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Nestled in the Tropical North Queensland, with the Great Barrier Reef to one side and the towering peak of Mount Steward to the other, there are plenty of adventures to be had in Townsville.
Townsville is best known for being the gateway to Magnet Island, a remote island with pristine beaches and spectacular views, but it offers much more than this. There are tons of fun and exciting things to do in Townsville, making it a place you want to stop and stay a while.
We even had friends who, on their trip to Australia, stopped in Townsville and stayed for about two years. So it must have had some things going for it.
On our visit to Townsville, we learned that 27 degrees is a normal winter’s day, it’s Queensland’s second biggest city, home to the biggest army base in Australia, it played a huge role in World War II and it has the best Aquarium in Australia.
It has a beautiful heritage feel to it and as a town, it’s actually very pretty.
If you’re making your way down to the popular Airlie Beach, gateway to the Whitsundays, from Cairns, then Townsville is the perfect halfway point to spend a few days on your travels around Australia.
Things to Do in Townsville
1. Relax on The Strand
The Strand lifts Townsville up. It’s a 2.2km long beachfront playground with water parks and playgrounds for the kids, a lovely walking path, BBQ’s, cafes and restaurants.
It also has a public swimming lagoon called The Rock Pool, which is hugely popular and the place to be on one of those hot Far North Queensland days.
Take a stroll along the promenade, visit the Rockpool Water Park and cool off on the water slides, unpack a picnic on the beach, or simply enjoy a sunrise or sunset. The Strand is the place to be if you want to enjoy the tropics of Queensland and enjoy being by the ocean.
2. Visit The Best Aquarium in Australia, Reef HQ
Reef HQ is definitely the best aquarium I’ve been to in Australia, possibly the world. Speaking of the world, it is the largest living coral reef aquarium in the world!
Even if you plan on scuba diving or snorkelling the real Great Barrier Reef, I think this is worth a visit to see the vibrant coral and sea life up close and learn so much about the reef system and the interconnectedness of all living things. I really enjoyed it, and so did our kids.
There are plenty of different displays to see all the marine life and there’s also the Turtle hospital. It’s great for the kids to learn about taking care of the animals we live beside and why they are so important – even sharks although they might scare us a little!
3. Hike Up Castle Hill
Castel Hill is the pink granite monolith that makes you sit up and take notice of the city.
This 286m high rock is the most popular walking trail in Townsville and there are various walking tracks – called the goat tracks that can take you to the summit.
You could even be like the locals and run up Castle Hill. Or if you have kids, you might just want to drive up for the 360-degree views over Townsville and Magnetic Island.
4. Take A Townsville Military Tour
I absolutely loved my half day experience with Townsville Military Tours. I wasn’t expecting such a valuable insight into our nation’s military history from the Boer War II to current operations in Afghanistan.
I was sad that during my years growing up we only really heard of Gallipoli when there were so many soldiers and RAF doing heroic things during World War II.
Townsville was very important during the Second World War, and it’s now the biggest army base in Australia. Toby, founder and guide of the tour, comes from a military background and was so passionate and knowledgeable about our military history.
Toby made the tour come alive with his stories and had the tears rolling down my face in the first 30 minutes. I was fascinated and walked away with such a greater pride and admiration for the strength and resilience of our nation and gratitude for those who serve.
The tour takes you to Kissing Point, the military museum, The Black Hawk Down tragedy memorial site and the military base (outside of it). You stop for cake and coffee at the Tumbetin Tea Rooms in Palmetum Gardens.
5. Relax in Palmetum Gardens
Palmetum Gardens is one of Townsville’s four Botanical Gardens. It’s a 17-hectare botanic garden displaying one of the largest and most diverse public collections of palms in the world – 300 species of palm, many rare and threatened, and includes most Australian palms.
I only visited Palmetum briefly on the Military Tour. I loved the tranquility and jungle feel of the park and especially the memorial to the victims of the Black Hawk Tragedy that happened in Townsville in 1996.
It’s a great place to see tropical plants and sit back and relax under the shade of the trees.
6. Admire the Views from Kissing Point
The Kissing Point Fort has been turned into a lovely area for the community to enjoy with walking tracks and views out over Magnetic Island and Cleveland Bay.
There are plenty of old gun replacement bunkers and tunnels here for the military history buffs. A new boardwalk that runs around to nearby Rowes Bay is now open.
7. See the Animals at Billabong Wildlife Sanctuary
If you’re looking for an interactive wildlife experience with Australian animals then head out to the Billabong Sanctuary about 20 minutes outside of Townsville. It’s a tranquil tropical bush setting by the billabong.
There are interactive wildlife shows all day and bring your camera as you can watch turtle races, pat a dingo, see some croc feeding, see the wombats, feed some kangaroos, and cuddle some koalas.
8. Take a Day Trip to Magnetic Island
It’s well worth taking the short 20-minute ferry ride across to a small island full of wildlife, stunning beaches, hiking tracks and the chance to pause time for awhile and just kick back and relax.
With its pristine beaches, such as Horseshoe Bay and Balding Bay, it’s a great place to visit blissful beaches and do some sunbathing and snorkeling in crystal-clear waters teeming with marine life.
You can also do some scenic walking trails through rainforest and bays, including the popular Forts Walk, for a chance to see wild koalas.
