Townsville
Located halfway between the tip of Cape York and Brisbane, Townsville is a coastal city in northeastern Queensland with a population of 234,283, according to the 2021 census.
Townsville is a major service centre for northern Queensland and the main centre for government administration outside Brisbane.
With over 300 days of sunshine each year, Townsville offers a laid-back tropical lifestyle with a wide range of outdoor recreation options and is a popular tourist destination.
Townsville CBD’s skyline is dominated by the distinctive Castle Hill. The Strand, as well as Magnetic Island, located just a short 30-minute ferry ride away, are just some of the popular tourist spots.
2 Days in Townsville
If you have 2 days in Townsville and you have a car to drive around, some tourist destinations in Townsville are free to visit. You just need to drive there. Even parking is free too.
First, you may want to drive up to the top of Castle Hill, Townsville’s most popular icon. Following that visit Queens Gardens at the base of Castle Hill. Then from Queens Gardens drive to the nearby Breakwater Marina, The Strand, and Jezzine Barracks.
Read about The Strand Walk.
If your stay in Townsville includes a Sunday, then visit the morning Cotters Markets in the city centre, and from the city centre, take a short walk to the riverbank of Ross Creek where you can discover the unique Townsville city centre skyline dominated by the iconic Castle Hill.
Read about Ross Creek Walk.
If you have time, drive to another weekend morning market Willows Rotary Markets at Willows Shopping Centre car park, a 20-minute drive southwest of Townsville city centre. From Willows Rotary Markets, drive to the nearby Riverway by the bank of Ross River.
Castle Hill
The 286m Castle Hill dominates Townsville city skyline because Townsville city and its surrounding suburbs are relatively flat. You can see the hilltop of Castle Hill from most parts of the city centre and The Strand.
You can drive all the way up the hilltop carpark and enjoy the 360-degree views of Townsville cityscape, its coastline, and across the Coral Sea to Magnetic Island, from a number of lookout points at the hilltop.
Castle Hill is a popular walking destination for many locals. Visitors can take the challenge to walk all the way up to the hilltop instead of driving up.
Queens Gardens
The 4-hectare heritage-listed Queens Gardens is a botanic garden that showcases a good collection of tropical trees and plants, as well as a rose garden and a herd garden. The open lawn area in the garden is frequently used for special community events.
Jezzine Barracks at Kissing Point
The redeveloped 15-hectare heritage precinct, open to the public in 2014, commemorates the military and Aboriginal heritage of the Kissing Point headland. The fortification was constructed back in 1870 at Kissing Point headland for coastal defence. The redevelopment precinct now includes the restored fortification, coastal walkways and boardwalks, public artworks, parklands, and lookout points.
The Kissing Point lookout points offer panoramic views of Pallarenda Beach and Magnetic Island to the north, and the Strand and Townsville Harbour to the southeast.
The walkways and boardwalks are popular walking/jogging destinations for the local residents.
Check out the Jezzine Barracks Precinct map for more details.
Townsville Cotters Sunday Markets
Cotters Sunday Markets, located at the Flinders Street Mall right in the centre of Townsville CBD and held between 8 am and 1 pm on Sunday, has been Townsville’s most iconic farmers market for over 35 years.
Cotters Market is the one-stop to taste and experience Townsville with a good selection of arts, crafts, fashion, food, local fresh fruits and vegetables, fun, and live music, and to meet the locals.
Townsville Willows Rotary Sunday Markets
The Willows Rotary Markets, located at the Willows Shopping Centre car park and an 18-minute drive southwest of Townsville CBD, is a bustling farmer’s and general market, a good alternative to Cotters Sunday Markets. Here you will find a fantastic selection of fresh, local fruit and vegetables, handmade preserves, gifts and souvenirs, clothes, art, jewellery, and some very popular hawker food. The market is held on Sunday between 7:30 am and 11:30 am.
Riverway at Ross River
Riverway, right on Ross River frontage, is just a 55-minute drive from Willows Rotary Markets. Riverway precinct provides an exciting environment for cultural, sports, and leisure activities. The parklands, the riverside walking paths, the swimming lagoons, and the Riverway Arts Centre are especially popular with the locals. Riverway is a popular location for local community events.
Check out “Travel and Destinations Blogs” for more travel blogs on a wide range of destinations from popular, exotic, unique to obscure.
If you have 2 days in Townsville and you have a car to drive around, some tourist destinations in Townsville are free to visit. You just need to drive there. Even parking is free too.