2024 Love Letter to Queensland

Express your love. Share your story. Celebrate Queensland.

Queensland is a tapestry of natural wonders and rich histories, a place where the past and present harmoniously intertwine.

From the sun-drenched coasts to the rugged hinterlands, every corner of this land tells a story. Imagine the ancient rainforests of the Daintree, where centuries-old trees stand as silent witnesses to the passing of time. Their emerald canopies shelter a world of vibrant wildlife, each creature adding a brushstroke to this living masterpiece.

The Great Barrier Reef, a dazzling mosaic of coral and marine life, stretches along the coast, its beauty unrivalled and its presence a testament to nature’s incredible artistry.

Journey inland, and the sweeping plains unfold before you, their vastness a canvas painted with the golden hues of waving grasses. Here, the spirit of the pioneers lingers, their legacy etched into the very soil they once tilled. Small towns dot the landscape, each with its unique charm and story. In these communities, the warmth and resilience of Queensland’s people shine through, their lives woven together by threads of shared history and a love for the land.

The spirit of the First Nations peoples, the original custodians of this land, resonates through sacred sites and ancient traditions, a profound connection to the earth that continues to inspire and teach.

In Queensland, the cities pulse with modern energy, yet never lose sight of their roots. Brisbane, with its vibrant arts scene and bustling riverfront, marries urban sophistication with laid-back charm. Coastal towns like Noosa and Airlie Beach offer idyllic escapes where the rhythm of the ocean soothes the soul. The hinterlands, with their rolling hills and hidden valleys, invite exploration and reflection, each vista a reminder of nature’s grandeur. Queensland is a place where every sunrise and sunset paints the sky in breathtaking hues, a daily reminder of the wonder that exists in this wide, brown land.

This is Queensland—a place where the land and its people share an unbreakable bond, where history and nature converge to create something truly extraordinary. Whether it’s the ancient stories, or modern tales, Queensland’s beauty and spirit captivate all who call it home.

Community Writing Competition

The Love Letter to Queensland community writing competition invited individuals to share their personal stories and tributes to Queensland with the aim to express love, share a story, and celebrate Queensland.

Whether it’s the breathtaking landscapes, the vibrant communities, or our unique culture, we all have our reasons to love Queensland. The community writing competition hoped to capture the essence of what makes Queensland so special to each of us and provide an opportunity to reflect on experiences, memories, and connections to Queensland and express them in a love letter.

Love letters of 300 words were received with prizes for best submissions in the categories of Adult ($500), Under 18 Years ($250), and Under 12 Years ($200).

The Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox MP, announced the winners at the special Love Letter to Queensland event.

Under 12 Years winner

The Under 12 Years division winner, Emma Chan from Kanimbla, Cairns wrote of her fun camping trip with my family and friends in Cobbold Gorge:

Last week, my family and my friends went camping at Cobbold Gorge for the first time ever! Waking up at 5 am, it took 7 hours to get there by car. But in the end, it was all worth it! 

Walking along the peaceful lake, we discovered the free kayaking activity. Amazed by the cute ducklings and egrets, we carefully sailed beside them. At nighttime, after we finished playing with bright sparklers, eating toasted marshmallows, and enjoying the warm campfire, we went to bed.

The next morning, I didn’t want to get out of my sleeping bag because it was absolutely freezing. It was only 5 degrees Celsius. My hands and feet were as cold as an icy pole. I wore a long-sleeve shirt, two layers of pants, and three layers of jumpers. I literally looked like an onion.

 At noon, it was finally time for the breathtaking Cobbold Gorge hiking and boat tour. The tour guide team came from Brisbane and will stay in the gorge for this dry season.

The tour guide told us this gorge is 14,000 years old. He brought along an apprentice to drive the boat. Then, the apprentice accidentally drove the boat too close to the shore. The freshwater crocodile was frightened by us. He nearly jumped onto our boat. Carefully, the apprentice kept sailing past those gigantic sandstone walls. Finally, we reached Australia’s first fully glass bridge in Queensland’s gorge. 

What is more? Our friend’s sedan car stopped halfway to Quartz Blow Lookout. Their car could not climb up the deep slope. Luckily, they hopped on my dad’s four-wheel drive to continue our journey together.

Thank you, Cobbold Gorge, for giving me such a memorable and fun trip with my family and friends.

Love, Emma

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Under 18 Years Division

There were no submissions for the Under 18 Years division.

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Adult Division Winner

Claire Thompson, of Slade Point Mackay, winning entry centred on her relationship as a Queenslander:

Dear Queensland,

I know…I’ve left you several times, I’ve wandered afar, seen remarkable sights, experienced pure joy.  But here I am, hat in hand, hand over heart.

I belong here with you.  You give so much and more.  You tantalise me, surprise me, reward me and open your arms to let me in, take me home.  This is where I belong, where I was born…in Queensland.

Your glorious sunset skies, white open beaches, forests of wonder, fields of every hue, red earth…ah there lies your heart.

Through tragedy and bliss it comes down to this. Your people, close together yet very personal, so little pretention.  Glamour if you need it, remoteness if that’s your style, but stumble and they come to aid, to offer support. Pretty tough, sometimes rough but the country needs such souls who can carry on, take the load, offer a hand or a soothing word, no matter what. As the day closes in a vibrant curtain of gold I feel warmth, protection and gladness that I am part of this state. The rhythm of the pounding rain reminds me that you are back again, wearing a different cloak, renewing your earth, your sky, your people.

You welcomed me and mine without judgement nor ridicule.  You took me back and soothed my soul.  Queensland so full of sophistication, isolation, freedom to be who you are, to choose your place and space.

I love you Queensland, awkward, versatile nurturing state.  I hope I can give back something of what you’ve given me, gladly and with determination, to maintain your pride, your style, your openness.

Thank you Queensland for leaving the door ajar lest I stray too far, left wondering who I am.  A Queenslander.

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Special event

The Love Letter to Queensland event – 6:30pm-9pm Thursday 5 September, Coral Sea Resort, Airlie Beach – will feature a stimulating lineup of notable speakers, each presenting their own love letters to Queensland, offering a diverse array of perspectives and experiences:

Thanks to our Love Letter to Queensland partners