The ultimate travel guide to Townsville
Located in the north of Queensland, Townsville has two of the most iconic Australian landscapes in one place—the majesty of the outback and the Great Barrier Reef. Townsville is not just the gateway to the magnificent Magnetic Island; it is a place to visit in its own right. With plenty to do in the city and some fantastic day trips around the city, Townsville is a terrific stop on your Queensland travel itinerary. Find out all you need to know about Townsville and what to do with 48 hours in the ultimate travel guide!
How to get to Townsville:
Townsville is easy to get to via air, rail, or road.
Travelling to Townsville by air:
Townsville can be reached from almost all the major airports in Australia. The airport is a short 8-minute drive from the CBD, with flights coming and going several times daily.
Travelling to Townsville by Rail:
The Spirit of Queensland services Townsville several times per week from Brisbane and Cairns (and, of course, all the stops in between). The train takes around 6 hours from Cairns and 24+ hours from Brisbane.
Travelling to Townsville by bus:
Greyhound and Premier buses both operate services to Townsville. A popular travel choice among backpackers, these buses are great for travelling to the must-visit stops on the Australian East Coast. With services usually running daily, these are a great option for a last-minute travel decision.
When to visit Townsville:
Being situated in tropical North Queensland, Townsville is only subject to two seasons throughout the year—the wet and dry seasons.
The wet season is characterised by high humidity and monsoons (lots of rain) and falls from November to April. These months are hot and muggy, so not suggested for those not used to the heat. These months are also stinger season (jellyfish), so not ideal if you are planning on swimming in the ocean.
The dry season is much more tolerable and falls between May–October. During these months, there is usually no significant rainfall, so you can expect warm and sunny days with no threat of jellyfish! Be careful, as North Queensland is a popular destination during the winter school holidays.
How to get around Townsville:
Being the gateway to many incredible landscapes and places around Townsville, a hire car may be the best option if you plan day trips around the city. However, it is easy to get around in the city using public transport, e-scooters, or just walking!
Public Transport in Townsville:
Sunbus and Translink are the two public bus services operating in the Townsville area. With buses running in the CBD and outer suburbs, you can cover almost all of Townsville just by public bus. Ensure you carry cash, as not all buses take bus cards or EFTPOS.
Where to stay on a budget in Townsville:
Townsville is a great place to stay for a couple of nights and is perfect for travellers heading to and from Magnetic Island to check out. There are several hostels now open in Townsville, including the Civic Guest House and Hotel Allen. We stayed at the Civic Guest House for two nights and were happy with our stay! With prices starting as low as $44 per night for a bed in a dorm room, you can’t do much better.
Things to do in Townsville:
Castle Hill Walk at sunset:
No doubt that if you have ever looked at a photo of Townsville, you have either seen or heard of the Castle Hill walk. An iconic spot for a photo, the summit sits atop around 1,300 stairs that are sure to get your heart pumping! Only 1.3km return, it is the best place to watch the sunset in Townsville!
The Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA):
The only underwater museum in Australia, this is a must-do for any diver or snorkeler! These art pieces, created by the leading underwater sculptor Jason de Caires Taylor, inspire and educate people about reef conservation. Three sites are available: the Coral Greenhouse, Ocean Siren, and Ocean Sentinels. The Greenhouse is only accessible via a 2-hour boat ride and can be expensive. The Ocean Siren is located next to the Strand Jetty, so easy to access and look at on shore. Lastly, the Ocean Sentinels—a series of 8 different sculptures—is also on show. Two of the eight are currently on display in the Townsville Airport while their final location in the marine park is decided.
One of the companies that visit the museum is Adrenalin. Day trips out to the Great Barrier Reef and Museum of Underwater Art start at approximately:
$299 for snorkelling
$389 for certified divers
Both are full-day experiences and take about 9 hours (including boat travel time).
Museum of Tropical Queensland:
If you love learning about culture, history, the Great Barrier Reef, and science, then you cannot miss this one! Opening hours are daily from 9:30am to 4pm (closed on Good Friday, Anzac Day, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day). Ticket prices are as follows (for paid exhibitions; general North Queensland galleries free) and can be booked either online or in person:
- Adult – $15
- Concession – $11
- Child (3-15 years) – $9
- Child (under three) – Free
- Family (2 adults + 2 children) – $39.
The Strand, Townsville:
The Strand is a custom-built beachfront promenade perfect for an afternoon stroll. A short walk of only 2.2km, you can not only walk here but also bike-ride, swim at the safe beaches, enjoy the playgrounds, or simply indulge at one of the many bars or restaurants. The Strand also has its own water park, perfect for hot days. Stinger nets are also installed during the stinger/wet season along The Strand, making the beaches even safer.
