Townsville is a laid-back coastal city on the north-eastern coast of Australia, in the state of Queensland. Townsville lies approximately 1,300 km north of Brisbane, and 350 km south of Cairns.
History of Townsville
The city started life inauspiciously in 1859 when a sea captain by the name of Robert Towns commissioned John Melton Black to build a wharf on Cleveland Bay to service the new cattle industry inland. The town was gazetted in 1865 and was declared a city in 1903.
Adventure Travel & Tours in Townsville
Adventure Travel represents over 1,000 hostels, hotels, tour companies & attractions across australia that we can book for you often at a discouted rate. At Adventure Travel we also operate a number of our own tours.
Currency used in Townsville
In Townsville the standard currency used is the Australia Dollar. The Australia dollar comes in denominations of 5c ,10c ,20c ,50c ,$1 & 2$ coins, and $5, $10, $20, $50 & $100 notes. Most bars, restaurants, backpacker hostels, shops and Adventure Tour desks in Townsville all take credit card, eftpos and cash. There is several cash machines in Townsville all which dispense the Australia Dollar currency. To check the Australian dollar exchange rate against a foreign currency then click here.
Backpacker Hostel Accommodation & Hotels in Townsville
In Townsville there is a number of Backpacker Hostels and Hotels where we can pre - book your accommodation. If you are looking for a budget hostel bed the click here or if you are looking for more luxurious accommodation then click here.
Discounted Travel Insurance
Adventure Travel offers a range of Backpacker Insurance policies at heavily discounted rates. We understand that you are on a budget and prefer to save your money to backpack around the world.
Security in Townsville
Townsville in Australia is a very safe place to travel with 1,000's of visitors touring through Townsville every year. This is a popular destination for sailing enthusiasts, sunlovers, families and backpackers. To check any foreign office information on Australia you can click here.
Weather in Townsville
The weather in Townsville is seasonal with 2 distinctive seasons : May - Oct (Dry Season), Nov - April (Green Season) To get more information on the weather in Townsville, Australia, then click here.
Travel to Townsville
By Air - Townsville is served by Townsville International Airport .
By Road - Townsville is easily accessible via the A1 (Bruce Highway) either from Cairns to the north, Mackay and Brisbane to the south. The city is also served by the A6 (Flinders Highway) to Charters Towers and Mt Isa to the West. By Rail - Queensland Rail operate Tilt Train services to both Cairns and Brisbane three times a week each direction.
Things to do and see in Townsville
Dairy Farmer's Stadium - the home of the North Queensland Cowboys (Rugdby League), is abuzz at all home matches.
Castle Hill - has amazing views both east to Magnetic Island and west to the suburbs and hills.
Museum of Tropical Queensland - its main drawcard is the display of artefacts from the HMS Pandora, the ship that the British sent in pursuit of the 'HMS Bounty. Other exhibits include the wildlife of the tropical areas of Queensland. The Strand Beach - is a sandy beach right in front of the main waterfront area of Townsville. It is a generally a calm swimming spot thanks to the shelter of Magnetic Island. Water Playground - This playground is at the southern end of the Strand, free and more fun than the kids can handle on a hot day. Diving - Townsville is the closest big center to the well known Yongala Wreck. The Yongala was a luxury passenger ship sunk in a cyclone on 23rd March 1911. The wreck was found in 1958. The wreck is primarily interesting for the marine life that it attracts and is one of Australia's top dive sites.
Backpackertravel offer Sailing trips, Great Barrier Reef Trips, and Day Trips to Outback or Rainforest.
Culture, Events and Festivals
Annual Australian Festival of Chamber Music: which runs over ten days each year in July. The festival has been running since 1991, and attracts many acclaimed international and Australian musicians.
The city also boasts its very own orchestra, the Barrier Reef Orchestra, which presents concerts throughout North Queensland to much critical acclaim.
The Annual Greek and Italian Festivals (Italian based in Ingham, north of Townsville and Greek based at Thuringowa's Riverway) are popular with the locals and tourists alike.
The Annual Great Tropical Jazz Party on Magnetic Island presents a quality musical experience.
The city also has a vibrant pub and night-club scene, many of them located in Flinders Street East. Local and national music groups can often be found performing live in these venues.
Tours / Packages Related To: Townsville
Snorkel & Dive Wheeler Reef - Townsville Wheeler Reef is rated as one of the premier snorkeling and dive sites in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. This reef has many shallow areas well suited to snorkeling and introductory diving, as well as deep bommies and swim-throughs for the experienced diver. Sites such as Student Bommies with a m...
From $165 AUD
* *Local Payment $15
Diving the Wreck of S.S. Yongala - Townsville The S.S. Yongala sank during a cyclone in 1911 with the loss of more than 120 souls. It was not until 1958 that the wreck was dived and due to its remote location it has remained mostly untouched. It is frequently rates as one of the 10 best dives in the world.The wreck begins 14m below the surface ...
From $195 AUD
* *Local Payment $25
Liveaboard - Dive Wheeler Reef & SS Yongala Wreck The absolute best way to see the Great Barrier Reef is to live there. See the stunning array of wild life waking up to an explosion of colour and activity. Dive and snorkel into the evening as daylight softly moves to dusk.Be a part of the reef settling down for the night as the last rays of sunligh...
