In recent years, millions of dollars have been spent in an effort to attract more visitors to stay in Townsville rather than heading on to Cairns. A hotel-casino and marina have been built on the oceanfront; other parts of the city are being redeveloped while retaining many of its 19th-century buildings. The showpiece is the Great Barrier Reef Wonderland, which offers an impressive
aquarium, an Omnimax Theater, shops and the Queensland Museum. From here ferries depart for Magnetic Island, a popular destination just eight miles offshore with fine beaches, lots of bird life, bush-walking tracks and a koala sanctuary.
Although the city sprawls a long way, the center is fairly compact and can be explored on foot easily. Just a short distance out of town are several museums worth visiting as well as parks, gardens and wildlife sanctuaries. The lookout point atop Castle Hill, which dominates the city, offers fine views over the town and the coast.
Trips to various offshore islands via launch and by air, outer reef cruises and fishing boat trips are available from Townsville.
Cruises
Australia, New Zealand & Indonesia : Bali (Benoa) to Auckland
Destination: South Pacific/Australia/New Zealand
Ship: Viking OrionAustralia, Asia & the Mediterranean : Barcelona to Sydney
Destination: World
Ship: Viking Venus11 Days - Queensland - Sydney to Sydney aboard Crown Princess
From $1,049.00 (USD)
Destination: South Pacific/Australia/New Zealand
Ship: Crown Princess11 Days - Papua New Guinea - Brisbane to Brisbane aboard Grand Princess
From $979.00 (USD)
Destination: South Pacific/Australia/New Zealand
Ship: Grand PrincessGrand Pacific Explorer : Auckland to Vancouver, British Columbia
Destination: World
Ship: Viking OrionExotic Southern Realms - Papeete (Tahiti) French Polynesia to Cape Town South Africa
From $25,599.00 (USD)
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: NauticaOutback & Island Pearls - Bali (Benoa) Indonesia to Papeete (Tahiti) French Polynesia
From $9,799.00 (USD)
Destination: South Pacific/Australia/New Zealand
Ship: Regatta118-Day World Cruise
From $15,799.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: MSC MagnificaAsia & Oceania Odyssey - Tokyo Japan to Honolulu Oahu
From $26,299.00 (USD)
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: RegattaMiami Florida to Miami Florida on Seven Seas Mariner
From $101,199.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: Seven Seas MarinerGrand Pacific Hemispheres - Los Angeles California to Auckland New Zealand
From $15,799.00 (USD)
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: RegattaMiami Florida to San Francisco California on Seven Seas Mariner
From $90,699.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: Seven Seas MarinerEpic Continental Explorer - Papeete (Tahiti) French Polynesia to Barcelona Spain
From $40,799.00 (USD)
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: NauticaSydney Australia to Singapore Singapore on Seven Seas Explorer
From $23,199.00 (USD)
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Seven Seas ExplorerSM240926057 - Tokyo to Sydney
Destination: World
Ship: Silver MuseBarcelona Spain to Sydney Australia on Seven Seas Navigator
From $48,999.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: Seven Seas Navigator