faunal, emblem of Queensland in 1971 after a newspaper poll showed strong public support. The Queensland Government introduced the poll due to a proposal by state tourism ministers for all states to adopt a faunal emblem.<ref name=":0" /> In January 1986, the brolga was announced as the official bird emblem of Queensland, after many years on the Coat of Arms.<ref name=":1" />

The [[Dendrobium bigibbum|Cooktown orchid]] became known as Queensland's floral emblem in 1959, during celebrations to mark the state's centenary,<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|title=Floral emblem {{!}} State flags, emblems, and icons|url=https://www.qld.gov.au/about/how-government-works/flags-emblems-icons/floral-emblem|access-date=26 August 2021|website=Queensland Government|language=en|archive-date=28 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028191616/https://www.qld.gov.au/about/how-government-works/flags-emblems-icons/floral-emblem|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Parks Australia|title=Queensland - Floral Emblems - Australian Plant Information|url=https://www.anbg.gov.au/emblems/qld.emblem.html|access-date=26 August 2021|website=Australian National Botanic Gardens |language=en|archive-date=8 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308010937/https://www.anbg.gov.au/emblems/qld.emblem.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and the [[Amphiprion akindynos|Barrier Reef Anemone Fish]] was officially named as Queensland's aquatic emblem in March 2005.<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|title=Aquatic emblem {{!}} State flags, emblems, and icons|url=https://www.qld.gov.au/about/how-government-works/flags-emblems-icons/aquatic-emblem|access-date=26 August 2021|website=Queensland Government|language=en|archive-date=18 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211118043120/https://www.qld.gov.au/about/how-government-works/flags-emblems-icons/aquatic-emblem|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[sapphire]] was named the official state gem for Queensland in August 1985.<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|title=State gem {{!}} State flags, emblems, and icons|url=https://www.qld.gov.au/about/how-government-works/flags-emblems-icons/state-gem|access-date=26 August 2021|website=Queensland Government|language=en|archive-date=27 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027032933/https://www.qld.gov.au/about/how-government-works/flags-emblems-icons/state-gem|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Australia For Everyone: State and Territory Emblems|url=https://www.australiaforeveryone.com.au/state-emblems/|access-date=26 August 2021|website=Australia Guide|language=en|archive-date=26 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826014624/https://www.australiaforeveryone.com.au/state-emblems/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Infrastructure==
{{more citations needed section|date=June 2019}}
{{See also|Transportation in Australia|Transport in Brisbane|TransLink (South East Queensland)|Queensland Rail City network}}

===Transport===
[[File:NGR722 approaching Oxley railway station, Brisbane.jpg|thumb|right|Passenger train at [[Oxley railway station]] on the [[Ipswich and Rosewood railway line|Ipswich/Rosewood line]] within the [[Queensland Rail City network]]]]
[[File:Port of Gladstone 1.jpg|thumb|right|Cargo ships at the [[Port of Gladstone]], Queensland's largest [[commodity]] [[seaport]]]]

Queensland is served by several [[National Highway (Australia)|National Highways]] and, particularly in South East Queensland, a network of freeways such as the [[M1 (Queensland)|M1]]. The [[Department of Transport and Main Roads|Department of Transport & Main Roads]] oversees the development and operation of main roads and public transport, including taxis and local aviation.

[[Rail transport in Queensland|Principal rail services]] are provided by [[Queensland Rail]], predominantly between the major centres east of the Great Dividing Range. Freight rail services in Queensland have been provided mostly by [[Aurizon]] and [[Pacific National]], with interstate intermodal services provided by Pacific National and [[SCT Logistics]]. Major seaports include the [[Port of Brisbane]], Australia's third busiest by value of goods, as well as those at [[Gladstone, Queensland|Gladstone]], [[Townsville]], and [[Bundaberg]]. There are large coal export facilities at [[Hay Point, Queensland|Hay Point]], Gladstone, and [[Abbot Point]]. Major sugar export facilities are located at [[Lucinda, Queensland|Lucinda]] and [[Mackay, Queensland|Mackay]].

[[Brisbane Airport]] is the main international and domestic gateway serving the state, and is the [[List of the busiest airports in Australia|third busiest in Australia]]. Other international airports include the [[Gold Coast Airport]], [[Cairns International Airport]], and [[Townsville Airport]]. Regional airports with scheduled domestic flights include [[Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport]], [[Great Barrier Reef Airport]], [[Hervey Bay Airport]], [[Bundaberg Airport]], [[Mackay Airport]], [[Mount Isa Airport]], [[Whitsunday Coast Airport|Proserpine / Whitsunday Coast Airport]], [[Rockhampton Airport]], and [[Sunshine Coast Airport]].

