8 of the Quirkiest Towns in Queensland

Queensland is a place of many extraordinary things from sparkling coastlines and ancient rainforests to interesting wildlife, exotic food, radiating cultures, and notable locals. And that’s not all. In its massive landmass are also peculiar towns that are downright quirky and charming. These towns exist in a class of their own with unique attractions and a kind of enchanting aura that feels like a dream. For a sneak peek, some of these towns host Australia’s iconic Big Things, while others host rich wildlife and lovely beaches. One even hosts some of the world’s oldest dinosaur footprints that will stimulate and take one’s mind back millions of years to the Cretaceous period that preceded the Jurassic period. Without further ado, check out these eight towns in Australia's Sunshine State as soon as possible for adventures of a lifetime.

Normanton

Normanton is an outback coastal town in the Shire of Carpentaria that may be hard to reach but even harder to forget, as it boasts two of Australia's Big Things. The first is the Big Barramundi, a 20-foot-long fish statue symbolizing the town’s fishing culture. The second is a 28-foot-long statue of a saltwater crocodile named “Krys, the Savannah King,” commemorating the largest verified crocodile ever killed in the world. The crocodile was shot by a woman named Krystyna Pawlowski in July 1957 and stands as one of Australia’s most iconic landmarks today. Visit these iconic attractions and then the Norman River to see life saltwater crocodiles and fish on the water from the Captain WH Norman Bridge. Next, stroll through the main street and check out the Purple Pub, one of the most photographed buildings in Normanton, housing a bar, a pokie room, and a lodge. Don't forget to stop at the Bynoe Art Center to see hand-painted crafts and awe-inspiring artworks by locals.

Beerwah

Beerwah is a charming town in the Glass House Mountains of Queensland promising an incredibly exciting vacation full of discoveries. This town is home to the iconic Australia Zoo, an entirely quirky and fascinating world, featuring over 1,200 animals invited from Australia and around the world. This Zoo was the base of the famous Steve Irwin, and its highlight attractions include - a 5,000-capacity stadium for animal shows, an Africa safari exhibit, a tiger temple, and a bird garden, among others. Beerwah also hosts the Big Mower, one of Australia’s Big Things, standing at 19.7 feet, and Mount Beerwah, the largest of the Glass House Mountains. Explore all of these iconic attractions and relax afterward at Warriors Restaurant and Bar in the Crocodile Hunter Lodge for sensational meals.

Kuranda

Kuranda is a rural community in the Shire of Mareeba, encircled by a lush rainforest, promising exposure to some of nature’s most spectacular features. Visitors here will be delighted by numerous wildlife attractions, starting from the Kuranda Koala Gardens, which houses koalas, kangaroos, wombats, pythons, freshwater crocodiles, and other animals. Meanwhile, the town hosts Birdworld Kuranda, home to over 250 colorful birds in their natural habitats. Additionally, the Butterfly Sanctuary is in town and is home to over 2,000 tropical butterflies. Discover the wildlife attractions and then join the Kuranda Riverboat tour for a relaxing ride on the Barron River. Proceed to explore the nearby Barron Gorge National Park, which is home to a majestic waterfall, a 4.7-mile scenic cableway, hiking trails, and wildlife. After all the adventures, shop for food, local crafts, and souvenirs at the Kuranda Heritage Markets or Kuranda Original Rainforest Markets.

Woombye

Woombye is a town in the Sunshine Coast hinterland that is perfect for a vacation away from denser civilizations. The town is home to The Big Pineapple, one of Australia’s first Big Things celebrating the area’s agricultural heritage. Tourists can climb this 52-foot fiberglass statue to the top for views of the town, take pictures with the pineapple, enjoy a train ride, conquer a treetop challenge, and dine at the restaurant. There is also a pineapple plantation and an orchard of apples, miracle, and citrus fruits in the area. Wildlife lovers can proceed to the Wildlife HQ Zoo in the Big Pineapple to see over 200 animals in their sanctuaries and play or feed the friendly ones. Away from the town’s most iconic attraction, visitors can kick back at the Woombye Pub, one of the oldest in the country, to savor a few cocktails or enjoy classic pub food the Australian way.

Maleny

Maleny is a laid-back mountain town in the Sunshine Coast region of Queensland with so much to love. Experience one of this town’s allures at the Maleny Botanical Gardens and Bird World, where beautiful flowers combine with waterfalls, flowers, and birds to create a slice of paradise for exploration. Gardener’s Fall is another inviting spot in town featuring a lovely waterfall and pools where people of all ages can splash away all day long. More iconic and lovable attractions in and around town include - Baron Pocket Dam (great for picnicking, swimming, and kayaking) and Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve (featuring hiking trails and impressive mountain views). To wrap up here, stop by the Maleny Art Direct to peruse dazzling artworks and paintings and refill at Maleny Food Co. Café with sandwiches and gelato.

Bowen

Bowen is a magnificent town in the Whitsunday region of Queensland, surrounded by ocean on almost all sides. Hence, the town is home to around eight gorgeous beaches, inviting visitors to come to bask in the sun, swim, and play in the sand. However, Bowen is much more than its beaches as it holds one of Australia’s Big Things - the Big Mango, signifying the town’s thriving mango-growing industry. This giant 10-meter fiberglass mango statue is a must-visit, and while there, remember to enjoy a delicious Bowen Mango sorbet at the visitor center. Next, head to Flagstaff Hill Overlook to marvel at some breathtaking ocean scenery and proceed to immerse in the town’s glorious past and pioneer days at the Bowen History Museum. Before leaving, savor tantalizing seafood at Birds Fish Bar.

Stanthorpe

Stanthorpe is a town in the Southern Downs region that harmoniously fuses arts, history, and quirky aura in one sensational package for tourists. Once here, start by visiting the Stanthorpe Heritage Museum to immerse in a bygone era through relics, heritage buildings, and exhibits. Next, delve into the arts at the Regional Art Gallery, which features vast collections of traditional and contemporary paintings, sculptures, and ceramics. Notably, Stanthorpe is the coldest place in Queensland, and to celebrate this, the community built the Big Thermometer, one of the world’s largest thermometers. Head out to the Mount Malay Overlook to relish panoramic views of the town.

Winton

Winton is a town of just below 900 people in the outbacks of Queensland, exuding an offbeat aura. Here, visitors will be lost in a world of discoveries as the surrounding area is renowned for hosting some of the world’s oldest dinosaur fossils. Learn about these fossils at the nearby Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum, featuring a Fossil Preparation Laboratory, life-sized dinosaur dioramas, and more. Next, check out the Waltzing Matilda Center, which is dedicated to one of Australia’s most beloved songs - Waltzing Matilda. Proceed to the Royal Theatre, one of the few remaining open-air theatres in the country and home to the world’s largest unofficial deck chair. For something unusual, head to Arno’s Wall to marvel at the 70-meter structure built with motorbike parts and household items like TVs, sinks, sewing machines, appliances, and more. For more quirky adventures, the Musical Fence is a wire fence that doubles as an instrument and can be played by visitors.

Unforgettable Quirky Towns in Queensland

Step away from larger cities and spend time in some of Queensland’s fascinating small towns, where eccentric experiences await at every turn. Each town is distinct in character, charms, heritage, and history, with mind-blowing experiences that make tourists hesitant when leaving. While some of these towns might be deep in the outbacks and are miles away from the big cities, the trip is always worth it. Harder to reach and even harder to forget, these towns deserve to be at the top of your next Australian bucket list.