Best of Townsville
Day Trips from Townsville: Islands, Gorges and the Outback
Townsville's position in North Queensland makes it a good base for a varied range of day trips. Magnetic Island is the most accessible, reached in 25 minutes by ferry from South Townsville. Charters Towers, a well-preserved gold rush city about 135 kilometres inland via the Flinders Highway, takes around 90 minutes by road and offers a strong heritage streetscape, including the remarkable Zara Clark Museum and an intact Stock Exchange Arcade. Paluma Range National Park, 60 kilometres north, has cool rainforest, Hidden Valley and waterfalls at a noticeably lower temperature than the coast. The Bowling Green Bay National Park and Billabong Sanctuary (a wildlife park south of Townsville) round out the accessible options for a full day.
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1
Magnetic Island
A 52-square-kilometre island 25 minutes by ferry from Townsville, with 23 beaches, a large national park, wild koalas and a strong scuba diving community.
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2
Paluma Range National Park
A misty rainforest range 62km north of Townsville, with the crystal-clear swimming hole at Crystal Creek Falls and a dramatic altitude change from coastal plain to cloud forest.
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3
Charters Towers
A remarkably preserved 1880s gold-rush city 135km inland from Townsville, with 65 heritage buildings, the Stock Exchange Arcade and the Ravenswood ghost town nearby.
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4
Bowling Green Bay, Alligator Creek
A national park 40km south of Townsville with a popular freshwater swimming hole at Alligator Creek, accessible as a half-day trip.
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5
Cairns
Three hours north by car or 55 minutes by REX aircraft, Cairns offers the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree access as an extended day or overnight trip.
More Best of Townsville
- Magnetic Island Guide: Beaches, Wildlife and the Ferry from Townsville
- Where to Stay in Townsville: Accommodation Guide for Visitors
- Renting in Townsville: Suburbs, Costs and the North Queensland Market
- Best Coffee in Townsville: Cafes and Roasters in the North
- Townsville Suburbs Guide: Finding the Right Neighbourhood
- Best Restaurants in Townsville: Dining on Palmer Street and Beyond