Townsville

Townsville is a vibrant region that encompasses beautiful coastal towns, rainforests, rugged Outback and country terrain.

The Great Barrier Reef sprawls to the east, the Outback beckons to the west, islands and rainforest entice to the north while sugar cane and mango farming communities lie in the south.

If gazing out to the Coral Sea, dazzling sunsets and a lovely beach promenade sounds like your idea of a holiday, make your way to Townsville.

Townsville City

First up get your bearings atop Castle Hill, the best vantage point for views of the city and the beautiful Magnetic Island, just off the coast.

Enjoy succulent Queensland seafood, visit an art gallery, or experience the buzz of Flinders Street East's bars, cafes and nightclubs.

Visit Reef HQ, the world's largest living reef aquarium, explore the lush Queens Gardens and Anzac Park, or take a day tour to the spectacular mountains, rainforests, beaches and outback.

Magnetic Island

The World Heritage-listed Magnetic Island, situated only 8km from Townsville, is a nature lovers’ paradise. More than two thirds of the island is national park and home to northern Australia’s largest koala colony.

Explore the island’s glorious beaches, shipwrecks and walking tracks. Go snorkelling, jet skiing or horse riding on the beach. Then let your hair down and enjoy a "full moon" beach party. You can choose from a wide range of accommodation, from backpacker-budget through to world-class resorts.

Charters Towers

This historical gold mining town, located 90 minutes west of Townsville, is a bustling rural centre that celebrates its history through wonderfully preserved heritage buildings, pubs, museums and streetscapes.

Explore the heritage trails, wander through the World Theatre and gallery, camp on the beautiful Fletcher’s Creek or check out the region’s salt lakes and rainforest.

Outback

Venture west to the rugged Outback, where you will find the amazing 200,000-year-old Undara Lava Tubes, part of the world’s longest lava flow from a single volcanic crater.

Stay in specially restored antique railway carriages, or a central camping area with superb above ground tents and amenities. In the evening, join a wildlife-spotlighting walk, enjoy a campfire, or relax with a drink in the bar as the sunset fades into the clear starlit night.

The Great Green Way

The northern stretch along the coast from Townsville to Cairns is known as the Great Green Way.

Filled with beaches, rainforests, islands, waterfalls, farms and country towns, it is a scenic stretch with plenty to see and do.

Visit spectacular waterfalls, try whitewater rafting at Tully River, which offers Australia’s most exciting rafting day trip, or enjoy the region’s beautiful beaches and islands.

Don’t miss one of the region’s best-known beachfront towns, Mission Beach. Less than 5 km offshore, Dunk Island and Bedarra Island make up an aquatic playground.

With over 14 km of magnificent golden sandy beaches, and boasting two World Heritage areas - the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics Rainforest - this region is truly a tropical paradise.