From $540 AUD
* *Local Payment AU$80
Liveaboard - Dive Wheeler Reef & SS Yongala Wreck The absolute best way to see the Great Barrier Reef is to live there. See the stunning array of wild life waking up to an explosion of colour and activity. Dive and snorkel into the evening as daylight softly moves to dusk.Be a part of the reef settling down for the night as the last rays of...
From $630 AUD
* *Local Payment $90
Cairns, Dunk Island, Townsville Cruise Explore all the hidden jewels of the Great Barrier Reef. Three and four night small ship cruises allow you to swim, snorkel and SCUBA dive amid the fish and corals in the clear tropical waters. Or you can join our marine biologist aboard the glass bottom boat, stroll golden sandy b...
From $1496 AUD
* *Local Payment AU$16.50
4 Day Flexi Open Water Course - Townsville Adrenalin Snorkel & Dive Townsville offers the beginner diver the ultimate in diving experience on their very first course, the outer Great Barrier Reef. Your PADI open water course begins with 2 days of theory and pool training at our PADI 5 STAR TRAINING CENTER.With a maximum of only 8 student...
From $615 AUD
* *Local Payment $30
5 Day Open Water Course Townsville Adrenalin Snorkel & Dive Townsville offers the beginner diver the ultimate in diving experience on their very first course, the outer Great Barrier Reef and, yes, the SS YONGALA.Your PADI open water course begins with 2 days of theory and pool training at our PADI 5 STAR TRAINING CENTRE.With a m...
From $810 AUD
* *Local Payment $90
Cairns to Airlie Beach Backpacker Tour North Queensland offers a playground of natural attractions for you to explore over the next 7 days. You’ll experience everything from sailing in a tropical paradise to ancient lush rainforests. With plenty of meals included, quality budget accommodation already sorted and heaps to keep ...
From $1295 AUD
Airlie Beach to Cairns Backpacker Tour North Queensland offers a playground of natural attractions for you to explore over the next 7 days. You’ll experience everything from sailing in a tropical island paradise to ancient lush rainforests. With plenty of meals included, quality accommodation already sorte...
From $1295 AUD
Cairns to Gold Coast Backpacker Tour When it comes to dazzling natural attractions, golden beaches and pristine waterways, Australia’s East Coast has the lot. You’ll be visiting some of these on your journey south over the next 11 days, kicking off your tour with an evening aboriginal cultural experience tailor-made e...
From $1995 AUD
Gold Coast to Cairns Backpacker Tour When it comes to dazzling natural attractions, golden beaches and pristine waterways, Australia’s East Coast has the lot. You’ll be visiting the major highlights on your journey north over the next 11 days, culminating in an evening aboriginal cultural experience tailor-made exclus...
From $1995 AUD
12 Days East Coast Explorer Cairns to Sydney Discover Australia’s eastern coast on AAT Kings’ East Coast Discovery. Enjoy a 4WD tour on Fraser Island, Byron Bay, Daydream Island, Atherton Tablelands, the Great Barrier Reef & CairnsDay 1: Arrive CairnsOn arrival in Cairns you will be transferred to your hotel. Make the most of y...
From $3609 AUD
14 Day Sydney to Cairns Coach Tour When it comes to dazzling natural attractions, golden beaches and pristine waterways, Australia’s East Coast has the lot. You’ll be visiting the major highlights on your journey north over the next 14 days, culminating in an evening aboriginal cultural experience tailor-made exclus...
From $2395 AUD
15 day Sydney to Cairns Coach Tour When it comes to dazzling natural attractions, golden beaches and pristine waterways, Australia’s East Coast has the lot. You’ll be visiting the major highlights on your journey north over the next 15 days, culminating in an evening aboriginal cultural experience tailor-made exclus...
From $2630 AUD
Cairns to Sydney Backpacker Tour When it comes to dazzling natural attractions, golden beaches and pristine waterways, Australia’s East Coast has the lot. You’ll be visiting some of these on your journey south over the next 15 days, kicking off your tour with an adventure to the World Heritage Daintree Region.&nbs...
From $2630 AUD
Alice Springs to Sydney Adventure Tour From the heart of the Red Centre to the golden coast this adventure allows you to experience two very different sides of Australia. You’ll combine rich red outback dust with white sandy beaches; wicked coastal nightlife and massive clear night stars! This is one very cool adventure...
From $3185 AUD
Sydney to Alice Springs Adventure Tour From cosmopolitan cities to the rugged outback; and the golden beaches to the tropical rainforests, you’ll be seeing all this and more over the next 25 days! Combine these fabulous sights from Sydney to Alice Springs with two awesome crew and fellow travellers who will become life-long friends...
From $3185 AUD
Sydney to Darwin Adventure Tour From cosmopolitan cities to the rugged outback; and the golden beaches to the tropical rainforests, you’ll be seeing all this and more over the next 25 days! Combine these fabulous sights from Sydney to Darwin with two awesome crew and fellow travellers who will become life-long friends and yo...
