TOWNSVILLE
- INDEX
- DESTINATIONS
- YOUR ITINERARY
- ACCOMMODATION
- THINGS TO DO
- TRANSPORT
- TOURS
- ATTRACTIONS
- WEDDING / HONEYMOON
- CAR HIRE
- DINING OUT
- BACKPACKERS
- INTERNET@CAFES
- CAMERA HIRE
- MAPS and INFO
- SAFE TRAVEL
- CLASSIFIEDS
- LINKS
With a population of over 160,000, Townsville is regarded as the 'capital' of North Queensland. The city boasts up to 320 days of sunshine a year, so no wonder it's such a popular winter destination for those cold blooded Southerners! For many tourists, it's little more than the jump-off point to nearby Magnetic Island, just twenty-five minutes away, but the city warrants some exploration of its own.
TOWNSVILLE AND THURINGOWA ARE NEXT TO EACH OTHER AND SOMETIMES THE BOUNDARIES ARE HARD TO HIGHLIGHT. TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR VISITORS, WE HAVE NOT DISTINGUISED BETWEEN THE TWO CITIES AND HAVE INCLUDED EVERYTHING IN TOWNSVILLE
Combine the glorious sunshine with a relaxed lifestyle and an enormous diversity of attractions, and Townsville is the perfect choice for a North Queensland holiday experience. Townsville combines the lure of the tropics with the attractions of a major city. From diving and snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef, rafting white water rapids, having a flutter at the Casino, or simply lazing on golden beaches - Townsville offers the best of everything.
The city was established in 1864 as a settlement for northern stockmen who couldn't reach Bowen when the Burdekin River was in flood. Cleveland Bay, as Townsville was known then, soon became larger and more prosperous than Bowen itself. At one point during World War II, it was USA's largest overseas air base. Nowadays, together with its twin city Thuringowa, it is the gateway to experience the wonders of the region - the outback, rainforests, magnificent waterfalls, tropical islands and, of course, the Great Barrier Reef.
The shining jewel of Townsville, and the pride of every resident, is what they call The Strand, a two kilometre landscaped boulevard that runs along the oceanfront. On an average weekend, over 10,000 people visit The Strand. The area has picnic facilities, basketball courts, children's playgrounds, and a waterpark, and is lined with cafes and restaurants. There's a rock pool, and during the summer months, the City Council installs stinger resistant swimming enclosures at the beach. If you're not aware of the dangers posed by marine stingers, especially during summer, please visit our SAFE TRAVEL page.
The Strand has been awarded as the cleanest beach in Queensland for two consecutive years and it was one of the four winners of the World Leisure Innovative Prize in 2006. From fishing to cooling off in the sea, from playing at the any of the two playgrounds to participating in the public activities and events that will be always taking place as well as signing in with the Picnic Bay or Arcadian Surf Life Savers for some real action, from skydiving to picnicking with your family, there is something to make sure everyone has an unforgettable time here.
REEF HQ
2-68 Flinders Street, Townsville
Phone (07) 4750 0800 / Fax (07) 4772 5281
Open from 9:30am to 5:00pm, seven days a week except Christmas Day.
Reef HQ, the world's largest living coral reef aquarium, is not only a uniquely North Queensland attraction, it is the education centre for the Great Barrier Reef and a 'must see' for both locals and visitors to the region
MUSEUM OF TROPICAL QUEENSLAND
70-102 Flinders Street, Townsville, Phone (07) 4726 0600, Fax (07) 4721 2093
The museum's main feature is the collection of outstanding relics from the wreck of the PANDORA. Also on display is the largest collection of Australian dinosaur fossils you will see anywhere, tropical marine mammals, and exhibits focused on the cultures of the Torres Strait Islands and Aboriginal groups in Townsville. The Museum is open from 9.30am-5.00pm, 7 days a week, except Good Friday, Christmas Day and the morning on ANZAC Day (25 April) when it will open at 1:00pm
NORTH QUEENSLAND ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDERS CULTURAL CENTRE
Reef HQ Complex, Flinders Street, Townsville, Phone (07) 4772 7679
The Cultural Centre opened its doors in 2005 and showcases early and contemporary cultural heritage of the Wulguru-Kaba and Bindal people. The Centre features innovative cultural, educational and informative displays, as well as traditional performances, that will help the visitor to experience the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people's heritage
PERC TUCKER REGIONAL GALLERY
Corner Denham Street and Flinders Moore, Townsville, Phone (07) 4727 9011, Fax (07) 4772 3656
Perc Tucker Regional Gallery is named in honour of Alderman Perc Tucker, Mayor of Townsville from 1976 to 1980. The Gallery, housed in an historic building established by the Union Bank of Australia in 1885 as its northern headquarters, was officially opened on 25th September 1981.
The Gallery has a combination of visiting exhibitions as well as its own permanent collection of modern paintings, with over 2,000 works. The collection focus on works that are related somehow to North Queensland, being the tropics the global theme. Visitors to the gallery can also enjoy floor talks, lectures and performances to complement the exhibitions.
OTHER MUSEUMS
If you want to have a fascinating insight into the naval and maritime history of Townsville, head to the Maritime Museum. Other interesting museums worth visiting for a deeper knowledge of the town are the North Queensland Military Museum, located in the old gun stores and displaying artifacts relevant to colonial years, WWI and WWII; the Townsville Museum, with an exhibition dedicated to the history of Townsville; or the RAAF Townsville Museum, that documents the military aviation history in North Queensland and other theatres of conflict from 1939 to the present.
CASTLE HILL
From Castle Hill you will have a 360-degree vista of the city below as well as Cleveland Bay and Magnetic Island. It is a huge pink granite monolith that rises 286 metres above sea level. During World War II, the slopes of Castle Hill that faced Rowes Bay and the Strand, were probably used to locate some defensive machine gun emplacements and possibly some mortar pits. You will find some interesting walks up here. For those looking for something more dramatic the climb to the top of Mount Stuart is rewarding. The road to the summit is located 2 km south of Townsville and the view, from 585 metres up, is spectacular.
