Things to do in Townsville
Discover the vibrant offerings of Townsville and its surrounding regions in North Queensland, Australia. Start by exploring the City Centre, walking or cycling along The Strand and Castle Hill. See more!
Location - Townsville, North Queensland, Australia
Discover the vibrant offerings of Townsville and its surrounding regions in North Queensland, Australia. Start by exploring the City Centre, walking or cycling along The Strand and Castle Hill. For families, a free kids' Water Park is available at The Strand—delight in local flora at the Botanical Gardens, such as Queens Gardens. Sports fans can catch a game at Country Bank Stadium or join local clubs like the Townsville Bushwalking Club. There are many things to do in Townsville and the region.
Thrill-seekers can cycle to Pallarenda or tackle the Under the Radar mountain bike trail. Fishing and boating are popular, with charter options available. Try stand-up paddleboarding kitesurfing or enjoy the Ross River pathway and Riverway Lagoon for a swim.
Foodies have various options, from vegan-friendly Shorehouse to the rooftop gem, Rambutan. For coffee connoisseurs, there's no shortage of quality cafes.
Explore Billabong Sanctuary, Ross River Dam, and natural treasures like Crystal Creek outside Townsville. Take guided tours from reputable companies such as Raven Tours and NQ Cycle Journeys. Don't miss Magnetic Island, accessible by ferry, and regional attractions like Paluma Range National Park and Wallaman Falls.
Townsville City Centre - CBD
Things to do
- Walk, ride, run The Strand & Kissing Point/Jezzine Barracks
- There is also a kid's Water Park at The Strand, which is free!
- Walk or ride Castle Hill
- Walk Mount Louisa
- Visit the Museum of Tropical Qld
- Visit ReefHQ
- Explore by foot the Architecture of our City
- Street Art - Townsville City Council
- Botanical Gardens - Queens Gardens, Anderson Park, and the Palmentum
- Experience a match at Queensland's latest and quite impressive Country Bank Stadium.
- Join a local club such as Townsville Bushwalking Club (see other clubs here)
- Cycle from the CBD to Pallarenda, enjoy a picnic and a dip, then pedal back. Or, for a bigger challenge, ride the Under the Radar mountain bike trail. There is a big trail network at Douglas - check out Townsville Rockwheelers Mountian Bike Club.
- Fishing and boating with many locations around town. Book in with a fishing charter.
- Try stand-up paddle boarding or have a go at kitesurfing - see In The Loop
- Ross River pathway
- Riverway Lagoon swimming.
Where to eat
- Shorehouse for dinner - vegan-friendly.
- The Quarterdeck
- Longboards
- Touch of Salt
- Empire Alternicade is a local bar with pinball machines and retro gaming consoles.
- Dalrymple Hotel has live music.
- Rambutan is an exquisite rooftop restaurant and bar located on Flinders St in the city.
- Palmer Street, which is just around the corner and offers its charm.
- The recently renovated Commonwealth Hotel boasts a spacious outdoor area, live music, and a vibrant atmosphere. They have a really great kids playground there, and there are certain days or nights where kids eat free.
- See also the Best Coffee in Townsville article.
Townsville Area
- Billabong Sanctuary
- Ross River Dam
- Crystal Creek & Little Crystal Creek
- Alligator Creek
Tour Companies
https://www.raventoursqld.com.au/
https://outerlimitsadventure.com.au/
Magnetic Island
- Ferry / Car Ferry options are available
- Forts Walk
- Picnic Bay
Regionally
- Paluma Range National Park
- Wallaman Falls
- Broadwater State Forest
- Cardwell
- Charters Towers
See also the best places to car camp article
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