Townsville

Townsville is on the coast and enjoys an average of 320 days of sunshine a year. It is an appealing place for locals and a great jumping off point for visitors, especially to Magnetic Island which is only 25-45 minutes by passenger or car ferry. A great spot for visitors wanting a taste of outback Australia while not venturing far from the coast. It offers a quiet cosmopolitan feel with its good choice of restaurants & bars but also has a relaxing siesta style during the hottest parts of the day in high summer. Townsville takes great pride in being the unofficial Capital of North Queensland.

By plane

• Townsville airport

• Qantas

  phone: +61 13 13 13
  flying from Sydney, Brisbane, Mackay, Cairns and Hamilton Island.

• Jetstar

  phone: +61 13 15 58
  flying from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.

• Virgin Australia

  phone: +61 13 67 89
  flying from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.

• Air North

  phone: +61 8 8920 4001
  flying from Darwin

• TigerairOffering direct flights between Townsville and Melbourne

By car

Townsville is on the Bruce Highway (A1) between Cairns in the north, Mackay and Brisbane to the south. The city is also served by the A6 (Flinders Highway) to Charters Towers and Mt Isa to the West.
The Northern Beaches district (part of former Thuringowa) is also on the Bruce Highway (A1).
As stage 2 of the Townsville-Thuringowa Ring Road (known as The Ring Road) is completed, it will become the new National Highway route through the city. The first stage, the 5.3 km Douglas Arterial Road, opened to traffic in April 2005, and stage 2 was to be opened by late 2008.

By train

• Queensland Rail, Traveltrain

  phone: 1300-131-722 (local rate call)
  operate the Spirit of Queensland Tilt Train services to both Cairns and Brisbane five times a week each direction. The Inlander to Mt Isa is operated twice a week.

By bus

Public transport in Townsville and the former Thuringowa city consists of bus services run by Sunbus. Sunbus provides services for most parts of the city with runs from the Thuringowa CBD, Townsville CBD and most suburbs throughout Townsville, plus special services for the football nights at Willows Sports Complex (1300SMILES Stadium), Tony Ireland Stadium at Riverway and any major events at Black River Stadium or the Townsville Entertainment centre, for bus times and runs please visit the Sunbus website at or Phone: +61 7 4725 8482. There is also a bus service available from the Townsville's Hermit Park Bus Service, running from Bushland Beach in the Northern Beaches area to the Townsville CBD, For more information, visit the Hermit Park Bus Service website at or phone: +61 7 4779 1658 or 1800 351 225. Detours is another bus service that can take care of your charter or tour needs.

By taxi

Taxis operate 24 hours and service all areas of Townsville.
There are several ranks in which to catch taxis (Airport Rank, at all major shopping centres; in town, Flinders Street East Rank, Cowboys Leagues Club Rank, Palmer Street Rank and Seaview Rank).
To book taxis with your phone, dial 13 TAXI (13 8294).

Tour Operators

• North Queensland River and Road Tours
• Pop Sullivan Tours
• Tropical Tours
• David and Justine Olsen's 4WD Tag-Along Tours

The Sunbus bus route operates 7 days a week with 7 main lines going around the town

• 1300 Smiles Stadium

  phone: +61 7-4760-7590
  address: Golf Links Drive, Kirwan
  If you have the chance to see a football (rugby league) match while you're in the area and are into sports, it's recommended that you do so. The atmosphere in the Stadium, the home of the North Queensland Cowboys, is abuzz at all home matches. The stadium was previously known as Stockland Stadium, Malanda Stadium and Dairy Farmer's Stadium.

• Castle HillCastle Hill at the center of the city has amazing views both east to Magnetic Island and west to the suburbs and hills. There is a road to the top, but the steep uphill walk is also popular, particularly in the evening when it is cooler.

• Reef HQ Aquarium

  phone: +61 7-4750-0800
  address: 2-68 Flinders St
  Reef HQ is an aquarium focusing on Great Barrier Reef fish life. It is built around two large tanks each several metres high, and some twenty meters in length. The larger of the two tanks contain smaller non-predatory reef fish, and the smaller tank contains reef fish and predators including several species of shark.

