The state of Queensland deserves to be celebrated despite the horrific summer of cyclones, floods and storms.

Nature does wreak its fury on us from time to time but there’s much to love about living here.

From the beach to the forest to the desert, here’s some images that celebrate Queensland.

Australian gums, Noosa National Park

Brolgas in Kynuna

One of Queensland's most iconic and remotest pubs, the Birdsville Hotel

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These images were taken late yesterday as flash flooding inundated suburbs in Brisbane. Sixty percent of Queensland has been swamped with water although fortunately the capital has received comparably mild flooding. With people losing homes, stock, crops, property, businesses and other assets it’s become a disaster of epic proportions. You can help by donating to the Premier’s Disaster Relief Appeal.

Flooded street in Auchenflower, Brisbane on January 9, 2011.

A flooded street in Auchenflower, January 9, 2011.

Kids playing in floodwater, Brisbane, January 9, 2011

Motorists stuck in the rain. January 9, 2011.w

For more photographs see my latest blog on Asian Correspondent. I have also written some other reports on the news website.

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Feel free to email Jo at admin@visitedplanet.com with your comments/thoughts/photo aspirations.  See and learn more at www.visitedplanet.com