The traditional capital of North Queensland, Townsville is located in the dry tropics, approximately 380Km South of Cairns.

Dominated by the back drop of rugged Castle Hill, framed by Cleveland Bay and the Magnificent Strand beach front recreation area, with the ever present majestic Magnetic Island a stones throw across the bay, Townsville is a picturesque city with a lot to offer.

It has a great variety of attractions both natural and man made and with a population of 150,000 there are lots of "city things". Pubs, clubs, restaurants, recreational areas, parks & gardens etc, but it also sits in a unique position, providing an ideal climate for travellers.

Its position allows a wide variety of experiences to be enjoyed;

• A trip to the outer Great Barrier Reef one day.
  
• Magnetic Islandanother day.
  Just 20minutes by ferry across the bay with a population of some 2,000 residents spread across five small villages, plus a native koala population of some 2,000 animals it offers stunning scenery with picturesque bays and beaches connected by a road network running around the Eastern side of the island.
  
  The bulk of the island is National Park land with many walking trails and lots of opportunity to spot a Koala. A bus service meets all ferries and the drivers provide interesting commentary on the history, lifestyle and points of interest. Alternatively you can rent a moke and drive around the island, or hire a motor scooter or pushbike, but be warned it's hilly.
  
• Perhaps your interests lie in the natural beauty, that surrounds us. Castle Hill dominates Townsville with the city built around its base, it is a dramatic backdrop to the city and offers great walking tracks for the energetic and magnificent panoramic views.
  
  The Town Common Environmental Park is a large wetland area that is home to a wide variety of birdlife. The ranges of Paluma provide a totally different environment with lush rainforests and cool clear swimming holes, walking tracks, BBQ areas and village shops providing refreshments and arts and crafts.
  
  Mount Spec just South of the city is another National Park area offering a totally different experience and an opportunity to have close contact with the many kangaroos that inhabit the area and for the large part are indifferent to the many visitors who use the area.
  
  Within the city confines there are also a range of parks and gardens including Queens Gardens the Norths longest established Botanical Gardens and the Palmetum, a garden dedicated to palm trees providing the worlds largest public display of palm trees.
  
• Visit Charters Towers for an outback experience on another day.
  
• Visit Billabong Sanctuary just South of the city.
  
• Perhaps some adventure with white water rafting or sky diving with Coral Sea Skydivers.
  
• Enjoy the Strand beachfront with its 3Km of beachside pathway, playgrounds, including a fantastic water playground that provides great entertainment for those who watch as well as the kids who play, BBQ areas, cafes, restaurants, swimming and recreational areas. Night or day the locals love it and we are sure you will to!!
  
• Attractions such as, Reef HQ the world's largest living coral aquarium. Reef HQ is a tourist attraction, research centre, education centre and home to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. The aquarium houses living coral and a selection of marine life typical of those species that live on the reef off Townsville. Tide and wave actions are simulated and nutrients grown so that this enclosed eco system is self supporting.
  
• The Museum of Tropical North Queensland home to the Pandora shipwreck display is another must see item. The museum has a range of displays depicting geological and human history of North Queensland but the major display tells the Pandora shipwreck story and houses the associated artifacts. This is a brilliant display providing interesting stories for young and old, whether they have an interest in history or not.
  
• And of course there are all the normal things a city with a population of some 150,000 people would have, including the Cotters Markets held in Flinders Mall every Sunday, sporting events, theatre, golf, bowling, night clubs and general entertainment and festivals including the world renowned Australian Festival of Chamber Music held over a two week period in July each year.