• Museum of Tropical Queensland

  phone: +61 7-4726-0600
  address: 70-102 Flinders St
  The Museum of Tropical Queensland's main drawcard is the display of artefacts from the HMS Pandora, the ship that the British sent in pursuit of the HMS Bounty. Other exhibits include the wildlife of the tropical areas of Queensland.

• RiverwayIs a riverfront parkland attraction located in the Thuringowa CBD that opened in July 2006. The area is a cultural hub opening up the rivers habitat for residents and tourists, the main attractions are the public art gallery, cultural centre, swimming lagoons and cafe. Riverway runs for 11km of the Ross River, with areas at Pioneer Park, Loam Island, Apex Park and Ross Park at the Ross River Dam where the community, visitors and tourists can enjoy all sorts of activities from sport, swimming, entertainment, dining and shopping in one of Queensland’s most spectacular river settings.

• Village Boulevard is the name of the Road into Pioneer Park and forms the city/park integration. from the car park it extends through the park as a pedestrian spine that follows the rivers edge and forms the heart of Pioneer Park.
• Tony Ireland Stadium is the Second stage of Riverway, and consists of an international standard AFL and Cricket stadium, capable of holding 10'000+ people, and was first used to host the KFC Twenty20 Big Bash cricket match on the 31th of December 2007.
• Riverway Arts Centre is a geographical formation with a grass roof that is incorporating the parkland without a decrease in the amount of grassed area. It also lowers the interior temperature by reducing the roof surface temperature.
• Lake Ross (at the end of Riverway Drive) is part of the Ross River Dam and stores over 215,000 mega liters of water, water is held by an earth rock embankment 8.35 kilometers in length and 27 metres in height (the longest in the southern hemisphere) and occupies a catchment area of 750km2 with a concrete spillway that flows into the Ross River, Visitors can view the dam from a viewing platform at Ross park. Lake Ross is a Wetland of National Significance. The shallow areas of the lake provide a habitat for a large number of water birds, Over 220 species of bird have been recorded around the lake area. You can book a tour of the lake by contacting one of the following commercial operators: Pop Sullivan Tours or phone 4772 2833 or 0407 167 254. Ross Park in front of the dam wall has picnic and toilet facilities. The Bird Observers Club holds bird-watching walks on the 3rd Sunday of each month, for more info please call 4778 1945
• Ross River winds it way thought the city and play part to a large range of sporting and leisure activities. The Riverwalk is a pathway that overlooks Ross River. Loam Island and Pioneer Park are part of the Riverway development and provide locals and visitors with entertainment such as, Skiing and wakeboarding plus some good fishing spots. Other areas along Ross River are Apex Park and Ross Park.
• Lake Paluma is a man made lake in the World Heritage Rainforest. The area has weather proof shelters, BBQs, and camp sites but no domestic animals are allowed in this area due to the population of Platypus, Peregrine Falcon or Eastern Water Dragon. Swimming and non motorized vessels are allowed. Lake Paluma's camping area has a limited number of sites available so you will need to pre-book a permit at their website .
• Big Crystal Creek is part of Paluma Range National Park (approximately 65km from Thuringowa Central). It features large deep swimming holes that are very popular with locals and visitors. The picnic areas, BBQ's, camping, and toilets are wheelchair accessible. Free bookings for the campsite can be made by phoning Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service on 13 13 04.
• Little Crystal Creek(60km from Thuringowa Central) is one of the most popular destinations for locals and tourists where you can swim in the crystal clear water, have a picnic or BBQ and there are toilet facilities here with wheelchair access.
