The 17 best things to do in Townsville in North Queensland

Where: Goat Track starts from corner of Castle Hill Rd and Gregory St

Standing tall and proud in the centre of town is Castle Hill, a giant pink granite monolith that’s hiked by more than 2,500 locals daily. Once a strategic lookout for American soldiers during World War II, the hill boasts panoramic 360-degree views of the city skyline, Coral Sea, Magnetic Island, Rift Valley and beyond. If you’ve already hit your daily step count, you can swap the stairs for an easy drive to the summit. Time your ascent with sunrise or sunset for the most spectacular views.

Time Out tip: There are 15 tracks to the summit of Castle Hill, but our top pick is the 1.6-kilometre Goat Track. It's 1,300 steps to the top, but the breathtaking views at the top are well worth it. Allow 1.5 hours to complete the return journey and bring a full bottle of water. 

Where: 20-minute ferry ride from SeaLink Ferry Terminal

Feeling the pull towards paradise? It’s not just your imagination, it’s the irresistible charm of Magnetic Island. Just a breezy 20-minute ferry ride from Townsville, this untouched piece of paradise dazzles with endless sunshine, shipwrecks, snorkelling escapades, hiking trails, and Northern Australia’s largest koala colony. You can hop on a SeaLink ferry from Breakwater Terminal, or explore the island’s hidden gems aboard a locally-operated yacht with Big Mama. 

Time Out tip: Magnetic Island is famed for having some of Queensland’s best snorkelling sites. If you’re keen to find Nemo and friends, join a guided snorkel tour at Geoffrey Bay with Pleasure Divers Magnetic Island. At just $75 a pop, it’s a wallet-friendly way to explore underwater wonders – much cheaper than a day trip to the Great Barrier Reef.

Where: Visible from The Strand, North Ward 

Officially opened in 2020, the Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA) is a large-scale sculpture trail that’s the largest and oldest of its kind in Australia. Here, artworks don’t hang on walls but stand deep on the ocean floor, serving as both stunning sculptures and artificial reefs. Divers can explore 'The Coral Greenhouse', which features 17 hyper-realistic human sculptures at a depth of 16 metres, while snorkelers can marvel at ‘Ocean Sentinels’, a new series of hybrid human-marine sculptures positioned in more shallow waters. 

Time Out tip: In 2021, MOUA introduced 'Ocean Siren', a striking, four-metre-high sculpture modelled on a young Indigenous girl from the Wulgurukaba tribe – which is visible from The Strand. Rising above the water, the sculpture changes colour in response to rising sea temperatures, serving as a real-time warning of the climate change challenges faced by the Great Barrier Reef. 

Where: The Ville Precinct, 67 Sir Leslie Thiess Dr, Townsville City

Wake up to views of the glittering Coral Sea at Townsville’s first-ever luxury hotel. Located right by the water’s edge, Ardo’s 132 elegant rooms and suites feature private courtyards or balconies, individually controlled cooling, plush king beds and a mischievous minibar. You won’t ever need to leave the resort, which also boasts a dazzling day spa, complimentary access to the neighbouring gym, a heated infinity pool with sun loungers, a rooftop bar for sunset sips and two chef-hatted restaurants.

Time Out tip: Book an Ocean View room so you can wake up to calming views of the Coral Sea.

Where: The Strand, North Ward

Take in the fresh ocean breeze on a brisk walk along The Strand, a 2.5-kilometre, palm tree-lined walkway stretching from the Strand Rockpool to Tobruk Memorial Baths. Make a pit stop for ice cream at Juliette’s Gelateria, grab fish and chips from Tobin Fish Tales to enjoy on the beach, and pack your togs for a post-picnic splash in the ocean or at the free water park.

Time Out tip: Time your walk with sunset to see the ‘Ocean Siren’ – a 16-metre art installation from the Museum of Underwater Art – shift colours in response to changing sea temperatures.

