This Queensland city is home to World heritage listed national parks and spectacular beaches and enjoys more than 320 days of sunshine a year.
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It is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, the Wet Tropics and the Queensland Outback.
Attractions
Check out the underwater life at Reef HQ Great Barrier Reef Aquarium, it is the world’s largest living coral reef aquarium and the Australian Government’s national education centre for the Great Barrier Reef.
Love diving? Take the plunge at the SS Yongala wreck, one of the world’s best dive sites.
Test your fitness with a walk to the top of Castle Hill, the pink granite monolith, it’s an effort but the views are superb.
Magnetic Island, known as Maggie to the local, is a short 20-minute ferry ride and is a nature lover’s paradise with national parks, secluded beaches.
Stay
The Ville Resort Casino offers swish accommodation with panoramic views of Magnetic Island, the Coral Sea, Townsville City and iconic Castle Hill.
For budget accommodation try Rambutan in the middle of Townsville. It has a roof bar and in-house restaurant.
Magnetic Island has camping grounds, bungalows, resorts and luxury beachfront rentals.
Island Palms Resort has spacious self-contained apartments on the Nelly Bay beachfront.
If you want to splurge try Orpheus Island Lodge, 80 kms off Townsville, catering for just 28 guests – it’s a fisherman’s playground.
Dine
Taste test award winning craft beer at Townsville’s The Brewery, located in the city’s heritage-listed former post office building.
Get fish and chips from Tobin Fish Tales where fish scientists, Andrew and Renae Tobin sell locally sourced and sustainably caught seafood.
For cocktails head to Hooch & Fellow – they serve classic cocktails with a Hooch twist and also contemporary concoctions.
A Touch of Salt, Pier Restaurant and the Balcony Restaurant are recommended.