• Bushland Beach was one of Thuringowa's most popular residential beachside community (approximately 19km from Thuringowa Central), and is now one of Townsville's fastest growing residential communities. At low tide you can walk to a wooden shipwreck and some fantastic ponds that are full of marine life that the whole family can enjoy. There is a boat ramp for public use at the beach plus BBQs and kids playgrounds, Bushland Beach also has a hotel, resort and a small shopping center.
• Ocean Palms Resort is right on the beach. One of the most popular attractions here is the barramundi feeding.
• Saunders Beach is a sandy beach which stretches for kilometers, Saunders beach is one of Thuringowa's more popular beaches but you can often have this beach to yourself due to the long length. there is also a boat ramp.
• Toolakea Beach is a quiet beach, ideal for birdwatchers and fishing or a quite day on sand. This area has a picnic area as well as public toilets.
• Bluewater is a fresh water attraction (approximately 28km north of Thuringowa Central) that is very popular for picnic's and family fun, the area includes BBQ's, play equipment, toilets and showers. The best place to access the creek is near the bridge at the Bluewater Store or Bluewater Park. Bluewater Park has a limited free tent and vehicle camping area .There is also an urban forest that is next to Bluewater Park this is a fitness trail around 800m long with 8 activity's along a pathway. There is also a boat ramp available near Bluewater Drive.
• Toomulla Beach is somewhat of an isolated beach, but boasts and a great free camping area, picnic area, public toilets and a boat ramp for public use. This is also another great area for bird watching.
• Balgal Beach is a small community 53km north of Thuringowa Central (located a few minutes from Rollingstone) and is the perfect day or overnight destination for locals and tourists that visit the Townsville area. Balgal Beach features clean, white sand, a stinger net that is patrolled from November to May for safe swimming. A boat ramp is available to allow easy access to Palm Islands area. Apart from the beach, the wide creek mouth is a great fishing location. Other activities in here include the ANZAC memorial, a picnic and BBQ at the park, bird watching, golf and lawn bowls at Mystic Sands Golf & Country Club.
• The Rollingstone Community Hall holds a fish BBQ on the first Sunday of each month at 5PM.
• the Fisherman's Landing Kiosk is a licensed cafe and can supply you with ice, bait and groceries, Plus there is accommodation at any of the following, the Balgal Beach Holiday Units, Balgal Bed & Breakfast Retreat, the Thuringowa city Council's two tent camping and vehicle camping areas .
• Rollingstone Park(51km north of Thuringowa Central) is a camping area that is popular due to the freshwater creek swimming area next to the park. Community markets are held on the first Saturday of each month, April to September from 8AM. Rollingstone also has a Museum, Caravan Resort and shop.
• Paluma is a township of around 25 permanent residents in the Mount Spec ranges of Thuringowa's heritage listed Wet Tropics.
• Piper's Lookout on Hervey Range lets you view over the land below Hervey Range and all the way out to sea. While you in the area you can check out the Hervey's Range Heritage Tea Rooms here they serve refreshments and offer all the info about the local history.
• Greenwood Park Sporting Complex was officially opened on February 15, 2007. It features 8 fully lit Touch Football fields as well as carparking and a fully licensed clubhouse which is home to Redskins Touch Club and Thuringowa Touch Association.
• The Willows Golf Club is an international-standard golf course with a 72-hectare (180-acre) golf wildlife sanctuary and also home to the Queensland Masters. The area is also home to a residential estate.

