Townsville, Where the Outback Meets the Sea

Townsville is definitely not a typical tropical town. It’s got a rugged charm, frontier vibes with a salty, sea-breeze on the wind. The kind of place where you can sip a complex cocktail by the pool one moment, and be on a remote hiking trail the next.

It has an average of 300 sunny days every year, is a gateway to Magnetic Island, has an underwater art gallery, and once broke a Guinness World Record for the most people wearing high-vis vests in one place. So, slip on a hat, slop on some sunscreen, and dive into the best things to do in Townsville.

Townsville delivers a big bang for budget bucks. Starting with The Strand, a 2.2 kilometre beachfront promenade that serves as the city’s social hub. Family favourites here are The Strand Water Park, which has a lifeguard on duty every day, and the stinger-netted seawater pool at the northern end of the boardwalk.

Along the way, you’ll find Jezzine Barracks (sometimes also saucily known as Kissing Point) an important site that combines military history with Indigenous art and culture. The walking trails here are dotted with sculptures and plaques that tell the story of Townsville’s past.

The climb up Castle Hill, whether you drive or take one of the walking tracks, is another tradition for anyone visiting the city. Looming over Townsville like a pink granite guardian, the summit rewards you with a panoramic view that stretches from the city skyline to Magnetic Island and beyond. Locals swear by the Goat Track, a steep, zigzagging trail that’ll give you the burn.

Pro tip: 10 kilometres north of the Townsville city centre is Cape Pallarenda Conservation Park once home to a quarantine station. During World War II it was a strategic defence point and you can walk up to the forts for spectacular views from the gun positions.

Address: Cape Pallarenda Conservation Park, Graves Circuit, Pallarenda QLD 4810

There’s something about Magnetic Island that feels like a different world. Just 20 minutes from Townsville by ferry, it might as well be 20 years back in time. ‘Maggie’ to the locals, is where the wild things still roam; koalas snooze in the trees, rock wallabies peek out at dusk, and life just seems to move at a slower, more reasonable pace.

It’s still raw and untamed in the best way possible. The kind of place where you can spend the morning hiking through eucalyptus forests on the Forts Walk, tracing the footsteps of World War II soldiers, and the afternoon sprawled on a beach of your own secret paradise. If you’re feeling adventurous, rent one of those ridiculous topless cars to cruise around the island.

Then there are the bays, 23 of them, each with its own character. Radical Bay is a castaway's dream and Horseshoe Bay is the social hub, where paddleboarders glide across the water and cafés serve up fish fresh off the boats.

For a bit of hands-on education, check out the Magnetic Island Museum in Picnic Bay. It’s a charming collection of artifacts that tell the island’s story, from its Indigenous heritage to its wartime history.

Pro tip: Peppers Blue on Blue Resort looks directly over Magnetic Island’s stunning Nelly Bay and the pool has views across the private marina to Mount Cook National Park.

Address: Peppers Blue on Blue Resort, 123 Sooning Street, Nelly Bay QLD 4819

Townsville’s creative edge comes as a surprise to some, but it’s absolutely thriving and spills out into its streets and under the waves. The Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA) is a beautiful series of artworks on the ocean floor, including the ‘Coral Greenhouse’, which is the world’s largest underwater art installation. Festooned in coral and slowly being claimed by marine life, these artificial reefs are a haunting comment on conservation.

Above sea level, 'Ocean Siren' is a four-metre-high sculpture that changes colour in response to rising sea temperatures. Modelled on an Indigenous girl from the Wulgurukaba tribe, the piece serves as a live reminder of the climate change destruction of the Great Barrier Reef.

Back on dry land, the Townsville’s Street Art Trail is a riot of colourful murals done by local and internationally known artists such as HAHA, Claire Foxton, ROA, Kennie Deaner, and The RUN Collective.

Pro Tip: Townsville has an excellent interactive app that you can download to see interactive augmented reality (AR) experiences across Townsville, including the Street Art Walking Trail. If you don’t want another app on your phone, just get the Street Art Trail map.

Townsville's culinary landscape is a testament to its evolving character, offering experiences that cater to both the discerning diner and the fish and chip aficionado.

For upscale dining, Bridgewater Restaurant has unparalleled views of the river and presents a modern Aussie menu emphasising local, seasonal produce. Ultra modern, A Touch of Salt, serves up ambitious fusion dishes like delicious sumac prawns and coral trout samosa.

For breakfast head to The Hoi Polloi Cafe for its delightfully idiosyncratic decor and overstuffed breakfast burgers. Stripes Coffee, nestled in West End, has a dedication to meticulously crafted brews, and slightly off the beaten path, Long Shot Coffee Co in Garbutt focuses on specialty coffee and has earned a cult following among purists.

Pro tip: For lunch, grab a bucket of fresh, local prawns at the Celsius Restaurant and Bar at Mercure Townsville and eat them under palm fronds by the lagoon style pool.

Address: Mercure Townsville, 166-194 Woolcock Street Service Road, Currajong QLD 4812

If you’re travelling with little adventurers, the Billabong Sanctuary lets them hold a koala, hand-feed kangaroos, and even meet a crocodile (from a safe distance). Unlike larger zoos, this place feels personal, and the staff are passionate about conservation.

Just 90 minutes from Townsville, Charters Towers is Outback Australia at its most cinematic: vast red plains, endless blue skies, and a town that still carries the swagger of its gold-rush glory days. Start at the Texas Longhorn Ranch, where you can meet cattle with horns wider than a Harley and dive into a Wild West experience that wouldn’t feel out of place in Arizona.

Then there’s the Charters Towers Ghost Tour, a guided walk through eerie alleyways and old haunts where the town’s heritage past comes back to life. And if you thought drive-in cinemas were dead, think again. The Tors Drive-In, running since 1966, still draws locals and road-trippers alike for a night of retro charm under the stars.

Pro Tip: At Geoffrey Bay, kids can hand-feed the rock wallabies that hop down from the cliffs each evening. These pint-sized locals are irresistibly cute, but don’t forget they’re still wild animals, so respect their space.

Address: Magnetic Island, LOT 27 Marine Parade, Magnetic Island QLD 4819

Townsville may not be as flashy as some other Queensland cities, but it’s a city that rewards those who take the time to explore beyond the surface. From its rugged natural landscapes to its vibrant cultural scene, Townsville is a place to slow down, stay curious, and let this coastal gem surprise you.