The Museum of Underwater Art – the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere – features a series of spectacular sculptures spread across the sprawling John Brewer Reef. The illuminated Ocean Siren sculpture – the museum's only land-based artwork – can be seen from Townsville’s beachfront promenade on The Strand (go at dusk for the most magical views) while the sunken Coral Greenhouse can be reached via a two-hour boat ride off the coast. Adrenalin Snorkel and Dive runs day trips to explore the underwater gallery – embarking from the Breakwater Marina – with snorkelling and scuba diving gear provided.

Located in majestic Girringun National Park, a 2.5-hour drive north of Townsville, Wallaman Falls is Australia’s highest permanent single-drop waterfall and cascades 268 metres. Over the course of its descent, the water turns to mist and, at the right time of day (morning is best), a rainbow arcs over the natural wonder. There’s a viewing platform on the east side of Wallaman Gorge on Lookout Road, with sightseeing decks that extend out into the ravine.

Set so close to the glittering Coral Sea that it almost laps your toes, Ardo Hotel has become the region’s hottest hotel since opening in late 2023. Its elegant, pared-back design lets the panoramic ocean views and rooftop pool do most of the talking, while the day spa eases you into relaxation mode with treatments spanning hot stone massages, body wraps and radiance facials. Come dinnertime, the menu at Marmor – the property’s modern Australian fine-diner – reads like a love-letter to local produce – think spanner crab, pasture-fed beef from Cape Grim and Bass Strait and bread from the local Jean-Pierre Artisan Bakery. If you’re in the mood for the freshest seafood the north can offer, Terasu, Ardo’s Japanese offering, takes its cues from the vibrant lights of Tokyo with flavour-packed dishes such as Wagyu beef short rib with yuzu pepper and Moreton Bay bug tempura with sweet miso ponzu.

Sweeping ocean views, seafood-loaded dinners and hot stone massages – holidays don’t get much better than this. Book your flights now.

It’s hard to say whether it’s the battered feta with native honey, the smoked kangaroo dumplings or the rib fillet with preserved tomato and macadamia that makes a meal at Townsville institution A Touch Of Salt so spectacular. Or, perhaps it’s the star-speckled vista over Ross Creek you’ll take in from the al fresco tables. In the end, it doesn’t really matter – you’ll leave with a renewed love for the creativity and warmth of one of North Queensland’s best eateries. Pair this with Chef Hat-awarded restaurants like Marmor and JAM and you’re in for a gastronomic adventure.

Whether you’d rather snap a selfie with a koala or get up close to a cassowary – the third largest bird in the world – you’ll find all manner of Australian wildlife and experiences at Billabong Sanctuary. Home to Queensland’s largest captive crocodile – Krakatoa, the park sprawls across 11 hectares of land, located a 20-minute drive south-east of Townsville and is divided into three habitats – eucalypt forest, rainforest and wetlands. Among these diverse biomes you’ll spot roaming dingoes, echidnas and kangaroos. As part of the sanctuary’s commitment to conservation, it runs several informational talks, providing insight into these incredible creatures as well as its breeding programs, which supports endangered native species such as the greater bilby.

Just eight kilometres off the coast of Townsville, Magnetic Island (known affectionately as “Maggie”) is so close it’s visible from the city. From Ross Creek in Sir Leslie Thiess Drive, near the Ville Resort and the city’s new five-star property – Ardo, the passenger ferry, SeaLink, takes 20-minutes to get to the tropical isle, where wild koalas doze in the eucalypts, snorkellers explore clear waters teeming with marine life and more than half the island is dedicated to national park. Plan a daytrip to explore some of the 23 bays and beaches, or extend your stay by checking into the Grand Mercure Apartments or Peppers Blue on Blue Resort to enjoy sweeping Coral Sea views from your oceanfront apartment or infinity pool.

No trip to Townsville is complete without a daytrip to Maggie. Start planning your getaway today.

They don’t call it golden hour for nothing. There’s a special kind of alchemy in seeing a Townsville sunset from the water – the slow, theatrical transformation of an amber and purple sky is one that will stay with you long after the colours dissipate. Pilgrim Magnetic Island lets you take in the view from a 58-foot yacht, complete with all-inclusive local organic wines, while the more laid-back Big Mama Sailing offers chilled-out sunset tours with a BYO policy in place (pick up a six-pack from one of the local breweries).

Occupying 2.5 kilometres of prime beachfront along Cleveland Bay, the Strand is Townsville’s central promenade and the place to be for locals and visitors alike. Walk along the sandy strip past playgrounds and the Strand Water Park, take a dip in the calm Rock Pool or stop for a sweet treat at Juliette’s Gelateria to savour while sitting beneath swaying palm trees.

Rising from the heart of the city, the 286-metre-high pink granite monolith called Castle Hill is regularly scaled by visitors and local walkers alike. The peak offers 360-degree views that span Townsville to Magnetic Island and over the fields and suburbs scattered inland. While there are several trails that will lead you to the top, the 1.7-kilometre-return Goat Track from Hillside Crescent offers a short, sharp ascent to the summit.

The sunsets are always more stunning when you’re on holidays, and you’re guaranteed a stellar one from Townville’s most popular peak. Book your flights now.

The S.S. Yongala sailed north from Mackay en route to Townsville on 23 March 1911 while carrying 122 passengers and crew before being struck by a cyclone and sinking in the waters south-east of the city. Discovered in 1958, the wreck has since become one of the world’s top dive sites, thanks to its diversity of marine life. If you want to explore the wreck and you have Open Water certification and deep diving experience, book a trip with Adrenalin Snorkel and Dive or Yongala Dive.

