Nothing beats a good, old-fashioned holiday to get yourself up and moving. Whether you’re an Aussie local or an overseas traveller, Queensland is one place in the Australian continent that you should not miss for the world.
From its stunning coastal areas to its magnificent mountains, the state of Queensland is a tourist paradise. Coupled with its delectable cuisine and a vast array of age-friendly communities, it won’t take long for seniors to feel at home when venturing through the much-beloved Sunshine State.
Whether you’re travelling for leisure, for business, or scouting your new home city, this article will guide seniors on how to make the most of their upcoming travel in this destination of a lifetime.
Gearing Up As a Senior
Travelling entails bringing along the right gear to make your trip as smooth and comfortable as possible, with Queensland being no exception.
Start by picking the right bag to hold all your belongings. Many young and middle-aged folks can carry a large backpack, but you may prefer using a suitcase instead. Pick whatever suits you best while also considering the length of travel.
Beyond the pack itself, the contents are what matters the most. Here are some things that you should bring along with you:
- Weather-appropriate clothing (Equal to the number of days travelling or less if you plan to wash)
- Medications
- Travel documents
- Cellphone and chargers
- Hygiene kit and sunscreen
- Footwear
- Water bottle
Besides the items above, here are some optional things that you may bring, depending on the type of travel you’re undertaking:
- Mobility aids
- Swimwear or hiking gear
- Books and forms of entertainment
- First aid kit
- Laptop and charger
If you’re planning to permanently relocate to a retirement community in the Gold Coast, you’ll benefit from coordinating with a removalist company or your relatives to help you move your belongings.
Sorting Out Travel Logistics
Travelling entails a lot of booking tickets and scheduling. If you want to maintain control over your trip, you should have every facet of the travel covered. This includes transportation, accommodation, insurance, and general itinerary planning.
There are multiple ways to get to Queensland, depending on your starting point. You can drive, fly, or take public transportation.
As a senior, you should pick the option that’s most comfortable for you. For most people, this would mean riding a private car to the areas of interest around Queensland. If you’re too far to find a car ride feasible, the plane is the fastest mode of transportation you can consider.
Aside from transportation, you should also have a hotel or AirBnB booked. Many hotels come in different price ranges, so choose the one that’s right for your financial situation.
Getting insurance is another matter of importance, specifically travel insurance. This can help you get out of a financial pinch in case you encounter any emergencies.
And lastly, as a senior, be sure to plan an itinerary that works for your energy levels. Don’t jam too many things in one day, and be sure to schedule some rest days if you’re doing a longer trip.
Stay Updated On Weather and Local Events
Queensland does hold an idyllic charm in pictures—there’s no denying that!
However, it’s best that you do your research before booking a flight or driving there. That picturesque, sandy beach by the Great Barrier Reef could be closed due to being barraged with thunderstorms by the time you get there.
To be on the safe side, be sure to check the weather when you’re visiting so that you’ll be adequately prepared during the trip. This is especially true if you plan on doing outdoor activities.
Furthermore, you’ll also want to keep abreast of local events and traditions that fall on the same day of your travel. This can help you immerse yourself in cultural events of the local area, or avoid certain areas that may have too much foot traffic.
Staying Safe While Travelling
It’s important to ensure that you’re not overexerting yourself or exposing yourself to unnecessary risks while on the move.
Staying healthy is something that requires mindful action. You should start well before your travels and go to a doctor’s facility to get an overall look at your health status and see if you’re good to travel.
Besides that, you should also bring prescriptions and take them religiously. It’s also important to find the balance between staying active and overexerting yourself. Move around and stretch if you’ve been sitting around for too long.
Lastly, always be watchful of your surroundings. Queensland is an extremely safe area, but all it takes is one stray thief to ruin an entire trip. So as much as you can, keep your valuables close.
Queensland’s Best Spots For Seniors
Once you’ve dealt with all the precautionary measures of travel, now’s time for the fun part: seeing and visiting the top spots of Queensland!
Seniors can best enjoy touring around Queensland on a guided tour. Having a dedicated travel agency plan the trip for you is the most convenient way of travelling.
However, if you’re a seasoned traveller, you can make a DIY trip as well.
Here are some of the top spots in Queensland for seniors:
- The Great Barrier Reef: This majestic reef can even be seen in space. If you’re in Queensland for leisure, don’t miss out on an opportunity to visit this stunning location on a boat tour.
- Sunshine Coast: If you don’t want to venture out too far off-shore but still want to enjoy the beach atmosphere, the Sunshine Coast is a must-visit. Here you can see idyllic beaches where you can sunbathe, shop, swim, and dine all you want.
- Daintree Rainforest: If you want to walk through one of Australia’s oldest rainforests, pay a visit to Daintree. This place is filled with lush flora and endemic animals that you can’t see anywhere else.
- Cairns: One of the most laid-back and charming cities in Queensland is Cairns. This coastal city is walkable and a great jump-off point to many other attractions, like Fitzroy Island. Don’t miss out on the Cairns Esplanade as well!
- Museums: Queensland is home to many top-tier museums. There’s the Museum of Brisbane, the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and Outback Heritage Centre, the Gallery of Modern Art, and much more. Take your pick and you can easily spend an afternoon in these establishments.
There are many more stunning places you can visit in Queensland, but the ones listed above should do you great for a first-time visit.
Queensland is a highly senior-friendly area. It won’t take long for you to adjust to the rhythm and groove of this city and have a good time.
Safe travels!
My folks came over from the UK at Christmas, and they were blown away by how much there was to see and do in just the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane, let alone the rest of Queensland! I would recommend any senior to go up to Tropical North Queensland if they are able to, and I really like the Esplanade area around Yeppoon as well.