Queensland Day, celebrated on June 3, came about when Queensland first kicked off our move towards statehood and separation from NSW in 1851. We approached Queen Victoria to consider creating a separate colony based in Moreton Bay. The Queen gave her approval — she must have liked the name — and signed the Letters Patent on June 6, 1859, and so Queensland, the loveliest state, was born!
This year, we got to have a look at everything that makes Queensland special. From our iconic Queenslander houses to our stunning landscapes, magnificent food, incredible culture, thrilling sports, and vibrant communities, most of us would be hard-pressed to choose a favourite… But that didn’t stop us from trying!
Enter All the Best of Queensland, which crowned the best the state has to offer in 15 different categories with a record 74,630 votes.
The winners
No gatekeeping here! Here are the winners for each of the 15 All the Best of Queensland categories:
Fish and chips – Migaloo’s Seafood & Ice Creamery (Urangan)
This beloved local spot is known for its incredibly fresh fish and perfectly golden chips. Set right in the waterfront, you get to have stunning ocean views and the soothing sound of waves as a side dish.
📍1 Pilot St, Urangan
Butcher – Rode Meats (Stafford Heights)
Beloved Rode Meats is family-owned and renowned for its quality fresh meat.
📍269 Appleby Rd, Stafford Heights
Camping / 4WD Spot – Gordon Country (Goomburra)
Set on more than 4,000 acres, Gordon Country provides a true Australian country experience with cabins and camping to best experience hiking, bird watching, and more.
📍2081 Inverramsay Rd, Goomburra
Bahn Mi – Banh Mi Factory (Zillmere)
The perfect bahn mi should be as unfussy as it is delicious, so it’s no surprise that this amazing casual restaurant snagged the trophy for best bahn mi! Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and loaded with freshness: they know what they’re doing.
📍1/235 Zillmere Rd, Zillmere
Ice cream – Rad Rolled Ice Cream (Urangan)
This colourful hand-rolled ice cream shop, offers every flavour and topping your heart could desire, plus indulgent rotating specials that you’ll want to gobble down, brain freeze be damned. It’s pretty rad that it won Best Ice Cream for the second time in a row!
📍Shop 15/564 Esplanade, Urangan
Burger joint – Super Rooster (Toowoomba)
You may be surprised that a roast chicken spot would win for best burger, but that would only mean that you haven’t tried Super Rooster’s absolutely mouth-watering chicken burgers!
📍Multiple locations, Toowoomba
Pub – 4 Pines at Landers Pocket (Brisbane Airport)
That’s right, this airy pub and brewery took the win this year, proving once again that the best place to have a beer is the airport (or near it).
📍2/40 The Cct, Brisbane Airport
Beach – Mooloolaba Beach (Sunshine Coast)
Known as one of the best beaches in all of Australia, it’s no wonder this white-sanded beauty topped Queenslanders’ preferences!
📍94 Wilkie St, Yeerongpilly
Café – Farmhouse (Kedron)
A Brisbane institution and widely considered to be one of the best cafés around, Farmhouse’s signature cold foam coffees make every seasonal change a delight!
📍9 Somerset Rd, Kedron
Bakery – The Baker’s Duck (Toowoomba)
Queensland is home to some bakeries, but The Baker’s Duck reigned supreme when it came to Queenslanders’ favourite. This charming spot is nestled in Toowoomba and excels at both sweet and savoury flaky creations.
📍124 Campbell St, Toowoomba City
Tourist Attraction – The Savannahlander (Cairns)
A railway adventure like no other, the Savannahlander offers 4- and 6-day tours all over the outback, proving you can get wild and still travel in style.
📍399 Sheridan St, Cairns North
Pizzeria – munja pizza (Wynnum)
This pizza joint is not to be missed, and we can almost guarantee once you go, you’ll want to be back to try all of their limited time specials, like a deliciously indulgent meatball pizza!
📍82B Bay Terrace, Wynnum
Hairdresser / Barber – Sarge’s Barber (Hope Island)
Time for a makeover! With before and afters we could spend hours watching, and cool collabs with cocktail bars, Sarge’s Barber truly goes above and beyond to make everyone who walks through their doors happy.
📍37B Masthead Way, Hope Island
Gym – Strand Fitness Southside (Algester) & Project 88 (Toowoomba)
Tied for #1, Strand Fitness and Project 88 both pride themselves on offering coaching and support, as well as a community built around fitness, so if you want to start your New Year’s resolutions early, now’s the time to sign up!
📍43 Endiandra St, Algester & 88 Water St, Toowoomba City
Florist – Fiorella Florals (Bowen)
Although we’ve got plenty of stunning flower shops in Brisbane, Fiorella Florals snagged the win this year thanks to their colourful and creative arrangements, not to mention the fun workshops they host regularly!
Local legends
But Queensland was not about to ignore what makes it most special: its people. Local legends — people who embody the values of our communities and go above and beyond to make Queensland a great place to live in were also recognised! From scientists and teachers to veterans, we all know someone who deserves to be celebrated for all they do, read all about them here.
