In the Sunshine State of Queensland, there are endless sights to see along the coast – the most famous being the Great Barrier Reef. Townsville is a stunning strip of shoreline and a gateway to the reef, Magnetic Island, and the Queensland outback. This destination is most frequented during the summer months but is an even better ‘summer time blues’ solution as the seasons change. With over 320 days of sunshine each year, the exceedingly picturesque landscapes are ideal to explore in the months leading up to colder weather.
Townsville
The city of Townsville is settled in between Cairns and the Whitsunday Islands, perfect for stopping through on your way up (or down) the coast by car. Townsville is about a three-hour drive north of the Whitsundays and a little over four hours south of Cairns. Likewise, Townsville is less than a three-hour direct flight from Melbourne and Sydney, making it an easy trip for those who are looking to explore for a weekend. Local Sights
Castle Hill
Just outside the city centre, be sure to climb Castle Hill for views of the town, the Coral Sea, and islands dotting the Townsville coastline. The hill is a heritage-listed pink granite monolith, which offers vehicle access as well as walking tracks for further exploration.
The Strand
After climbing the large historic rock structure that is Castle Hill, head down to The Strand for a bite to eat and to stroll across the shoreline. With sun-filled beaches and recreational areas, stop by a local café or restaurant for a morning coffee while relaxing and soaking up some Vitamin D. Be on the lookout for monthly cultural events that are normally held on the foreshores.
Botanic Gardens
Just a short walk from The Strand perches Queens Gardens, one of the four unique botanic gardens in Townsville. Along with Anderson Gardens, Palmetum, and Dan Gleeson Memorial Gardens, Queens Gardens is a pleasant and peaceful spot to get away from the hustle and bustle. It’s home to a wide array of various plant species and free-roaming wildlife.
City Lane Precinct
Townsville’s first creative laneway is in full swing. Inspired by New York’s vibrant, winding alleyways, City Lane is a sophisticated nook in the heart of the city offering an eclectic compendium of bars and eateries to tantalise your taste buds well into the evening. This hub will be buzzing day and night, with funky boutique venues such as Shaw & Co., The TapHouse and Born Wild.
Cotters Market & Strand Night Markets
Welcome to the largest arts and crafts market in North Queensland. Get your creative juices flowing at the Cotters Market each Sunday morning on Flinders Street from 8:30am to 1pm. The Strand Night Markets take place on the first Friday of the month from May to December at The Strand Park. These local markets give you a sneak peek into the culture of Queensland with jewellery, fashion, art, food, and home/leisure displays. Browse away!
Riverway Lagoons
An outing for the entire family. These lagoons are man-made and boast beach access, entry to the Pinnacles Gallery, playgrounds and BBQ facilities. The pools are a great way to escape the heat, but still enjoy the weather (and maybe a few burgers) with friends and family.
Only A Stone’s Throw Away
With a car, there are plenty of destinations just a short drive away. Townsville’s location gives any traveller the luxury of choice: transport yourself to the rainforest, the heat of the outback, or to a remote beach setting.
Paluma Range National Park
This national park is just 90km north of Townsville, surrounded by rainforest. The park provides gorgeous glens for camping, hiking, relaxing, and exploring. Jourama Falls is a popular camping spot, famous for its scenic swimming holes.
Adrenalin Snorkel and Dive
For an adventure of epic proportions, this snorkelling and diving provider will take you to a whole new world: The Great Barrier Reef. Embark on a day trip to explore one of the world’s greatest wonders – plus you’ll be able to discover the SS Yongala, Australia’s largest intact shipwreck.
Billabong Sanctuary
Get acquainted with your favourite Aussie animals at Billabong Sanctuary. Queensland is one of two Australian states where it’s legal to hold a Koala, so get your photo taken cuddling an iconic creature.
For other quests that will leave you wanting to discover more, take a short trek to Bowling Green Bay National Park, Townsville Town Common Conservation Park, Bushland Beach (25-minute drive north), Hinchinbrook Island (part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area), Alva Beach (one-hour drive south east of Townsville), or Balgal Beach (one-hour drive north of Townsville).
Hearty Feeds
Delectable brekkie, mouth-watering traditional Australian cuisine, or succulent seafood – take your pick:
• Jam on Palmer Street – many say it has the best brekkie in town
• The Brewery hosts a tavern menu, malt restaurant, and discount pizzas all in one spot
• A Touch of Salt – award winning menu and modern Aussie cuisine (vegan and vegetarian)
• Otto’s Fresh Food Market for fresh produce
• Watermark Restaurant: enjoy a steak seafood feast on The Strand’s seashores
For the Night Owls
• Bullys is ideal for a dance, featuring local or international music each day of the week
• Hooch and Fellow provides a cosy, intimate atmosphere for cocktails
• Flynns Irish Bar – watch the big sports match that’s on or try your luck at karaoke
• Heritage Exchange is for the craft beer and creative cocktail lovers
• Beach Bar offers killer Sunday sessions with an ocean view
• Mad Cow – an Aussie saloon with an entertaining crowd
Magnetic Island
After exploring the heart of Townsville, take a 25-minute ferry to Maggie Island’s port (that’s what the locals call Magnetic Island). On Maggie, you won’t be disappointed with the selection of beaches and bays, the raw, natural settings, and the very ‘Swiss Family Robinson’ atmosphere. Take your rental car with you on the ferry for ease of traversing the island. To weather some of the rugged off-road beach destinations, make sure your rental car is a 4-wheel drive. Activities
Sanctuary Tour
Get friendly with some of Australia’s famous native creatures at the Bungalow Bay Koala Village. Koalas, boas, wombats, crocodiles, and more, you’ll get the chance to personally hold the animals (and grab a photo if you’d like)! The village is also known for its bungalow-style accommodation and chilled atmosphere for a beverage or two in the evenings.
