Heading north? Here's your Townsville accessible travel guide

Whether you’re here for tropical islands full of adventure, ancient Wet Tropics rainforest, or sundowners by the sea, Townsville has a lot to offer. Best yet, the gateway to northern Queensland is open to all, with accessible initiatives throughout the city and its most popular attractions.

Follow this accessible travel guide to Townsville and start planning your visit. 

Getting to Townsville

Arriving at Townsville Airport? There are a range of facilities to assist those in wheelchairs, with mobility devices, or other needs - and Qantas operates an eagle hoist if required. Head here for the latest information. 

Accessible transport operates into the city centre, too. 

Where to stay: accessible accommodation in Townsville

If you’re spending time in Townsville, you’ll have a wide choice of where to stay: in the heart of the city, by the water, or on the edge of the rainforest. The city’s accessibility program means most major accommodations are wheelchair accessible to Australian Standards.

A few of our favourites? Stay in the heart of the harbour-side action at The Ville, which features valet parking, lift access throughout, and specially designated wheelchair accessible rooms. It’s also one of the city’s most stylish hotels, with five onsite bars, cafes and restaurants.

For self-contained accommodation by the water, Mariners North can’t be beat. Nearby, Aligned Corporate Residences offers apartment style rooms close to the CBD, The Strand and city beaches – with the convenience of a kitchen and living space.

Discovery Parks - Townsville has two special access cabins, while Paluma’s Rainforest Inn is a great base for exploring the Wet Tropics area.

Play

Hit the city's beach and esplanade

Cool off like the locals do: at The Strand, the jewel in Townsville’s tropical crown. The foreshore is home to a 2.2km, palm-lined waterfront path, and beach mats are rolled out onto The Strand beach every Friday and Saturday enabling access for wheelchairs, prams and strollers. Get more information here.

The Strand Water Park is a great spot for families, there are accessible toilets and change rooms, accessible picnic spaces, and the swimming lagoon at the northern end offers ramp access and hand rails for those who need assistance entering the water.

 The entire length of The Strand is wheelchair accessible with designated disabled parking spaces at regular intervals.

Once you leave the beach, explore the city with confidence thanks to Townsville City Council’s dedicated maps that highlight wheelchair friendly streets and access throughout the CBD.

Another option is the Coastal Boardwalk which connects Kissing Point to Rowes Bay, with several observation decks and seating provided along the way. 

Take in the views

Townsville’s king, Castle Hill, dominates the skyline in all its pink granite glory. Check out the sweeping views of the city, sea and surrounding islands by driving to the summit: there’s ramp access to the lookout platform.

An important part of Townsville's military history, it was used by US forces as an observation post during World War II.

Visit Magnetic Island

Famous for its topless cars, quiet coves, and spectacular beaches, wildlife outnumbers people on Magnetic Island. And it’s easily accessible from Townsville via Sealink Ferry and the Magnetic Island vehicle ferry.

On the southern tip of the island, Picnic Bay Life Saving Club offers beach wheelchair hire, and there's an enclosed swimming area at the beach. Nearby, a children's playground is equipped with a range of cognitive play equipment and is rubberised to allow wheelchair access.

On the northern end, 3km of golden beach welcomes visitors at popular Horseshoe Bay. And its beauty is accessible thanks to a Mobi‑Chair (floating beach wheelchair) which is available from the Horseshoe Bay convenience store in the main street opposite the beach. A public accessible toilet and shower with fold‑down shower seat, is available in the Horseshoe Bay Park. For added peace of mind, the beach has a protected netted beach guarding against marine stingers and is patrolled year round.

Alma Bay is another patrolled beach, with a beach wheelchair available for hire from the news agency across the road from the beach park.

Planning to stay a night or two on Magnetic Island? Consider checking into Island Leisure Resort in Nelly Bay. Tucked into tropical landscaped gardens, self-contained Polynesian bure-style units have a kitchen, air-conditioning, and an outdoor dining patio.

Karuna Cottage at Shambhala Retreat in Nelly Bay is another great option that’s wheelchair accessible with assistance, sleeping up to four people.

If you don't have your own car, Sunbus operates an intra‑island bus service which stops at 29 destinations on Maggie, including Picnic Bay and Horseshoe Bay. Both the bus and bus stops are wheelchair accessible. 

Explore Maggie's waters with Aquascene

Head out on a Coral Sea adventure with Aquascene Charters. Magnetic Island locals Steph and Adam Hinks believe adventure is for everyone, and offer a safe, exciting and inclusive day out exploring the island, open to all abilities. The boat is wheelchair accessible, and the crew can adapt their storytelling of local history to welcome those with low-vision, low-hearing, sensory needs and more. 

The boat is equipped with a floating pontoon that enables a closer reef experience for those who might not feel comfortable swimming, floating aids for those who want to try it out, and plenty of beach time for those who prefer to take in the views from the sand.

Get wild

Want to get up close to some of Australia’s cuddliest creatures? Head 20 minutes out of Townsville to meet koalas, kangaroos, wombats, parrots and dingoes at Billabong Sanctuary. A range of interactive experiences will spark curiosity in our local and endangered animals, and whether you’re young or old, you’ll learn a lot at talks from the passionate wildlife rangers throughout the day. There’s ramp access and accessible facilities thoughout the sanctuary. 

Learn something new at Townsville's museums

Discover Townsville’s most fascinating stories from shipwrecks to its World Heritage-listed rainforest at the Museum of Tropical Queensland. Exhibitions and the dining area are wheelchair accessible, with ramps and handrails throughout as well as floor surface tactile indicators at the entry/exit points of galleries. Large print versions of gallery and exhibition information are available at the ground floor reception area, as are sensory kits with noise cancelling headphones, and wheelchairs are available free of charge from the cloakroom. 

Sensory friendly sessions are available throughout the year at the Museum of Tropical Queensland to support visitors who prefer a quieter, sensory-friendly experience.

Delve into naval history at the Maritime Museum, which has a huge collection of artefacts and an incredible display about SS Yongala, the famous wreck that now lies off the coastline. The museum has a range of hands-on activities for kids, ramp and boardwalk access to all its buildings and is accessible for people using wheelchairs and walkers. Carers have free admission to the museum.

Chill out at Riverway

Whether you’re looking for creative inspiration or an afternoon in the sunshine, make your way to Riverway in Kirwan. Nestled onto the banks of the Ross River, this locals-favourite precinct features an 11km riverside walking track, the Riverway Arts Centre, Pinnacles Gallery, a public art trail and even free movie nights. But the real highlight? The huge Riverway Lagoons: there’s a sand beach, shallow areas for kids, and an accessibility ramp that leads to one of the swimming areas. 

Dine out

Townville’s bustling food scene is as vibrant as sunsets from The Strand – views which you can take in while you dine at many of the city’s favourite accessible restaurants and bars.

Where to start? Award-winning The Watermark serves up breakfast, lunch and dinner from a stunning indoor and alfresco space on The Strand, with a focus on the region’s freshest produce. The team here can cater to dietary requirements too.

Elsewhere along the waterfront, you’ll find lively surf-themed Longboard Bar & Grill for tacos, burgers and beers and all day dining at Cbar. Around town, check out A Touch of Salt (awarded a Chef’s Hat every year since 2016) or grab a round of magaritas and Mexican fare at Cactus Jacks. For something a little more casual, head to Picnic Bay SLSC on Magnetic Island. 

Looking for more accessible getaways in Queensland? Get more destination guides here.