Day 1 in Townsville
Welcome to Townsville in North Queensland! Upon arrival at the airport, you will go through customs and immigration. Should you opt to purchase a transfer to your hotel; a representative will be waiting for you as you exit immigration. Arrive at your hotel, check-in, and do not give in to jet lag! There is so much for you to see and do!
The first thing you`ll notice about Townsville is how the city if framed by mountains, luscious greenery and crystal clear waters. There is no shortage of hikes, swimming spots and waterfalls to explore.
Start your afternoon with a hike up Castle Hill. You can`t miss this giant hill that dominates the center of the city. This 938-ft. high rock is the most popular walking trail in Townsville and there are various walking tracks - called the goat tracks that can take you to the top. From the top, there are beautiful views of the city and nearby island, including the famed Magnetic Island.
Next, head over to The Strand to stroll along the 1.5 mile seaside walking path. This is a great spot to soak up the tropical vibe when you arrive in town. Coconut palms sway in the breeze, the blue-green waters of the bay beckon beyond the golden-sand beach, and Magnetic Island sits on the horizon. Stop in one of the restaurants for a bite, take a swim at the Rockpool, or visit the Tobruck Memorial Baths if you prefer a pool instead.
Finish your day with a visit to Reef HQ and the Turtle Hospital. This is the largest living coral reef aquarium and offers a great way to experience the Great Barrier Reef without getting wet. There are three areas to Reef HQ: The Coral Reef Exhibit with around 120 species of hard and soft corals, the Predator Exhibit which is home to black tip reef sharks, hammerheads and giant trevally, and the Discovery Lagoon that offers a more hands-on experience at different times throughout the day. The Turtle Hospital at Reef HQ is a dedicated facility to help cure sick or injured marine turtles while also educating the public.
As night falls, enjoy a relaxing dinner at one of the many restaurants in town. Townville is emerging as quite the foodie hub. You`ll find a vibrant evening atmosphere in town with plenty of places to choose from.
Head back to your hotel for a restful night sleep.
Day 2 in Townsville
Wake up early today and catch a ferry to Magnetic Island, also known locally as `Maggie.` Located just 5 miles off the coast of Townsville (a 20 minute ferry ride), this rugged and rocky island invites many day trippers coming to enjoy its fantastic beaches, calm bays, and abundant wilderness areas. Many people get around on the island in small mini-cars, it`s the perfect place to relax and step back from it all.
Magnetic Island lies within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage-listed area, and more than half of the island is national park, with 15 miles of scenic walking trails. The Forts Walk is the most famous. Along this 90-minute round-trip hike, you can see intact World War II gun emplacements and a command post, as well as panoramic ocean views. Magnetic Island is also one of the best places in Australia to spot koalas in the wild, snoozing in the branches of eucalyptus trees along many of the trails, and the island is home to many other animals and a diversity of birds.
From the golden beaches, the coral reefs lie just offshore. You can snorkel along a self-guided marked trail at Nelly Bay and Geoffrey Bay, which is also home to a large colony of rock wallabies. Boat tours to other reefs and beaches are also popular, as many of the bays are only accessible by boat. Other highlights of the Magnetic Island are horseback riding on the beach, fishing charters, kayaking, and scuba diving.
It is possible to stay overnight on the island, which allows more time for exploring.
Day 3 in Townsville
On your last day in Townsville, continue to explore all the highlights of the area by taking a day trip from Townsville to Paluma. Located a 45 minute drive north of the city, Paluma is found on the southern edge of the World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics of Queensland. The small village is in the rainforest and is home to waterfalls, bush walks, beautiful freshwater swimming holes, and an array of bird species. On the way to Paluma, stop at either Little or Big Crystal Creek for a swim. Little Crystal Creek is defined by its stone arch bridge from the 1930s, while Big Crystal Creek is popular with locals.
Alternatively, if you decide to stay closer to town, there are still plenty of highlights to keep you entertained in Townsville. Start by checking out the Australian Institute of Marine Science and learn all about their research projects, focused on helping to protect the Great Barrier Reef.
If you`re a plant lover, you`ll be in heaven exploring the city`s botanical gardens. Blessed with plenty of sunshine and tropical rain, it`s no surprise that Townsville is home to not just one, but four beautiful gardens. Anderson Park, Queens Gardens, Dan Gleeson Memorial Gardens and The Palmetum are all within 20 minutes drive of the area.
If you’ve got an appreciation for the arts, check out an exhibition at Perc Tucker Regional Gallery and Pinnacles Gallery. Or, check out the annual Australian Festival of Chamber Music to watch incredible musical performances.
And for animal lovers, pay a visit to the Billabong Sanctuary. Here, you`ll find all the loveable native Aussie animals, including koalas, kangaroos, cassowaries, crocs, dingoes, and wombats. Best of all, you can get up close with many of these animals, interact with them, and pose for photos. Highlights include cuddling koalas and wombats, hand-feeding kangaroos and wallabies, and holding one of the reptiles. This is a great day out for the whole family - especially children.
Additional Days in Townsville
If you are able to spend additional days in Townsville, make time to visit the Great Barrier Reef. Day trips typically include a 2.5 hour boat ride to a nearby reef, where you can snorkel or dive with sea turtles, stingrays, Maori wrasse, reef sharks, and a beautiful diversity of other marine life among the colorful coral reefs. Many boat companies in the area offer full-day excursions that include lunch, snacks, drinks, and all your equipment.
If you can scuba dive, you`ll definitely want to check out the SS Yongala off Townsville`s coast. This is widely regarded as Australia`s best wreck dive and a hugely popular diving site for enthusiasts all over the country. Located in waters swarming with a huge range of sea life, you`ll discovery everything from manta rays to bull sharks and everything in-between. And although the SS Yongla sank over 100 years ago, the ship is still in remarkably good shape due to its isolated location, and now serves as a fully-fledged artificial reef draped in all the characteristic colors of the Greet Barrier Reef Marine Park. The wreck is about a 3 hour boat ride from the coast.
Your Last Day in Townsville
Depart from your hotel to the airport for your return flight home. We recommend that you purchase a private transfer to the airport if so the representative will meet you at your hotel with plenty of time to get you to the airport for your flight out.