TOWNSVILLE folks love reciting facts and figures and that’s because this north Queensland settlement has a swag of enviable statistics to spruik.
Not only is the destination the largest city in Australia’s tropical Top End – a regional population of almost 300,000 people makes Townsville bigger than Darwin or Cairns – but the spot also enjoys more than 320 days of sunshine every year making it a cheerful wintertime playground.
But there’s more to the destination than just size or sunshine and here are six more triumphs sure to inspire a tour of Townsville.
Townsville sits between two UNESCO icons
While Townsville serves as a gateway to rainforest, reef and outback it’s the first two that get all the glory with visitors eagerly embarking upon daytrips to immerse in these legendary northern ecosystems.…show more content… Start a visit to the rainforest by wandering Little Crystal Creek – a chain of gurgling waterfalls feed pools that provide the perfect place to paddle on a steamy day – then venture along the mountain road to Paluma which is an historic hamlet with shops lining the main street and walking trails winding into the jungle.
Those looking to stay a little longer should pack the camping gear and pitch a tent in the national park or make reservations at Hidden Valley Cabins which offer a scenic and serene off-grid experience on the Paluma Range’s western slope.
The Great Barrier Reef is a two hour boat ride from Townsville with SeaLink – the company that runs the Magnetic Island ferry as well as excursions to the Cape Cleveland Lighthouse and Orpheus Island – hosting day-long outings to Kelso Reef that include snorkelling sessions to spy the colourful coral and vibrant fish just below the
