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The Maroons lost half-back Cooper Cronk early to a broken arm, and looked rattled for much of the first half by a pumped-up Blues outfit.
A second-half fightback from the hosts was repelled by the visitors, who will now fancy their chances of finally ending Queensland's run of eight consecutive series wins.
Brett Morris and an inspired Jarryd Hayne scored tries for the Blues, with Darius Boyd picking up a double for the Maroons.
Cronk's replacement Daly Cherry-Evans was unable to exert the kind of influence he does week after week in the NRL, while his halves partner Johnathan Thurston had a rare poor showing in state colours.
New South Wales were the dominant side in the opening half and took a 10-4 lead into the break, but the Maroons upped the intensity in the second term to ensure another epic Origin contest.
A bomb from, of all people, Nate Myles, resulted in a Queensland scrum feed on the 10 metre line after four minutes, and the Maroons executed the next play to perfection to send Boyd sliding over in the corner.
The hosts suffered a major blow soon after, with Cronk forced to leave the field with a broken arm.
The Blues rolled forward with their first sustained spell of pressure, but were unable to capitalise on repeat sets of six as Queensland held firm.
New South Wales eventually did break through thanks to a rapid attack down the right edge, as a Josh Morris inside ball allowed his brother Brett to cross for a four-pointer.
The winger appeared to pop his shoulder in the act of scoring the try, but was able to continue despite being in considerably pain initially.
A penalty 27 metres out allowed Trent Hodkinson to boot the Blues ahead for the first time with 15 minutes remaining in the first half.
Tempers flared when Josh Reynolds upended Brent Tate in the tackle, with the New South Wales five-eighth ending up on report for the lift.
The Queenslanders continued to look flustered, and Hayne was able to maintain just enough momentum to roll through a Thurston tackle and get his arm over the line for a superb Blues try.
After surviving some late assaults on their line, New South Wales went into the break with a deserved 10-4 lead.
Of the last 15 Origin matches, the half time leader has gone on to win the game 13 times, and New South Wales continued that trend despite an improved Queensland display after the interval.
Hayne sent up a bomb early in the second stanza, and the flying fullback served as a distraction as Queensland coughed up the pill and then conceded a penalty, which Hodkinson popped over to put the margin beyond a converted try.
A gripping arm wrestle ensued for the next quarter of an hour until the Maroons finally broke through for their second try, with the reliable finisher Boyd crossing again after nimble hands from Thurston and Greg Inglis.
Queensland kept up the pressure with numerous raids into enemy territory and some aggressive defence, but the Blues bravely held on.
Boyd crossed for a third time with 73 minutes gone, but he was held up over the line.
A desperate final surge by the home team was not enough to overwhelm the dogged Blues, who held on for a memorable win on enemy soil.
Queensland 8
Tries: Boyd 2
New South Wales 12
Tries: B. Morris, Hayne
Goals: Hodkinson 2
Crowd: 52, 111 @ Suncorp Stadium