15 of the best pubs, breweries and bars in Townsville

If you’re craving some good ol’ fashioned chicken schnitty and a schooner of ice-cold beer, we’ve got you sorted with these top Townsville pubs and bars.

With a well-rounded selection of pubs, breweries and bars around the city, it’s safe to say that a great watering hole in Townsville is easy to come by. Whether your choice of tipple is an iconic XXXX, a locally brewed craft beer or an artfully made cocktail, these drinking dens will quench your thirst, served with some of the best views and food in Townsville, too.

1. Seaview Hotel

One of the best positions in Townsville to enjoy a sundowner, the Seaview Hotel is perched on The Strand with views of the sparkling Coral Sea. It reopened in early 2022 after an extensive renovation that saw the historic 1929 pub given a fresh facade, contemporary interiors, a new sports bar, and a spacious beer garden with plenty of shady spots to relax. Enjoy pub favourites (pizzas, burgers, steak, schnitzel) as well as some wholesome salads and vegetarian options, with the soundtrack of live music at the weekends.

What’s on? Live music Friday to Sunday

Address: 56 The Strand, Townsville City

2. Molly Malone’s Irish Pub

pub grub at Molly Malone’s Irish Pub, Townsville — Savour hearty burgers and chicken wings while enjoying live entertainment. (Image: Molly Malone’s Irish Pub)

Smack-bang in the CBD near the Museum of Tropical Queensland, Molly Malone dubs itself ‘Townsville’s favourite Irish Pub’. It’s not hard to see why: it’s everything you expect from an Irish pub – cosy interiors with dark-panelled wood, Irish stout on tap and plenty of craic to be had. Order a beef and Guinness pie, a crumbed steak or a kilo of chicken wings to share and enjoy the regular entertainment, including open mic comedy and live Irish music.

What’s on? Live music every Friday and Saturday, open mic comedy every second Thursday, Irish jam sessions in the courtyard on the second Saturday of each month, and trivia every Thursday.

Address: 87/95 Flinders St, Townsville City

3. Townsville Brewery

Inside the Townsville Brewery — Townsville Brewery is housed within a former post office.

Swapping postage for a pale ale, the former Townsville General Post Office, a historic 1886 building complete with a clocktower, became the Townsville Brewing Co in 2001. Choose a frothy from its core range, which includes the fruity Be More Pacific Ale, Legends Ultra Crisp Lager, or sample one of the limited edition tap beers. The onsite Brewpub is a lively space to down a few and enjoy pub classics, while the more elevated Restaurant 1889 has a modern Australian menu that is a nod to the building’s post office history.

What’s on? Trivia every Wednesday

Address: 252 Flinders St, Townsville City

4. Commonwealth Hotel

the exterior of Commonwealth Hotel, Townsville — Enjoy cold beers at the heritage-styled hotel. (Image: Commonwealth Hotel)

Not much has changed at ‘The Commy’ , a pub built in 1901 for people to come and enjoy cold beers, a hot meal and a place to lay their heads for the night. Except for perhaps the menu, which now features jackfruit tacos, truffle and forest mushroom pâté and casarecce ragu, alongside its classics. Relax on the upstairs balcony or nab a table in the outdoor beer garden so the kids can run around the grassed area and playground (what more could a parent ask for?). There’s also a cafe for dine-in and takeaway coffee and breakfast.

What’s on? Kids eat free every Wednesday, live music from Friday to Sunday

Address: 46 Allen St, South Townsville

5. Heritage Exchange

eclectic interior at Heritage Exchange, Townsville — Embrace the eclectic vibe at the Heritage Exchange.

This hip bolthole feels more like an intimate bar than a pub; styled with dim lighting, exposed brick walls, leather furniture and bow-tied bar staff. Housed in the former Exchange Hotel established in 1881, Heritage Exchange ‘s refurbished space also includes an eclectic Rum Garden that’s ideal for balmy nights of revelry under festoon lighting. The food menu features pizzas and charcuterie, but the whiskey menu is where it’s at, an extensive selection featuring everything from Islay to Speyside and Japanese, American and Australian whiskies – it will take your tastebuds on a world tour.