TOBRUK MEMORIAL BATHS
Tobruk Memorial Baths, opened in 1951, are best known for their close association with Australia's preparation for the 1956 and 1960 Olympic Games. They have been an important part of not only Townsville - but Australian swimming history. They are part of the Strand. Call (07) 4771 6527 for more information.
CAPE PALLARENDA CONSERVATION PARK
The park is situated at the end of Cape Pallarenda Road, 10 kilometres north east of Townsville. From 6:30am to 6:30pm everyday, visitors can discover the history of the Quarantine Station established in 1915 in order to quarantine passengers on incoming ships.
However, the park is much more. Set in a landscape of vine thickets and open woodland, the park is home to many different animals and plants. Visitors interesting in birdwatching will be happy to see different species comfortable sharing this pretty area with human beings, as well as wallabies, sand goannas and many other animals.
The park is also good for bushwalking, having some short tracks leading to picnic spots and to the beach. If you decide to go bushwalking, then don't miss the remains of an old jetty destroyed by a cyclone back in 1971. Other tracks are longer, between two and 2.5 kilometres. All of them provide interesting insights into the history of the region.
Gas barbecues, picnic tables, toilets and parking are provided. Camping is not permitted.
HISTORIC BUILDINGS
If you are interested in either history or architecture, Townsville won't disappoint you. Townsville has an excess of National Trust Buildings and historic houses, such as the Australian Bank of Commerce and Burns Philp (now a nightclub and a disco respectively, very elegant, though) The Exchange (Townsville's oldest pub) The Great Northern (1901), The Queens Hotel (1900-1920, with a very Indian style), Tatersalls Hotel (nowadays known as Molly Malones, an astonishing example of a typical Australian hotel of its period), Rosebank (a classic Queensland's home, with wide verandas and very elaborated balustrades set in beautiful tropical gardens), can be seen and explored to have a better insight into Townsville past days. Some National Trust Buildings, that were scattered around the city, have been brought together at 5 Castling Street, West End, and can be visited only on Wednesdays 10:00am - 2:00pm and weekends 1:00pm - 4:00pm.
GREAT BARRIER REEF
Enjoy the Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef that stretches over 2,000 kilometres in length and can be seen from space. Whether you are into scuba diving, snorkelling, swimming in deep waters or just want to have a relaxing day in the sea, you won't find any other place to see such a rich diversity of both corals and fish. Together with the Wet Tropics Rainforest, just a stone's throw from Townsville, it makes the only paradise of its own.
ANDERSON PARK BOTANIC GARDENS
Located in the corner of Gulliver and Wellington Streets, Anderson Park Botanic Gardens contain important tree collections. The park also features an attractive conservatory. It is open from Monday to Sunday during daylight hours.
BLUEWATER PARK
Bluewater Park is located 35 kilometres north of Townsville. Very well serviced with barbecues, toilets and showers, a boat ramp and playground facilities, the campsite allows camping for a maximum stay of 24 hours. Both tents and vehicles are accepted although it is restricted to 20 vehicles.
ROLLINGSTONE PARK
Rollingstone Park is located 50 kilometres north of Townsville. The nearby Rollingstone Railway Station is home to a Railway Museum and the Rollingstone Pub is a very popular stopover for locals and visitors who want to enjoy the local arts and crafts markets. The campsite offers freshwater creek swimming areas, 48 hour maximum stay camping is permitted, tents are accepted and vehicles are restricted to 30 sites.
RIVERWAY
Within the city of Thuringowa itself we find Riverway, that stretches along 11 kilometres of the Ross River, with nodes at Pioneer Park, Loam Island, Apex Park and the Ross River Dam. Pioneer Park, the activity centre of Riverway, provides recreational facilities such as sporting fields and both picnic and barbecue areas and is a popular fishing location. Sports, entertainment, swimming, performing arts, visual arts, dining, shopping and passive recreation, everything can be found in one spot. It is a unique site, not only because of the spectacular river setting but also for the way the activities that take place in the park, the buildings are the landscape are interrelated, allowing people and nature co-exist. Is is a must when you visit Townsville.
NORTHERN BEACHES
The Northern Beaches region is an area that stretches from Bushland Beach and Bluewater to Balgal Beach, Saunders Beach and Rollingstone, with long white sandy beaches surrounded by natural bushlands located to the north of Townsville. For holiday accommodation on the Northern Beaches, please check the listings in our TOWNSVILLE ACCOMMODATION section.
Bushland Beach can be accessed via a turnoff along the Bruce Highway. It is the furthest south of the five, only 15 minutes drive from Thuringowa central business district. When the tide is low a wooden shipwreck is uncovered, as well as some ponds full of interesting marine life kids will surely enjoy. And fishing is possible too!!!. This gorgeous beach is equipped with kids playgrounds, BBQs and other facilities, as well as a hotel and a resort and a boat ramp. No Camping is allowed
Saunders Beach, 30 kilometres north of the city centre, is one of the city's most popular beaches. However, if you decide to visit it, you will be likely to have it to yourself. Fishing and swimming is permitted, there is a range of accommodation and picnic areas, as well as a boat ramp, are available. Camping is permitted, although maximum stay is 24 hours. Vehicles are not accepted.
In Toolakea Beach you can enjoy a very tranquil athmosphere. It is a fantastic spot for birdwatchers. No Camping is permitted.
Toomulla Beach, located 40 kilometres north of Townsville, is an isolated place which makes it a perfect location for camping (48 hour maximum stay). Both tents and vehicles are accepted and there is a boat ramp for public use.
Balgal Beach, 55 kilometres north of Thuringowa, is a spectacular sandy beach with a wide creek mouth and thus, renowned as a river fishing location. It has a stinger net and a boat ramp for public use. It is a perfect spots for those going to the Islands. The nearby towns of Balgal and Rollingstone provide Balgal Beach with all the facilities anyone may need, from restaurants and accommodation to a nine hole golf course. 48 hour maximum stay camping is permitted. Vehicles are accepted in some areas only.