4WD throughout the island
Whether you’ve brought your car from the mainland or need to rent a small vehicle on the island, be sure to travel the coasts and mountains of the 52km² island. Maps are available at most accommodation spaces and at the ferry terminal, where you can map out your trips (most destinations are within a 30-minute off-road adventure).
The Forts Walk
Journey to discover and learn about the forts built during World War II. The views at the top of the historic structures are panoramic, giving you a 360-degree vantage point of the entire island. The walk is a moderate 2.8km and seeing Koalas in the wild is not a scarce occurrence – so keep your eyes peeled.
Boat Hiring
Whether you’re taking a dive with Pro Dive Magnetic Bay or hiring snorkelling and fishing specialists at Aquascene Charters, indulge in a boat tour and rare ocean excursions to get your fix of the Great Barrier Reef. Create a personalised tropical experience by sailing to rich aquatic habitats surrounding the island and gaining access to beaches only reachable by boat.
Horseback Riding
Horseshoe Bay Ranch offers the unique opportunity to ride horseback (and swim with your companion) throughout the beaches of Magnetic Island. You’ll start in the native bushland and navigate through the island to end at Horseshoe Bay, where the ocean opens up before you. For an enchanting experience in a secluded island setting, embark on a 2-hour trail ride for an unforgettable expedition.
Sea Kayaking
Take a tour with an experienced guide and view the raw nature of the island by kayaking along the coast. Take a pit stop at some of the island’s most isolated beaches and glide over the coral patches and seagrass beds at your leisure. Many travellers see turtles, dolphins, or whales along their adventure. Tropical brekkie included.
Beaches
West Point
To escape the grips of reality, drive thirty minutes up the west coast to West Point Bay. This location is perfect to cuddle up with a book, sit back and relax, or go fishing with little disturbance. This beach is also an ideal sunset location. If the island recently had a few spells of rain, make sure your rental car is 4-wheel drive to successfully navigate large pools of H2O.
Picnic Bay
Picnic Bay is an iconic beach in a tranquil setting to plant your beach chair. With a heritage-listed jetty, walk along the esplanade and enjoy one of the various shops just above the foreshore. Picnic Bay is also home to Hawkings Point Lookout. An easy 30-minute walk, make it to the top to watch the sunset.
Arthur Bay
Arthur Bay is a serene spot to lay your picnic blanket or take a soothing dip in the ocean. This bay is surrounded by wooded hills and is known to be ideal for snorkelling. Take the 30-minute return walk to the lookout for a picturesque outlook. Bring your GoPro or make sure your phone’s camera settings are on panoramic.
Florence Bay
Boaters love this small bay, famous for its inshore coral reef. Buoys mark the outline of the reef, where boats are not permitted to anchor themselves (making this reef perfect for exploring). However, due to road conditions, you’ll have to hike a short way to get to Florence Bay (unless your 4-wheel drive car is a powerhouse). You might end up being the only person on the beach! A private paradise awaits.
Geoffrey Bay
The reef in Geoffrey Bay spans the whole length of the beach. At the north end of the bay sits Moltke Wreck, a haven for local marine life. Near Geoffrey Bay you’ll also come across adorable Rock Wallabies. With caution, travellers can feed them by hand.
Horseshoe Bay
Warning: relaxing beach alert. While exceedingly calming, you’ll find the beach is equally suited to thrill seekers. This seashore offers all of your aquatic activities (think jet skis, sailing, fishing, stand up paddle boards and more). There are a number of cafes, restaurants, bars and public BBQ spots which provide all of the amenities needed for a full day of beach, surf and sun.
Other beaches and bays to discover: Radical Bay, Balding Bay, Alma Bay, Young Bay and Five Beach Bay.
Food
While this is a remote island, there are still plenty of renowned cafes and restaurants to try:
• Café Nourish in Horseshoe Bay prides itself on its ‘heart and soul food’ for a great brekkie or lunch
• Gilligan’s Café is an outdoor lounge and restaurant, suitable for any meal
• Noodies on the Beach is a local Mexican themed café with margaritas and a book exchange in tow
• The Arcadia Village Hotel has a variety of menus on different days of the week (try Nell’s Indonesian Food on Wednesdays and Fridays)
• Barefoot Art Food Wine is a charming little place near Horseshoe Bay with (you guessed it) wine and fresh food platters
Nightlife
For an evening out, make friends with locals and travellers alike at one of these social settings on the island:
• Marlin Bar: a chilled location to watch the sunset with a quaint side bar
• X Base Backpackers – if you’re looking for an upbeat party vibe with organised festivities each night
• Picnic Bay Pub is a refurbished sports bar with views of Picnic Bay and affordable prices
• Arcadia Village Hotel is a popular pub with the locals (you may just post up here from lunchtime!)
• Bungalow Bay Koala Village Restaurant turns into the “On the Rocks” bar by night with a relaxed atmosphere surrounded by natural wildlife