What’s on? Trivia on Tuesdays, Latin dancing on Thursdays, live music on Saturdays and Sundays.

Address: 151 Flinders St, Townsville

6. Australian Hotel

the beer garden courtyard at Australian Hotel, Townsville — Sink a few cold ones in the breezy beer garden courtyard. (Image: Australian Hotel)

Serving beers since 1888, The Australian Hotel was one of the first pubs in Townsville. The family-owned pub is located south of the CBD and has a classic pub menu with weekly specials such as Tuesday Steak Day and Pot and Parmie Wednesdays. With 18 beers on tap, you’ll find something to wet your whistle while you take in the North Queensland sun in the beer garden courtyard out back or under an umbrella on the streetfront.

What’s on? Check their Facebook page for live music announcements.

Address: 11 Palmers St, South Townsville

7. Tiny Mountain Brewery

filling up a glass with a craft beer on tap at Tiny Mountain Brewery, Townsville — Find a range of craft beers on tap at Tiny Mountain Brewery.

Named for the city’s peak that is but a few feet short of a mountain, Tiny Mountain Brewery celebrates all that is local to Townsville. It has eight beers in its core range, including Italian Lager that celebrates North Queensland’s rich immigrant heritage, Ginger Beer (made with local Buderim ginger) and a tropical-tasting Hazy IPA. Keep hunger pangs at bay with bites such as wood-fired pizza, fried chicken and house-made arancini. If you’re into your hops in a big way, you’ll soon be able to take a brewery tour and learn more about what goes into your pot. If you’re best mate has four legs, they’re welcome to join you in the outdoor areas.

What’s on? Check the Facebook page for upcoming events.

Address: 20 Palmer St, South Townsville

8. West End Hotel

This state heritage-listed pub has been welcoming locals and travellers alike since it opened its doors in 1885, making it the city’s oldest-operating pub. Overlooking the Townsville Showgrounds, the corner West End Hotel still retains much of its old-world features, such as its original balcony. The bistro has an extensive menu featuring much-loved pub grub such as steak and ribs, garlic prawns, salt and pepper calamari and a whole parmi section.

Address: 89/91 Ingham Rd, Townsville City

9. The Taphouse

tap beers at The Taphouse, Townsville — The beers on tap are constantly on rotation at The Taphouse.

Located in the bustling City Lane dining and retail precinct, The Taphouse serves up a rotating selection of craft beers on tap from Australia’s best independent craft brewers.

There are always bottled and canned beer in the fridge, too, alongside cider and wine, and a delicious cocktail menu (spicy margs, dark ‘n’ stormy and espresso martini make the cut).

When it comes to food, the menu is a selection of small, medium and big plates to share (think fish tacos, pork belly, brisket or a butcher’s block share board), as well as salads, burgers and a kid’s menu.

What’s on? Check their Facebook page for live music announcements.

Address: City Lane, 383 Flinders St, Townsville City

10. North Shore Tavern

If there’s a game happening that you just can’t miss, head to North Shore Tavern to cheer along as you watch on the largest screen in Townsville. The bistro will fuel a session of sporting passion as you tuck into classics of schnitzel, crumbed steak, pizza and, come Sunday, a roast with all the trimmings. You’ll find quenching beers on tap, as well as craft brews and a cocktail list with the usual and refreshing suspects.

What’s On? Every Tuesday night, there’s trivia, poker games on Wednesday night and on Sunday afternoon there’s Country Blues Sessions.

Address: 37 Main St, Burdell

11. Copper Bar & Grill

pub grub at Copper Bar & Grill, South Townsville — The menu features much-loved pub grub such as ribs, and inventive concoctions. (Image: Copper Bar & Grill)

The drinks are serious at this stylish bar with a cocktail menu that has a dedicated gin section and your choice of a margarita or espresso martini three ways. There’s also some delicious and inventive concoctions mixed in with the classics, such as Woo Woo made with vodka, pineapple, lime and cranberry juice and peach schnapps, or go for the tropical-sounding Reef Juice. While you can come to partake in the grill side of things at Copper , you can also side-step the ribs and just hit the drinks list. Walk-ins are heartily welcomed.