COTTERS MARKETS
On Sundays you can visit North Queensland's largest markets, full of colour and street entertainment, known as the "Cotters Markets". All you will find here will be North Queensland arts, crafts, produce and products. Open from 8:30am to 1:00pm.
STRAND MARKETS
The Strand Night Markets are a must do while in Townsville. They take place every 1st Friday of each month on the the beautiful location of The Strand beachfront. From May to December, from 5:00pm to 9:00pm, allow yourself a unique shopping and leisure experience in a charming setting. Food, fashion, craft, jewellery, there is a vast variety of products to suit everyone's taste and you and your family or friends will enjoy a very pleasant evening.
ROLLINGSTONE MARKETS
The Rollingstone Markets, in Rollingstone Park, feature arts, crafts, produce, preserves and more. Breakfast and morning tea are availabale at the Rollingstone Historical Society Museum. The are open from 8:00am to 12:00pm, on the 1st Saturday of the month, but only from April to December.
NORTH QUEENSLAND FARMERS MARKETS
The North Queensland Farmers Markets are open from 6:00am to noon every Saturday at the North Shore Town Centre in Main Street, Burdell. There are many different types of stalls at the markets from fresh organic produce, freshly squeezed lime drinks, sumptuous marinades and sauces, beautiful and aromatic skin care products, nuts and seeds, olives and tasty tapenades, herbs and just caught seafood, cheeses and freshly baked bread.
For more details of Tropical North Queensland's other fascinating markets, please visit our MARKETS page.
Townsville and Thuringowa are packed with events going on all year round. Here we have listed only the most significant ones. For a comprehensive list of all the festivals and special events in Tropical North Queensland, please visit our TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND EVENTS CALENDAR.
FULL MOON DRUM CIRCLE, TOWNSVILLE
Don't miss this event or you will forever regret it. Join the hundreds of people that get together on the Strand on the night of each full moon at 5.30pm. And don't forget to bring a drum or any percussion instrument, even your frying pan if you don't have any other thing handy.
CULTURAL FEST, TOWNSVILLE
Running during a whole weekend in August, this three day festival celebrates Townsville's richness and diversity of cultures with the participation of over 65 different cultural groups. Musical and dance performances and cultural displays run day and night on the main stage located within Strand Park. And also you will be tempted by the wonderful array of traditional and international food on offer including Indian, Pacific, Middle Eastern, African, Asian, Central and South American and European.
TOWNSVILLE RUNNING FESTIVAL
1999 saw the beginning of this event as such and, since then, participants are increasing in numbers. Nowadays there are not only professional runners but also a few backpackers entering the competition as well.
The 9th annual Townsville Running Festival will incorporate the following marathons and runs:
NoteTab Pro appears to be corrupted. This command cannot be completed. * Tony Ireland Holden Townsville Marathon
* Chiropractic Care Townsville Half Marathon
* Sports Med Townsville 10.5 kilometre Fun Run
* 4TO Townsville 5 kilometre Fun Run and Walk
* McDonald's Townsville 5 kilometre
* Junior Fun Run and 5 kilometre teams
* Kelly Services Corporate 5 kilometre Teams
TOWNSVILLE AMATEURS
Considered an icon for large numbers of people in and around the North and West of Queensland, the Townsville Amateurs is the culmination of the northern Winter Racing Carnival. Among the events that will take place during the Festival there will be food and street parades, horse races, the Townsville Amateurs Ball, lots of entertainment including the Calcutta music and dancing, the Townsville Amateurs Cup Day and the Garden Party. A festival to suit everyone!
TOWNSVILLE TO PORT HINCHINBROOK REGATTA
This annual event starts at 10:00am on Good Friday and since it started in 2004 it is getting bigger and bigger each year. Races take place during Sunday and Monday. Sunday is the fun day for everyone, it is time for the festivities to start. And say hello to Easter Bunny if you see him.
THURINGOWA RIVER FESTIVAL
The River Festival is a celebration of culture, arts and lifestyle in Thuringowa and activities will follow one another to make sure everybody is having a good time.
For nine days, both visitors and residents will have the opportunity to enjoy themselves with all the displays, markets and festival activities especially for you.
NORTHERN BEACHES FESTIVAL, THURINGOWA
To celebrate the communities in Thuringowa's northern beaches is why locals get together annually in this beautiful town of North Queensland.
The activities for this festival go from craft fairs, competitions, the Mystic Sands Ball, skate board demonstrations, car boot sales, indigenous dances, barbecues, tropical jazz and much much more.Thuringowa Pro Tackle Tilapia Fishing Competition.
THURINGOWA PRO TACKLE TILAPIA FISHING COMPETITION
Join the Thuringowa residents to catch a tilapia before the barramundi season starts. A whole day dedicated to fishing, featuring also workshops, displays and lots of fun activities. Of course, food and drinks will be available. A boating permit is not required to enter the competition.
THE 4TTT PALMER STREET JAZZ FESTIVAL
The festival attracts some of Australia's leading jazz artists but it will also be a key event for the music lovers. There will be several stages scattered around the precinct where the music won't stop, but also those dining at any of the superb restaurants of the area will have the opportunity to listen to top artist performing. A music event recognized all around Australia, the 4ttt Palmer Street Jazz Festival promises 3 days full of fun, music and entertainment.
Townsville is the largest city in Tropical North Queensland, and has a great supply of accommodation. Townsville holiday accommodation varies from luxury resorts and hotels to caravan parks and campgrounds, with some offering self contained villas and modern ensuite cabins. There is family friendly self contained apartment accommodation and a plethora of affordable motel lodging as well. Townsville has several backpackers hostels and you will even find home style bed and breakfast accommodation. As you would expect from a regional capital like Townsville, there really is a style of accommodation to suit everyone. Please visit our TOWNSVILLE ACCOMMODATION section, or use the buttons in the right hand column to choose the style of Townsville accommodation that suits you.
