New Zealand has lots going for it but no one can beat the Aussies when it comes to marvellous beaches, boasts Peter Chapman.

Blainey Woodham offers local insight into the charms of the southern Gold Coast.

Clarke Gayford escapes the usual cliches of Queensland's Gold Coast, driving a convertible to the hinterland for some speed cheese tasting and a bit of a flutter.

Every January, the Gold Coast hosts ten days of carnival events that revolve around the famous yearling sales. Clarke Gayford went along on race day and soaked up the atmosphere trackside.

The biggest festival of the season, celebrating Queensland and Australia's fabulous food on one of the prettiest beaches has already kicked off ticket sales.

Tens of thousands of dead bats have fallen from the sky as a "catastrophic" heatwave hits parts of eastern Australia.

Temperatures in central and southwestern Queensland are forecast to hover in the high 40s - the state's worst heatwave for more than 50 years.

Judy Bailey gets up close and personal with Queensland's native bush dwellers.

We round up some of the best places to stay when you're looking for a spot of luxury in the wilderness.

Dennis and Rosamund Knill discover a distant shore and a whole new world of adventure around Queensland's coast.

Judy Bailey gets acquainted with the reclusive platypus and enjoys the hospitality at Australia's first solar-powered and carbon-neutral resort.

Queensland's capital is full of delights, writes Ellie Mitchell.

Looking to escape the Queensland crowds? Check out this list of some of the state's lesser-known - but no less spectacular - beaches.

We round up some of the best eco accommodation options for those wanting to get back to nature across the ditch.

Judy Bailey relaxes on beautiful Hinchinbrook Island and sees a pair of cuddling koalas in the wild on Magnetic Island.

Colin Mathura-Jeffree laps up the luxury and labels on the Gold Coast.

Colin Mathura-Jeffree takes a whirlwind tour of Robina's fabulous designer shops.

Ewan McDonald hangs out in a city that he usually passes through, and gets a different perspective.

Spa Qualia on Hamilton Island and the Gold Coast's Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat are great places to unwind.

Northern Queensland has some incredible snorkelling and wildlife-spotting opportunities, finds Judy Bailey.

We passed each other like strangers on a city street, the shark heading back out to sea, me finning through a gap in the coral reef towards the beach.

Colin Mathura-Jeffree shops til he drops in Brisbane.

Outback site draws scientists on hunt for prehistoric gold, writes Leah McLennan.

A New Zealand woman accused of beating her daughter to death with a vacuum cleaner pole has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in a Queensland court.

A man with a New Zealand accent threatened a Queensland adult store worker with a knife and demanded cash in a robbery overnight, police say.