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The Strand & Beaches

Closure Notice
Following the Australian Government’s new social distancing restrictions, Council has made the decision to close the following facilities to public in order to help slow the spread of coronavirus effective from 6pm, Wednesday 25 March 2020: CityLibraries Thuringowa Central, Flinders Street and Aitkenvale Online services will continue to operate as normal. Perc Tucker Regional Gallery Council is looking to provide an online experience for the upcoming exhibitions Friday 4 April of Stewart MacFarlane: 'Outside Looking In' and Reflections: the TNQ7 Film Archive Project. Townsville Civic Theatre includes TicketShop (4727 9797 and online still available). Sports, community venues and pools including the Rockpool and Strand Waterpark. Hervey Range and Stuart tip shops (landfill and transfer stations are still open). All Council Campgrounds and day use areas including: Paluma Dam campground and day use area, Saunders Beach campground and day use area, Bluewater Park campgrounds and day use area, Toomulla campgrounds and day use area, Rollingstone Park campgrounds and day use area, Balgal Beach campgrounds and day use area. Customer Service Centre - walk In services at 103 Walker Street The public can still contact the Customer Service Centre over the phone on 13 48 10 and via click to chat. From 5pm, Friday 3 April the Loam Island Boat Ramp will be closed and motorised boats on Ross River (including Black Weir) are banned. Ross River will still be open to people who wish to kayak or paddle. From 5pm, Monday 6 April all Castle Hill walking tracks will be closed. Castle Hill Road remains open for walkers and runners, however is closed to traffic and bikes.

Closure Notice

Following the Australian Government’s new social distancing restrictions, Council has made the decision to close the following facilities to public in order to help slow the spread of coronavirus effective from 6pm, Wednesday 25 March 2020:

CityLibraries Thuringowa Central, Flinders Street and Aitkenvale
- Online services will continue to operate as normal.
Perc Tucker Regional Gallery
- Council is looking to provide an online experience for the upcoming exhibitions Friday 4 April of Stewart MacFarlane: 'Outside Looking In' and Reflections: the TNQ7 Film Archive Project.
Townsville Civic Theatre includes TicketShop (4727 9797 and online still available).
Sports, community venues and pools including the Rockpool and Strand Waterpark.
Hervey Range and Stuart tip shops (landfill and transfer stations are still open).
All Council Campgrounds and day use areas including:
- Paluma Dam campground and day use area,
- Saunders Beach campground and day use area,
- Bluewater Park campgrounds and day use area,
- Toomulla campgrounds and day use area,
- Rollingstone Park campgrounds and day use area,
- Balgal Beach campgrounds and day use area.
Customer Service Centre - walk In services at 103 Walker Street
- The public can still contact the Customer Service Centre over the phone on 13 48 10 and via click to chat.

From 5pm, Friday 3 April the Loam Island Boat Ramp will be closed and motorised boats on Ross River (including Black Weir) are banned. Ross River will still be open to people who wish to kayak or paddle.

From 5pm, Monday 6 April all Castle Hill walking tracks will be closed. Castle Hill Road remains open for walkers and runners, however is closed to traffic and bikes.

Discover The Strand

The Strand is a 2.2km world-class beachfront promenade custom-built for enjoyment. Along this palm tree lined stretch are bike and walkway paths, safe swimming beaches, picturesque picnic spots, playgrounds, exercise stations, a water park and restaurants and bars with to-die-for water views.

You can enjoy the free family fun of The Strand Water Park, fish off the pier, choose to get active with a jog, or simply laze on the beach and enjoy the million-dollar views of Magnetic Island. The Strand offers the best of all worlds.

The Strand Rockpool

The Strand Rockpool is a stinger resistant seawater pool located on the northern end of The Strand. With easy access to a wide range of facilities, The Strand Rockpool is the perfect place to enjoy a picnic or BBQ and cool off for free! The pool is gently sloped with a shallow area suitable for wheelchair access and children, which leads into a deeper pool for swimming.

