By Maureen Jones

The average traveler to Australia wants to hit the Big Three: Sydney, the Outback and Queensland.

Queensland, with an area more than 1.7 million square kilometers, covers more than a quarter of Australia. Brisbane, the capital of the state, boasts a population of more than 1 million. The famous beaches of the Sunshine and Gold Coasts are an hour’s drive from the city. To the west, is varied and wide open countryside, and to the east, Moreton Bay and its marvelous islands. The late Steve Irwin of “Crocodile Hunter” fame owned the Australian Zoo north of Brisbane, a highlight of the area.

Queenslanders love a night out. From the Outback to the beach, you’ll find plenty of places for a good time. The Queensland symphony, ballet and opera are world class and worth a visit if time affords. Check the local press or have your travel professional book in advance for you. There are several top notch casinos as well.

Queensland’s Gold Coast offers golf and seven theme parks. And lots of available apartment rentals make the area perfect for multigenerational family holidays. For sailing, try the 74 Whitsunday Islands, which offer a variety of facilities and prices.

In the tropical north of Queensland, there are more than 600 different tours from the town of Cairns, including a ride on the Kuranda rail or Skyrail, a visit to the Tjapakui Aboriginal park, a cruise to the Outer Reef, a walk through the rainforest and a dinner show at the Cairns Night Zoo.

Scuba diving in Queensland is some of the best in the world and you can dive all year. The weather is best from August to January. The reef is 200 miles from the coast. Staying on an island is the best way to experience the ribbon reefs and 1,500 species of fish and 400 species of coral. The Great Barrier Reef stretches along three quarters of the state, and comprises 2,500 individual reefs and 600 islands.

There are 23 popular islands - the best are Lizard, Dunk, Bedarra, Heron and Brampton. Recommendations depend on your budget and whether you are scuba certified. A popular visit to Australia begins with a few days in Sydney, a few days in the rainforest and a few days on an island. The islands are fabulous destinations for honeymooners.

In Queensland you can choose from more than 200 different national parks, including five of Australia’s 13 World Heritage sites. Stroll for an hour, or hike for a week. Among the most popular are Lamington, near Brisbane, Cape Tribulation and the Daintree, north of Cairns, and Undara Volcanic.

You can visit a remote cattle station in the tropical north, and go deep-sea fishing for marlin and other big-game fish. Three- and seven-day cruises out of Cairns, allow you to see islands and visit Cooktown, a remote little town where Capt. Cook repaired his vessel after it was damaged on the reef. Other unusual destinations are the Torres Strait and Thursday Island at the tip of Queensland.

To learn more about the Great Barrier Reef, visit www.gbrmpa.gov.au. To learn more about the national parks in Queensland, visit http://www.deh.gov.au/parks/.

Maureen Jones is president of All Horizons Travel, located at l60 Main St. in Los Altos. For more information, call 941-5810.