Things to do in Townsville
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Adrenalin Dive
Day trips to the Yongala (from $220) and Wheeler Reef (from $280), both including two dives. Also offers snorkelling (from $180) on Wheeler Reef as well as live-aboard trips, and dive certification courses.
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Billabong Sanctuary
Just 17km south of Townsville, this eco-certified wildlife park offers up-close-and-personal encounters with Australian wildlife – from dingoes to cassowaries – in their natural habitat. There are feedings, shows and talks every half-hour or so. Transfers are available from Townsville with Abacus Tours.
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Castle Hill Walking
If the temperature's right (ie the asphalt's not melting) it's worth scrambling to the top of this striking 286m-high red hill (an isolated pink-granite monolith) for the view. Walk up via the rough 'goat track' (2km oneway) from Hillside Cres. There's also a road (via Gregory St or Stanley St), if you're driving.
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Cactus Jacks
Lively locals devouring nachos, the hum of margaritas whizzing in blenders and a Tex Mex bric-a-brac interior make this a popular spot.
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Cbar
Serving full meals throughout the day, from coconut prawns with mango salsa to Moroccan-style beef tagines.
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Museum of Tropical Queensland
The MTQ reconstructs scenes using detailed models with interactive displays. At 11am and 2.30pm you can load and fire a cannon, 1700s-style; galleries include the kid-friendly MindZone science centre and displays on north Queensland's history from the dinosaurs to the rainforest and reef.
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Ocean Dive
Ocean Dive sells dive paraphernalia. Apart from the Great Barrier Reef, the big attraction for divers is the stunning and spooky Yongala shipwreck. There are several dive companies, most offering Yongala options, but you need to have an open-water certificate to see it. Dive companies are only as good as their staff, who change frequently in this business. Ask other travellers for current recommendations
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Strand
Stretching 2.2km, Townsville's palm-lined waterfront is interspersed with parks, pools, cafes and playgrounds. Its golden-sand beach is patrolled and protected by two stinger enclosures from November to May.
At the northern tip is the rock pool , an enormous artificial swimming pool surrounded by lawns and sandy beaches. Alternatively, head to the chlorinated safety of the heritage-listed Olympic-size swimming pool, Tobruk Memorial Baths.
There's also a brilliant little water playground for kids.
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Reef HQ
An enthralling way to spend a few hours, this aquarium has the best of the reef in a series of recreated reefs. Check out the turtles, sharks, rays and sawfish (a pleasant change to seeing their snout pinned to Queensland’s pubs’ walls). Different tours leave every half hour until 4pm.
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Naked Fish
Snookering prime position, a sea of green-blue walls and a starry ceiling and ocean-inspired menu keep the punters coming. Seafood melds with Cajun, Moroccan, tempura and other influences on the extensive menu and you can dine outside beneath a magnificent, giant fig tree. Limited vegetarian options.
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Ladah
The menu’s written on butchers’ paper on the wall, but this ain’t no primary-school cooking class – it’s special. The cinnamon scones with jam and cream are indulgent and delicious, or try the flourless choc hazelnut mud cake. Breakfast is served all day and the coffee’s great.
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Cultural Centre
Showcases the history, traditions and customs of the Wulgurkaba and Bindal people. Call for guided tour times.
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Tobruk Pool
The Strand-side Tobruk Pool is a bright and lively swimming complex, buoyed by its history as the training spot for the 1952 and 1964 Australian Olympic swim teams. The B&W photo exhibition and other human fish memorabilia are worth a look.
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Woodstock Trail Rides
Situated 43km south of Townsville, this huge property has full- and half-day horse-riding trips as well as cattle musters for aspiring cowboys and girls. Transfers for full-day rides and cattle musters are included from Townsville. Bookings essential.
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Brewery
Brews are made on site at Townsville's handsomely restored 1880s former post office. Soak them up with a meal at its refined restaurant.
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Juliettes
This is the perfect place to fill up on a cheap breakfast ($3.50 to $9) while indulging in great water views. There’s also coffee, ice cream (fig or black forest anyone?) and exotic salsa yoghurt on offer.
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Bank Lounge Bar
This slinky club, housed inside a superbly restored old bank building, is Townsville's hottest nightspot. Linger at the marble bar or lounge in the padded chill zone. The beat is house and dance.
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Australian Institute of Marine Science
This marine-research facility at Cape Ferguson runs free two-hour tours (10am Fri Mar-Nov) covering the institute's research (such as coral bleaching and management of the Great Barrier Reef) and how it relates to the community; advance bookings are essential. The turn-off from the Bruce Hwy is 35km southeast of Townsville.
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Betty Blue & the Lemon Tart
Orders printed onto canvas hang artily on the walls in this 1930s shopfront cafe. Sit yourself on a large cube under a lollipop spatula and go for pricey treats such as passionfruit curd.
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Consortium
Resident DJs, DJ comps and events like 'fetish and fantasy' balls make this big city–style venue Townsville's hippest nightclub.
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Coral Sea Skydivers
Those curious to know Townsville from top to bottom can try a tandem dive, landing in the middle of the sandy Strand.
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Level One
The nightclub upstairs at the multifunctional Brewery features resident DJs on Friday and Saturday nights, who spin dance and progressive house as well as beats and breaks.
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White Blue
A good Greek menu including meze and soups, a sophisticated blue-and-white atmosphere and a decent cocktail list make this a place worth diving into on busy Palmer St.
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Scirocco
Thai and Vietnamese influences confuse themselves with the Tuscan-inspired decor, but no worries; there’s mud crab and ‘typhoon’ barramundi on the menu.
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Maritime Museum of Townsville
A smaller affair, with lighthouse memorabilia and a Yongala shipwreck model and display.
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