It is practically imposible to list every single restaurant and bar in Townsville. The list is huge and new eateries are opening and closing down every day. However, we have chosen the best of the best, so when you go back home you take with you a good impression of Australia's cuisine as well as of its lifestyle, scenery and people.
Townsville is easily accessible via the the main coastal highway, the Bruce Highway, that runs all the way from Cairns to the south of Queensland. The city's airport is a major transport hub, serviced by four domestic airlines, and Townsville is a nucleus for the state rail network, having connections not just to the north and south, but direct a route through the Northern Outback to Mount Isa.
SUNFERRIES Sunferries provides the quickest link between Townsville and Magnetic Island in just 20 minutes with up to 19 return services per day aboard high speed fast cats.
The city was established in 1864 as a settlement for northern stockmen who couldn't reach Bowen when the Burdekin River was in flood. Cleveland Bay, as Townsville was known then, soon became larger and more prosperous than Bowen itself. At one point during World War II, it was USA's largest overseas air base. Nowadays, together with its twin city Thuringowa, it is the gateway to experience the wonders of the region - the outback, rainforests, magnificent waterfalls, tropical islands and, of course, the Great Barrier Reef.
The shining jewel of Townsville, and the pride of every resident, is what they call The Strand, a two kilometre landscaped boulevard that runs along the oceanfront. On an average weekend, over 10,000 people visit The Strand. The area has picnic facilities, basketball courts, children's playgrounds, and a waterpark, and is lined with cafes and restaurants. There's a rock pool, and during the summer months, the City Council installs stinger resistant swimming enclosures at the beach. If you're not aware of the dangers posed by marine stingers, especially during summer, please visit our SAFE TRAVEL page.
The redevelopment of the Townsville Strand foreshore in 1999 was necessitated by destructive monsoonal storms that battered the old rock walls in 1997 and 1998. The construction of what you see today involved-
250,000 tonnes of armour rock
400,000 tonnes of sand
390,000 tonnes of fill
70,000 square metres of turf
16,000 trees and shrubs
900 palms
22,500 native groundcover plants
The Strand has been awarded as the cleanest beach in Queensland for two consecutive years and it was one of the four winners of the World Leisure Innovative Prize in 2006. From fishing to cooling off in the sea, from playing at the any of the two playgrounds to participating in the public activities and events that will be always taking place as well as signing in with the Picnic Bay or Arcadian Surf Life Savers for some real action, from skydiving to picnicking with your family, there is something to make sure everyone has an unforgettable time here.
ATTRACTIONS AND THINGS TO DO - TOWNSVILLE
TOWNSVILLE GOLF CLUB
Benson Street, Rosslea, Townsville (MAP)
Phone (07) 4779 0133 / Fax (07) 4725 3171
www.townsvillegolfclub.com.au
Great weekday specials!
Townsville Golf Club is the oldest Golf Club in Queensland, the 4th oldest in Australia, and the only 27 hole championship course in NQ.
Townsville Golf Club provides a wonderful venue for weddings, product launches,team building events, golf events etc. Join as a Member and enjoy daily competitions.
Green fees 9 holes $20 / 18 holes $30
Club hire $15 / Buggy hire $5 / Cart hire $33
Visitors welcome / Bookings essential / Neat dress code / Soft spikes required
Opening hours From 6:30am. Competitive corporate golf rates. Opening hours From 6:30am. Please contact their PRO SHOP on (07) 4779 8790, or book and pay online at www.townsvillegolfclub.com.au
STENNO'S SPORTSFISHING TOURS
Burdekin region (MAP)
Phone (07) 4782 9667
www.stennosfishingtours.com
Discover the fish rich waters of the Burdekin District with approximately 22 estuaries and two rivers inside two huge bays. Your guide Andrew specialises in lure bait and fly fishing for species such as Barramundi - Mangrove Jack - Fingermark - Bream - Cod - Queenfish - Salmon - Trevally - Flathead - Tarpon - Mackerel and more.....
Stenno's Sportfishing Tours run daily trips and two day accommodated fishing tours.
BILLABONG SANCTUARY
Bruce Highway , Townsville (MAP)
Phone (07) 4778 8344 / Fax (07) 4780 4569
www.billabongsanctuary.com.au
Open from 8am to 5pm everyday (except Xmas Day)
Billabong Sanctuary is Australia's best interactive wildlife experience. Located 17 kms south of Townsville, drive yourself or we can organise return bus transfers for you. The sanctuary covers 25 acres and displays Australia's native animals in their natural habitat of rainforest, eucalypt forest and wetlands.
Cuddle a Koala, hug a Wombat, hold a croc or wrap a python around your neck. Wildlife talks and feeding shows run throughout the day, feed the free ranging kangaroos and don't miss our Crocodile feeding shows at 12noon and 2.45pm
CORAL PRINCESS CRUISES
Phone 4040 9999 / Fax (07) 4035 5995
Tollfree 1800 079 545
www.coralprincess.com.au
A truly magical and meaningful journey!
A Coral Princess Cruise is a Great Barrier Reef and Island experience you will never forget. Enjoy three nights of discovery and adventure between Cairns and Pelorus Island, exploring Australia's renowned tropical paradise and World Heritage Marine and National Parks.
You will find all the comforts and facilities you would expect from larger cruise ships, but you will still be able to access reef and island sites inaccessible to larger vessels. With their open bridge policy and a maximum of just 50 passengers, your environmental experience will be both personal and memorable.
And there is as much to as you want, or as little to do as you like - snorkelling, guided coral viewing excursions in glass bottom boats, scuba diving, guided rainforest walks and presentations by Marine Biologists - or simply take the time to relax on the sundeck or in the spa. The choice is yours!
TROPIC SAIL
Shop 7, Breakwater Marina, The Strand, Townsville (MAP)
Phone (07) 4772 4773 / Fax (07) 4772 4775
www.tropicsail.com.au
Relax and sail away!
