Townsville Travel & Vacation Guide
Townsville, Australia, is a vibrant coastal city in North Queensland, renowned for its tropical climate, stunning beaches, and rich cultural heritage. Situated on the shores of Cleveland Bay, Townsville offers a perfect blend of outdoor adventure and urban amenities. Visitors can explore the Strand, a scenic waterfront promenade lined with cafes and parks, or dive into the colorful marine life of the Great Barrier Reef at nearby Magnetic Island. With its bustling markets, historic sites like the Jezzine Barracks, and proximity to the outback and rainforests, Townsville is a gateway to unforgettable experiences in Australia's tropical north.
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Description
Townsville is a city on the north-eastern coast of Queensland. It is Australia's largest urban centre north of the Sunshine Coast and is considered the unofficial capital of North Queensland by locals. Townsville City takes its name from Robert Towns, a merchant and businessman who was a pioneer financial supporter of pastoral development around the Ross River area. The central business district (CBD) is a strip of land along Ross Creek at its mouth at the Coral Sea. It is overlooked to the west by Castle Hill, a popular tourist attraction. The CBD offers a vast array of world-class bars, restaurants, hotels, and shops. It also houses the world-renowned Reef HQ Aquarium — the world’s largest living coral reef aquarium, currently closed for renovation until 2026. Townsville City is located in the traditional Wulgurukaba Aboriginal country.
Useful information
179,011 (2021 census)
Australian Dollar (AUD) $1 = 100 cents
Fire, Ambulance & Police: 000
Do & See
Alligator Creek
Bowling Green Bay National Park is home to Alligator Creek, which flows between Mount Elliot and Saddle Mountain. The lookout spot and bathing area are located about 5 kilometres along Alligator Creek...
Billabong Sanctuary
Crocodiles, snakes, wombats, and koalas call Billabong Sanctuary their home just 17 kilometres south of Townsville. The sanctuary offers a chance to experience reptile handling shows, wombat and koala...
Cape Pallarenda
The Cape Pallarenda Conservation Park is a 44-hectare protected conservation park 10 kilometres northeast of Townsville. The park offers 15 walking and mountain biking trails of varying lengths and di...
Castle Hill
Castle Hill, with its lookout, is a popular tourist site which offers some of the best views over the city of Townsville. You can drive up there and park at the top. From there you can continue walkin...
Charters Towers
Just a 90-minute drive from Townsville lies a spot where in 1871 gold was discovered by an Aboriginal boy named Jupiter. Today, the town called Charters Towers has 10,000 inhabitants and has some beau...
Great Barrier Reef
Discover the magical colours of the tropical marine fish and coral of the Great Barrier Reef. Departing from Townsville, it takes only 2 hours to get there. A full day adventure takes you to the cryst...
Magnetic Island
Escape to a tropical island, nearby Magnetic (or “Maggie” to locals). The island offers a wide range of activities for a perfect day off. Hop on the ferry and spend the day swimming, sun bathing or ju...
Maritime Museum of Townsville
The Maritime Museum is a relatively small local museum with an eclectic collection of incredibly detailed model ships, memorabilia, artefacts, and informative displays about the seafarers' lifestyle o...
Dining
A Touch Of Salt
A Touch Of Salt has a spacious indoor and outdoor area for warm summer nights and cosy evenings. The menu is contemporary and eclectic, and if you have a hard time choosing what to take then ask the k...
Cactus Jack’s
Cactus Jack’s is a Mexican restaurant which offers mouth watering starters and juicy steaks to die for. Flavourful chicken wings and crispy potatoes are also on the menu. With its huge range of import...
Garden of Eating BYO
The Garden of Eating has an Australian menu where you can choose from many unique combinations of delicious meals to enjoy indoors and outdoors in a cosy backyard with fairy lights and lush greenery. ...
Gyo Japanese Tapas Bar Restaurant
GYO is a Japanese tapas restaurant with a menu that ranges from small courses, such as edamame beans, to big sushi platters. The menu is well selected and includes lunch, dinner and snack options. End...
Jam Corner
Jam Corner is serves creative Modern Australian fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You are welcome to try their tasting menus served all day in a stylish setting. Seasonal fruits, seafood and meat ...
Masala Indian Cuisine
Everything you expect from a good Indian restaurant can be found here. The atmosphere is low-key restaurant and the wood-accented interior creates a cozy mood. Good ambience and good place for family ...
Rambutan
Located in the resort of the same name, Rambutan's restaurant offers a wide range of selected Mediterranean flavours and World cuisine. The rooftop setting offers plenty of seating available, and you ...
Shop Six Pasta Bar
Shop Six Pasta Bar is a funky little restaurant on the Strand with inside and out seating. Beautiful big tree out the front with views to the ocean. The place itself looks pretty fancy but the prices ...
Cafes
Barefoot Art Food Wine
Good food, great art, fine wine. The owners of Barefoot merged their passions for dining and all things artistic to create a wonderful cultural mix. Located on the beachfront on Horseshoe Bay, there’s...
Born Wild Wholefoods + Espresso
Drop by Born Wild Wholefoods + Espresso and get a reviving smoothie for a more energized morning. For all who want to start their day with coffee, check out the menu and find your perfect coffee match...
C Bar
C Bar built its reputation on quality service, great coffee and food, including varied international flavours, and prime waterfront location. The two C Bars occupy a prime space in the Twin Cities. Re...
