Fritzjames Stephen
Renowned as one of Queensland's most vibrant tourist hubs Townsville is packed with intriguing attractions large and small. From fine restaurants to iconic reefs the area's top attractions are below.
As one of Townville's' favourite waterfront recreational hubs a stopover at The Strand is a must- have experience for all first time visitors to the city. Home to a wide range of restaurants and cafes this beachfront leisure centre is home to an ocean way boulevard, a saltwater lagoon known as The Rockpool and its own splash centre and a public park. Offering barbeque facilities and other beachfront amenities the venue also regularly hosts night markets and other local festivals through the calendar year.
As one of Australia's most treasured natural wonders the Great Barrier Reef is a marine attribute that is synonymous with breathtaking coral gardens and a truly vibrant and impressive marine life heritage. Spread out across a whopping 2300 kilometres the Great Barrier Reef extends from the northern reaches of Tropical North Queensland all the way to the south's Bundaberg region. Accessible from a variety of points including Airlie Beach, Port Douglas and Seventeen Seventy, Townsville also offers visitors easy access to the stunning coral mass thanks to its strategic location. A staggering 350,000 km2 in total the Great Barrier Reef is also the only living organism that is visible from space. Activities at the iconic reed include snorkelling, diving, cruises and sailing tours.
As one of Townsville's best known dining hubs the Palmer Street Dining Precinct is another must-visit highlight in the city. Littered with fantastic restaurants this wonderful dining precinct is a food lover's dream come true. The Palmer Street Dining Precinct unlike the Gregory Street alfresco eateries and The Strand's waterfront diners offers a large variety of international cuisine based restaurants. Diners can visit many Asian, Greek, traditional Australian, Italian and French restaurants down Palmer's Street and experience a truly memorable dining experience.
Located in the centre of Townsville Castle Hill can be described as the area's favourite observation point. Towering above the surrounding landscape at a staggering height this monolith in red rock is a geographical anomally in the area and Queensland at large. The venue which is lined with jogging trails is a popular walking track for fitness fanatics in the area although the road is accessible by vehicle as well. A few meters short too short to be identified as a mountain the hill is home to Townsville's Saint, a figure of a well-known local television show while offering the most captivating views of Magnetic Island nearby. A bunker that was used as an observation point during World War II is also found here along with a function room and other facilities such as parking.
Tipped to be the world's most expansive live coral reef aquarium Townsville's Reef HQ Aquarium is an Australian Government education hub regarding the value of the Great Barrier Reef. Home to a 2.5 million liter coral reef exhibit the venue is a popular stopover for marine biologists and enthusiasts. Offering visitors thousands of marine species in one awe-inspiring location the Reef HQ Great Barrier Reef Aquarium offers mysterious underwater tunnels through which visitors can observe the aquarium's inhabitants. The Turtle Hospital at the Reef HQ Aquarium cares for injured turtles and also educates visitors on how they can aid conservation efforts with eco tourism and other responsible actions. Visitors based in conveniently location Townsville accommodation options such as the Australis Mariners North Townsville will enjoy easy access to the site.