Tropic Sail offers self drive or skippered charter holidays from Townsville on board either sailing vessels or motor cruisers. Discover Magnetic Island and 13 other unspoiled and secluded islands of The Palms group aboard your own luxury charter yacht.
If you are looking for a unique holiday destination and a way to escape the crowds, then the serenity of sailing these spectacular waters will not disappoint. Lush tropical rainforests, deserted sun drenched beaches, Aboriginal culture, pristine fringing coral reefs and fascinating historic ruins makes this one of Queensland's most exclusive and exciting holiday destinations - and to date its best kept secret.
With Tropic Sail you will enjoy over 42 anchorages with no peak hour traffic at dusk - guaranteed. Virtually untouched cruising grounds that will never leave you frustrated each night for a quiet place to drop anchor. Frequently there will be nobody else but you staying in the secluded bay you've chosen.
Townsville is only a 45 minute flight or a 4 hour drive south of Cairns
WARBIRD AIR ADVENTURES
Cairns and Townsville
Tollfree 1300 341 006
www.flyingwarbirds.com.au
Loops... barrell rolls... vertical rolls... oh my!
Cairns and Townsville Warbird Adventure Flights - Be a Fighter Pilot.
At Warbird Air Adventures you can:
Fly like the aces of yesteryear in supercharged 2 seat military fighter trainer aircraft.
Experience eyeball popping aerobatic manoeuvres ranging from MILD to WILD, as much as YOU like.
Experience over 4 times the force of gravity - bet you can't lift your arms.
Simply the best most unique gift you could give anyone, including yourself!
Looking for a truly unforgettable gift for a friend or loved one? Or simply want to experience the maddest adrenalin rush you ever had? THEN YOU HAVE LANDED AT THE RIGHT PLACE
MUSEUMS & ART GALLERIES
ARMY MUSEUM NORTH QUEENSLAND
Jezzine Barracks, North Ward, Townsville
Phone / Fax (07) 4721 1495
website link
In 1979 a committee was formed to refurbish the old battery in Townsville as a Military Museum. It was opened on 12 June 1980 to display artifacts relevant to colonial years, World War 1, the inter-war years and World War 2.
The Museum is open Wednesday and Friday 9:00am to 1:00pm, and Sunday 10:00am to 2:00pm. Visits can be arranged outside these times by prior arrangement.
REEF HQ2-68 Flinders Street, Townsville
Phone (07) 4750 0800 / Fax (07) 4772 5281
Open from 9:30am to 5:00pm, seven days a week except Christmas Day.
Reef HQ, the world's largest living coral reef aquarium, is not only a uniquely North Queensland attraction, it is the education centre for the Great Barrier Reef and a 'must see' for both locals and visitors to the region
MUSEUM OF TROPICAL QUEENSLAND
70-102 Flinders Street, Townsville, Phone (07) 4726 0600, Fax (07) 4721 2093
The museum's main feature is the collection of outstanding relics from the wreck of the PANDORA. Also on display is the largest collection of Australian dinosaur fossils you will see anywhere, tropical marine mammals, and exhibits focused on the cultures of the Torres Strait Islands and Aboriginal groups in Townsville. The Museum is open from 9.30am-5.00pm, 7 days a week, except Good Friday, Christmas Day and the morning on ANZAC Day (25 April) when it will open at 1:00pm
NORTH QUEENSLAND ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDERS CULTURAL CENTRE
Reef HQ Complex, Flinders Street, Townsville, Phone (07) 4772 7679
The Cultural Centre opened its doors in 2005 and showcases early and contemporary cultural heritage of the Wulguru-Kaba and Bindal people. The Centre features innovative cultural, educational and informative displays, as well as traditional performances, that will help the visitor to experience the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people's heritage
PERC TUCKER REGIONAL GALLERY
Corner Denham Street and Flinders Moore, Townsville, Phone (07) 4727 9011, Fax (07) 4772 3656
Perc Tucker Regional Gallery is named in honour of Alderman Perc Tucker, Mayor of Townsville from 1976 to 1980. The Gallery, housed in an historic building established by the Union Bank of Australia in 1885 as its northern headquarters, was officially opened on 25th September 1981.
The Gallery has a combination of visiting exhibitions as well as its own permanent collection of modern paintings, with over 2,000 works. The collection focus on works that are related somehow to North Queensland, being the tropics the global theme. Visitors to the gallery can also enjoy floor talks, lectures and performances to complement the exhibitions.
OTHER MUSEUMS
If you want to have a fascinating insight into the naval and maritime history of Townsville, head to the Maritime Museum. Other interesting museums worth visiting for a deeper knowledge of the town are the North Queensland Military Museum, located in the old gun stores and displaying artifacts relevant to colonial years, WWI and WWII; the Townsville Museum, with an exhibition dedicated to the history of Townsville; or the RAAF Townsville Museum, that documents the military aviation history in North Queensland and other theatres of conflict from 1939 to the present.
HISTORICAL SITES
CASTLE HILLFrom Castle Hill you will have a 360-degree vista of the city below as well as Cleveland Bay and Magnetic Island. It is a huge pink granite monolith that rises 286 metres above sea level. During World War II, the slopes of Castle Hill that faced Rowes Bay and the Strand, were probably used to locate some defensive machine gun emplacements and possibly some mortar pits. You will find some interesting walks up here. For those looking for something more dramatic the climb to the top of Mount Stuart is rewarding. The road to the summit is located 2 km south of Townsville and the view, from 585 metres up, is spectacular.
TOBRUK MEMORIAL BATHS
Tobruk Memorial Baths, opened in 1951, are best known for their close association with Australia's preparation for the 1956 and 1960 Olympic Games. They have been an important part of not only Townsville - but Australian swimming history. They are part of the Strand. Call (07) 4771 6527 for more information.