• Queens Gardens

  phone: +61 4727 8332
  address: Gregory St, North Ward
  These gardens were established in 1932. There are special collections of Pandanus. They have been called Townsville's finest park.

• The Palmetum

  phone: +61 4727 8332
  address: Bruce Hwy, Douglas
  The Palmetum is a botanical garden featuring one family of plants, the palms. The collection contain all six subfamilies within the family Arecaceae. Approximately 60 species of palms are native to Australia; most are represented. The collection contains about 300 species; many rare and threatened in their natural habitat.

• Dan Gleeson Memorial Gardens

  phone: +61 4773 8669
  address: Thuringowa Dr, Kirwan
  These gardens were established in 1984

• Army Museum North Queensland

  phone: +61 7 47211495
  address: 1 Mitchell St
  Located at Townsville's beautiful Jezzine Barracks, the Museum collects and exhibits objects and stories relating to the history of the Australian Army in North Queensland from colonial days through to modern day conflicts.

• The Strand BeachThe Strand Beach is a sandy beach right in front of the main waterfront area of Townsville. It is generally a calm swimming spot thanks to the shelter of Magnetic Island; don't bother trying to surf. An artificial swimming lagoon called The Rockpool is located at one end.

• Water PlaygroundThis playground is at the southern end of the Strand, free and more fun than the kids can handle on a hot day.

• Great Barrier Reef Trips
• Day Trips to Outback or Rainforest.

• RiverwayIs a riverfront parkland attraction located in the Thuringowa CBD that opened in July 2006. The area is a cultural hub opening up the rivers habitat for residents and tourists, the main attractions are the public art gallery, cultural centre, swimming lagoons and cafe. Riverway runs for 11km of the Ross River, with areas at Pioneer Park, Loam Island, Apex Park and Ross Park at the Ross River Dam where the community, visitors and tourists can enjoy all sorts of activities from sport, swimming, entertainment, dining and shopping in one of Queensland’s most spectacular river settings.

• Village Boulevard is the name of the Road into Pioneer Park and forms the city/park integration. from the car park it extends through the park as a pedestrian spine that follows the rivers edge and forms the heart of Pioneer Park.

Diving

Townsville is further from the reef than the Cairns region to the north and does not have as strong a scuba diving industry, but is the closest big center to the well known Yongala Wreck. The Yongala was a luxury passenger ship sunk in a cyclone on 23rd March 1911. The wreck was found in 1958. The wreck is primarily interesting for the marine life that it attracts and is one of Australia's top dive sites.

• Adrenalin Dive

  phone: +61 7-4724-0600
  address: 121 Flinders St
  Adrenalin Dive offers 2 dive day trips to the Yongala departing Townsville and Magnetic Island. PADI certification courses are available via the Pro Dive liveaboard for the Pro Dive prices.

• Remote Area Dive

  phone: +61 7 4721 4425
  address: 25 Ingham Rd
  Remote Area Dive offers day trips to the Yongala wreck, Pelorus/Orpheus Island. Open Water certification is also available for a total of $615 all inclusive.

• Greatest Dive SitesFor a list of all scuba dive sites in the region around Townsville you can visit the Townsville, Magnetic island section of GreatestDiveSites.

• Salt Scuba Diving

  phone: +61 747757333
  address: 2/276 Charters Towers Rd
  Townsville's newest dive centre. Offering PADI dive courses, professional programmes, technical dive training, dive club, travel, full gear servicing, equipment sales, online shop and a group of friendly, passionate and professional divers waiting to welcome you into our dive community. Regular boat dives both weekdays and weekends $199 for all boat dives (excluding courses)

Markets

• Strand Night markets conducted on the first Friday of each month at The Strand Park on the foreshore.
• Cotters Markets are held on Sunday mornings in the Flinders Street Mall in the city centre, with a variety of offerings including fresh produce, foods, arts and craft and other antiquities, and the
• Willows markets are held every Sunday and the Willows shopping centre at Thuringowa central.
• Showgrounds Markets (Townsville Showgrounds, Garbutt, Sunday morning Flea market)

Shopping Centres

• Annandale Central (Annandale)
• Castletown Shoppingworld (Garbutt)
• Centro Townsville (Corner Ross River Road and Nathan Street, Cranbrook)
• Cotters Market (Flinders Mall, Sunday mornings)
• Flinders Mall (Central Business District)
• Hermit Park Shopping Centre (Hermit Park)
• Kingsvale Shopping Centre (Aitkenvale)
• North Ward Shopping Village (two blocks from The Strand, North Ward)
• Northtown The City (The Mall, Townsville CBD)
• Stockland Townsville (Corner Ross River Road and Nathan Street, Aitkenvale)
• Sunvale (Aitkenvale)
• Vincent Village (Vincent)
• Warrina Shopping Centre (Currajong)
• Avenues Plaza (Kirwan)
• Canon Park City Centre (Thuringowa Central, Queensland)
• Centro Deeragun (Woodlands Village Shopping Centre, Deeragun)
• Mount View Plaza (Kirwan)
• Parkside Plaza (Kirwan)
• Riverway Thuringowa
• Sunland Plaza (Kirwan)
• Upper Ross Shopping centre (Rasmussen)
• Willows Shoppingtown (Corner Thuringowa Drive and Hervey Range Road, Thuringowa Central, Queensland, Kirwan)