Where: Kissing Point, The Strand, North Ward 

Townsville has a long-standing reputation as Australia’s unofficial ‘garrison city’ – and if you’re keen to explore one of the country’s largest military hubs, Jezzine Barracks (or Garabarra) has it all. This 15-hectare heritage precinct honours both the military and Aboriginal heritage of Kissing Point headland, featuring coastal boardwalks dotted with 34 specially commissioned public artworks, native plantings and peaceful parklands. Stroll along the Ethno-Botanical Boardwalk for the best views of the sparkling Coral Sea, then explore the museum’s extensive collection, which traces Townsville’s defence story from its earliest fortifications right up to today. 

Time Out tip: Follow the stairs to the observation deck up at Kissing Point Fort for spectacular views across the Townsville region.

Where: Shop 14/45 Eyre St, North Ward

Everything tastes better when grandma makes it. Head to this wholesome eatery on Eyre Street for homestyle cooking made from recipes passed down by real grandmas and grandpas from all around the world. You could start your morning in the Mediterranean with grandma Haya’s famous shakshuka, then take a detour in Greece with grandma Fedra’s veal moussaka or Italy with grandpa Vince’s homemade beef bolognese. Eastern Europe is represented with traditional blintzes (rolled crepes), while Aussie classics like ricotta pancakes and avo toast also get a run on the menu.

Time Out tip: You can dine with your dog on one of the breezy footpath tables out front. 

Where: Tours depart from the Breakwater Marina

You can live your best Little Mermaid fantasy at the Great Barrier Reef – the largest coral reef in the entire world. Made up of more than 100 islands and 3,000 individual reef systems, this is easily one of Australia’s most sought-after tourist hot spots. You can experience the technicolour marvels of the reef on and off the water, with day trips from Townsville offering snorkelling, scuba diving, glass-bottomed boat viewing, helicopter tours, whale watching and swimming with dolphins. 

Where: 70-102 Flinders St, Townsville City 

As the gateway to two World Heritage-listed wonders, Townsville is rich with fascinating stories brought to life at the city’s top-rated museum. You can learn about life in the tropics from prehistoric times to the present, with exhibitions dedicated to the HMS Pandora, the Great Barrier Reef and ancient rainforests, plus a Sciencentre with 20 interactive stations for hands-on fun.

Time Out tip: You can score free entry to all North Queensland galleries, including Pandora and the Sciencentre. The Queensland Museum Tropics opens from 9am to 4pm daily. 

Where: Around 61 kilometres north of Townsville via the Bruce Highway

Take a deep breath of refreshing mountain air in Australia’s southernmost patch of rainforest, just a 45-minute drive from Townsville city. Known as the ‘southern getaway’ to the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, Paluma Range National Park offers two diverse sections, filled with hiking trails, swimming holes and picnic spots. Popular hikes include to Jourama Waterfall, Mount Spec and Mount Halifax, but there are also shorter tracks, like to McClelland’s Lookout, Birthday Creek Falls and the Paluma Rainforest Walk.

Time Out tip: Pack swimmers for a dip at Paradise Waterhole and the Rockslides at Big Crystal Creek, which is only a short detour off the Bruce Highway. 

Where: Start at end of Jourama Rd, Paluma Range National Park

An incredibly scenic 75-minute drive from Townsville City will take you to Jourama Falls – our favourite waterfall in the region. The relaxed 1.5-kilometre walk to the lookout includes a refreshing creek crossing (don’t worry, there’s a boardwalk) and a few stairs to climb, but the stunning waterfall views are well worth it. On your way back, visit the creek further upstream to cool off in the clear waters, or relax in one of the pools closer to the start of the trailhead.

Time Out tip: Don’t park too early (aka where the toilet block is) – the Jourama Falls track actually starts around 700 metres past the main camping area, at the very end of the road.

Where: 93 Mount Spec Rd, Paluma Range National Park

Tucked beneath a charming heritage-listed stone arch bridge, Little Crystal Creek is a gorgeous place for a refreshing dip on a hot summer’s day. Just a short drive from its bigger sibling, Big Crystal Creek, this crystal-clear freshwater creek flows under the 1930s bridge. You can swim on both sides: the lower section offers a tranquil natural pool framed by a lush rainforest canopy, perfect for picnics, while the upper side features waterfalls with more refreshing swimming holes.

