The Strand & Beaches
Townsville boasts some amazing beaches, including the award-winning Strand, the Northern Beaches and Magnetic Island.
The Strand
The Strand is a 2.2km world-class beachfront promenade custom-built for enjoyment. Along this palm tree studded stretch are bike and walkway paths, safe swimming beaches, picturesque picnic spots, a water park and chic restaurants and bars with to-die-for water views.
You can enjoy the free family fun of the water park, fish off the pier, choose to get active with a jog, or simply laze on Australia's Cleanest Beach and enjoy the million dollar views to Magnetic Island. The Strand offers the best of all worlds.
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 3:00pm 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.
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 |
| Strand Rockpool | No | Open | 9am - 5pm daily Strand Rockpool is closed every Wednesday for cleaning. |
| 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 | Open | 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 |
