Arts & Entertainment
Museum of Underwater Art - Coral Greenhouse
The John Brewer Reef ‘Coral Greenhouse’ is located in the heart of the Greater Barrier Reef Marine Park and is the largest MOUA installation thus far, sharing a message of reef conservation and restoration. It is the first-ever underwater building created by international underwater sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor, who hopes to advance education and offer opportunities for scientists, marine students and tourists to engage - either by snorkel or dive - in action-based learning and to conduct globally important research on coral reef restoration.
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Museum Of Tropical Queensland
The award-winning Museum of Tropical Queensland provides a snapshot of this diverse region of North Queensland, from World Heritage listed rainforest and reefs to the story of the shipwrecked HMS Pandora, the ship sent to capture the Bounty mutineers. The Museum's family-friendly exhibitions and displays explore life in the tropics from prehistoric times to modern day. Located in the heart of Townsville, the Museum has temporary and permanent exhibitions to captivate visitors and their school holiday programs offer something for kids of all ages. The Great Gallery is dominated by a replica of the HMS Pandora, the ship sent by the British Admiralty in 1790 to capture the Bounty and her mutinous crew in Tahiti. Tragically, on her return journey in 1791, Pandora hit the Great Barrier Reef and sank. She remained undiscovered for 186 years and today, objects recovered from the wreck are part of this permanent exhibition. Dig a little deeper into the stories behind the exhibitions and displays with a daily program of talks and tours starting at 10.30am. Paid street parking is available outside the Museum, and free parking (time limits apply) is available on The Strand, about 200 metres from the Museum.
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Australian Institute of Marine Science
The Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) is Australia’s tropical marine research agency. AIMS plays a pivotal role in providing large-scale, long-term and world-class research that helps governments, industry and the wider community to make informed decisions about the management of Australia’s marine estate. The Australian Institute of Marine Science's National Sea Simulator (SeaSim) is a world-class marine research aquarium facility for tropical marine organisms in which scientists can conduct cutting-edge research not previously possible in Australia. Members of the public are invited to join a free tour of their Cape Ferguson facility every Friday between March and November. Tours begin at 9.30am and end at approximately 11.45am. They include presentations on AIMS’ current research and a guided walk around the facilities, including a tour of the ‘world’s smartest aquarium’, the National Sea Simulator. Numbers are limited. Bookings are essential and close at 4pm on the Wednesday before the tour. Sturdy, closed footwear and a hat to protect against the sun are required. They also advise you to bring drinking water. A lunch is available for guests to purchase at the cafe after the tour. Please inform reception if you intend on staying for lunch when booking.
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Central Village
Central Village showcases sidewalk cafes, open air dining, a pedestrian plaza, as well as abundant patron car parking. It's an ideal location to start your night out or take the family for dinner and a movie. Central Village includes: Birch Carroll and Coyle Cinemas, Flamin Good Pizza, Grand Central Cafe, Guzman Y Gomez, Hog's Breath Cafe, Sushi Kiyo, Snap Fitness and Touch of Utopia.
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Maritime Museum of Townsville
Established in 1986 and located in Palmer Street, South Townsville, near the scenic mouth of Ross Creek, the Maritime Museum of Townsville collects and conserves objects and information about Townsville’s and North Queensland’s maritime heritage and presents and interprets its collections for the benefit of the local community, education and tourism.
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Museum of Underwater Art - Ocean Siren
The inaugural sculpture in the Southern Hemisphere’s first Museum of Underwater Art, the 'Ocean Siren' is installed alongside North Queensland’s iconic Strand Jetty in Townsville. 'Ocean Siren' is modelled on local Wulgurukaba Traditional Owner Takoda Johnson, with a vision to inspire reef and ocean conservation action and achieve positive environmental outcomes. The ‘Ocean Siren’ reacts to live water temperature data from the Davies Reef weather station on the Great Barrier Reef and changes colour in response to live variations in water temperature.
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National Trust Heritage Centre
Journey back to the late 1880s and discover a quaint collection of heritage houses and their stories at the National Trust Heritage Centre. The three heritage houses featured at the centre have been furnished and restored to their original period glory and include a Worker's Dwelling (1878), a grand villa residence known as The Currajong (1889) and an early North Queensland farm residence known as The Farmhouse (1921). Guided tours are available.
