Townsville: Views, beaches and discoveries

From Castle Hill, the 360-degree views stretch across Townsville to the Coral Sea and Magnetic Island. There is also a long beachfront promenade, saltwater pools and gardens with native birds. Townsville brings together outdoor experiences and cultural discoveries, creating a varied backdrop for your holiday.

Views and trails on Castle Hill

Castle Hill is a prominent lookout with several walking trails, including a 3.3 km one-way circuit road. If you’d like to combine your visit with a walk, you can factor this route into your day’s plans. From the hill, views open up in every direction across Townsville, the Coral Sea and Magnetic Island, revealing the surrounding area from a distinctive perspective.

The facilities available on site are also practical: Castle Hill has parking, toilets, drinking fountains and shaded seating. These facilities complement the trails and lookout. Whether you’d rather take a walk or focus on the views across the city and sea is up to your own interests.

The Strand and saltwater pools

The Strand is a 2.2 km beachfront promenade with cycling and walking paths, as well as safe swimming beaches. This gives you a dedicated waterfront focus for your stay: you can explore the promenade on foot, ride along it by bike or include the swimming beaches in your holiday plans. Its 2.2 km length also gives you a clear idea of how far you’d like to travel along it.

Rockpool Beach has a stinger-resistant saltwater pool. Its shallow area is suitable for children and wheelchair users, and leads into a deeper swimming pool. This makes the pool an option for family members with different swimming preferences. Water Park Beach has slides and water cannons; if you enjoy spending the day having fun in the water, you’ll find a different kind of experience there.

Gardens, birds and exhibitions

Queens Gardens is the oldest botanical garden in Townsville and is heritage-listed. The gardens are also home to the Percival Pacific Andrews Aviary, where native Australian birds live. Entry to the aviary is free, and it is open seven days a week from sunrise to sunset. If you’d like to experience wildlife as well as beaches and views, you can plan a visit to the gardens as a separate activity.

At the Museum of Tropical Queensland, Discover Tropical Queensland is a permanent exhibition. Interactive displays and exhibits appeal to people of all ages and with different interests. The museum is open daily from 9 am to 4 pm. For families, it offers a cultural focus that is distinct from outdoor activities.

The Maritime Museum of Townsville explores the city’s maritime past through exhibitions and memorabilia. If you’re interested in history and seafaring, you can add this theme to the natural and beach activities on offer. Depending on what interests you most, you can experience Townsville as a holiday of scenic views, water, garden visits or museum discoveries.

More location pages

More location pages: Windaroo, Springfield Lakes, Cooktown, Home Hill, Ravenshoe, Surat, Ingham and South Molle Island.

For the broader travel overview: Queensland.