Townsville Accommodation & Holiday Apartments

Townsville is considered one of the gateways to the world-famous Great Barrier Reef, so there's plenty of ways to get to the city. The airport has direct flights from most Australian cities on Jetstar, Virgin Australia, Qantas, and Jetgo. Once you arrive at the airport, take a taxi or a shuttle to your accommodation in Townsville. A popular option is to hire a car for the 6km drive into town, as this enables you to further explore the area on your own.

The Spirit of Queensland tilt train service offers trips to Townsville five times per week from Brisbane and Cairns. This is a great scenic option for those with holiday time to spare. If you're making a road trip into town, the journey from Brisbane to Townsville on the coastal A1 highway is about 1,300km. If you're driving from Cairns, it's just under 350km along the A1 highway to your holiday apartment.

Over the past few years, the dining scene in Townsville has undergone something of a revolution with numerous new establishments popping up across the city. From authentic Aussie BBQ grills to fine dining restaurants offering the best in modern cooking, there's something to tickle everyone's taste buds.

For the best breakfast in North Queensland head to Jam Corner, a popular local favourite which also serves lunch and dinner. They also have an extensive wine list which has won the Gourmet Traveller award.

For a fantastic casual dining experience, The Brewery is the place to be. Primarily a brewery producing its own fantastic beer, they also serve food in the lounge bar and the Malt Restaurant.

The Pier Restaurant and Bar, located on Sir Leslie Thiess Drive, is famed for its fresh seafood and spectacular views of Castle Hill. As well as tucking into succulent plates of oysters, prawns and clams, guests can also dine on the best cuts of beef and duck cooked to perfection.

Arts and culture in Townsville is part of the way of life, with the city even being dubbed the cultural capital of regional Australia. The streets of the inner city are adorned with colourful graffiti and several urban art street tours guide visitors to some of the most important locations. Perc Tucker Regional Gallery is one of the state's most important museums and houses an exciting range of visual arts collections. As well as showcasing works of art from some of the region's most prominent artists, they also host temporary exhibits, hold public lectures and screenings.

The Museum of Tropical Queensland is an award-winning gallery which focuses on the history and culture of the local area. The undisputed highlight of the museum is a replica of the HMS Pandora, a historic vessel which sank off the coast of the Great Barrier Reef in 1791 and remained undiscovered for 186 years.

For the best in cinema, theatre and live performances head to The World Theatre. This popular cultural complex hosts a wide range of entertainment options and is the centre of performance art in Townsville.

Kids will love the outdoor lifestyle in Townsville. Who could resist an afternoon spent swimming in the pools along the Strand, a strip of gradens and tropical beaches, or hiking up Castle Hill with its sweeping vistas of the entire area?

When you take the kids to Magnetic Island, don't forget to look up as this is where you will see the koalas hidden in the trees. The Forts Walk is one of the best places for spotting this classic and somewhat elusive Aussie creature.

Children and adults alike will love getting close to the kangaroos at The Billabong Sanctuary where you will also encounter a range of other impressive animals.

From majestic waterfalls to fantastic hiking trails, the landscape surrounding Townsville is packed with opportunities for discovery. Bowling Green Bay National Park is an outstanding area of natural beauty with woodland, creeks and mango trees amongst the varied terrains awaiting visitors to Townsville. Be sure to stop off at Cockatoo Creek for a relaxing afternoon swim.

Paluma Range National Park is home to the cascading Waterview Creek. These dramatic waterfalls are lush with a varied array of plants and flowers some of which are native to the area.

Keen hikers should also explore the Thorsborne Trail located in Hinchinbrook Island National Park. This dense eucalyptus forest is regarded as one the best hiking spots in the country and offers stunning views of the coastline and picturesque bays which form part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

One easy way to make a trip budget-friendly is to stay in self-catering accommodation. The cost per night is generally lower, and having a kitchen can save you money on meals. Another big plus of a holiday apartment is that you often have conveniences such as laundry facilities available in-house.

Townsville offers a number of fun and free activities. There's a number of great walks around town, including to the summit of Castle Hill. From the top, take in spectacular views of Magnetic Island, Rattlesnake Island, and the Palm Island Group. Or, enjoy areas like the Strand and the Riverway lagoons.

Explore Townsville's wide range of street art, which deliver splashes of colour in the city's alleys and warehouses. You can pick up a free booklet from any local tourist centre office to guide you on your own free walking tour. Another option is the outdoor art at the Jezzine Barracks.