Queensland’s tourism boom has hit a new high, with international visitors pouring a record $3.6 billion into the state last year — almost 30 per cent more than the year before. While Brisbane and the Gold Coast continue to dominate the overall spend, the North has held its ground, with Tropical North Queensland ranked third in the state and the strongest regional performer.
Cairns alone helped drive more than $1.2 billion in international expenditure, backed by 622,000 overseas visitors who chose the Far North for reef, rainforest and warm‑weather escapes.
Queensland welcomed 2.4 million international visitors in total, including 1.4 million holidaymakers, with New Zealand, China, the UK, Japan and the US leading the charge. Kiwis delivered a record $990 million, while China topped the list with $1.3 billion.
