Destination guides > Australia > Queensland > North Queensland > Townsville
Townsville
Townsville is a relaxed, tropical, coastal city at the base of red granite Castle Hill. With around 150,000 people, it is the largest city in Queensland north of the Sunshine Coast and it is the most important city in North Queensland with many companies and government departments maintaining their regional offices here.
Despite its importance, Townsville has relatively little tourism compared with Cairns. However it is central to heaps of activities, sights and attractions. Just 8km offshore is Magnetic Island with its fantastic beaches, a few kilometres south of Townsville is the popular Billabong Sanctuary, and just north are nice beaches, great diving, and national parks like Paluma Range National Park.
The city centre has some nice architecture and great nightlife and the Strand, which runs along the shoreline, is filled with cafés offering lovely beach views. The pedestrian Flinders Street Mall in the city centre is currently under complete renovation and will soon re-open as a huge indoor shopping complex. The city has several excellent attractions, including the Reef HQ aquarium, which has a walk-through underwater glass tunnel. Next door to that is a great Cultural Centre where you can learn about Aboriginal culture; and next to that is the Museum of Tropical Queensland, which is a must-see while you are in the area. A walk or drive up to Castle Hill affords beautiful views of Magnetic Island and the city.
Practical information
Townsville Tourist Information Centre
Flinders Mall, Townsville
Tel (07) 4778 3555 or 1800 801 902
Website www.townsvilleholidays.info
Open 9am-5pm daily
70-102 Flinders Street East, Townsville
Tel (07) 4721 1116 or 1800 801 902
Website www.townsvilleholidays.info
Open 9am-5pm daily
Marine & National Park Information Centre
Reef HQ, 2/68 Flinders Street, Townsville
Tel (07) 4721 2399
Open Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 9am-1pm
INTERNET ACCESS
Internet Lounge
238 Charters Towers Road, Hermit Park
Tel (07) 4728 4568
Website www.internetlounge.com.au
Open Mon-Fri 8.30am-5.30pm, Sat 9am-1pm
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