Townsville National Parks and Nature Guide 2026, Best Hiking, Nature Walks and Day Trips

Townsville National Parks 2026, Overview

Townsville is surrounded by spectacular Wet Tropics and savanna national parks, from Magnetic Island's koala-filled forest to Australia's highest single-drop waterfall at Wallaman Falls and the lush Paluma Range above the Townsville coastal plain. Here's a guide to national parks and nature near Townsville.

Magnetic Island National Park (20 min ferry from Townsville)

• Highlights, 52km² national park island with wild koala population (Australia's highest koala density of any natural setting), the Forts Walk (2.8km, WWII gun emplacements with panoramic views), Horseshoe Bay beach and natural pools, Arcadia rock pools. The island is 52% national park. Multiple hiking tracks through dry tropical forest. Koalas most reliably seen on the Forts Walk from dawn-9am.

Paluma Range National Park (1 hour north)

• Highlights, Beautiful rainforest on the range above Townsville. Little Crystal Creek (rock pool swimming in tropical stream), Big Crystal Creek (further into the range, crystal clear rock pools), Paluma village and lookout over Bowling Green Bay. A cool green escape from Townsville's dry, hot climate.

Wallaman Falls and Girringun National Park (2 hours south-west)

• Highlights, Australia's highest single-drop waterfall (268m, significantly higher in the wet season). Wallaman Falls is one of Queensland's most spectacular natural sites. Easy walk to the lookout; longer walks descend to the base. Located in the Girringun National Park near Ingham.

Bowling Green Bay National Park (30 minutes south)

• Highlights, Cape Cleveland Lighthouse, beach and mudflat ecosystems, shorebird habitat. A flat coastal national park good for birdwatching (migratory shorebirds) and beachcombing.

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