Reef HQ Aquarium:
Currently undergoing renovations, this is the go-to place for all reef and coral lovers. The Great Barrier Reef Aquarium is on track to reopen in 2029 after a major redevelopment, with animals relocated to AIMS in the meantime.
Billabong Sanctuary:
Just 17km out of Townsville, you will find the incredible Billabong Sanctuary. Open every day from 9am to 4pm (excluding Christmas Day), this is the chance to meet some of your favourite Australian animals in a tropical bush environment. Watch the crocodile feeding or reptile show before hand-feeding kangaroos. You can even hold a wombat and koala!
Tickets
- Adult – $49
- Child – $29
- Senior/pensioner – $45
- Student – $45
- Family – $139
Mungalla Station:
Located in Ingham, the Mungalla Station is full of rich Aboriginal culture and history. Learn about the land’s traditional owners, the Nywaigi people, their brutal conflict with the European settlers, and how the Aboriginal people from Mungalla Station and the surrounding land were exhibited in circuses and sideshows as cannibals and savages.
Tours are available, with a minimum of 10 people per tour. Prices start at $99 per adult for a 3-hour guided day tour (child under 18 $80)
Botanic Gardens:
If you love indulging in botanic gardens while travelling, you will love Townsville. With three different and incredible gardens—the Anderson, Palmetum, and Queens Gardens—you can complete a whole day exploring them. All three have walking and cycling trails, but only Anderson Gardens is open for vehicles. We highly recommend visiting at least one of these incredible botanic gardens if you have a free afternoon.
Street art tour:
The streets of Townsville are alive with incredible street art. The local council created a walking trail for tourists and locals to experience all the unique art around the city. This 45-minute walk around the city is a great way to start the day. Some of the artists include ROA, Claire Foxton, and The Run Collective.
Mount Stuart Lookout:
Townsville’s highest peak does not disappoint. At an elevation of 584 meters, you have stunning and uninterrupted views of Townsville and Magnetic Island. An easy 15-minute drive can take you to the summit, but if you feel fit, why not walk it? It will take up most of your day to walk it (18km return), but if you have a spare few hours, you may as well.
Dive the SS Yongala:
One of the top wreck dives in the world, the SS Yongala is a certified diver’s dream! A few companies go to the SS Yongala, so look around to see what suits you best, as each company offers a slightly different experience (e.g., Adrenalin Snorkel & Dive, Yongala Dive). You need to hold prerequisites before completing the dive, typically including Open Water certification with a minimum of 6 logged dives (some require Advanced Open Water or recent deep dive experience), so make sure you clearly read each operator’s terms and conditions to know that you are eligible for this dive, as it can be tricky.
Day trips around Townsville:
Charters Towers:
Only 90 minutes inland from Townsville, Charters Towers feels like stepping back in time. Filled with gold mining history, this town, its neighbour, and heritage-listed Ravenswood is a must-do day trip if you are interested in the gold rush era. Furthermore, you can get close to the infamous Texas Longhorns on a wagon or safari tour, so if excellent cows are your thing, this is also for you.
Magnetic Island:
Townsville is the gateway to one of the most beautiful islands on the entire east coast of Australia—Magnetic Island. Only a 25–40-minute ferry ride away (depending on service), explore some of the most beautiful beaches and walks, or drive around in one of the iconic Barbie Cars. Check out our ultimate guide to Magnetic Island here to learn everything you need to know.
Hinchinbrook:
Dubbed a nature lovers’ paradise, this is the ultimate day trip if you love waterfalls—a 2-hour drive to Wallaman Falls, Australia’s highest single-drop waterfall. It is also the closest access point to Hinchinbrook Island. If you are an avid hiker, think about hiking the infamous multi-day Thorsborne Trail on Hinchinbrook Island! 32km through the Hinchinbrook Island National Park, this walk is rated among the world’s top hikes. However, you need to be ultra-prepared for this hike, as not only can it be sweltering, but it is also croc country (permit required; seasonal closures apply).
Paluma Range National Park:
Comprised of two sections that make up the park, if exploring and adventuring is your calling, then so is the Paluma Range National Park. The park’s northern area (about 91km north of Townsville) includes Jourama Falls and is surrounded by majestic rainforest. The south of the park, about 61km north of Townsville, has Mount Spec, the southernmost section of a national park in the Wet Tropics World Heritage area.
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