The island’s laid-back atmosphere and natural beauty makes it the perfect day trip – or better yet, stay a couple days!
9. See the Texas Longhorns
Only a two-hour drive from Townsville is the Texas Longhorns Experience just outside of Charters Towers.
This is one of the last horse-drawn wagon ride experiences in the country, and the only place to see Texas Longhorns on a safari.
We found it fascinating and we loved the hosts Mick and Lynda. They were so hospitable and fun and are truly passionate about their cattle and showcasing it and the stories with their guests.
You can read more about our Longhorns experience here.
10. See Waterfalls in Paluma Range National Park
For a chance to see the beautiful rainforest landscapes that make this region famous, head to Paluma Range National Park, a short drive from Townsville, for a delightful escape into lush rainforests and cascading waterfalls.
The park is home to the picturesque Little Crystal Creek and Big Crystal Creek, both renowned for their crystal-clear waters and scenic swimming holes. You may even see some freshwater turtles while you’re swimming!
The park is also well known for its plethora of vibrant bird species, from rainforest birds like chowchillas, mountain thornbills and golden bowerbirds, which are native to this region.
The park’s elevated position provides breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, and tranquil atmosphere and natural beauty are unlike anywhere else.
11. Visit the Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA)
The Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA) is a unique museum that combines art, marine conservation, and adventure!
Take a short boat ride to this unique underwater museum, which has a series of stunning sculptures submerged in the crystal-clear waters of the Great Barrier Reef.
Each installation is designed to promote coral growth and provide habitats for marine life. One of the highlights is the iconic “Ocean Siren” sculpture, which you can see by diving and snorkeling.
12. Admire The Wallaman Falls
Another must-see nature spot near Townsville is Wallaman Falls, the tallest permanent waterfall in Australia, with a drop of 268 meters!
Wallaman Falls is a spectacular sight, cascading dramatically into a lush gorge surrounded by vibrant rainforest.
The falls are located in the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Wet Tropics and are accessible via a 3.2 kilometre trek with only a 228-metre descent.
13. Dive the SS Yongala
If you’re a diving enthusiast, don’t miss a chance to see the SS Yongala, a sunken passenger ship that went down in 1911, who’s wreck now rests on the ocean floor off the coast of Ayr.
The wreck has been covered in a vibrant artificial reef that’s teeming with diverse marine species.
Explore the remnants of the ship, adorned with colorful corals, which provide feeding grounds for giant groupers, sea turtles, and schools of tropical fish.
It has been recognized as one of the best dive sites in the world, making it a must-visit for diving enthusiasts!
14. Visit the Hinchinbrook Islands
Another island worth visiting near Townsville is Hinchinbrook Island. Just a short boat ride away, this pristine island is renowned for its rugged mountains, lush rainforests, and secluded beaches.
One of the highlights is the famous Thorsborne Trail, a multi-day hiking track that winds through the island’s diverse ecosystems, offering breathtaking views, hidden waterfalls, and opportunities to spot local animals such as wallabies and various bird species.
The crystal-clear waters surrounding the island are perfect for snorkeling and kayaking, making it a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts!
15. Museum of Tropical Queensland
We’re not big on museums, but we found the Queensland Museum Tropics an enriching experience.
The museum features a diverse array of exhibits that educate visitors about the rich biodiversity of the tropical environment, including fascinating displays on the Great Barrier Reef and the indigenous cultures of Northern Queensland.
It also has a stunning collection of maritime artifacts, including items from the historic shipwreck of the HMS Pandora!
Places to Eat in Townsville
1. Longboard Bar & Grill
A must-visit bar for views, beers, mojitos and awesome finger food is Longboard’s on The Strand.
Very American in flavour, Longboard’s is a place we hope to return to. We haven’t had buffalo wings as good since we lived in the States. (They were much cheaper back there too!)
2. Juliette’s Gelateria
Our local friend from North Queensland insisted we have to go to Juliette’s. It’s an institution for gelato and coffee.
The ice cream comes in many weird and wonderful flavours. There’s a cafe and a smaller kiosk along the Strand.
3. C Bar
Cbar has great water views and good coffee. We didn’t stop here for lunch, but we enjoyed the raisin toast with our cuppa.
4. Townsville Brewing Co.
If there’s a brewery in town you’ll typically find us there, and The Townsville Brewing Co didn’t disappoint.
The building itself is impressive and full of character, it’s in the old post office, and whilst we didn’t eat here we dropped in for a beer and really enjoyed our couple of pints of local craft beer.
City Lane
City Lane is a laneway in the city centre, and Townsville’s first creative precinct with funky bars and eateries, including my favourite, the Paleo Cafe.
Places to Stay in Townsville
We stayed in two separate places in Townsville during our visit. The first couple of nights was at the Grand Hotel and the location was very central, right on Palmer Street surrounded by several good cafes and restaurants and an easy walk to the CBD.
Then we stayed at first ever vacation rental property, in the centre of the city and easy to walk to shops and restaurants and being right near the cinema was a bonus with two children.
The bus stopped right across the road which made it very easy to get to the Strand – although it’s also walking distance.
If you want a more lux, tropical resort accommodation, The Ville Resort Casino on the waters edge is vibrant and playful and comes highly recommended
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What are some things you’re looking forward to do in Townsville? Share in the comments below!