Paluma, a mountain village less than 90 minutes by car from Townsville, is surrounded by national parks in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area and owes its cooler temperatures to its upland rainforest location. In the region you’ll find easy-to-access rainforest hikes, waterfalls and natural swimming pools, including Little Crystal Creek, framed by the heritage-listed Little Crystal Creek Bridge, and Big Crystal Creek, which features a natural rockslide and camping area, should you like to extend your stay.

If you only do one thing while in Townsville, exploring the Great Barrier Reef should be top of the list. Take a chartered Havannah Island Getaway 30-minute helicopter flight from Townsville with Townsville Helicopters and hover over the Palm Island archipelago before setting down on the uninhabited Havannah Island to wander the white-sand beach, swim, snorkel and enjoy a private picnic under a beach umbrella before returning by chopper to the city. For scenic tours or direct transfers to Orpheus Island, Nautilus Aviation will take you to new heights.

Under the water, on the water and from above – the stunning Great Barrier Reef deserves to be admired from every angle. Book your return flights to Townsville then secure a helicopter tour now.

Jezzine Barracks, set on the Kissing Point headland, offers a glimpse into Townsville’s fascinating military history and the rich culture of the land’s Traditional Owners, the Wulgurukaba and Bindal peoples. The restored Kissing Point Fort, in use from 1885 until 2006, is part of the 15-hectare precinct, along with a coastal boardwalk flanked by native plants and Aboriginal art installations. While visiting the headland, you can also explore the Army Museum North Queensland for a further insight into the past.

Located 80 kilometres north of Townsville amid the Great Barrier Reef, Orpheus Island is an island paradise that’s straight from a postcard. Orpheus Island Lodge’s 14 beachfront rooms, suites and villas, accommodate just 28 lucky guests at a time. Visitors can experience world-class diving and snorkelling in clear waters, picnic adventures to nearby islands and forest treks to the island’s national park interior to spot echidnas and bandicoots. If you’re after something even more secluded, nearby Pelorus Private Island is a 400-hectare hideaway that can only be accessed via a 30-minute helicopter flight or 4.5-hour yacht charter from Townsville. The sophisticated five-suite residence features expansive living and dining areas and offers a private chef and wellness experiences (including massages and sunrise yoga) as well as access to kayaks, jet skis and paddle boards.

With a four-decade legacy of amplifying local voices and ideas, Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts is Townsville’s cultural and artistic heart. Step into its annual program of exhibitions, residencies and public events, which currently include Wer Wer, a series of printworks by multidisciplinary artist Gail Mabo, and Mere Porvaj [I am Remembering], a touching installation by Fijian-Australian artist Shivanjani Lal that shares lost Girmitiya (Indenture) stories from the Indian and Pacific oceans. There are also guided workshops to help burgeoning artists navigate the creative industry.

Not one to shy away from a party, Townsville offers an events calendar more packed than the Riverway Lagoons during the school holidays. Soak in the high-octane thrills of supercars at the NTI Townsville 500 or cheer on the North Queensland Cowboys at Queensland Country Bank Stadium. Keen for more culture? The North Australian Festival of Arts, running from 24 September to 12 October 2025, is a triumph of regional creativity complete with silent discos, dance workshops and performances by the likes of John Butler and Ninajirachi.

Follow your nose and it’ll take you directly to the fragrant, punchy flavours of multi-award-winning Miss Songs Asian Kitchen, housed within Ville Resort-Casino, where classic Chinese dishes get a decidedly Queensland twist thanks to local produce – think spanner crab fried rice and mango sago pudding. Elsewhere in town, check out crowd favourite Shorehouse on the Strand, modern-Australian fare at Cbar or indulge in a sultry pre-dinner cocktail at moody Osk Bar.

Impress your travel companions with a food itinerary that doesn’t disappoint, from punchy Asian salads to seafood hauled straight from the sea. Book your food-filled escape now.

While the stunning marine playgrounds of Townsville and Magnetic Island are ideal for taking in at a leisurely pace, nothing quite matches the exhilaration of jetting through the water at break-neck speed with the wind whipping at your hair. Poseidon Adventure jet ski tours and Magnetic Island Jet Skis let you do just that, whether you’re catching the last rays glinting off the ocean during a sunset tour, whizzing past the rugged granite cliffs of Cape Cleveland or dugong-spotting in Townsville Bay.

The story of the HMS Pandora, which wrecked on the Great Barrier Reef in 1791 after capturing the infamous Bounty mutineers, is just one fascinating tale you can dive into at Queensland Museum Tropics Townsville, which features a dedicated gallery showcasing artefacts from its shipwreck. Beyond this, discover the region’s incredible biodiversity, spanning prehistoric marine life to the wonders of the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef and tropical rainforests. A celebration of the natural and cultural history of this unique corner of Australia, the museum is a must for every Townsville itinerary.

Green thumbs and plant-lovers are spoiled for choice when it comes to gorgeous gardens and parks to explore in Townsville. Visit the beautifully kept Anderson Gardens to delight in fragrant roses; The Palmetum, which features one of the world’s largest collections of palms; and Queens Gardens, Townsville’s oldest botanic garden, for its native and exotic trees, shrubs and palms set amid large lawn areas and paved pathways. Make a day of it and bring your own picnic hamper and bask in the Sunshine State’s signature warmth.

Looking for a holiday that is equal-parts adventure and relaxation? Townsville can deliver on both with adrenaline-racing experiences and endless ways to wind down. Book your break now.