The perfect 5-day Townsville holiday itinerary

Day one in paradise means an early start. Take in your tropical surroundings, dip your toe in the ocean get a lay of the land. You’ve five days to explore – so make the most of it. Located just off the coast of Townsville in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, spend your first day underwater at the Museum of Underwater Art. One of the more unique experiences for any budding (or pro) diver, this haunting underwater gallery features a series of life-size installations by world-famous sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor.

Afternoon

If a visit to MOUA has given you a taste for the ocean, a visit to the world-famous SS Yongala is a must. One of the largest, most intact historic shipwrecks – and conveniently (beneficially) located between Townsville and Ayr – the wreck is not only an incredible dive, it also makes for spectacular nature show. Eagle rays, turtles, giant Queensland gropers, schooling barracuda, sea snakes and a host of other marine life live here.

Prefer to keep dry? A visit to Townsville’s Reef HQ* is fun for all ages. Undertaking important environmental conservation while raising awareness of the issues facing the Great Barrier Reef, Reef HQ allows visitors unforgettable experiences, learning about the Reef and its incredible inhabitants along the way. Hit the aquarium’s living reef, the largest artificial reef in the world, then visit the Turtle Hospital, where sick and injured turtles are nursed to health before being released back into the wild.

*closed for renovations until 2022

Evening

After a day’s diving it’s time to change into your glad rags before dinner and drinks. Take a relaxing stroll along The Strand as the sun goes down; Townsville is famous for its balmy evenings and bustling nightlife, and with views stretching out across the Magnetic Island, you'll struggle to tear your eyes off the sunset. The jetty at The Strand is also the perfect spot to glimpse Ocean Siren, MOUA’s only installation above the water line, lighting up the horizon after dark.

For more of those views, and a fit-out worthy of any capital city, grab a cocktail or two at boutique hotel, The Ville, before dinner along City Lane. Townsville’s first laneway precinct, you’ll be spoilt for choice with a selection of vibrant restaurants and bars.

Time to turn in. With a plethora of accommodation options in Townsville, you’ll be spoilt for choice. From all-out luxury hotels to budget-friendly bases – there’s something for everyone.

Day 2: Sun, sea, and sightseeing

Morning 

Do as the locals do and scale Castle Hill for some of the finest sunrise views going. A giant pink monolith on the edges of town, reach Castle Hill’s summit and you’ll be rewarded with 360-degree views of the city, the ocean and of Magnetic Island. There are a few well-trodden tracks up Castle Hill, with Goat Track the pick, taking just under an hour to reach the top.

Sunrise hikes equals hearty breakfasts: lucky for you, Townsville knows a thing about breaking the fast. Hit up any of these choice breakfast haunts and you won’t be disappointed, but local favourite Hoi Polloi is a must when you’re in town. A chilled laneway café by day, intimate wine bar-slash- live jazz bar by night, stop in for house made scones, breakfast muffins, and meatball subs all using local produce from the North Queensland region.

Before you leave grab an iced coffee to go and spend an hour’s leisurely walk taking in Townsville’s impressive street art. Starting in your current position down Denham Lane, hit up City Lane and the new City Lane precinct, as well as a number of larger pieces on buildings in the city centre where you’ll find a mix of both local and international artists’ work. It wouldn’t be the worst thing if you tack on a bit of shopping, either…

Afternoon

Take the afternoon to unwind beachside at The Strand. Ideal for families looking for kid-friendly activities (head straight to the Strand Water Park for hours of entertainment), and anyone looking for a relaxing spot to drop a towel on the sand. With 2kms of oceanside walkway and golden, sandy beach, while away the afternoon swimming, snorkeling, stand-up-paddle boarding – even kitesurfing or fishing along the Jetty. If you’re bored here, you’re not holidaying right.

Anyone keen for an afternoon stroll should head north toward Jezzine Barracks. Located at the top end of The Strand, this heritage hillside spot is steeped in both Aboriginal and military history. Enjoy a walk along the boardwalks peppered with beautiful artworks, military relics, and parklands.

To see the region from a completely different perspective, book a helicopter tour just before sunset. Nautilus Aviation offer 30, 60 and 90-minute flights on demand, taking in the breathtaking scenery of Townsville’s coastline, Magnetic and Hinchinbrook Islands, The Palm Islands, and historic Cape Cleveland Lighthouse.

