A local's guide to Townsville
Guide
By Catherine Blake
Travel a short distance in any direction and you’ll run into rainforests, tropical islands, and the world-heritage listed Great Barrier Reef. It's part of what makes Townsville so special. And the best way to uncover it all is with the help of a local.
Besides proximity to the natural wonders of coastal living, Townsville is also home to a thriving food scene, an emerging craft brewing scene, and more than its fair share of bars, making it the perfect midway point between city and country living.
Here’s a local's guide to Townsville that will make you feel like one yourself.
Where to eat and drink
A bustling cafe scene may be more of a Melbourne hallmark, but wander down Denham Lane and you’ll find Townsville’s own graffitied coffee den in Hoi Polloi. With a street art mural frontage, this cafe is a homey nook that feels like grabbing a cuppa at an old friend’s – the perfect way to start any day.
And speaking of laneways, City Lane is a dining precinct stacked with places to eat, drink and generally make merry.
For a real taste of local Townsville hospitality, check out Grandma’s. Inspired by one family’s culinary traditions, their menu boasts hearty comfort food and a distinctly Greek twist on breakfast, lunch and dinner. Hungry locals also flock to Masala Indian, Zizigo Korean (famous for its Korean fried chicken), and upscale Modern Australian restaurant A Touch of Salt - the sandcrab dumplings are a must here.
Where to wet your whistle in Townsville depends on your favourite drink - but you'll find just as many locals raising a glass along the waterfront as you will travellers. Beer enthusiasts have their choice of local breweries Townsville Brewery and Tiny Mountain, which both offering a staggering range of craft brews. You'll find the best cocktails at Hooch and Fellow, named one of best small bars in 2021's Australian Bar Awards.
Being a country town, there’s no shortage of pubs either. Swing by your nearest tavern any time you need to escape the arvo sun and cool down like a local.
Get to know the Reef
Being so close to majestic splendour of the Great Barrier Reef comes with great responsibility. Besides showcasing the natural beauty of the coral reef, Townsville’s Reef HQ Aquarium takes its preservation seriously - as the national education centre for the reef. Its drawcard is the aquarium’s living coral reef, the largest of any aquarium in the world, which guests can view through an underwater viewing tunnel.
Note: Reef HQ is currently closed for renovations.
Once you've gained your appreciation, head out onto the reef on one of these tours to experience the wonder for yourself.
Explore below the surface with the Museum of Underwater Art
The Museum of Underwater Art is the perfect blend of culture and conservation - and not to be missed on any visit to Townsville.
Designed and executed by artist Jason deCaires Taylor, MOUA showcases the connection between Indigenous culture and the reef with sculptures across four different locations in North Queensland. The overarching purpose of the project is to highlight reef conservation and restoration.
The inaugural sculpture ‘Ocean Siren’ stands in the water just off the Townsville Strand. Modelled on local Wulgurukaba Traditional Owner, Takoda Johnson, the figure changes colour to reflect the variations in water temperature, and serves as a powerful reminder of humankind’s impact upon the environment.
For a more adventurous experience, MOUA’s John Brewer Reef is a dive site located right in the middle of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, 18 metres underwater. The installation is MOUA’s largest, a ‘Coral Greenhouse’, but instead of finding herbs and orchids, this exhibit fosters marine life like corals, sponges, and fish, and is manned by 20 sculptures appointed as guardians of the reef.
Where to go exploring
If you overhear locals talking about a visit to ‘Maggie’, know they’re referring to Magnetic Island. Just a 20 minute ferry ride from Townsville, it’s home to some of Queensland’s most beautiful national parklands, fringed by idyllic coastline. Koalas, wallabies, possums, and numerous species of bird call this island home, making it the perfect place to appreciate native fauna.
Some of the more well-trodden tracks like Forts Walk will take you through ruins of a WWII military base to get you in touch with local history. But for something with less traffic, take a walk from Horseshoe Bay and do a circuit around the secluded beaches of Arthur, Florence, Radical and Balding Bays.
Another much-loved local island, Hinchinbrook, towers with wild mountains, waterfalls and coves - a great day trip for fishing, hiking and exploring - or you can tackle the multi-day Thorsborne Trail.
Abergowie State Forest is a great hiking spot, as is the short trek to cool off in Ethel Falls. More locally, Castle Hill is Townsville’s dominating peak - and you'll find fit residents running or hiking to its summit before the midday sun hits. This baby mountain is formed from pink granite, and its summit offers a 360 degree view of Townsville and Magnetic Island.
Where to stay
When it comes time to kick off your boots, there are few places that offer more comfort than Hidden Valley Cabins. This eco-property offers seclusion, and is a gateway to the surrounding Paluma Range. Owned and operated as a family business, a stay here is truly like coming home. The entire resort runs on solar power, and thanks to the elevation Hidden Valley enjoys a cooler climate all year round. They’re 90 minutes drive north of Townsville, but the trek is worth it for the peace and privacy.
Naturally, there are also plenty of places to stay in town if you want to be close to the action, as well as some premium accommodation on Magnetic Island.