Coffee Dominion
Dominion is a cute boutique coffee roaster serving espresso drinks and fragrant pastries in a simple cafe with outdoor seating. The variety of espresso coffee blends, filter and plunder coffee, as wel...
Herveys Range Heritage Tea Rooms
If cups of tea are your cup of tea, you can always head out to the Heritage Tea Rooms — a fully restored Cobb & Co era building offering the great Aussie cuppa. The Heritage Tea Rooms offer a great ta...
Hoi Polloi Cafe
Contrary to what its name suggests, Hoi Polloi Cafe stands out of the crowd. The concept of being is quite non-standard character-full. Drop in and you might just catch a nonchalant Jazz jam, cute lat...
Juliette's Gelateria
Juliette's Gelateria is a great place for a delicious gelato after a walk around the town. You can choose among vegetarian-friendly options and a big selection of excellent coffee. Sit outside and tak...
Odyssey on The Strand
Odyssey on The Strand is a great place to stop for a snack when you are out shopping. Ideally located on The Strand, overlooking the rock pools, this Mediterranean style cafe offers breakfast and lunc...
Bars & Nightlife
Centenary Hotel
Located away from the main tourist haunts is the Centenary Hotel, popular among locals for its food and drinks, as well as its great outdoor play area for kids. You will find an extensive menu, which ...
Flynns Irish Bar
An Irish pub that tends to get loud, especially when big games are broadcast or live music performances are on — there is usually one of those every night. You can show off your skills at Irish pool, ...
Heritage Exchange
Heritage Exchange is a trendy bar which is very popular among locals, and it is ideal for late-nighters. The party here starts in the late afternoon and it continues all night long. The good food, the...
Hooch & Fellow
Hooch & Fellow is a trendy bar where you can find a wonderful selection of drinks. The bartenders craft brilliant drinks made right, with no fruit juice in sight. They care about the ingredients and h...
Seaview Hotel
With its spotless reputation and both casual indoor and outdoor seating areas, wood tables and potted plants, this hotel bar is a favourite weekend spot. Their menu includes seafood dishes, but also w...
Shaw & Co
Shaw & Co is a place which exudes charm and warmth. The best way to appreciate this hidden gem is to visit it when you are really hungry for lunch or dinner. You can choose from among a variety of sna...
The Australian Hotel
Located inside the Australian Hotel, this bar is one of the town's favorite spots for dining, which also features multiple large screens which are perfectly fit for watching sports and events. The ste...
Townsville Brewery
Townsville Brewery is an internationally recognised, award winning brewery producing and distributing eight brands of beer and six alco-pops. Some of the best beer brands in the area are featured on t...
Shopping
Castletown Shoppingworld
Castletown Shoppingworld is located on Woolcock Street at the corner of Kings Road, Hyde Park. The centre is home to two supermarkets and over 150 specialty stores including Target. Clothing stores, j...
City Arcade
City Arcade, Townsville's major shopping hub, offers a range of boutiques and specialty stores including retail chains, local businesses, cafes, restaurants and bars. Asian food eateries are particula...
Cotters Markets
Cotters Markets are a popular Sunday shopping event among locals and a good starting point for your tour around the town. Browse through this flea market packed with all sorts of items, like clothing,...
Fairfield Central Shopping Centre
Fairfield Central is a shopping centre which offers its clients a diverse mix of goods and services, including beauty salons, cafes, restaurants and grocery shopping, and all of them combine comfort w...
Mary Who? Bookshop
Mary Who? Bookshop is a self-proclaimed "literary oasis in the tropics". They carry a fantastic range of wonderful books and other miscellany for book lovers. Every visitor remarks on how knowledgeabl...
Renegade Gift Shop
If you are looking for something a bit different, an original gift to surprise your loved ones, then you have to visit Renegade Gift Shop. You can find many quality and unique handmade gifts, includin...
Strand Night Markets
If you happen to be in town on the first Friday of the month, make sure to stop by the Strand Night Markets and have fun browsing through the eclectic items on sale. You will be pleasantly surprised b...
Townsville Shopping Centre
Townsville Shopping Centre is one of the city’s largest shopping centres, with 135 speciality stores and 7 major retailers, including Big W. The atmosphere is relaxed and comfortable. The food court h...
Tourist Information
Townsville Airport (TSV)
Townsville Airport is located 5 kilometres from the city centre. Taxis are available from the arrivals end of the building by calling 131 008. A cheaper option is to take the airport shuttle bus or co...
Public Transport
The city centre is quite compact, so the main visitor areas can be easily explored on foot. Kinetic, the local bus service formerly known as Sunbus, runs regular routes around the city and to the outl...
Taxi
Uber, Didi and Ola are popular ridesharing apps in Townsville. You can find a taxi stand on Flinders Street. You can also book online or call and pre-book a cab from 13Cabs (132 227) or Checkered Cabs...
Electricity
Australia operates on a 230/240V supply voltage and 50Hz frequency. The country uses Type I power plugs, which feature two flat pins forming a 'V' shape, along with a grounding pin. This standard is a...
Ferry to Magnetic Island & Beyond
Townsville is serviced by two ferry companies. The 11 km trip normally takes around 25 minutes. Ferries depart from the Breakwater Ferry Terminal. SeaLink Queensland runs a regular service to Magnetic...
Pharmacy
In Townsville, and Australia more broadly, there are several major pharmacy chains where you can pick up over-the-counter medications, prescription drugs, personal care items, and more. The major phar...
Telephone
Country code: +61 Area code: (0)7
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