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Perc Tucker Regional Gallery
Housed in one of Townsville’s finest heritage buildings, Perc Tucker Regional Gallery is a dynamic visual arts centre and has a significant collection of North Queensland art. It is Townsville’s foremost gallery with an exciting and diverse program of local, national and international exhibitions, with a special focus on exhibitions featuring North Queensland artists. Floor talks, lectures, education programs and performances of music, theatre and dance supplement exhibitions. The Perc Tucker Regional Gallery is located in the heart of the city centre on the corner of Flinders Mall and Denham Street.
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Pinnacles Gallery
Pinnacles Gallery is a dynamic art space committed to offering a diverse exhibition program with a strong community focus. Pinnacles Gallery is located in Townsville's premier Riverway precinct in Thuringowa, providing a perfect backdrop for you to enjoy local and touring exhibitions of visual arts, craft, social history and more. Once you have browsed the latest exhibition, take a swim in Riverway lagoon, stroll along the riverfront under the shade of the large rain trees or catch a performance at the Riverway Arts Centre.
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Reef HQ Aquarium
Reef HQ Great Barrier Reef Aquarium is the the world's largest living coral reef aquarium and the Australian Government's national education centre for the Great Barrier Reef. Immerse yourself in the underwater viewing tunnel offering magical views of a living coral reef and the predators that prowl the water depths. Discover beauty and wonder of the Great Barrier Reef. Home to the world's largest living coral reef aquarium, the 2.5 million litre coral reef exhibition will open your eyes to an amazing world filled with thousands of charismatic marine creatures. Appreciate the challenges faced by Reef HQ Aquarium's Turtle Hospital patients and how you can play a role in protecting marine turtles in the Great Barrier Reef. The turtle hospital operates and promotes the C.A.R.E (Conserve. Act. Rehabilitate. Education) philosophy playing a key role in raising community awareness. Join their experienced and friendly interpretation staff on one of Reef HQ Aquarium's premier visitor experiences. Let their volunteers inspire you as they share their passion for the Great Barrier Reef.
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Sciencentre
Unleash your inner scientist at the Sciencentre at the Museum of Tropical Queensland. A discovery-zone with plenty of fun where you can get hands on with a range of interactive exhibits and discover how science challenges the human body, exercises the brain and stimulates the senses. Explore the world of science through play. Follow your curiosity, ask questions, test your ideas and use your imagination in this exciting, interactive and experience-rich environment. Challenge your friends, solve puzzles and learn about how science is a part of the things we do every day. Be curious. Be a scientist at Sciencentre.
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Tennis Townsville
The Tennis Townsville Centre, North Ward is the largest and most modern tennis centre in North Queensland. It is located only five minutes from Central Business district and 10 minutes from Townsville airport. The centre has 16 plexipave tennis courts and all are lit for night play and easily booked Online. The facility also has a clubhouse, a bar and free barbecue and kitchenette. It caters for corporate social functions, public court hire, coaching of juniors and adults. At the centre a comprehensive junior development program is conducted as well as night fixtures and daytime ladies fixtures and Super league. The public are most welcome. Online Bookings are Open 6 am to 10 pm each day.
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Townsville Museum and Historical Society
The Townsville Museum and Historical Society has two large exhibition halls displaying artefacts relating to Townsville's medical, artistic, technological and social history. It is located in the suburb of Currajong, in the former Traffic Training Centre building. As well as its extensive artefact collections, the Museum also owns a large number of photographs and plans of Townsville and a more limited collection of documents and books relating to North Queensland. A recent new acquisition is a journal written by Elizabeth O'Brien, widow of Clifford O'Brien, who was drowned in the sinking of the Yongala off the north Queensland coast in 1911. This journal and Elizabeth's story is on permanent display in Hall 2.
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Townsville Street Art
Townsville's city centre has been transformed into a Street Art haven! Explore streets, alleys and laneways to see vibrant displays at every turn, from pops of colour to mega murals. Visit the Townsville Visitor Information Centre along Flinders Street to collect a free copy of your Street Art Walking Trail map, and be sure to have your camera at the ready.
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Street Art Trail - Augmented Reality
Discover the Street Art movement in Townsville’s CBD! The Street Art Walking Trail: Augmented Reality edition takes you on a virtual journey of street art. As you walk through the city’s streets and alleyways, watch out for stickers on the ground or wall nearby. Follow the instructions on the sticker to see the artworks transform! All artworks on the trail have been commissioned through a range of local, national and world-renowned artists by Townsville City Council. A must-see experience. Download your FREE map via the website. The Street Art scene is ever-evolving - for the specially dedicated urban explorer, keep your eyes peeled for new works.
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