Townsville - Do & See

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Townsville

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Oceania Australia Townsville Do & See

Overview

Do & See The guide was updated: 2024-06-20

There is plenty to do and see in and around Townsville. The tropical climate is perfect for numerous water-based activities, such as the free water park and swimming pools.

The wreck of the SS Yongala, just off the Queensland coast and measuring more than 100 metres, has been labelled one of the world’s top 10 diving sites. Additionally, just 135 kilometres to the southwest is Charters Towers, a living history site established during the gold trade in the late 1800s, which today contains a number of superb historic buildings.

For families and nature lovers, there is Billabong Sanctuary, home to wombats and koalas. Culture is catered for with several art galleries and the Townsville Heritage Centre in the West End.

The Strand

The Strand

Townsville’s beachfront promenade is a 2.2-kilometre stretch of parkland dotted with barbecue and picnic areas, exercise facilities and restaurants — offering fun for the whole family. The free water park delights adults and children alike. With its beautiful views the spot is also a great choice for a romantic stroll. At the northern end of The Strand sits The Rockpool. It’s a stinger-free ocean-water pool where you can swim for free. The pool is wheelchair accessible and a good splash area for the young ones.

Mount Stuart

Mount Stuart

The amazing views from Mount Stuart's lookout point stretch over Townsville all the way to Magnetic Island. This point above the clouds can be accessed via Mount Stuart Road from Stuart Drive in Roseneath. Mount Stuart is a popular outdoor recreational area, including trail running, mountain biking and rock climbing.

Queensland Museum Tropics

Queensland Museum Tropics

Queensland Museum Tropics holds information about natural history, archaeology and history. At this museum, local history is put in a global context with world-class artefacts and replicas. Learn about the Mutiny on the Bounty, the story of the Pandora, the efforts of the Royal Navy to recover the 'pirated' ship and bring the mutineers to justice. One of our most popular areas for kids is the Enchanted Rainforest, which focuses on one of North Queensland’s most iconic ecosystems. Children can learn about rainforest plants and animals in a safe and fun environment.

Cape Pallarenda

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 difficulty, fishing and boating, bird watching and shell collecting. Cape Pallarenda was a strategic defence location in World War II and structures from that era can be spotted along the walking trails. The former Cape Pallarenda Quarantine Station is now heritage-listed. It was built in 1915–1916 using the materials brought over from the original quarantine station on Magnetic Island.

Alligator Creek

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 Road. For a more active day and a more private bathing experience, hike into Alligator Creek falls. Be sure to bring plenty of snacks, water and sunscreen for this 17-kilometre trail.

Street Art Trail

Street Art Trail

Townsville Street Art Trail takes you through 15 works of art hidden in alleys, laneways and on warehouse walls. Head into the city centre for the biggest concentration of murals. The oldest and most well-known piece of guerrilla street art is the ‘Saint’ on Castle Hill — painted in the 1970s in the early hours of Saint Patrick’s Day by local students. It's naive stick figure aesthetic is pure delight.

Magnetic Island

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 just relaxing at one of the many beautiful bays or beaches on Magnetic Island.

Great Barrier Reef

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 crystal clear waters and includes snorkelling, glass bottom boat tours, a marine biology presentation and a scrumptious buffet lunch. There are several companies offering various tour to the Reef. Here is just one of them:

Townsville Heritage Centre

Townsville Heritage Centre

The National Trust of Australia Heritage Centre consists of three quaint Queensland houses dating from the last 150 years. All are furnished in the fashion of the period when they were built. The collection of preserved materials from the past, as well as the annual Heritage festival, present an interesting part of local history and culture.

Billabong Sanctuary

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 petting and a dip in a resort-sized pool. Explore the diverse fauna and take a picture with these unique species.

Charters Towers

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 beautifully preserved 19th and early 20th century buildings from its heyday. It is well worth a visit for architecture lovers.

Maritime Museum of Townsville

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 of the past. There are lots of interesting facts to discover for adults and great fun for kids, too.

Mission Beach

Mission Beach

Mission Beach is a small coastal town about 240 kilometres north of Townsville. For visiting beach lovers, it offers a beautiful stretch of sand for all sorts of activities. Besides the obvious sunbathing, you can go skydiving or kayaking. Paddle from South Mission Beach along the coast, passing golden sandy beaches and rocky headlands. As you cruise along, there will be plenty of opportunities to see turtles and many sea birds that frolic along this scenic coastline.

Castle Hill

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 walking or cycling for an even more amazing view over the city and the surrounding area.

Paluma & Crystal Creek Rainforest

Paluma & Crystal Creek Rainforest

Paluma and Crystal Creek Rainforest is a hidden gem and a lovely cooling spot where you can escape the hot summer days and enjoy some tranquillity. After the hike to the creek, take a plunge into the refreshing waters, have a picnic or barbecue, and just enjoy your day in these beautiful surroundings.

Palmetum

Palmetum

The Palmetum in the suburb of Annandale is one of three botanical gardens of Townsville. Walk around these lovely surroundings with a rainforest feel and enjoy the tranquillity and the variety of plants from different environments, such as rain forest, lagoon, desert and much more. The park offers lots of little out of the way seats that invite you to sit and enjoy nature.

Riverway

Riverway

Riverway is a modern development project that offers a combination of residential, commercial, cultural, sports and leisure activities. It has two huge swimming lagoons, Pinnacles Gallery art space, the Riverwalk walking tracks, public art, a restaurant and lush green parkland. Come here with the whole family, swim in the lagoons, make yourself comfortable in the shaded spots and fire up a barbecue.

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