Address: 8/10 Palmer St, South Townsville

12. Maggie Island Brewery

No trip to Townsville can be considered complete without a short ferry hop to Magnetic Island. While there, make your way to Maggie Island Brewery to sip on hops inspired by this natural beauty. Tucked into Picnic Bay, the nano brewery has a range of site-brewed preservative-free beers, from Maggie’s Mid (a refreshing low-alc option) to the sessionable Holiday XPA and the velvet-feel, coffee-flavoured Rob Roy Stout. Pair your visit with some drinking-adjacent food options, such as Amaroo at the Brewery food van that serves up Latin tapas. Or order a pizza from the island’s Mamma Roma to be delivered to you at the brewery.

What’s On? There’s live music from local artists every Sunday.

Address: 9 Esplanade, Picnic Bay

13. Ardo Rooftop

friends dining and drinking at Ardo Rooftop, Townsville — Share a few drinks from a long a list of creative cocktails at Ardo Rooftop. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Special moments and sundowners deserve space at this lofty bar perched atop Townsville’s newest five-star hotel . You needn’t be a guest here to ascend for the Coral Sea and Castle Hill vistas, and the finely mixed drinks, where the classics sit a long a list of creative cocktails, such as a Mystic Sip made with Hayman’s Sloe Gin, Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur, Massenez Lemongrass Liqueur and fresh fruit. There’s also the nectar-sweet Mango Dreamer with Bundaberg Small Batch Silver Rum, Malibu Coconut Rum, mango and lime among plenty of other tempting concoctions. Of course, bubbles, wines and beers are also available for the swilling in the tropical heat. But here, the breeze cools as much as the ambience.

Address: Ardo Hotel, 67 Sir Leslie Thiess Dr, Townsville City

14. Osk Bar

a special Daiquiri at Osk Bar, Townsville — Treat yourself to a special Daiquiri at Osk Bar.

Cocktail art reaches new levels of embellishment at this moodily lit and stylish bar . With beautifully presented signature drinks, such as the Blue Horizons made with gin, tequila and a citrus sea foam, and the rum-based Mutiny in Paradise, you’re going to find a new obsession here. If mixed drinks aren’t your chosen poison, there’s also a concise list of wines and beers.

What’s On? The first Tuesday of the month plays host to Cocktail Comedy with a rotating roster of local comedians. You can also book a cocktail masterclass or tasting session.

Address: 1/46 Gregory St, North Ward

15. Hooch & Fellow

a cocktail drink at Hooch & Fellow, Townsville — Expect a well-finessed drinks list at Hooch & Fellow.

As the 16th best bar in Queensland, you can certainly expect a well-finessed drinks list at Hooch & Fellow . Sidle up to the pressed-tin bar in this cosy, exposed brick venue for all your drinking desires with a menu that roams from classics to cleverly assembled cocktails. An espresso martini comes with a much-appreciated Tim Tam pegged to the rim, while the banana daquiri is a cold and creamy tropical delight.

Address: 181 Flinders St, Townsville City

Originally written by Megan Arkinstall with updates by Lara Picone

Need somewhere to stay the night? Discover the best Townsville accommodation

Under wide-open outback skies, discover a fossicking gem that’s managed to slip under the radar.

While the name Clermont may feel new to even the most intrepid traveller, its gilded history stretches back centuries. You’ll find it just off the highway, humming quietly under the hazy veil of Queensland’s outback sun. It’s here, hemmed in by mountains and perched atop soil heavy with the earth’s treasures, that one of Australia’s most accessible outback adventures awaits.

Thanks to deposits of gold, copper and gemstones – souvenirs left by exploding supernovas and the heave of tectonic plates – Clermont became a centre point of Queensland’s Gold Rush. And now? Australia’s fossicking capital is yours to discover.

Getting there

car driving along Capricorn Way in queensland — Take a drive through Queensland’s Mackay Isaac region. (Image: Sean Scott/ TEQ)

You’ll find Clermont in Queensland’s Mackay Isaac region. To get here, it’s an easy three-hour drive over sealed roads from Mackay. Or, if you’re heading from the Sapphire Fields of Emerald, the drive will carve out just over an hour from your day.

Whether you’re road-tripping through outback Queensland or just tracing your way through all that Australia has to offer, Clermont is remote but easily accessible.

