In recent years, millions of dollars have been spent in an effort to attract more visitors to stay in Townsville rather than heading on to Cairns. A hotel-casino and marina have been built on the oceanfront; other parts of the city are being redeveloped while retaining many of its 19th-century buildings. The showpiece is the Great Barrier Reef Wonderland, which offers an impressive
aquarium, an Omnimax Theater, shops and the Queensland Museum. From here ferries depart for Magnetic Island, a popular destination just eight miles offshore with fine beaches, lots of bird life, bush-walking tracks and a koala sanctuary.
Although the city sprawls a long way, the center is fairly compact and can be explored on foot easily. Just a short distance out of town are several museums worth visiting as well as parks, gardens and wildlife sanctuaries. The lookout point atop Castle Hill, which dominates the city, offers fine views over the town and the coast.
Trips to various offshore islands via launch and by air, outer reef cruises and fishing boat trips are available from Townsville.
Cruises
Asia & Oceania Odyssey - Tokyo Japan to Honolulu Oahu
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: RegattaGrand Pacific Hemispheres - Los Angeles California to Auckland New Zealand
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: RegattaGrand Pacific Explorer : Auckland to Vancouver, British Columbia
Destination: World
Ship: Viking OrionAustralia, New Zealand & Indonesia : Bali (Benoa) to Auckland
Destination: South Pacific/Australia/New Zealand
Ship: Viking OrionMiami Florida to Miami Florida on Seven Seas Mariner
Destination: World
Ship: Seven Seas Mariner118-Day World Cruise
Destination: World
Ship: MSC MagnificaEpic Continental Explorer - Papeete (Tahiti) French Polynesia to Barcelona Spain
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: NauticaMiami Florida to San Francisco California on Seven Seas Mariner
Destination: World
Ship: Seven Seas MarinerSM240926057 - Tokyo to Sydney
Destination: World
Ship: Silver Muse11 Days - Queensland - Sydney to Sydney aboard Crown Princess
Destination: South Pacific/Australia/New Zealand
Ship: Crown PrincessSydney Australia to Singapore Singapore on Seven Seas Explorer
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Seven Seas ExplorerOutback & Island Pearls - Bali (Benoa) Indonesia to Papeete (Tahiti) French Polynesia
Destination: South Pacific/Australia/New Zealand
Ship: RegattaExotic Southern Realms - Papeete (Tahiti) French Polynesia to Cape Town South Africa
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: Nautica11 Days - Papua New Guinea - Brisbane to Brisbane aboard Grand Princess
Destination: South Pacific/Australia/New Zealand
Ship: Grand PrincessBarcelona Spain to Sydney Australia on Seven Seas Navigator
Destination: World
Ship: Seven Seas NavigatorAustralia, Asia & the Mediterranean : Barcelona to Sydney
Destination: World
Ship: Viking Venus