Where to Stay in Townsville: Accommodation Guide for Visitors

Townsville has a full range of accommodation options across the CBD, The Strand waterfront and the northern beaches corridor. The CBD area concentrated around Palmer Street and Flinders Street has the highest density of hotels and serviced apartments, with the Rydges Southbank Townsville and the Grand Chancellor being the most established full-service hotels. The Strand foreshore area in North Ward has accommodation with waterfront access and is considered the most desirable location for visitors who want to be close to the beach. Magnetic Island's accommodation is a practical alternative for visitors who want an island base for day trips to the mainland. Budget options including backpacker hostels are available in the CBD. Townsville's accommodation is strongly influenced by Defence rotation postings and mining sector fly-in-fly-out schedules, which can create demand spikes; booking ahead for events weeks and football finals periods is strongly advisable. The Dry season (May-October) is the most popular visitor period.