Townsville has two primary restaurant districts. Palmer Street in the city and Cannon Park in the southwest suburbs. It also hosts a nice collection of grills and cafes along the Strand in addition to a wide selection of restaurants scattered throughout the city and its suburbs. It also hosts the normal selection of fast food restaurant chains including McDonalds, Eagle Boys Pizza, Dominos, Brodies, Hungry Jacks, Red Rooster and Subway.

• Palmer Street

  address: Palmer Street. Pedestrian access from Flinders Street via Victoria Bridge
  Townsville's upscale dining district with moderate priced dining inbetween.

• Cannon Park

  phone: +61 7-4799 9100
  address: Start of Hervey's Range Rd
  Townsville's dining precinct for the southwestern suburbs. Budget to moderately upscale dining available.(including Chinese, Indian, burgers and fries, Tex Mex, Italian and Japanese).

• Kryptic lounge bar

  phone: +61 435 094 988
  address: 143-145 Flinders Street East, Townsville Qld 4810
  A modern wine and cocktail bar. $10 all you can eat pizza every Tuesday.
• Cactus Jacks and Cactus Saloon This popular destination offering quality Tex Mex cuisine in three locations in Townsville (at 237 Flinders Street near the entrance to Flinders Street East +61 7-4721 5705, at 21 Palmer Street +61 7-4721 1478 and at Cannon Park in Kirwan +61 7-4723 7839).

• C Bar Cafe

  phone: +61 7-4724-0333
  address: Gregory Street Headlands, The Strand, North Ward
  The C Bar Cafe is right on the water's edge and you can look out over the bay, which just about makes the wait bearable: despite enormous demand there are few staff and at peak times you could wait up to an hour for a simple cafe meal. Breakfast lunch and dinner.

• Dynasty Chinese Seafood Restaurant

  phone: +61 7-4772 7099
  address: 228 Flinders Street East
  For a quality Chinese meal, come to Dynasty. Boasting an excellent selection including a live lobster tank, Dynasty boasts to be Townsville's premium Chinese food service. Prices are expensive so for a cheaper feed, try the Capitol Reagent Chinese Restaurant across the road.

• Frank's Pizza Napoli and Vesuviana Restaurant

  phone: +61 7-47255181
  address: 1-7 Ross River Rd
  Come for some pizza! Casual and passionate dining. Take away and eating in are both available.
• IMC Steak House 17 Palmer St, South Townsville +61-7-4724 3243 Serving quality steaks in the middle of Palmer Street.
• Jewel of India 215 Flinders Street East +61 7-4771 3144 Casual and formal dining options for excellent Indian. Take away is also provided.

• Michel's Restaurant

  phone: +61 7-4724 1460
  address: 7 Palmer St
  Located in the popular southside of Palmer Street, Townsville, Michel's restaurant is a long time favourite with locals with our relaxed and sophisticated atmosphere and delicious, contemporary Australian and French influence cuisine. Be warned, as with all upscale dining. Prices are expensive. Bookings essential.

• Molly Malones Irish Pub

  phone: +61 7-4771 3428
  address: Flinders Street East
  For a cheap feed, head down to Molly's. Molly's might be known primarily by the locals for its $8.50 crumbed steak every Tuesday; but it also has daily specials. The food may be fairly average (even for pub grub) and you might have to go and collect it from the counter yourself, but nothing beats cheap!

• Reef Thai Restaurant

  phone: +61 7-4721 6701
  address: 455 Flinders Street West
  A Thai eatery with a particular emphasis on the delights of the ocean, this eatery may have diners thinking they've hit the jackpot and landed somewhere in Phuket. Prices are moderate.

