Cover image: Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Planning a visit to Townsville North Queensland ahead of the region's biggest sporting event in history? Whether you’ve got a spare hour or few days to explore, Townsville North Queensland has something for you!

GOT AN HOUR OR TWO?

Castle Hill
Walking up the Goat Track is a favourite workout for locals! Or, just drive up to the top and soak in the amazing 360 views!

The Strand
Enjoy the views of Magnetic Island across the sparkling waters while you walk / scooter or stand up paddleboard along the foreshore. Enjoy an ice cream, picnic, barbeque or grab a bite to eat at the many cafes and restaurants. Checkout the Museum of Underwater Art’s ‘Ocean Siren’ at the Strand Jetty. At dusk, she lights up and changes colour according to ocean temperature data from the Davies Reef weather station!

Need to cool off? Take a dip in the ocean at our life-saver patrolled beach, swim in the Rockpool, or take the kids to the fabulous Strand Waterpark.

Jezzine Barracks
Views, walks, history, art and more! Walk up to Kissing Point lookout and enjoy the picturesque view, stroll the coastal boardwalk, appreciate the traditional artworks, visit the Army Museum. Free entry, open Wed, Fri, Sun 9am – 1pm.

Queensland Museum Tropics

Always a treat for lifelong learners, young and old. Come explore its fascinating exhibits, including: The Pandora Gallery, Science centre, Enchanted Rainforest and Colour – Secret Language of the Reef. Open 9.30am to 4pm daily.

Street Art trail
Townsville’s CBD is dotted with colourful artworks by local, national and world-renowned artists. Get your map from the Visitor Information Centre and become an urban art explorer!

Grab a bite
There is an abundance of dining options in the CBD, including City Lane, Flinders St, the Strand and Townsville Central.

Botanic Gardens
Retreat into nature at Queens Gardens in the heart of the CBD, or drive to Anderson Park, Dan Gleeson Memorial Gardens or The Palmetum – all within a 20-minutes' drive from the CBD.

Riverway
Ross River is the perfect backdrop for a stroll or bike ride. Swim in the lagoons, walk the shaded boardwalk and pathways along the river, visit Pinnacles Gallery, or have a meal at the restaurant. There is a range of different parkway circuits running from the CBD all the way down to Riverway.

GOT A DAY?

Magnetic Island
Only a 20 minute ferry ride from the CBD is an island paradise! Highlights include beaches, walking trails, snorkelling, wildlife and water sports. Popular walks on Magnetic Island include Hawkings Point lookout and the Forts Walk (great for koala spotting). Feed the rock wallabies at Geoffrey Bay! Swim and snorkel the bays (there are two marked self-guided snorkel trails). Hop on and off the public bus or hire a car/ kayak/ jet ski/ bike/ scooter to explore the island at your own leisure!

Billabong Sanctuary
Meet your favourite Australian animals in a tropical bushland setting and see them in action, with a variety of shows on throughout the day. Open 9am till 4pm daily.

Cape Pallarenda
Offers amazing scenic trails, from short strolls to longer hikes or bike rides around the slopes of the Many Peaks Range. Once a quarantine station in the early 1900s and a strategic defence location in World War II, visitors can walk or ride to the World War II structures on the Cape Pallarenda headland.

Crystal Creek, Paluma
Little Crystal Creek and Big Crystal Creek are ideal spots for a picnic lunch, swim, bushwalk or barbecue in a lush rainforest setting. The iconic Little Crystal Creek features a historic and charming stone arch bridge built in the 1930s, cascading waterfalls and inviting swimming holes. Big Crystal Creek, features a large swimming hole, fun rockslides and picnic area.

STAYING LONGER?

Great Barrier Reef
Snorkel or dive the stunning Great Barrier Reef. Don’t miss the opportunity to see the Museum of Underwater Art’s spectacular ‘Coral Greenhouse’ installation.

Fishing Charter
Get your fishing fix! Townsville North Queensland is renowned for offering some of Australia’s best fishing locations, reef or creek.

Hinchinbrook
See Australia’s largest permanent single drop waterfall – Wallaman Falls, meander through the beautiful TYTO wetlands, whiz through mountain bike trails or take a day trip to Hinchinbrook Island.

Burdekin
Discover Australia’s “Sugar Cane Capital”. Have a picnic and play at Plantation Park, watch a movie at the Stardust Drive-in cinemas, visit Alva Beach or dive the famous SS Yongala shipwreck.

Charters Towers
Explore the ‘City of Gold’. Visit the oldest and largest surviving Battery in Queensland, the Venus Gold Battery. Meet the amazing Longhorns on a Texas Longhorns tour.