Local History
Discover the rich history of Townsville and the surrounding region online and in the Local History Collection Room at Citylibraries Flinders Street.
Local History staff are able to provide a one-hour research standard per query, Local History Collection tours and guidance as well as inductions to our free digitisation equipment and family history research computer service.
We work collaboratively with other local history groups in the city to provide the best possible access to local history resources and Local History Collection.
Microfiche and Microfilm
Items available on microfiche and microfilm in the Local History Collection:
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Heritage Information
The Heritage Information Sheets are a really valuable local history resource and are particularly useful for school assignments. Learn something new about our city's history. -
Looking Back... Memories of Townsville
As part of Adult Learners' Week in 2009, Townsville Citylibraries hosted a series of workshops aimed at providing residents with the opportunity to preserve their memories of life in Townsville. -
Pioneers of Townsville
A brief history of the women and men who helped shape Townsville as we know it today. -
Stories of Townsville
Dive into a treasure trove of digital photographs, videos, documents, oral histories and more. Register your account to upload your own items, add information to existing items and build your own personal collections.
Other Resources
Read about the History of Townsville
- Taylor, Christopher (2014).
A History of the Bohle Plains: Settlement and Transformation 1865-2012. - Burns, Annette (2013).
Selected Lectures on North Queensland History from the Lectures in Queensland History Series, 30 November 2009 - 27 February 2012. - Fielding, Trisha (2009).
Selected Lectures on North Queensland History from the Citylibraries Sir Robert Philp Lecture Series, 9 June 2008 - 11 May 2009. - Mathew, John (2008).
Highways and Byways: The Origin of Townsville Street Names. - Jensen, Judith (2004).
Serving Thuringowa: Chairman and Mayors 1897-2004. - Kennedy, Kett (2004).
Robert Towns’ Townsville and the “Blackbirding” controversy. - Venn, Linda (2002).
Paluma: The First Eighty Years 1870s-1950s. - Lake, Marilyn (2002).
Faith Bandler, Gentle Activist. - Heuschele, Margaret (2001).
In the Shadow of Castle Hill. - Bell, Peter (2000).
A Short History of Thuringowa. - Vance, Diane (1994).
Thuringowa Past and Present. - Docker, Edward Wybergh (1970).
The Blackbirders: The Recruiting of South Seas Labour for Queensland 1863-1907. - Dunbabin, Thomas (1935).
Slavers of the South Seas.
Capital Works Program
To keep Townsville growing, Council is actively involved in the delivery of projects to provide vital infrastructure and exciting development opportunities.
Expert in Residence
Townsville Citylibraries is excited to collaborate with local experts Andrew Schubert and Natasha Lane to deliver free, hands-on digital skills sessions in the Riverway Creative Hub from February to June.
Morning Melodies: A Celtic Singalong
A Celtic Singalong with 33 1/3 brings a feel‑good Morning Melodies session to Townsville Civic Theatre, featuring lively Irish tunes and contemporary folk favourites to sing along to and reminisce - book now!
Join the Townsville Youth Council
Join to collaborate with community leaders, create new opportunities, and advocate for the issues that matter most to the next generation. Applications close 30 April 2026.
Theatre Season - On Sale Now
Experience the magic of live performance. The 2026 Theatre Season is here — and it’s bigger, bolder and more breathtaking than ever. Don’t miss the moments that move you. Tickets on sale now.