• Sea View Hotel Restaurant

  phone: +61 7-4771 5005
  address: 56 The Strand
  Excellent seafood and steak!
• Taj Mahal +61 7-4772 3422 235 Flinders Street East next to Cactus Saloon. For spice heads, excellent Pakistani style dishes.
• Tony's Pizza, 27 Kennedy Street, North Ward +61 7-4724 1330 for the best pizza in town pick up and deliveries welcome.
• Zizzi's Italian Bar and Grill 241 Flinders Street East +61 7-4771 6000 for casual and formal Italian dining

In line with Queensland state laws, Townsville observes a lockout time of 3AM. This means that alcohol serving establishments have to refuse entry to patrons from 3AM onwards. Most pubs and bars on the Flinders Street nightclub strip will close between 1AM-2AM on the weekends but the nightclubs will stay open til 5AM-6AM. Patrons in clubs open until these early hours are welcome to stay past 3AM until they leave.
When visiting the Flinders Street Nightclub Strip, males are advised to wear long trousers/jeans and closed-in shoes as most venues on this strip disallow entry to those wearing thongs/flip-flops, singlets and shorts. Most other non-Strip venues listed will allow this attire, however.

• Australian Hotel

  phone: +61 7-4722 6999
  address: 11 Palmer Street, South Townsville
  For those visiting the Palmer Street Restaurant District, pop into the Aussie (as known by the locals) for a cheeky beer and a yarn with a typical Townsville local. A smoking garden is located at the very end of the hotel behind the dining area. Located towards the western side of Palmer Street.
• Cactus Saloon Flinders Street East +61 7-4721 5705 This popular destination offering a selection of their own custom brewed tap beer and many brands of tequilas.

• Commonwealth Hotel

  phone: +61 7-4771 4215
  address: 46 Allen Street, South Townsville
  For a real South Townsville pub experience, the Commonwealth provides amply. Mingle with a vast array of interesting characters, bogans, tradies and blunt South Townsvillians and rock out to real live electric pub rock every Saturday afternoon. For the easily amused, topless raffles (a topless woman walking around the pub selling raffle tickets) are conducted between 12-3PM every Saturday afternoon as well. To top things off, drinks are cheap.

• Crown on Palmer

  phone: +61 7-4724 0405
  address: far end of Palmer St
  Townsville's newest drinking establishment! Come down and revel in the new hip spot for young and old alike. Drink's are moderately priced

• Irish Finnegans

  phone: +61 7-4723 7777
  address: 34 High Range Drive, Condon
  Bringing together the best of former Thuringowa, Irish Finnegans aims to please with live bands and DJ's every Friday and Saturday. Make sure to come after 9PM to meet the rowdy locals who meet here regularly. Come for Saint Patrick's Day celebrations where everyone is Irish for the day. There is a large smoking area out the side door. Drinks are reasonable

• James Cook University Club (The Club)

  phone: +61 7 4781 5255
  address: Angus Smith Dr
  Tear it up with the uni kids at the Uni Club. Drop in for O-Week celebrations in February and July and celebrate like only a drunken university student can. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays especially go off with live bands often playing or DJ's spinning all the popular club hits. Drink prices can be a bit steep. Located towards the back of the campus off Angus Smith Drive.

• The Ville Resort-Casino

  phone: +61 7-4722-2333
  address: Sir Leslie Thiess Dr
  Just located down from the Townsville Entertainment Centre, Jupiters is a waterfront casino and hotel. It features blackjack, roulette and pontoon among others. Being a casino, naturally it features Townsville's widest selection of pokie machines. It contains five bars, including three in the casino. It also features outdoor two smoking areas. Drinks are surprisingly well-priced. For nightowls, the Casino is the only place that allows entry to patrons after 3AM on weekends where it is usually open til about 5AM.