CAPE PALLARENDA CONSERVATION PARK
The park is situated at the end of Cape Pallarenda Road, 10 kilometres north east of Townsville. From 6:30am to 6:30pm everyday, visitors can discover the history of the Quarantine Station established in 1915 in order to quarantine passengers on incoming ships.
However, the park is much more. Set in a landscape of vine thickets and open woodland, the park is home to many different animals and plants. Visitors interesting in birdwatching will be happy to see different species comfortable sharing this pretty area with human beings, as well as wallabies, sand goannas and many other animals.
The park is also good for bushwalking, having some short tracks leading to picnic spots and to the beach. If you decide to go bushwalking, then don't miss the remains of an old jetty destroyed by a cyclone back in 1971. Other tracks are longer, between two and 2.5 kilometres. All of them provide interesting insights into the history of the region.
Gas barbecues, picnic tables, toilets and parking are provided. Camping is not permitted.
HISTORIC BUILDINGS
If you are interested in either history or architecture, Townsville won't disappoint you. Townsville has an excess of National Trust Buildings and historic houses, such as the Australian Bank of Commerce and Burns Philp (now a nightclub and a disco respectively, very elegant, though) The Exchange (Townsville's oldest pub) The Great Northern (1901), The Queens Hotel (1900-1920, with a very Indian style), Tatersalls Hotel (nowadays known as Molly Malones, an astonishing example of a typical Australian hotel of its period), Rosebank (a classic Queensland's home, with wide verandas and very elaborated balustrades set in beautiful tropical gardens), can be seen and explored to have a better insight into Townsville past days. Some National Trust Buildings, that were scattered around the city, have been brought together at 5 Castling Street, West End, and can be visited only on Wednesdays 10:00am - 2:00pm and weekends 1:00pm - 4:00pm.
NATURAL SITES
GREAT BARRIER REEFEnjoy the Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef that stretches over 2,000 kilometres in length and can be seen from space. Whether you are into scuba diving, snorkelling, swimming in deep waters or just want to have a relaxing day in the sea, you won't find any other place to see such a rich diversity of both corals and fish. Together with the Wet Tropics Rainforest, just a stone's throw from Townsville, it makes the only paradise of its own.
ANDERSON PARK BOTANIC GARDENS
Located in the corner of Gulliver and Wellington Streets, Anderson Park Botanic Gardens contain important tree collections. The park also features an attractive conservatory. It is open from Monday to Sunday during daylight hours.
BLUEWATER PARK
Bluewater Park is located 35 kilometres north of Townsville. Very well serviced with barbecues, toilets and showers, a boat ramp and playground facilities, the campsite allows camping for a maximum stay of 24 hours. Both tents and vehicles are accepted although it is restricted to 20 vehicles.
ROLLINGSTONE PARK
Rollingstone Park is located 50 kilometres north of Townsville. The nearby Rollingstone Railway Station is home to a Railway Museum and the Rollingstone Pub is a very popular stopover for locals and visitors who want to enjoy the local arts and crafts markets. The campsite offers freshwater creek swimming areas, 48 hour maximum stay camping is permitted, tents are accepted and vehicles are restricted to 30 sites.
RIVERWAY
Within the city of Thuringowa itself we find Riverway, that stretches along 11 kilometres of the Ross River, with nodes at Pioneer Park, Loam Island, Apex Park and the Ross River Dam. Pioneer Park, the activity centre of Riverway, provides recreational facilities such as sporting fields and both picnic and barbecue areas and is a popular fishing location. Sports, entertainment, swimming, performing arts, visual arts, dining, shopping and passive recreation, everything can be found in one spot. It is a unique site, not only because of the spectacular river setting but also for the way the activities that take place in the park, the buildings are the landscape are interrelated, allowing people and nature co-exist. Is is a must when you visit Townsville.
NORTHERN BEACHES
The Northern Beaches region is an area that stretches from Bushland Beach and Bluewater to Balgal Beach, Saunders Beach and Rollingstone, with long white sandy beaches surrounded by natural bushlands located to the north of Townsville. For holiday accommodation on the Northern Beaches, please check the listings in our TOWNSVILLE ACCOMMODATION section.
Bushland Beach can be accessed via a turnoff along the Bruce Highway. It is the furthest south of the five, only 15 minutes drive from Thuringowa central business district. When the tide is low a wooden shipwreck is uncovered, as well as some ponds full of interesting marine life kids will surely enjoy. And fishing is possible too!!!. This gorgeous beach is equipped with kids playgrounds, BBQs and other facilities, as well as a hotel and a resort and a boat ramp. No Camping is allowed
Saunders Beach, 30 kilometres north of the city centre, is one of the city's most popular beaches. However, if you decide to visit it, you will be likely to have it to yourself. Fishing and swimming is permitted, there is a range of accommodation and picnic areas, as well as a boat ramp, are available. Camping is permitted, although maximum stay is 24 hours. Vehicles are not accepted.
In Toolakea Beach you can enjoy a very tranquil athmosphere. It is a fantastic spot for birdwatchers. No Camping is permitted.
Toomulla Beach, located 40 kilometres north of Townsville, is an isolated place which makes it a perfect location for camping (48 hour maximum stay). Both tents and vehicles are accepted and there is a boat ramp for public use.
Balgal Beach, 55 kilometres north of Thuringowa, is a spectacular sandy beach with a wide creek mouth and thus, renowned as a river fishing location. It has a stinger net and a boat ramp for public use. It is a perfect spots for those going to the Islands. The nearby towns of Balgal and Rollingstone provide Balgal Beach with all the facilities anyone may need, from restaurants and accommodation to a nine hole golf course. 48 hour maximum stay camping is permitted. Vehicles are accepted in some areas only.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS
MELVILLES PIONEER FARM
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RODEO AT BLACK RIVER STADIUM
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TOURS
ADRENALINE DIVE
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REMOTE AREA DIVE
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MARKETS
COTTERS MARKETSOn Sundays you can visit North Queensland's largest markets, full of colour and street entertainment, known as the "Cotters Markets". All you will find here will be North Queensland arts, crafts, produce and products. Open from 8:30am to 1:00pm.
