The Townsville region is comprised of the twin cities, Townsville and Thuringowa, and, with a population exceeding 150 000, is the largest population centre in Queensland outside the southeast corner.

Townsville was established in 1864 and was named after the Sydney businessman Robert Towns, who financed the first settlement. Originally used as a port for shipping tallow, today the city is provides a major shipping port for minerals, sugar and meat.

For the visitor, a host of scenic attractions await to be explored. Both reef and rainforest are within easy reach, and heading inland leads you to the historical regions of the gold rush era of a century ago.

Magnetic Island (8 kilometres offshore) is the only island on the north coast to combine a national park with a permanent residency of some 2000 people. Over half the island is mountainous national park with a variety of vegetation and colonies of koalas. 25 kilometres of walking tracks meander the national parks and rocky headlands of the island, providing sweeping views of Cleveland Bay and the city of Townsville.

Townsville is also the gateway to one of the best scuba diving sites in Australia - the Yongala wreck.

How To Get There

• By Air: The main gateway to Townsville is the airport, which caters for international, domestic and general aviation arrivals and departures. Within Australia you can travel by Qantas, Virgin Blue or Sunstate. Recently, (October 2001), Qantas have recommenced an international service with Singapore, linking Townsville with connections to Europe and Asia.

• By Sea: Townsville is well serviced with an international marina and port for the boating enthusiast and an increasing number of overseas cruise ships call at the port of Townsville regularly.

• By Rail: Two major trains operate between Brisbane and Townsville and north to Cairns. "The Queenslander" operates once a week and "The Sunlander" operates three times weekly. The journey takes approximately 32 hours. First class passengers have private, air-conditioned accommodation and the trains have complete dining and refreshment services. There is a backpacker-style carriage option named the Spirit of the Tropics on this service.

• By Road: Major coach companies operate luxury, air-conditioned vehicles with express services between major Australian cities and Townsville. There is a regular bus service between Townsville and Cairns, 3 to 4 departures per day. For those self-driving, the main access road is the Bruce Highway.

Climate

Situated within the 'dry tropics', the city basks in an almost unbroken spell of warmth and sunshine. With over 320 days of sunshine each year, the scene is perfectly set to fully experience this diverse tropical region at your own pace.

Diving

Townsville is the gateway to the Southern Coral Sea region, some of the best diving you can get. The wreck of the SS Yongala is accessible from Townsville and Magnetic Island. There are some day operators from Townsville and from Ayr. The diving at Yongala is very much weather dependent. We advise to go to Townsville and based on the weather conditions at the time make your reservations directly with the operators.

Live Aboard Dive Operators

Currently no recommendation

Hotels, Resorts And Land Tours

Please refer to our product index for details of accommodation and non-diving activites for this region, however accommodation options for this region include the following:

• book directly Townsville