Townsville helms a vibrant region made up of scenic coastal towns, rich rainforests and rugged bushland. Anchored amid the lush tropical splendour of the North Queensland, opportunities for exploration and adventure abound as the Great Barrier Reef, the Outback and island paradises – such as Magnetic Island and Hinchinbrook Island – all sit with within easy reach of the regional centre.

Townsville also hosts a notable number of governmental, community and administrative offices, leading the country city to be recognised as business hub and the unofficial capital of North Queensland.

Townsville Information

Population: Approx 170,000
Area: 140.2 km²
Time Zone: GMT +10
Languages: English (official)
Currency: Australian dollar (AUD) Order your travellers cheques and cash through our partner AMEX
Electricity: 220-240v 50Hz

Townsville Climate

Townsville is located in the dry tropics and has a tropical Savanna climate. December is the warmest month of the year with temperatures ranging from 24°C to 31°C. July is the coolest month of the year with temperatures sitting between 13°C and 25°C. Rainfall is most common in summer, while winter is privy to blue skies, warm days and cool nights – although significant rainfall may occur at times.

• View local weather forecast for your holiday

Townsville Airport

Name: Townsville International Airport
Address: John Melton Black Drv, Townsville QLD 4810
Website: www.townsvilleairport.com.au
Distance to city: 5 Kms
Parking: Short and long term parking available

Townsville Transport

Car hire: Great choice of hire cars at mates rates from our car suppliers
Taxi: Journey time approx 5-10 minutes

Don’t forget your travel insurance.

Oaks M on Palmer

4 Star Property

Opened in 2009, Hotel M is a boutique 4.5 star self-catering property on cosmopolitan Palmer Street. Enjoy an easy stroll to restaurants, cafes and city night life, Hotel M is an ideal accommodation choice for business and leisure travellers.

Oaks Gateway on Palmer

4 Star Property

Opened in 2009, Oaks Gateway on Palmer is Townsville's next generation in resort-style accommodation. Located within easy walk of the CBD, the hotel has a range of restaurants & cafes on its doorstop on cosmopolitan Palmer Street.

Jupiters Hotel and Casino

4 Star Property

Perfectly positioned on the waters edge, this award winning hotel boasts spectacular views of the Coral Sea and marina/city. Recently refurbished to the tune of $6 million, the renovated rooms and suites now rate as some of the finest in Townsville.

Holiday Inn Townsville

4 Star Property

Enjoy a central location at the iconic Holiday Inn Townsville high-rise, 10km from Townsville Airport. Nicknamed 'the Sugar Shaker', Holiday Inn Townsville is Townsville's tallest building, overlooking scenic Magnetic Island and Castle Hill from the heart of the Central Business District.

Dining

As a popular tourist stop-over spot – a gateway to both the Great Barrier Reef and the Outback – Townsville boasts a diverse dining scene, set amid several atmospheres, in a number of enticing locales.

Palmer Street in South Townsville offers a myriad of dining options from casual alfresco bites to upmarket cuisine. Flinders Street features an assortment of cafes, restaurants and bars, and particularly comes to life after dark. Several take aways and casual eateries can be found housed in arcades off the Flinders Street Mall. Gregory Street is a favourite amongst Townsville's cafe set. The Marina’s Sir Leslie Thiess Drive offers a notable array of different dining options. While on the waterfront, The Strand celebrates a unique blend of hotels and boutique retailers with Townsville’s finest restaurants and bars.

The North Queensland capital particularly embraces Australia’s multicultural nature, with a variety of restaurants that serve cuisines from all over the globe. Italian, Asian, Indian, Thai and Australian, plus many other world fares, are represented on menus in a number of setting throughout the city. Michel's Cafe and Bar on Palmer Street sets a standard for modern Australian dishes, plating up home-grown favourites with international flair. On the Esplanade, overlooking Magnetic Island, Seagull Restaurant is the city’s go-to for Italian pasta and seafood specialties. While local favourites like Dynasty Chinese Seafood Restaurant on Flinders Street and Aroi Bangkok Thai Restaurant in Hyde Park highlight Asian cooking techniques and traditional dishes.

Shopping

Townsville brims with a number of exciting shopping opportunities. Markets, retailers and shopping complexes dot the city and surrounds, selling everything from clothes to electronic items, and souvenirs to hand-crafted furniture.

Flinders Street Mall is the retail heart of the Townsville. Situated in the city centre, the mall is known for its many boutiques and retail outlets, which are housed in historic buildings. A short walk northwest, the Gregory Street precinct is a must visit to experience the regional centre’s dynamic cafe culture and boutique shopping scene.

As common in most country cities, major shopping centres – such as Castletown Shoppingworld, Stockland Townsville and Willows Shoppingtown – can be found in the suburbs, offering a range of specialty stores, retail outlets, restaurants and services providers. Castletown Shoppingworld in Hyde Park is the region’s most notable shopping centre, housing more than 80 retail stores. Just 7km for the city centre, Stockland in Aitkenvale is fast growing a reputation as Townsville’s hippest shopping centre, with throngs of specialty stores and services, and Townsville's only Myer. Further out in Thuringowa Central, Willow Shoppingtown also offers a great range of retail opportunities with respected surf ware brands and national fashion icons on display.

Townsville’s seaside foreshore, The Strand is heralded as the city’s swankiest shopping and dining precinct. Located in the trendy North Ward, The Strand enjoys magnificent views of the Port of Townsville, Magnetic Island and Cape Cleveland, and incorporates a jetty, recreational facilities, restaurants, cafes and retail boutiques. The beachfront promenade is also home to a night market.

Conducted on the first Friday of each month The Strand Night Market hawks a large number of quality products, such as clothes and accessories, jewellery and home décor, and hosts a number of food stalls that highlight local delicacies and specialities. The Strand Night Market is complemented by the famous, Cotters Markets – North Queensland’s award winning arts and crafts market. The weekly market, held on Sunday mornings in Flinders Street Mall, is lined with stalls that sell jewellery, pottery, homemade sweets, plants and fresh produce.