Townsville is located about 218 miles south of Cairns and 839 miles north of Brisbane. Townsville Airport has links to major eastern seaboard cities, as well as Darwin, Bali and some Queensland regional inland towns. From the airport it`s a 10-minute drive to the city center.

Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia and Jetgo fly into the Townsville Airport. If you have not booked a private transfer with us, you can get into town by an airport shuttle, which coasts about A$10 one-way. A taxi from the airport to most central hotels costs about A$22.

The Spirit of Queensland rail service travels through Townsville five times a week from Brisbane or Cairns. Townsville is located in North Queensland, approximately 217 miles from Cairns and 808 miles from Brisbane. The journey on rail will take 6 hours from Cairns and this is the best and most comfortable way to travel. From Brisbane you can expect an 18 hour journey. It is not a high speed rail journey so if you are short on time a flight may be a better option for you.

Townsville is on the Bruce Highway (A1) between Cairns in the north, Mackay and Brisbane to the south. It is a 3-hour drive north of Airlie Beach and 4.5 hours south of Cairns. The Bruce Highway breaks temporarily in the city. From the south, take Bruce Highway Alt. 1 route into the city. From the north, the highway leads into the city. The drive from Cairns to Townsville through sugar-cane fields, cloud topped hills, and lush bushland is beautiful, it is one of the most picturesque stretches in Queensland.

The Sunbus bus route operates 7 days a week with 7 main lines going around the town. Single/daily tickets costs A$1.80/A$3.60.

Car-rental chains include Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and Thrifty.

Detour Coaches run tours to most attractions in and around Townsville. There are also several taxi ranks in which to grab a taxi (Airport Rank, at all major shopping centers; in town, Flinders Street East Rank, Cowboys Leagues Club Rank, Palmer Street Rank and Seaview Rank).

Townsville`s city-center attractions, namely the main tourist areas of Flinders Mall and the Strand, are easily navigable on foot.

Castle Hill is the red granite monolith dominating Townsville`s city center. You can climb to the top for views of the city and surrounding islands and then enjoy a leisurely walk along The Strand, Townsville`s waterfront promenade, which has magnificent views over the Coral Sea. The Riverway complex offers recreational facilities for all ages, including a swimming lagoon with a toddler pool, arts center and boardwalk.

A 20-minute ferry ride gets you to Magnetic Island in Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The island offers 23 beaches and bays, reef-based activities and waking trails. The wildlife here, which includes koalas, is another highlight. Entertainment options run the gamut from the Stage Door Theatre Restaurant to weekly cane-toad races.

You can take your car on the ferry, but most people get around by renting an open-sided minimoke (similar to a golf cart) from the many rental outfits on the island. Minimokes are unlikely to go much over 35 mph. A rental is around A$65 - A$80 per day. Local Sun Bus will get you anywhere on the island for a daily fare of about A$7.50.

The Australian dollar (AU$) is the official currency of Australia. Cash can be exchanged at many local banks, hotels, and the airport. ATMs are widespread in the main city`s but may be limited in more remote towns and the Outback.

Australia’s national currency is Australian dollars (AUD), which comes in denominations of $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 notes. Coins come in 5, 10, 20 and 50 cent and one and two dollar denominations.

For more detailed information, consult our guide to tipping in Australia by clicking here Australia

Australia has a Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 10 percent. You may be able to claim a refund for the GST paid on goods if you have spent A$300 or more with a single business, no more than 60 days before departing Australia. Tourist Refund facilities are located in the departure area of international terminals.

-Strand Night markets: held on the first Friday of each month at The Strand Park on the foreshore.

-Cotters Markets: held on Sunday mornings in the Flinders Street Mall in the city centre, with a variety of offerings including fresh produce, foods, arts and craft and other antiquities.

-Willows markets: held every Sunday and the Willows shopping center at Thuringowa central.

-Showgrounds Markets: Townsville Showgrounds, Garbutt, Sunday morning Flea market.

Townsville enjoys more than 320 days of sunshine each year. Enjoy hot and humid summers and warm winters. The hottest months are between October and April so pack your sunscreen and drink plenty of water. The best time to visit is between May and September when the days are warm and the evenings are always cool.

Sailing festivities take place at the end of August each year at the Magnetic Island Race Week. New Year`s Eve celebrations are for the whole family - make your way to Strand Park to watch fireworks.