Facilities

Toilets (male, female and disabled access)
BBQ/picnic facilities
Children’s playground
Outdoor showers
Parking available on Howitt Street and The Strand promenade (including four (4) disabled parking bays)

Opening hours

Lifeguard on duty 9am – 6pm summer school holidays
Closed every Wednesday for cleaning, excluding public holidays.

Rockpool Virtual Tour

Strand Park

Strand Park is a family-friendly space offering something for everyone. With a sprawling grass playing field, half basketball court, playground and accessible beach, Strand Park is ideal for the active beachgoer.

Facilities

Grass playing field
Toilets (male, female and disabled access)
BBQ/picnic facilities
Half basketball court
Teenage playground (near the playing field)
Junior playground on the pier side of the beach
Outdoor showers
Beach access mats onto The Strand Beach (Every Friday 10:30am to Saturday 3:00pm and special events on the Strand Beach).
Parking available on The Strand promenade surrounding the playing field (including six (6) disabled parking bays)

The Strand Water Park

The Strand Water Park is ever popular with families with kids. Kids will have a blast cooling off in the Water Park, with slides, water cannons and much more to enjoy.

Facilities

Children’s water park
Junior children’s playground
Toilets (male, female and disabled access)
BBQ/picnic facilities
Outdoor showers
Parking available along The Strand promenade (including four (4) disabled parking bays)

Opening hours

Open 9am – 8pm daily (1 December – 6 May)
Open 9am – 6pm daily (7 May – 30 November)
Closed every Tuesday for maintenance, excluding public school holidays.

Beach Access Mats

Wheelchairs, prams and strollers can access Townsville’s beaches on mats in the following locations:

Beach	Mat Availability
The Strand	Every Friday 10:30am to Saturday 3pm and special events on the Strand Beach (in front of Strand Park).
Pallarenda	TBA

For more information on Beach Accessibility Mats visit our disabilities webpage.

NOTICE
Please be advised that the Pallarenda Stinger enclosure is currently closed for maintenance until Tuesday, 24 March.

Lifeguard hours and status

Information has been provided courtesy of Surf Life Saving Queensland.

Stinger nets are installed at many of Townsville’s beaches over the stinger season, which runs from November to May. Nets are only removed after the stinger season ends and once no stingers are caught in daily net drags for 14 days.

Beach	Stinger Nets	Current Status	Lifeguard Patrols
The Strand	Two locations - Strand Beach and Rockpool	Open	9am - 5pm daily 9am - 6pm summer school holidays (Rockpool only)
Strand Rockpool	No	Open	9am - 6pm summer school holidays Strand Rockpool is closed every Wednesday for cleaning except during public holidays.
Strand Water Park	n/a	Open	9am - 8pm, December - 6 May 9am - 6pm, 7 May - November Strand Water Park is closed every Tuesday for maintenance except during public school holidays.
Pallarenda	Yes	CLOSED	Closed due to maintenance until Tuesday, 24 March, 2020. Serviced by lifeguards when stinger enclosure deployed (1 November - mid May) 9am - 6pm summer school holidays 9am - 5pm Easter school holidays, weekends and public holidays.
Magnetic Island Alma Bay	No	Open	9.30am - 4.00pm daily (Start time may vary due to lifeguards conducting stinger drags and net checks at other beaches during stinger season 1 Nov - 31 May) 8.45am - 4.45pm summer school holidays
Magnetic Island Horseshoe Bay	Yes	Open	9.30am - 4.00pm daily (Start time may vary due to lifeguards conducting stinger drags and net checks at other beaches during stinger season 1 Nov - 31 May) 8.30am - 4.45pm summer school holidays
Magnetic Island Roving Lifeguard (Systematic patrols by roving lifeguard of all Magnetic Island beaches by vehicle and jetski)	N/A		8.30am - 4.00pm Term 1, Term 2 and Term 3 school holidays 8.30am - 4.45pm summer school holidays
Balgal Beach	Yes	Open	9am - 5pm summer/Easter school holidays only
Rollingstone	No	Open	No lifeguard on duty
Toomulla	No	Open	No lifeguard on duty
Toolakea	No	Open	No lifeguard on duty
Saunders Beach	No	Open	No lifeguard on duty
Bushland Beach	No	Open	No lifeguard on duty