Queensland Destinations

Things To See & Do

Drive
Discover a tropical paradise where rainforests meet pristine beaches banana farms and sugar cane envelop historic art deco architecture, and rolling rapids and waterfalls tumble through National parks.

The magnificent Great Green Way is 340 kilometers of scenic highway between Townsville and Cairns and is one of Australia’s best drives.

Dive
Regarded as the greatest natural playground on earth, the Great Barrier Reef lies just off the coast of Townsville. Dive or snorkel amide the rich clusters of coral, swim in the warm shallows of the ocean or search for seasonal fishing haunts.

Sunsea Cruises make scheduled day visits and private vessels are also available for charter. Townsville is also home of the famous SS Yongala shipwreck, Australia’s best wreck dive site and well worth a voyage into the deep blue. An abundance of sea creatures and array of coral makes this dive a must. To learn more about the Great Barrier Reef and how the different species help to sustain the reef, visit Reef HQ, the largest living coral reef aquarium in the world, which houses more than 100 varieties of coral and 200 species of fish.

Natural Life
Billabong Sanctuary is a wonderful interactive wildlife experience where native animals roam freely in the natural habitats. The Sanctuary is set in 11 hectares (25 acres) of natural tropical North Queensland bush and is home to all kinds of native mammals, birds and reptiles.

A birdwatcher's paradise at Townsville’s Town Common Conservation Park. Open woodland, grassland, swamps and vine thickets, only minutes from the centre of Townsville, provide habitat for up to 280 bird species. Summer rains transform the area into an immense wetland, attracting large flocks of waterbirds.

See wild rock wallabies, sea eagles, koalas and feed the Rainbow Lorikeets on Magnetic Island - nature’s paradise.

Island Life
The Townsville region offers easy access to five resort islands which float like jewels in the blue waters of the Great Barrier Reef. Take your pick from Magnetic, Dunk, Bedarra, Orpheus or Hinchinbrook Island

Event Life
Australian Italian Festival in Ingham is held in May each year, along with the Charters Towers Country Music Festival, the Mingela Rodeo and the Townsville Greek Festival, all attracting local and national visitors. For the complete list of events in the North Queensland region visit www.townsvilleonline.com.au/events

Adventure Life
Whitewater rafting, bushwalking, abseiling, skyseiling, parasailing, snorkelling, sailing, fishing, diving, jet skiiing, horse riding, swimming and sky diving are just some of the activities to enjoy you an adventurous life in the tropics.

Must See and Dos:

• Billabong Sanctuary
• Cotters Markets in Flinders Mall, Sunday Mornings
• Reef HQ
• IMAX domed theatre
• RAAF and Military Museums
• The Museum of Tropical North Queensland
• Jupiters Townsville Hotel and Casino
• Magnetic, Orpheus, Hinchinbrook, Bedarra and Dunk islands
• Flinders Street East - vibrant nightlife
• The Brewery - Townsville’s mini brewery
• Palmer Street Restaurants

For more information click here.