With 6,973 km (4,333 mi) of coastline and nearly 2,000 islands to explore, beach tourism is a major attraction for local, domestic and international visitors, exemplified by tourist resort city of the Gold Coast. Along with year-round warm weather and sunshine, this lends itself to a relaxed, laid-back culture and lifestyle that is distinctly Queensland. Further inland, the ancient Gondwana rainforests along the mountainous Great Dividing Range offer a more temperate environment and surprising wildlife encounters. Western Queensland is very arid and offers unique Outback experiences and vast, dramatic landscapes. (Queensland Wikitravel)