STRAND MARKETS
The Strand Night Markets are a must do while in Townsville. They take place every 1st Friday of each month on the the beautiful location of The Strand beachfront. From May to December, from 5:00pm to 9:00pm, allow yourself a unique shopping and leisure experience in a charming setting. Food, fashion, craft, jewellery, there is a vast variety of products to suit everyone's taste and you and your family or friends will enjoy a very pleasant evening.
ROLLINGSTONE MARKETS
The Rollingstone Markets, in Rollingstone Park, feature arts, crafts, produce, preserves and more. Breakfast and morning tea are availabale at the Rollingstone Historical Society Museum. The are open from 8:00am to 12:00pm, on the 1st Saturday of the month, but only from April to December.
NORTH QUEENSLAND FARMERS MARKETS
The North Queensland Farmers Markets are open from 6:00am to noon every Saturday at the North Shore Town Centre in Main Street, Burdell. There are many different types of stalls at the markets from fresh organic produce, freshly squeezed lime drinks, sumptuous marinades and sauces, beautiful and aromatic skin care products, nuts and seeds, olives and tasty tapenades, herbs and just caught seafood, cheeses and freshly baked bread.
For more details of Tropical North Queensland's other fascinating markets, please visit our MARKETS page.
EVENTS
Townsville and Thuringowa are packed with events going on all year round. Here we have listed only the most significant ones. For a comprehensive list of all the festivals and special events in Tropical North Queensland, please visit our TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND EVENTS CALENDAR.FULL MOON DRUM CIRCLE, TOWNSVILLE
Don't miss this event or you will forever regret it. Join the hundreds of people that get together on the Strand on the night of each full moon at 5.30pm. And don't forget to bring a drum or any percussion instrument, even your frying pan if you don't have any other thing handy.
CULTURAL FEST, TOWNSVILLE
Running during a whole weekend in August, this three day festival celebrates Townsville's richness and diversity of cultures with the participation of over 65 different cultural groups. Musical and dance performances and cultural displays run day and night on the main stage located within Strand Park. And also you will be tempted by the wonderful array of traditional and international food on offer including Indian, Pacific, Middle Eastern, African, Asian, Central and South American and European.
TOWNSVILLE RUNNING FESTIVAL
1999 saw the beginning of this event as such and, since then, participants are increasing in numbers. Nowadays there are not only professional runners but also a few backpackers entering the competition as well.
The 9th annual Townsville Running Festival will incorporate the following marathons and runs:
NoteTab Pro appears to be corrupted. This command cannot be completed. * Tony Ireland Holden Townsville Marathon
* Chiropractic Care Townsville Half Marathon
* Sports Med Townsville 10.5 kilometre Fun Run
* 4TO Townsville 5 kilometre Fun Run and Walk
* McDonald's Townsville 5 kilometre
* Junior Fun Run and 5 kilometre teams
* Kelly Services Corporate 5 kilometre Teams
TOWNSVILLE AMATEURS
Considered an icon for large numbers of people in and around the North and West of Queensland, the Townsville Amateurs is the culmination of the northern Winter Racing Carnival. Among the events that will take place during the Festival there will be food and street parades, horse races, the Townsville Amateurs Ball, lots of entertainment including the Calcutta music and dancing, the Townsville Amateurs Cup Day and the Garden Party. A festival to suit everyone!
TOWNSVILLE TO PORT HINCHINBROOK REGATTA
This annual event starts at 10:00am on Good Friday and since it started in 2004 it is getting bigger and bigger each year. Races take place during Sunday and Monday. Sunday is the fun day for everyone, it is time for the festivities to start. And say hello to Easter Bunny if you see him.
THURINGOWA RIVER FESTIVAL
The River Festival is a celebration of culture, arts and lifestyle in Thuringowa and activities will follow one another to make sure everybody is having a good time.
For nine days, both visitors and residents will have the opportunity to enjoy themselves with all the displays, markets and festival activities especially for you.
NORTHERN BEACHES FESTIVAL, THURINGOWA
To celebrate the communities in Thuringowa's northern beaches is why locals get together annually in this beautiful town of North Queensland.
The activities for this festival go from craft fairs, competitions, the Mystic Sands Ball, skate board demonstrations, car boot sales, indigenous dances, barbecues, tropical jazz and much much more.Thuringowa Pro Tackle Tilapia Fishing Competition.
THURINGOWA PRO TACKLE TILAPIA FISHING COMPETITION
Join the Thuringowa residents to catch a tilapia before the barramundi season starts. A whole day dedicated to fishing, featuring also workshops, displays and lots of fun activities. Of course, food and drinks will be available. A boating permit is not required to enter the competition.
THE 4TTT PALMER STREET JAZZ FESTIVAL
The festival attracts some of Australia's leading jazz artists but it will also be a key event for the music lovers. There will be several stages scattered around the precinct where the music won't stop, but also those dining at any of the superb restaurants of the area will have the opportunity to listen to top artist performing. A music event recognized all around Australia, the 4ttt Palmer Street Jazz Festival promises 3 days full of fun, music and entertainment.
ACCOMMODATION - TOWNSVILLE
Townsville is the largest city in Tropical North Queensland, and has a great supply of accommodation. Townsville holiday accommodation varies from luxury resorts and hotels to caravan parks and campgrounds, with some offering self contained villas and modern ensuite cabins. There is family friendly self contained apartment accommodation and a plethora of affordable motel lodging as well. Townsville has several backpackers hostels and you will even find home style bed and breakfast accommodation. As you would expect from a regional capital like Townsville, there really is a style of accommodation to suit everyone. Please visit our TOWNSVILLE ACCOMMODATION section, or use the buttons in the right hand column to choose the style of Townsville accommodation that suits you.DINING - TOWNSVILLE
It is practically imposible to list every single restaurant and bar in Townsville. The list is huge and new eateries are opening and closing down every day. However, we have chosen the best of the best, so when you go back home you take with you a good impression of Australia's cuisine as well as of its lifestyle, scenery and people.
