Local History Service & Collection
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.
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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. -
Pioneers of Townsville
A brief history of the women and men who helped shape Townsville as we know it today.
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.
Mother's Day Memorial
Join us at Belgian Gardens Cemetery for a special memorial to remember those close to us that we have lost. The memorial is a free community event and open to all who seek to connect with others to remember their loved ones ahead of Mother's Day.
Electrifying 80's
Join Paulini and Tim Campbell live at Townsville Civic Theatre with Electrifying 80s! This high-voltage show is packed with hits of the decade, neon-soaked nostalgia and enough energy to light up a dancefloor!
Garrison - Exhibiting at Pinnacles Gallery
Featuring around 60 artworks by Douglas Green, Tim Page, George Gittoes, Jon Cattapan & more, this exhibition brings together historical & contemporary perspectives on conflict, service & resilience through works from the City of Townsville Art Collection.
Anzac Day 2026
Join Townsville City Council this Anzac Day, in partnership with the Townsville and Thuringowa RSL sub-branches. Commemorative services and parades will be held at the Thuringowa Cenotaph, Riverway Precinct and Anzac Memorial Park, The Strand