Townsville, QLD

Townsville as main city of the north and third largest in the State, has the most sophisticated and rounded way of life in the tropics.

The business centre sits at the foot of Castle Hill, a 300m red granite outcrop only 7m short of being a mountain and the most prominent feature. Along the shore of Cleveland Bay is the tree lined Strand, at the north end of which is a memorial to those who fought in the Battle of the Coral Sea. Magnetic Island can be reached easily by ferry.

Townsville’s Pacific Festival in June includes an 8km swimming race from Magnetic Island. The Townsville annual show is held in July.

Townsville, the capital of North Queensland is the the third largest city in the state. Located in North Queensland's 'dry tropics', enjoying an average of 320 days of sunshine each year. The city is the perfect stepping off point for tropical islands and the Great Barrier Reef, Magnetic Island being only 20 minutes away by high speed catamaran. Also close by are many National Parks the outback and magnificent rainforests .

Townsville sits on the shores of Cleveland Bay where Captain Cook sailed in the Endeavour on June 5 1770. The first wharf was built at Ross Creek in 1864 and after a report on dredging and construction the Townsville Harbor Board was formed in 1896. Today it is Northern Australia's premier port shipping over 6.5 million tonnes of cargo a year.

Townsville's heritage has been retained with much of the Central Business District and waterfront areas now housed in magnificently restored historic buildings, adding character and charm to the city heart. The city centre is framed by The Strand Waterfront and the looming pink granites of Castle Hill. Tropical Flinders Mall, museums, attractions and eating places ranging from the sophisticated through to alfresco style contribute to the character of this precinct.

Region Information

	Accommodation		Entertainment
	Transport		Tourist Information Region map Photos