Time Out tip: Heads up – Little Crystal Creek’s water holes are shallow, so skip the jumps and dive bombs.

Where: Ardo Rooftop, 67 Sir Leslie Thiess Dr, Townsville City 

For the finest dining experience in Townsville, look no further than Marmor. Ride the elevator up to level eight at Ardo Hotel and enter a sophisticated dining room where land meets the sea. Upon entering, you’ll pass a cabinet showcasing premium cuts featured on the menu, including porterhouse, eye fillet, rump, sirloin and a Japanese Wagyu striploin with an impressive marbling score of 12. Each cut is grilled over woodfire and paired with classic sauces like mushroom, red wine jus, peppercorn cream, béarnaise and black truffle butter. Diversify your dinner with treasures from the sea, including ethically caught coral trout, spanner crabs, king prawns and rock oysters. Then, complete your meal with signature cocktails, premium Australian wines, French Champagne or spirits from as far as Jamaica and Mexico. The whole dining experience definitely lives up to the hotel's five-star status.

Time Out tip: For another chef-hatted dining experience, visit Terasu – Ardo’s punchy Japanese bar and restaurant inspired by the bright lights of Tokyo.

Where: Drive two hours to Cardwell and then take a 45-minute ferry

Step off the beaten path and be one of only 7,000 annual visitors to discover Hinchinbrook Island, the largest island on the Great Barrier Reef. While the four-day Thorsborne Trail can be booked out months in advance (capped at 40 visitors at a time), you can still explore the island’s cloud-covered mountains, thick rainforest and white sandy beaches, with numerous shorter trails weaving through the island. 

Time Out tip: You'll need to book ferry transfers and camping permits at least six months in advance. You can find out more and book your permit here.

Where: 252 Flinders St, Townsville City 

Pretty much every regional city in Australia has a brewery, and you’d be foolish not to visit Townsville’s one – cause why not enjoy your pint mere metres from where it was made? Simply known as ‘The Brewery’ to locals, this 25-year-old brewpub is a go-to for award-winning craft beer and spirits, killer burgers and smoked pork brisket pizzas, Wednesday night trivia and Sunday live music sessions. Knock back a pint of Legends Lager, with its perfect balance of malt sweetness and earthy bitterness, or get a taste of the tropics with the fruity Tropical Coast Pale Ale. 

Time Out tip: If you’re after something a bit more flash, book a table at Restaurant 1889 – Townsville Brewing Co’s historic eatery that blurs the line between traditional bistro and fine dining establishment.

Where: 2 Muntalunga Dr, Nome

Travelling solo or hoping to meet a new pal? You can make friends with more than 50 native Aussie animals at this interactive wildlife sanctuary in Nome, less than a 20-minute drive from Townsville. Billabong is one of the very few places on Earth where you can hold a koala, along with baby crocodiles and pythons, if you dare. You can also get up and close to adorable Aussie animals with all-inclusive experiences, like free koala selfies, kangaroo and turtle feeding sessions, flight bird shows and meerkat encounters.

Time Out tip: If you're hoping to spot a koala in the wild, Magnetic Island is your go-to. It's home to the largest colony of koalas in Northern Australia, plus it has a dedicated hospital that works to rehabilitate injured and abandoned koalas. We were lucky to spot one snoozing in the trees along the Forts Walk. 

Where: Lookout Rd, Wallaman (a 2-hour drive from Townsville)

Chasing waterfalls should definitely top your holiday hit list, considering Townsville is within driving distance of Australia’s highest, permanent, single-drop waterfall. It’s about a two-hour drive to the main lookout, which is a super short walk from the Wallaman Falls car park. From here, you can marvel at its sheer size, with the thundering waters plunging 268 metres into a 20-metre-deep pool below.

Time Out tip: If you’d like to dip in the icy waters, follow the 1.6-kilometre Djyinda walking track through thick forest to the base of the falls. Look up to see the breathtaking rainbows often created by mist from the falls.