Evening

Spend the evening sampling the local brews; Townsville Brewery and Tiny Mountain are two local craft breweries making names for themselves serving brews with a certain NQ magic. Fancy a feed? Tiny Tucks, the small but mighty food truck permanently parked at Tiny Mountain, is rumoured to serve the best fried chicken in town, while Townsville Brewery’s Smokehouse restaurant is all about low and slow cooking. Bottoms up.

Day 3 & 4: Kick back on island time 

You’ve seen it across the horizon, now it’s time to plant your feet on Magnetic Island. Exploring this beautiful natural wonder deserves at least an overnight stay; its deserted sandy cays and enviable access to the Great Barrier Reef, paired with rugged hiking trails make for a real Robinson Crusoe moment.

Getting there

Unleash your inner mariner with Big Mama Sailing. Offering a personalised approach to chartered tours (only 12 guests on board at any time and flexible departing times), arrive at Magnetic on an elegant sailing boat has never been more bougie.

Make the most of your visit           

A protected national park, the island features 23 beaches and 36kms of walking tracks which wind through dense tropical scrub and ancient hoop pine forests, hugging its magical coastline and traversing over rocky granite headlands. Glimpses of the island’s native wildlife is a highlight of any visit to Magnetic Island: spot rock wallabies playing on the granite boulders overlooking Geoffrey Bay, and koalas and rare bird species along the trails.

If its history you’re searching for, Magnetic Island has it in spades. Learn about the Traditional Owners of Yunbenun (Magnetic Island), the Wulgurukaba people’s deep connection here, and uncover various artworks and shell middens dotted across the island. Forts Walk is one of the most popular trails on the island, taking in military ruins (including decommissioned weaponry and forts) from WWII, as well as some of the best 360-degree views back to the mainland. There’s simply so much to see and do here.

The beauty of a tropical island so close to Townsville is there’s accommodation on Magnetic Island to suit any budget. Romantics at heart should rest their heads at Peppers Blue, for touches of luxury and uninterrupted marina views form your suite. CStay ticks the box for anyone travelling on a budget, while Bungalow Bay Koala Village offers guests educational wildlife tours with the local rangers.

Day 5: Townsville, the gateway to the tropical north

So, you’ve done the city, visited the islands, now it’s time to get a grip on why this part of the world is known as the ‘gateway to the tropical north’. Just 80kms from Townsville, Paluma Range National Park is the southernmost area of the Wet Tropics, where North Queensland’s wild and rugged landscapes are unapologetically BIG.

Hit the trails and be rewarded with hidden lookout points, animal encounters and watering holes perfect for a dip. Easy walking tracks like McClelland’s Lookout, Birthday Creek Falls Track and Paluma Rainforest Walk make for the perfect day visit, and no visit to Paluma is complete without a swim in Paradise Waterhole at Big Crystal Creek.

It would be remiss not to stay local at Hidden Valley Cabins. These gorgeous, award-winning eco-cabins are set high on the Paluma Range, ensconced in lush rainforest, making for the ultimate escape. Surrounded by nature, nurture body and mind while exploring the majesty of Hidden Valley. Join one of their night safaris or famous platypus safari to see first-hand the incredible animals and ecosystem in the region.

Day 6: All roads lead to Cairns, sort of…

It would be easy to end the holiday here, but as the past five days have proven, you’ve only just scratched the surface in Far North Queensland. Tack on a road trip of a lifetime from Townsville to Cairns, where the landscape becomes altogether more wild, more remote, and more exhilarating (if you can believe it).

First stop: Charters Towers. An easy 1hr 30mins from Townsville, discover this gem of a historical town, full of pre-war architecture and grand old buildings of its gold rush roots.

Continue to head 160kms north-west to Girringun National Park, home to lush tropical rainforest, remote walking tracks, and the mighty Wallaman Falls. Part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, the region feels as though you’re stepping back in time, to a place completely untouched by the modern world. Bestowed with Australia’s highest single drop waterfall, at 268m, Wallaman Falls’ cascade is truly awe-inspiring. For the best views head to the main lookout point along the Djyinda track, offering uninterrupted views of the waterfall and plunging valley below. Get your fill and follow the 3.2km track to the bottom of the falls for maximum ‘wow’-factor.

Take the ‘Great Green Way’ towards Cairns. The approximately 4.5 hours journey is peppered with alluring landscapes; dense canopies and towering rainforests, and rugged coastlines with untouched beaches.

You could head back off the coast to explore the remote trails of Hinchinbrook Island, stop for a refreshing dip at the Babinda Boulders, or spend a day strolling through the lush gardens at Paronella Park; this remote stretch between Townsville and Cairns is anything but bland.