[[South East Queensland]] has an integrated public transport system operated by [[TransLink (South East Queensland)|Translink]], which provides services [[bus transport in Queensland|bus]], [[Queensland Rail City network|rail]], [[G:link|light rail]] and [[RiverCity Ferries|Brisbane's ferry services]] through Queensland Rail and contracted operators. The region is divided into seven [[Fare]] zones radiating outwards from the [[Brisbane central business district]], which is the central hub for the system. The [[Queensland Rail City network]] consists of 152 train stations along 13 suburban rail lines and across the region, and predominantly within Brisbane's metropolitan area. There is also a large bus network including Brisbane's large dedicated [[bus rapid transit]] network, the [[Busways in Brisbane|Brisbane busway network]]. Brisbane's popular [[RiverCity Ferries|ferry services]] include the CityCat, Cross River, and CityHopper services which have dedicated wharves along the [[Brisbane River]]. The [[G:link]], Queensland's only [[light rail]] network, operates on the Gold Coast.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/safety/rules/other/trams|title=Sharing the road with trams {{!}} Transport and motoring|website=Department of Transport and Main Roads|publisher=[[Queensland Government]]|language=en-AU|access-date=8 November 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109080808/https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/safety/rules/other/trams|archive-date=9 November 2017}}</ref>

The new Queensland [[Cross River Rail]] is a metro network that is currently under development within [[Brisbane]] and is part of infrastructure to prepare the city for the [[2032 Olympic Games|2032 Olympic games]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://crossriverrail.qld.gov.au/ |access-date=2023-08-31 |website=Cross River Rail |language=en-AU |archive-date=31 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230831001432/https://crossriverrail.qld.gov.au/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Other utilities===
[[Queensland Health]] operates and administers the state's [[public health]] system. There are sixteen regional Health and Hospital Services corresponding to geographical regions which are responsible for delivering public health services within their regions. Major public hospitals include the [[Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital]], [[Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane|Princess Alexandra Hospital]], the [[Mater Group|Mater Hospital]], the [[Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Hospital]], and the [[Queensland Children's Hospital]] in Brisbane, as well as the [[Townsville University Hospital]], [[Cairns Hospital]], [[Gold Coast Hospital]] and [[Gold Coast University Hospital]] in the regional cities. There are smaller public hospitals, as well as private hospitals, around the state.

==See also==
{{Portal|Queensland|Australia|Oceania|Geography}}
* [[Outline of Australia]]
* [[State of North Queensland]] (Proposed state)
{{Clear}}

==Notes==
{{Notefoot}}
{{reflist|group="N"}}
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Sources==
* {{cite book |last1=Bottoms |first1=Timothy |year=2013 |title=Conspiracy of Silence: Queensland's frontier killing times |publisher=[[Allen & Unwin]] |place=Sydney |isbn=978-1-74331-382-4 |url=http://www.allenandunwin.com/default.aspx?page=94&book=9781743313824}}
* {{cite book |last=Broome |first=Richard |author-link=Richard Broome |year=1988 |chapter=''The Struggle for Australia : Aboriginal-European Warfare, 1770–1930'' |pages=92–120 |editor1-last=McKernan |editor1-first=Michael |editor2-last=Browne |editor2-first=Margaret |editor3=Australian War Memorial |title=Australia Two Centuries of War & Peace |publisher=Australian War Memorial in association with Allen and Unwin, Australia |location= Canberra, A.C.T. |isbn=0-642-99502-8}}
* {{cite book |last1=Connor |first1=John |title=The Oxford Companion to Australian Military History |editor-last=Dennis |editor-first=Peter |chapter=''Frontier Wars'' |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] Australia & New Zealand |location=Melbourne |year=2008 |edition=Second |isbn=978-0-19-551784-2 |display-editors=etal}}
* {{cite book |last1=Coulthard-Clark |first1=Chris D. |year=2001 |edition=Second |title=The Encyclopedia of Australia's Battles |publisher=Allen & Unwin |place=Crows Nest, New South Wales |isbn=1865086347}}
* {{cite book |last1=Ørsted-Jensen |first1=Robert |year=2011 |title=Frontier History Revisited – Queensland and the 'History War' |place=Cooparoo, Brisbane, Qld |publisher=Lux Mundi Publishing |isbn=9781466386822}}

== Further reading ==
* {{Cite book |last1=Fitzgerald |first1=Ross |url=https://archive.org/details/madeinqueensland0000fitz |title=Made in Queensland: A New History |last2=Megarrity |first2=Lyndon |last3=Symons |first3=David |date=2009 |publisher=University of Queensland Press |isbn=978-0-7022-3663-1 |location=St Lucia, Queensland |display-authors=1}}

==External links==
{{commons}}
{{wikivoyage}}
* {{osmrelation|2316595}}
* {{URL|https://www.qld.gov.au/|Queensland Government official website}}
* {{URL|https://www.qld.gov.au/recreation/arts/heritage/archives|Queensland State Archives}}
* {{URL|www.slq.qld.gov.au/|State Library of Queensland}}
* {{Gutenberg author |id=Queensland |name=Queensland}}
* {{Internet Archive author}}

{{Queensland}}
{{States and territories of Australia}}
{{Australia topics}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Queensland| ]]
[[Category:Former British colonies and protectorates in Oceania]]
[[Category:States and territories of Australia]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 1859]]

[[kab:Usṭralya]]