Queensland trivia: Five quirky facts

​​​​​​​Queensland trivia: Five quirky facts​​​

Random (but fascinating) Queensland facts to spark curiosity on your train journey.

​Queensland isn’t just a place to live; it’s a playground of wonders, a treasure trove of natural and cultural delights that’ll leave you itching to explore. It's home to several World Heritage-listed areas, diverse landscapes, mesmerising flora and fauna and of course, a myriad of captivating places, people and history. As you soak in the beauty of our beautiful state from the comfort of your train seat,

let us entertain you with some random, but mind-boggling Queensland trivia. If you’re reading this, you’re already on the right track to discovering just how awesome our sunshine state really is!

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  • 1. Although we’re in favour of trains, Outback Pioneers in Longreach is home to a fascinating and historical mode of transport – one of Australia’s last operating stagecoaches. The old wagon is towed by four fullgalloping horses through the Queensland outback desert and captivates its visitors with historical charm and thrilling speeds. Back in the day, when coaches like these were used for post and transport, the travelling pioneering ladies preferred the rough-hewn plank seat on top of the coach over the cushioned seats inside. Why, you ask? Well, apparently the women would rather eat dust than smell the armpits or fight off advances of the gentlemen who travelled below.​​​

  • ​2. Did you know that Meanjin (Brisbane) was the first place in the world to have an ambulance service delivered by paid staff? Yep, that’s right! Formed in 1892, ambulance services were originally operated by unpaid volunteers. The innovative concept of “paid” ambulance staff was established and brought with it the need for a reliable cash flow.​​​​


​A swarm of colourful fish swim around a coral reefPhotography courtesy of queensland.com
​Display of first aid by ladies from the Queensland Ambulance Association, Brisbane, March, 1942Photography courtesy of State Library of Queensland

  • ​​​3. Did you know that The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park stretches 2,300 km along the Queensland coast, covering an area larger than the United Kingdom, The Netherlands and Switzerland combined, or half the size of Texas? In fact, you can fit 70 million Suncorp Stadiums into the same space!​​​​​​​​

  • 4. Known possibly as the most despised bird around our beaches, it's hard to imagine that the Australian Ibis was the inspiration for the first glider built by one of the world’s greatest aviators, Queenslander Bert Hinkler. Hinkler photographed the Ibis flying, built his glider and flew over the beaches of Bundaberg in 1912. His affection for the bird even made him name a two-seat wooden amphibian monoplane after it. Would you like to know more? Pay a visit to the Hinkler Hall of Aviation in Bundaberg.​​

  • 5. There are 16 World Heritage-listed areas in Australia and Queensland is home to five of them. Can you name them?​​​​​​​


Information sourced from Tourism and Events Quensland www.queensland.com.
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