• Molly Malones Irish Pub

  phone: +61 7-4771 3428
  address: Flinders Street East
  As one of Townsville's three Irish themed pubs, Molly Malone's (or Molly's for short) makes its reputation with the older crowd, usually stocked with patrons 35 and older (but quite often stocked with plenty of twenty-somethings too!) Live bands play every Friday and Saturday with softer acoustic acts playing during the week.Drinks aren't so cheap though, with basic spirits starting at $7.00 and higher. The aptly named Five Bar featured in Molly's serves cocktails. An open smoking and drinking area with tables and chairs are located out the back in the Shed Nightclub's forcourt as the two are interlinked. Located at the eastern end of the Flinders Street just across the Road from Flynn's Irish Pub. Open til 2AM on Friday and Saturday.

• Monsoons

  phone: +61 7-4771 3428
  address: 194 Flinders Street East
  For a relaxing game of pool, or maybe a catch up with friends, Monsoons provides all with a relaxing atmosphere. It features quite decent views of the Ross River mouth from its balcony outside. Drinks are not horribly priced. Drinking specials feature every Tuesday. Located on the western side of Flinders Street East next to Dynasty Chinese restaurant.

• Santa Fe Gold

  phone: +61 7-4772 3700
  address: Level 1, 108 Flinders Street East
  For the seediest of us, come to Townsville's premier (I use that word loosely)strip club and get a dance with a fair maiden. Drinks are quite steep. Located to the left of Bullwinkle's Nightclub and across the road from Molly Malones. Up the stairs.

• Sea View Hotel

  phone: +61 7-4771 5005
  address: 56 The Strand
  Come for a drink in the beer garden by the sea! Drink prices are moderate. Every Saturday night upstairs features the infamous 'Grab a Granny'; an informal event where the single older ladies/cougars of Townsville come to meet and greet!

• The Sovereign

  phone: +61 7-47712909
  address: 807 Flinders Street West
  Townsville's premier Gay bar serving the wider LGBT community of North Queensland. The Sovereign Hotel offers a welcoming pub, bar, live entertainment and comfortable, affordable accommodation in one of the most desirable Townsville areas.

• Upper Ross Hotel

  phone: +61 7-4774 0377
  address: 1209 Ross River Road, Rasmussen
  For those in need of an ale, come down to the Upper Ross for a quiet (or sometimes loud) drink with the locals of the west Townsville suburbs of Rasmussen, Kelso and Condon. (The suburbs that are not-quite-bush but are not-quite-suburban either. Free pool and jukebox tunes every Tuesday.

• Watermark

  phone: +61 7-47244281
  address: 72-74 The Strand
  Located on the eastern part of the Strand, the Watermark attracts tourists and locals alike with its calm ocean views and chic design. Drinks are quite expensive but there is a cheap drink happy hour every Friday from 5 - 7PM.

• Aquarius on the Beach

  phone: +61 7 4772 4255
  address: 5 The Strand
  Waterfront views.

• Hostel Adventurers Backpackers

  phone: +61 7-4721-1522
  address: 79 Palmer St
  An airconditioned backpackers resort with a swimming pool and BBQ area. Paid Wi-Fi.

• Beach House Motel

  phone: +61 7 7 4721 1333
  address: 66 The Strand
  waterfront accommodation on Townsville's Strand. Views over Cleveland Bay to Magnetic Island.

• Civic Guest House

  phone: +61 7-4771-5381
  address: 262 Walker St
  Civic Guest House is a budget hotel. There are internet, barbecue and pool facilities. Air-conditioning available in some rooms.

• Holiday Inn Townsville

  phone: +61 7-4729 2000
  address: 334 Flinders St
  Affectionately referred to as the Sugar Shaker by the locals, the Holiday Inn has stood in pride as an iconic part of the Townsville horizon since 1976. The Holiday Inn serves with the usual facilities. In addition, there is a rooftop pool.

• Townsville Central Hotel

  phone: +61 7-4753-2000
  address: 12-14 Palmer St
  Townsville Central Hotel is conveniently located in the heart of the city dining precinct and only a few minutes walk from the main shopping centre of Flinders Mall. Free Wi-Fi and onsite parking.

• Mercure Inn Townsville

  phone: +61 7-4725-2222
  address: Woolcock Street, Hyde Park
  The Mercure is located 4.5 kilometers from Townsville's center. Facilities include a pool, a barbecue area, tennis courts and babysitting.

