Holiday houses in Townsville

Located around 350 kilometres south of Cairns in Queensland, Townsville is a coastal city featuring a two-kilometre esplanade and water park plus a wide array of attractions for all ages. The city is home to five beaches where you can swim, surf, enjoy the water sports on offer, or simply lie back and enjoy the golden sands.

As one of the biggest cities in Northern Queensland, Townsville is home to a lovely beachfront promenade, and a bustling CBD with charming cafes, upscale eateries, and trendy bars. Townsville also offers an array of museums, from the Museum of Tropical Queensland featuring interesting archaeology exhibits to the Townsville Museum which takes visitors through the history of this vibrant city from colonial settlement to vibrant port city.

Townsville offers easy access to the Great Barrier Reef, where you can explore one of the world’s largest coral reefs and see countless marine animals, like manta rays and green turtles. You can also hop on one of the frequent ferries to visit the nearby Magnetic Island where you can hike, swim, or snorkel.

The summer months are generally warmer, but they are also often the wettest. Rest assured that the rain showers are generally short, sometimes lasting less than 20 minutes, allowing you plenty of time in the sun. The spring and autumn are also great times to travel. The town is usually a bit quieter then and the weather is a bit drier than the summer which is great if you want to hit some of the region’s hiking trails or venture out to Magnetic Island. The winter months are the driest times of the year and although the temperatures are cooler than during the summer, it is still possible to do most of the outdoor activities. You may just have to limit the amount of time that you spend in the water.

There are also small events held throughout the year, including a chamber music festival spanning July to August, which features some of the world’s best chamber musicians performing together in more than 30 different concerts and special events. The festival may impact the availability of Townsville accommodation so it is best to book ahead especially if you are planning to travel over weekends.

Magnetic Island

With more than 23 bays and the Magnetic Island National Park, Magnetic Island features stunning palm-fringed beaches with nearby coral reefs, and boulder strewn headlands dotted with hoop pines. Understandably, it is a popular spot for hiking, swimming, and scuba diving. As you meander your way along the pristine walking paths, you can also spot many different types of wildlife including koalas and wallabies. Located just eight kilometres off of the shores of Townsville, the island is accessible by ferry which takes anywhere between 20 and 40 minutes.

Castle Hill

As one of Townsville’s most famous features, Castle Hill is a beautiful pink, granite monolith located right in the centre of the city. It rises dramatically above the city’s skyline and creates a colorful contrast when viewed against a clear blue sky. There are many viewpoints offering expansive views from the top of the hill that you can drive or hike up to. Although it takes around 30-minutes to reach the top of the monolith, the views of the Townsville coastline along the way make it worth the effort.

Perc Tucker Regional Gallery

Located within one of Townsville’s best preserved historic buildings, the gallery features both national and international exhibitions and often displays artwork created by North Queensland artists. With more than 2,000 works of art within its collection, it is one of the largest art museums in the area.