Steve Parish Publishing

And the winners of Steve Parish: 50 Years Photographing Australia are...

Thank you to all of those who entered the Steve Parish and Queensland Weekender competition to win a copy of Steve Parish: 50 Years Photographing Australia. Entrants were asked to tell us, in 25 words or fewer, where their favourite place was to spend the weekend in Queensland and why. The Steve Parish team was astonished by the diversity of places, and inspired by the passion Queenslanders have for our wonderful getaways. We have even added a few destinations to our staff’s list of places to visit and photograph in Australia! Here are the winning answers:

Lily McCoombes, age 4: Tin Can Bay where the dolphins play.

Debbie Lynch, 49: Springbrook: spectacular waterfalls, many a mountain stream, more like paradise than this amateur photographer could dream.

Andrew Dillon, 34: Anywhere that's under the stars, by a creek and out of mobile phone range.

Rebecca Hoge, 38: Sunshine Coast. Steve Parish says nature’s like candy. With its beaches, mountains, flora & fauna, the Sunshine Coast’s my Candyland.

Joan Ellen, 50: Kings Beach has views that casually capture many aspects of nature: birds, sea life, weather, shipping, and human varieties.

Michael Willis, 58: I love Dalby for the weekend especially because of Lake Broadwater Conservation Park — so different from the coastal strip.

Marnie Griffiths, 38: I love to go away to Hervey Bay when the whales are around, as they are wondrous to watch and photograph!

Barry Rowlands, 59: My favourite weekend place is Nature’s twin wonderlands of Fraser Island and the adjacent waters in the Great Sandy Strait.

Lyn Sues, 60: Yungaburra village: so peaceful, beautiful nature walks, wildlife and loving people.

Rosalyn Parker, 60: All along the coastline of Qld is so beautiful, Elephant Rock at Tugun and the Wildlife Sanctuary are my favourites, so relaxing.

Naomi Rickert, 40: Nothing compares to Mt Slowcombe, Yaraka, Central Qld at sunset. Watch landscape colours change as the Evening Star appears!

Jenny Meager, 40: Noosa — there's so much to do! Great shopping, bars/dining and lots to fun. I'm trying learn to surf lessons on my next visit.

Martha Maciejowski, 26: Maleny — great views, food and wine. Such a relaxing, picturesque environment.

Kate Greenaway, 31: North Stradbroke Island is my favourite place for a mini break — the perfect destination to leave any stress & worries behind!

Laurie Moran, 61: The Bunya Mountains — king parrots, rosellas, kangaroos in the morning mist!  Who wouldn't love it?

Barbara McGorman, 60: I love Tamborine Mountain for its magnificent, cooling rainforest, B & Bs, and boutique food and wine outlets. 

Deborah-Anne Stein, 49: Walking at Binna Burra and sitting quietly sharing a thermos of tea amongst the Antarctic Beech trees in a green, mossy paradise.

Sheena Walker, 56: Only one hour from Brisbane is Canungra. You get the country feel straight away, sit back, relax and enjoy nature.

Tammy Bohnet, 41: Australia Zoo: a great way to support the flora and fauna that makes Queensland so special.

Helen Maslen, 48: Coolangatta, because it is cool for summer with beautiful beaches and breezes. It embraces the spirit of Queensland: sun surf and sand.

Elvie Purss, 66: Anywhere outback, where the redder the soil is and the bluer the skies are the more the landscape shines.

Kate Bulmer, 22: Jimna in the first weekend of November. Wonderful family weekend, enjoying the bucking bulls, bush camping and 4WD mud action.

Janette Planck, 54: Condamine Gorge: an ever-changing landscape transformed by rain — 14 creek crossings gain energy from scenic cliffs.

Melissa Westworth, 45: Mission Beach Saturday, Dunk Island Sunday — beautiful beaches, rainforests & wildlife. Great for fantastic shots. How’s the serenity?

Craig Nunn, 36: Bribie Island. I have found kangaroos, emus, numerous bird species and the water to photograph. Only an hour away from Brisbane!

Jodie Hochmuth, 35: Woodgate Beach: crystal waters, white sand, national park and great fishing.

Luke Sellick, 31: I would have to say Springbrook National Park for its fabulous lookouts overlooking deep valleys and spectacular waterfalls.

Leisa Jefferis, 36: Stradbroke Island. Camping, fishing, 4wding, kayaking, relaxing, walking along the beach. It is just another world!

Diane Leakey, 53: We love to get away to Trinity Beach, north of Cairns, great accommodation, wonderful weather and beautiful scenery.

Susan Bromwich, 30: Tallebudgera Sands in the foreground, water and action in the middle, the beautiful horizon in the background. Picture perfect!

Nikki Cornwall, 39: Redland Bay's peaceful mangrove esplanades, to discover the plants, animals and images with my son and my camera.

Susan Delaforce, 26: My favourite Queensland weekend is Warwick rodeo. I love the scenery driving there and taking photos of events, and I admire the bush families.

Gary Orman, 52: Coolum Beach. Waves, sand, crabs, dolphins, and the odd whale — and a bottle shop!

Peggy Kennedy, 56: The seaside village of Peregian Beach. The perfect mix of surf, sand, and sun just close enough to Noosa and the hinterland.

Madonna O’Brien, 51: Anywhere along Mungallala Creek or west of there — as long as it has red sand and blue gums, red kangaroos and green budgies.

Wendy Webster, 29: The Burdekin, with burning sugar cane, wildlife, the creeks and beach. Great for photographs.

Karen Campbell, 45: Travel from Mt Isa to the beautiful Gregory River. Relax and swim and watch the most beautiful little red birds and other finches.

Jan Ashton, 60: Camping at Cedar Grove in Kenilworth National Park, enjoying the vast birdlife, wildlife and extensive varieties of vegetation.

Richard Hendersen, 53: The Bunya Mountains: a place of contrast. A mixture of rainforests, outback landscapes and a diversity of wildlife to match.

Marie Palmer, 46: Mt Glorious is our special getaway destination. There's such prolific birdlife we always see something new and exciting to photograph.

Jennifer Stafford, 54: Has to be Moreton Island, in particular Tangalooma where I had the opportunity to take my first ever pictures of sea stars.

Sandy Bird, 65: Mount Elliott has everything: swimming holes, abundant and friendly wildlife, peace and quiet.  We leave all the hassles behind.

Anthony Keim, 22: Booloumba Creek in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland; this place is NZ in QLD! Crystal blue waters, rainforest and bird-life. Magic!

Tanya Farrow, 39: Somerset Dam at Lake Somerset Holiday Park. Over 20yrs of fishing, camping and relaxation. What could be better?

Joanne Hope, 50: Paluma: lovely and quiet with birdlife including catbirds, riflebirds and golden bowerbirds. The best b&b right in the rainforest.

Danniel Pymble, 26: Montville. The combination of the beautiful village atmosphere, hinterland views & Montville Falls makes for a beautiful weekend.

Andy Coller, 53: Stanthorpe — wine, fruit, scenery, and still in Queensland!

Gayle Javens, 35: Rubyvale. You just follow a little track that winds out the back of our grand state, dig for gems and have a yarn with friends!

Jason Comans, 36: O'Reillys campgrounds are our favourite. They are so peaceful and tranquil with such seclusion and great photo opportunities.

Stewart Riddell, 44: Anywhere out bush, because I can photograph until my heart is content without the interruptions the city brings.

Congratulations to our winners!