Townsville Holidays

Welcome to Townsville

The perfect place to become immersed in nature, Townsville is just south of Cairns and fringes the Great Barrier Reef. Tranquil islands speckle the coastline, mountains of lush rainforest and pink granite are waiting to be explored, and the mix of nature attractions and impressive food scene makes Townsville a perfect holiday destination.

Hit the many walking trails of Castle Hill, the giant pink granite monolith for lookouts the show you the whole town. Beautiful and sunny year-round, Townsville city offers great shopping and a dining scene to boast about. Wander along the creative laneway precinct of City Lane for world-class restaurants and head to the foodie and lifestyle haven, Otto’s Market Precinct. Find a long list of flavours on Flinders Street East and Palmer Street and head to The Strand esplanade for even more dining options plus a free water adventure playground. Be sure to make time for the highly acclaimed seafood dishes at The Pier Restaurant and Bar.

Explore the Great Barrier Reef and nearby islands. The ever-popular Magnetic Island just offshore offer tours and wildlife experiences for the ages. A luxurious hideaway accessible only via helicopter, Orpheus Island offers great snorkelling among green turtles, bull rays and reef sharks. Set out for adventure on Hinchinbrook Island, Australia’s largest island national park. Home to the 32 kilometre Thorsborne Trail, Hinchinbrook Island is full of lush rainforest and fringed with long stretches of sandy beaches.

For more wildlife on land, see koalas, wombats and crocodiles at the Billabong Sanctuary or visit the sea turtle hospital. Drive just over an hour from town to Paluma Range National Park for rainforest, swimming holes, waterfalls and mountains. Further in Ingham is where you’ll find Australia’s highest single-drop waterfall, Wallaman Falls.

Townsville is sunny year-round and hosts events throughout the year including Magnetic Island Race Week. Spend your days hiking and bike riding through rainforests and mountains, then snorkelling or diving the vibrant coral reefs. If you prefer to keep dry, visit the world’s largest living coral reef aquarium, Reef HQ Aquarium or the Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA) – the only one in the southern hemisphere. With a strong military history, here you can explore one of the country’s largest army barracks.