How to spend 48 hours in tropical Townsville

Itinerary

Carleon Coulta

By Carleon Coulta

Townsville has some serious pros over its more well-known neighbours when it comes to tropical holidays – there’s more sunshine and less rain, you don’t have to compete with swarms of tourists, the dining scene is robust, and there’s that unmistakable North Queensland charm that will have you relaxed in no time.

You might be on the doorstep of reef and rainforest, but there’s more than enough to keep you busy smack bang in the centre of town.

Here’s how you can make the most of paradise with this 48-hour (or longer) itinerary.

Day 1

7am: Views from the top

Castle Hill Townsville

Castle Hill

You could drive to the top of Castle Hill for incredible 360-degree views, but there’s a whole lotta eating ahead. It’s opportune to get moving and burn some energy while you can.

Townsvillians are an active bunch and every day over 2500 activewear-clad fitness fanatics march to the top of Castle Hill. If you’re up for a challenge, try the ‘goat track’. It measures about 10 on the burning-calf-ometre (the hill falls just metres short of being classed a mountain, after all). Push through it, as you’ll be rewarded with a picture-perfect sunrise setting.

Do yourself a favour and bring your camera, SPF30+ and water bottle – there’s a tap at the top to refill.

9am: A nourishing breakfast

You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to breakfasts in Townville, but there’s new clean eating options available now, too.

Drop into Born Wild Wholefood on City Lane who serve up wholesome and organic foods.

Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian or meat eater, you'll find something delicious to get your motor running. Think fresh salads, quiches, pressed juices, smoothies, raw desserts, and acai bowls. 

Once your belly is nourished, hire a bike from Outer Limits Adventure and check out the city’s boutique shopping circuit.

12pm: Townsville Brewery and Malt Restaurant

Townsville Brewery and Malt Restaurant

Pub grub this ain’t! If you like your brew fresh and frothy, allow the barkeep to serve up a Townsville Bitter that’s been brewed and bottled just metres from where you sit. It feels cosy here with the dark timber bar, leather seat booths and dimly lit surroundings.

A Townsville icon at over 100 years old, the building was once the Townsville Post Office and military communications headquarters during World War II.

Afterwards, head to the rock pools at the northern end of The Strand for a dip, wander through the artwork at the Jezzine Barracks or take an afternoon siesta in the shade.

3pm: I scream, you scream

Just like Romeo, you and Juliette’s will come together in a dangerous union of love. Sweet, creamy, freshly-made gelato love that is. Nestled under giant fig trees, this family-owned meeting place is a must-do for coffee (some say the best in town), sweets, and of course, gelato.

They’ve got all the classics but the special occasion flavours are much more fun - think the bright blue and yellow swirls of the ‘North Queensland Cowboys’ flavour.

5pm: Wine and dine at City Lane

Townsville’s laneway dining and bar precinct, City Lane, is an unexpected but welcomed surprise. Modern and relatively new on the scene, it’s a local’s hangout on the weekends and a favourite for after-work Friday drinks. It’s the perfect place for a progressive happy hour tour as roaming between the hotspots is encouraged.

Grab a lemon meringue martini from Donna Bionda and wander over to Shaw & Co. to enjoy a local lobster roll with fennel remoulade.

Day 2

7am: Enjoy coffee culture

Hoi Polloi Cafe Townsville

Hoi Polloi Cafe

It’s easy to walk past Hoi Polloi Espresso Bar from Flinders Street so follow your nose – this hipster joint brews good coffee.

The hole-in-the-wall café has loads of personality with random knick-knacks like a framed photo of Ryan Gosling, creepy gnome mugs and a curious collection of retro microscopes.

Missing the Denham Lane entrance is not an option as Belgium muralist ROA and self-taught Kiwi stencil artist HaHa have used the walls as a giant canvas, adding to Townsville’s already banging street art scene.

8am: Head over to Maggie

Snorkelling on guided Aquascene tour, Radical Bay Magnetic Island | Townsville to Mission Beach road trip

Magnetic Island is just 8 kilometres off the coast and a speedy 20 minute ferry trip from the mainland. There are up to 18 return trips to Magnetic Island daily with the SeaLink passenger ferry, or a vehicle ferry operated by Fantasea Cruising Magnetic, operating up to eight trips daily. Hire a Tropical Topless car or a Mini Cooper from Isle Hire to help you make your way around the island.  

Enjoy a Maggie Discovery Tour for the morning with Aquascene to discover the natural beauty of the island's most scenic bays, beaches, reefs and impressive granite boulder headlands. Another option is the Maggie Explorer Tour for a full day to swim, snorkel and explore the fringing reefs around the island. 

Diving through the Coral Greenhouse

Museum of Underwater Art

Keen diver? Adrenalin Snorkel and Dive offers several options for full day trips: head out to the Great Barrier Reef where the crew chooses the best site subject to the day's conditions; check out the surreal MOUA (Museum of Underwater Art), or experience one of the top five wreck dives in the world - the SS Yongala which sank during a cyclone in 1911.

3pm: Find some furry locals

Koala, Magnetic Island

Koala, Magnetic Island

Magnetic Island is home to the largest koala colony in Northern Australia, and one of the best places to spot a wild Koala is along the Forts Walk, a 4km trail from the Forts Carpark. If you miss seeing one in the wild, check out the Bungalow Bay Koala Village which offers daily koala shows. Afterwards, relax on a Sunset and Shipwrecks tour with Aquascene from 4:15-6:30pm.

6:30pm: Beach eats

Base Backpackers Magnetic Island

Photo by @kevin_lebre

Kick back with a family friendly dinner with beachside views at either Nelly Bay or Horseshoe Bay. If you're up for super-fresh seafood done right, make for Sandi's in Horseshoe Bay or Saltwater restaurant in Nelly Bay.

The last ferry heads back to the mainland at 10pm or 11pm depending on the day; but why not stay a night or more at one of Maggie's wide variety of accommodation options. Choose form beachfront cabins, resort-style and self-contained apartments, hotels and motels. 

Once you're back in town, take the time to extend your stay and explore even more of Townsville's surrounds. Think Australia's largest single-drop waterfall, magical national parks, historic country towns, or diving deeper into the Great Barrier Reef - take your pick from this list of day trips from Townsville

Next: Start planning your next visit

Queensland Country Bank Stadium | things to do Townsville

It's worth timing your visits depending on what's coming up in Townsville's event scene, so check out the city's events calendar to plan when to go next. One date worth marking in your diary is the Queensland Champions Cup Brisbane Roar FC v Aston Villa on 20 July 2022.

There are events to suit every traveller, but accommodation can fill up quickly, so it’s worth planning your return well in advance. 

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