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Townsville, Australia

In a good position for access to the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest, Townsville is sunny, laid back and tropical - an attractive combination for visitors, especially backpackers. The main geographic features of the city are Castle Hill, a central red granite hill and the shifting sands of Cleveland Bay on the mouth of the Ross River. Historically interesting the old port area has some nice old buildings referencing the original town trades of pearl diving and sugar cane farming and it’s time as a major WW2 military base. Another major draw for Townsville is Magnetic Island just off the coast with it’s verdant bird population and walking tracks through national park land (where there‘s a good chance of spotting a koala.). Upmarket resorts hold court over lesser accommodation on the reef side of the island, but there are camp grounds and hostels as well. Townsville is also well set up for adventure sports.

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The best things to do in Townsville

The top 2 experiences in Townsville. See all »

Birds of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area
A series of national parks and protected areas that stretch from Townsville to Cooktown are home to some of the most range-rest…
Magnetic Island
Magnetic Island is only just off Townsville’s coast, there’s a local transport ferry between the island and the main land and i…