JUPITERS TOWNSVILLE HOTEL AND CASINO
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WINDOWS RESTAURANT
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GETTING TO TOWNSVILLE
Townsville is easily accessible via the the main coastal highway, the Bruce Highway, that runs all the way from Cairns to the south of Queensland. The city's airport is a major transport hub, serviced by four domestic airlines, and Townsville is a nucleus for the state rail network, having connections not just to the north and south, but direct a route through the Northern Outback to Mount Isa.
Of course if you've got a desire for the freedom and flexibility that can only be had at the wheels of your own vehicle, please visit our CAR HIRE page. We may be called Cairns Unlimited, but we can get you a great deal on a rental car or campervan anywhere! Simply fill out our obligation free enquiry form, and we will get back to you - usually the next working day - with the best deal on a vehicle to suit your needs.
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SAVANNAH AVIATION
Phone (07) 4745 5177 / Fax (07) 4745 5211
Freecall 1800 455 445
www.savannah-aviation.com
Servicing North QLD and the Northern Territory!
Savannah Aviation offers charter flights to many destinations in the Outback and around North Queensland.
* Alice Springs * Tenant Creek * Burketown * Mornington Island * Doomadgee * Lawn Hill * Century Zinc Mine * Mt Isa * Camooweal * Normanton * Karumba * Katherine * Townsville * Cairns * Borroloola * Robinson River * Merlin Mine * Argyle Mine * Katherine * Darwin *
Savannah Aviation are also available for scenic flights over many of the magnificent sights of our Northern Outback and Gulf region
Townsville International Airport was the first airport in Queensland other than Brisbane to be granted international airport status. However, it has not handled direct international flights since 2002. The airport is a major regional centre, serviced by flights to most major centres around the country.
Qantas flies to Townsville from the eastern capital cities, with a number of flights daily from Brisbane, Cairns, Sydney and Melbourne. Jetstar flies a daily service from Townsville to Brisbane, and to Sydney and Melbourne most days. And Virgin Blue also fly daily to Townsville from Brisbane and Sydney and viceversa.
Check availability, compare prices and FIND THE BEST DEAL by entering your requested flight details in our simple Flight Finder.
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Townsville is a major stop on the regular Brisbane to Cairns Greyhound bus route, with up to five departures every day.
A daily Greyhound bus service also runs from Townsville through the Northern Outback to Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory. The bus will stop for passengers at most points in between Mount Isa and Townsville, including
Cloncurry, Julia Creek, Richmond, Charters Towers, and a number of other smaller townships along the way. The westbound service departs from Townsville at 7:00am and passes through Mount Isa at 7:05pm. The eastbound passes through Mount Isa at 6:50am, getting you into Townsvile at 7:00pm. Drop offs and pickups are at the Isa Centre in 19 Marian Street.
Oz Experience connects Sydney with Cairns, with the chance to stop in those destinations you find interesting along the way. Oz Experience has a range of passes and itineraries around the country. .
The innovative and comfortable 'Tilt Train' sweeps up the east coast from Brisbane to Cairns twice a week, stopping at Townsville on its way. The
northbound service leaves Brisbane on Mondays and Fridays at 6:25pm, stopping at Townsville at 1:05pm Tuesdays and Saturdays, continuing to Cairns, where it gets at 7:20pm. The southbound service leaves Cairns at 8:15am on Sundays and Wednesdays, rolling into Townsville at 2:35pm and getting to Brisbane at 9:10am on Mondays and Thursdays. Other stops along the way both directions are Innisfail, Tully, Ayr and Proserpine (Whitsundays).
The classic 'Sunlander' plies the route four times a week. If you are in for an exclusive luxury experience, try then the 'Queenslander Class'. Note: Queenslander Class is only available on Sundays and Thursdays northbound, and Tuesdays and Saturdays southbound.
Queensland Rail covers the 1,000 kilometres between Townsville and Mount Isa, stopping at most points along the way, including Charters Towers, Richmond, Julia Creek and Cloncurry. The 'Inlander', as it is known, heads west from Townsville every Sunday and Thursday at 12:30pm, arriving in Mount Isa the following day at 9:35am. The eastbound service departs Mount Isa at 1:30pm Mondays and Fridays, and rolls into Townsville at 10:10am the next day.
Premier / Pioneer Motor Service also run a bus service from Brisbane to Cairns and viceversa. The buses stop at Proserpine, Airlie Beach, Bowen, Home Hill, Ayr, Townsville, Ingham, Cardwell, Tully, Mission Beach, Innisfail and Gordonvale.
For those travelling with their own vehicle, the Magnetic Island Car and Passenger Ferry can get you and your vehicle between Townsville and the island. Different fares apply for those travelling with a standard vehicle or a motorcycle.
SUNFERRIES Sunferries provides the quickest link between Townsville and Magnetic Island in just 20 minutes with up to 19 return services per day aboard high speed fast cats.
Sunbus is the local bus company servicing Townsville city, Thuringowa and suburbs. They run a dozen or so different routes around the city daily. You can find details of their routes, and a timetable of their services on their website.
Townsville has a 24 hour local taxi service, with a fleet comprising sedans, wagons, and wheelchair-friendly 'maxi taxis'. Phone tollfree 131 008.
EMERGENCY SERVICES
In case of emergency only, dial 000. In all other cases, phone the local service :
Ambulance (07) 4725 6499
or 131233
Hospital (07) 4796 1026
or (07) 4796 1111
Police (07) 4759 9777
Fire&Rescue (07) 4771 6024
EMERGENCY SERVICES
In case of emergency only, dial 000. In all other cases, phone the local service :Ambulance (07) 4725 6499
or 131233
Hospital (07) 4796 1026
or (07) 4796 1111
Police (07) 4759 9777
Fire&Rescue (07) 4771 6024