Best accommodation in Clermont

Theresa CreekDam in clermont — Camp by Theresa Creek Dam. (Image: Riptide Creative/ TEQ)

All accommodation comes with a generous helping of country hospitality here. The choice is yours between modern hotels, parking up the camper or pitching a tent.

Theresa Creek Dam lies just outside town. Begin each day with crisp country air and bright outback sunrises. Spend the night under the sparkling country stars and your days out on the dam fishing or kayaking. Even if you aren’t camping, be sure to save space in your itinerary for an afternoon on the red dirt shore.

To stay closer to town, opt for a central hotel to base yourself between exploring and fossicking, like Smart Stayzzz Inn and Clermont Country Motor Inn .

Things to do in Clermont

three people on a tour with Golden Prospecting — Join a tour with Golden Prospecting.

One does not visit Clermont without trying their hand at fossicking. There are strict rules when it comes to fossicking, so stick to areas dedicated for general permission and make sure you obtain your license beforehand. Try your luck at McMasters , Four Mile , Town Desert, McDonald Flat and Flat Diggings . To increase your odds, sign on for a tour with the expert team at Golden Prospecting . They’ll give you access to exclusive plots and expert advice along the way.

Once you’ve tried your luck on the gold fields, head to the Clermont Township and Historical Museum . Each exhibit works like an archaeologist’s brush to dust away the layers of Clermont’s history. Like the steam engine that painstakingly relocated the entire town inch by inch to higher ground after it was decimated by flooding in 1916. See the tools that helped build the Blair Athol mine, historic fire engines, shearing sheds and all sorts of relics that make up Clermont’s story.

The historic Copperfield Chimney offers a change of pace. Legend has it that fossickers found a solid wall of copper here, over three metres high, kick-starting Queensland’s first-ever copper mine.

Bush Heli Services flying over clermont queensland — See Clermont from above with Bush Heli Services. (Image: Riptide Creative/ TEQ)

For hiking, nearby Dysart is the best place to access Peak Range National Park. Here, mountainous horizons stretch across the outback as if plucked from another world. Set off for a scenic drive along the Peak Downs Highway for access to countless geological wonders. Like the slanting rockface of Wolfang Peak. Summit it, and you’ll find yourself looking out across a scene surely conjured up by Banjo Paterson. Dry scrub dancing in the warm breeze, grazing cattle, eucalypts and the gentle creak of windmills. Don’t miss visiting Gemini Peaks, either, for one of the park’s best vistas, and a blanket of wild flowers after rain.

Then, take to the skies with a scenic helicopter tour with Bush Heli-Services . Shift your perspective and cruise above all the sights from your trip. Spots like Lords Table Mountain and Campbell’s Peak are best viewed from the skies.

Before you head home, be sure to explore the neighbouring townships. Spend a lazy afternoon in the shade of Nebo Hotel’s wrap-around verandahs . The hotel’s 1900s dance hall has since been replaced with one of the area’s biggest rodeo arenas, so consider timing your trip to line up with a boot scootin’ rodeo. Or, stop by a ghost town. Mount Britton was once a thriving town during the 1880s Gold Rush. It’s been totally abandoned and now lies untouched, a perfect relic of the Gold Rush.

Best restaurants and cafes in Clermont

meal at Commercial Hotel — Stop into the Commercial Hotel Clermont.

Days spent fossicking, bushwalking and cramming on history call for excellent coffee and hearty country meals. Luckily, Clermont delivers in spades.

Lotta Lattes Cafe is beloved by locals for a reason. Start your days here for the best caffeine fix in town and an impeccable brunch menu.

For a real country meal, an icy cold beer and that famed country hospitality, head straight to the town’s iconic hotel: the Commercial Hotel (known endearingly to locals as ‘The Commie’). It’s been a staple in Clermont since 1877. The hotel even survived the flood of 1916 when it was sawn in two and moved to higher ground.

Naturally, time spent in the outback must include calling into the local bakery. For delicious pies and a tantalising array of sweet treats, make Bluemac Bakehouse your go-to while in town.

Discover more of The Mackay Isaac region, and start planning your trip at mackayisaac.com.