The best day trips from Townsville

You’ll feel the irresistible pull towards Magnetic Island from the moment you touch down in Townsville. That might be because you can see it from the main drag, or because the tropical island lures you in with rocky coves, tranquil waters and abundant sea life.

While you could easily spend a weekend or a whole week here with the kids, Magnetic Island is an achievable day trip from Townsville thanks to the Sealink Queensland ferry that will deliver you to its golden shores in just 20 minutes. Just make sure you pack your sense of adventure, and pre-fuel with breakfast at JAM: you’ll be packing a lot into your day.

There’s plenty to do here, but as you got the passenger ferry for the day trip, start by renting a car from Tropical Topless Car Hire to explore more of the island: there are 23 spectacular beaches and bays to discover. For an adventure on foot, meet the friendly wallabies at Geoffrey Bay or do the iconic Forts Walk. It’s a moderate 2.8km trail that offers 360 degree views as well as your best chance to spot koalas in the wild.

When it’s time to hit the water, do so at speed with a jetski tour or a more serene trip with Big Mama Sailing or Pilgrim Sailing. Whatever you do, don’t miss discovering beneath the surface by snorkelling the fringing reefs on a tour or venturing out on the self-guided snorkel trail (collect the underwater trail card from Arcadia Hotel and other local businesses).

Paluma Range National Park

Swap the balmy streets of Townsville for a day trip to the misty mountains of Paluma Range National Park. Just a 45 minute drive from the city, you’ll find yourself in World Heritage Wet Tropics landscapes.

Stop en-route to bask in the freshwater swimming hole and waterfalls of Little Crystal Creek, before arriving in the township of Paluma, a rainforest-clad village home to cafes, bushwalking trails and diverse birdlife. Grab a coffee, then grab your swimmers: while the ‘wet’ in Wet Tropics may give it away, Paluma Range is waterfall central, with Jourama Falls, Birthday Creek Falls, Ethel Creek Falls, Triple Falls, Diorite Falls all waiting to be explored.

This is also one of the top five places to see a platypus in the wild, so take the Platypus Safari with Hidden Valley Cabins to catch a glimpse. Otherwise, head out on the Paluma Rainforest Tour or make your way to Lake Paluma for an afternoon of bushwalking, swimming, kayaking and a picnic.

Charters Towers

This day trip from Townsville is soaked in history and heritage, and will take you 90 minutes west of the aqua coastline to experience a dusty, golden side of Queensland.

Driving down the main street of Charters Towers is like stepping into a bygone era on the edge of the outback. Historic architecture like the Stock Exchange Building and Lyall’s Store will strike your eye, but put it to the test and pan for gold at The Miner’s Cottage. Gold was first discovered here in the 1870’s, and it quickly became a booming gold rush town. In fact, it was actually Australia’s richest gold mining town at the time.

Lunch at a historic pub is a must while you’re here. As is Texas Longhorn Tours, a trip to Towers Hill Lookout to soak in the sunset views, and a visit to the Venus Gold Battery: the largest surviving Battery relic in Australia. Check out these things to do while you’re here.

Wallaman Falls 

We’re not sure what’s more impressive: seeing Australia’s largest single drop waterfall for the first time, or feeling the cool spray float off it against your face after a good downpour. Either way, this is one natural wonder you need to see up close.

The awe-inspiring Wallaman Falls lies within little known Girringun National Park, about 160km from Townsville. Standing at 268 metres, it’s immersed in the protected Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, which is not just rich in colour and diversity, but in Aboriginal history too.

Take in the views from the two lookouts, or head to its base to see the falls from a different angle. Depending on how much time you have, take the 800m stroll down to the banks of Stony Creek, or a 3.2km hike into the gorge. Regardless of which one you choose, pack swimmers for a dip in the large pool that collects Wallaman’s thunderous spray.

Hinchinbrook Island

If you’re really craving an escape from the crowds and a reconnection with the natural world, head to Hinchinbrook Island National Park. Only 40 visitors are allowed on the island at a time to protect its fragile environment.

While it’s one of Queensland’s little known island gems, those in-the-know revere its rugged Jurrasic-like landscape, the natural infinity pool that is Zoe Falls, and the epic multi-day hike on Thorsborne Trail. To visit as a day trip from Townsville, you’ll need to get a boat from Ingham or Caldwell with Hinchinbrook Island Cruises or Absolute North Charters to explore its remote beaches and bays.

Hinchinbrook Island is known for its world-class sea kayaking and biodiverse waters, too. If you get the chance, you can paddle among the dugongs, dolphins and marine life that call these waters home.

Great Barrier Reef

There are countless ways to explore the Great Barrier Reef in a day trip from Townsville. And a lot of these sites are quieter than those of its northern neighbours.

You can see it from above on a helicopter or a visit to Reef HQ, but why not dive in and get an up close look on a snorkel tour? Adrenalin and Pro Dive will ensure you have an unforgettable day out on the reef.

Experienced divers will have the opportunity to discover one of the top ten dive sites in the world: the SS Yongala.  The site of a tragic 1911 shipwreck, the Yongala was rediscovered by divers in 1958 and is now visited by 10,000 scuba enthusiasts annually to explore its hull and surrounding waters alive with marine activity.