Enjoying Your City

So you’re connected to the basics, but what about your valuable down time? There’s more to moving than unpacking boxes!

More than 300 days of sunshine, lush surrounds and the ease of getting about make recreation all the more enjoyable in the largest city in North Queensland. Townsville effectively has two seasons – the humid and the temperate. Summer temperatures and humidity soar but are soothed by sea breezes, picturesque swimming locations and well-shaded parks and gardens. Winter is heavenly, with events and festivals and an influx of tourists enjoying the city’s hospitality.

Townsville City Council hosts and supports a range of community events, including awards and festivals throughout the year. Council also operates two markets within the city. Cotters Markets are held year-round every Sunday morning in Flinders Street and the Strand Night Markets are held monthly (first Friday) between May and December.

To be kept informed on upcoming arts events for all ages subscribe to the Community Information Centre’s free Arts e-bulletin. Venues around town also have e-zines and mail-outs to keep you up-to-date on areas of specific interest. Check out the Townsville City Council website for a detailed events calendar, school holiday programs, information on facilities and venues, theatres, art classes, galleries, stadiums, markets, libraries, parks, swimming venues and fantastic camping spots.

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To whet your appetite for R&R North Queensland style, start with the array of eateries and nightspots in Palmer Street, Flinders Street East, Gregory Street, The Strand, Cannon Park and Magnetic Island. Yearly theatre programs, concerts, industry and recreational expos, plus more than 30 annual festivals and sporting competitions are highlights of this vibrant city.

Many people release work-day tensions with an energetic hike up Castle Hill, worth it for the best views across town. For the less energetic, try a stroll along the Strand or Ross River Parkway.

For a cool spot on a hot day, visit The Rockpool and Waterpark on The Strand, Riverway lagoons, or any public pool. There are more than 200 shady parks across the city just waiting for you to spread your picnic blanket.

The Strand, with its 2.5km of beach esplanade, is alive with nature: sea turtles nesting nearby, dugongs feeding from the sea grasses around the headlands and the red-tailed black cockatoos chattering from trees above.

Riverway is a recreational precinct offering swimming lagoons, wide grassy areas and barbeques set beside the Ross River. The precinct marks the midpoint of the 22km Ross River Parkway, offering ample opportunity for exploration on foot or bike, with the added attraction of an art gallery and theatre.

Magnetic Island is perfect for a day trip or leisurely weekend and is only a short ferry ride from the mainland.

Sport is a favourite pastime, with national standard sport stadiums and several large sporting and community complexes catering for national representative teams: Crocs NBL, Cowboys NRL, Fire WNBL and the NQ Fury A-League.

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The Townsville 400 race weekend in July will form the centerpiece of a week long festival to celebrate the arrival of the V8 Supercars Championship Series to the city.

Townsville has a thriving professional and amateur arts community, hosting regular exhibitions, performances, classes, workshops and festivals.

Townsville will host the Australian Festival of Chamber Music in August. Tickets are always sold out early to events by visiting Australian and international visiting performers.

Townsville is a perfect base to explore the Great Barrier Reef and don’t miss day trips to wildlife sanctuaries or be fascinated by relics from Queensland’s great shipwreck, the Pandora, housed at the Museum of Tropical Queensland. You can also study tropical fish at Reef HQ or discover indigenous history at the Cultural Centre.

For a pristine rainforest experience and a cooler climate visit Paluma, with freshwater swimming spots dotted along the northern drive. Little Crystal Creek, Big Crystal Creek and Birthday Creek are all within a short drive and make the perfect picnic spot.

Bowling Green National Park, to the south, also offers the perfect getaway for an afternoon or family camping trip.

If you run out of ideas visit the Community Information Centre, council website or Tourist Information Centres to inspire your recreation and relaxation hit list.

Now that you’ve settled in, take the time to enjoy your new home — there is so much to do in Townsville, all year round.

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