• Reef Lodge Backpackers

  phone: +617 4721 1112
  address: 4 Wickham Street
  Clean hostel. Free Wi-Fi.

• Seagulls Resort on the Seafront

  phone: +61 7-4721-3111
  address: 74 The Esplanade
  Seagulls is located close to the city and Castle Hill. Accommodation is available in the form of resort rooms, family rooms, rooms with kitchenettes, self contained two-bedroom apartments or suite rooms. Two pools, half court tennis, playground, barbeque facilities, bar and award winning restaurant on site. Complimentary off street parking. Rooms start at $110 per night.

• The Summit Motel

  phone: +61 7-4721-2122
  address: 6-8 Victoria St
  The Summit Motel is a 2 minute walk from the city centre and a 5 minute walk to the strand beach. Includes satellite TV, a pool, and airconditioning

• Waters Edge The Strand Hotel

  phone: +61 7 4721 1777
  address: 63 The Strand
  Direct access to the beachfront and views that overlook Cleveland Bay. There are 40 self-contained air-conditioned holiday apartments with kitchenette studios and 4 self-contained air conditioned one-bedroom kitchenette apartments

Northern Beaches Area:

• Balgal Beach Holiday Units
• Balgal Beach Holiday Units - Studio 26
• Balgal Station Bed & Breakfast Retreat
• Big 4 Woodlands Holiday Village
• Black River Stadium Caravan Park
• Bluewater Caravan Park
• Bohle Barn Motel/Hotel
• Forestmist Cottage Bed & Breakfast
• Gumburu Environmental Eduction Centre
• Hidden Valley Cabins
• Ivy Cottage
• Jollymosh Retreat House
• Lake Paluma Camp & Picnic Ground
• Ocean Palms Resort
• Paluma Environmental Education Centre
• Paluma Misthaven Units
• Paluma Rainforest Cottages
• Paluma Dreaming
• Rainforest Inn
• Range Caravan Park
• Rollingstone Beach Caravan Resort
• Rollingstone Hotel
• Saunders Beach Ocean View Units
• Upper Ross Hotel
• Willows Golf and Tourist Resort
• Woodlands Holiday Village

• Coral Lodge

  address: 32 Hale St

• Coral Lodge Inn

  phone: +61 7-4771512
  address: 32 Hale St
  Clean, cozy little rooms with shared bath and toilets. Residents have access to a full kitchen as well as bbq area. Internet is very slow but functional. No breakfast provided, despite the "B&B" in the name.

• Shore Drive Motel

  phone: +61747716851
  address: 117 The Strand
  A tropical beach, the rockpool is among what this hotel offers.

Box jellyfish and other stingers can be in the ocean during the summer months. Read the warning signs, and don't swim at the beach outside of the stinger enclosures. A sting from the box jellyfish can be fatal. There are two stinger enclosures along the Townsville beaches.
Saltwater crocodiles ARE present in Townsville and ALL swimming locations (including the beach) should be approached with extreme caution.

Internet

• Internet on the Mall

  address: Shop 1, 313-335 Flinders St
  Internet on the Mall is a fully automatic internet cafe with a 1.5Mbit connection. PC access is available via pre-paid cards, and wired and wireless laptops are available via credit card purchase. It is in the CBD (in the mall!).

• Internet Lounge

  address: 1/238 Charters Towers Rd, Hermit Park Townsville Qld 4812
  The Internet Lounge has access to ADSL2+. There are computer terminals or you can use your own laptop. It is located out along one of the main arterial roads in Townsville, about 10 minutes from the CBD by car (half an hour walk).
• The three public libraries all have free wi-fi, available 24/7 in the close vicinity of the library even when the libraries are closed. Thuringowa Drive, Ross River Road and Flinders Street.

http://www.townsville.qld.gov.au/facilities/libraries/Pages/askalibrarian.aspx

Excellent access to the Outback, the rainforest of the Paluma Range, the Great Barrier Reef and Magnetic Island.