Townsville

A major city of tropical North Queensland, Townsville serves as one of the gateways to the magnificent Great Barrier Reef, as well as the beautiful Magnetic Island of its scenic coast.

Townsville is one of the largest urban centres of Northern Queensland, and is a great place to explore the diverse natural beauty of the area. The Reef HQ Aquarium close to the city’s port is the best place on the Australian mainland to witness the varied flora and fauna of the Great Barrier Reef. The nearby Museum of Tropical Queensland explores the natural and human history of the area, with one of its major exhibits being artifacts from the HMS Pandora, an 18th century British warship. It also houses one of the most impressive collections of diverse corals in the world. The scenic coast of Townsville is complemented by the Strand, a combination of waterparks, the Tobruk Memorial Baths, relaxing parks along the coast and sandy beaches. It is the perfect place for visitors to enjoy the sunny weather by the ocean, with excitement and relaxation along this coastal strip. The Port of Townsville offers many options to set off to the nearby Magnetic Island, while also offering plenty of spots to enjoy the natural beauty of this waterfront location. The striking red of Castle Hill lies in the centre of the city, with plenty of walking tracks, trails and lookouts along the way to the top. On the outskirts of Townsville lies the massive Billabong Sanctuary, where visitors will be treated to the lush greenery of tropical Queensland while they chance upon the exotic natuve wildlife. Lucky travellers will get to see dingoes, koalas, kangaroos, crocodiles and other fascinating animals in their natural habitats.