From swim-up bars to buzzing eat streets and island escapes, explore all the best bits of tropical Townsville.
With its postcard-worthy landscapes and more than 300 days of sunshine each year, Townsville is a genuine tropical playground. Here are some of the best ways to enjoy your time in the North Queensland capital.
Ocean views and Southeast Asian flavours are aplenty at Miss Songs.
Eat
Miss Songs
Part of multi-million-dollar renovations at The Ville resort, Miss Songs is worthy of its new digs. Delectable Southeast Asian flavours reign, including favourites such as Peking duck pancakes and san choi bao, and the setting pairs sophistication with waterfront chill.
Address: Sir Leslie Thiess Drive, Townsville, QLD, 4810 Australia
A look inside Miss Songs.
Pair your Asian feast with a cocktail from Miss Songs’s drink menu.
You’ll find Miss Songs inside Townsville’s The Ville resort.
City Lane
City Lane is a laneway precinct brimming with restaurants, small bars and shops.
If you’re the type that can’t decide what you feel like eating, City Lane has got your back. Simply head to the creative laneway precinct and let your senses do the choosing. There are a range of options, including Italian favourite Donna Bionda, Harri Dumpling and Born Wild wholefoods, as well as small bars and shops, all enveloped in friendly urban buzz.
Address: 373/401 Flinders St, Townsville City, QLD, 4810
The Ville’s Quarterdeck is the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail in the sun.
The view from The Ville’s Quarterdeck.
JAM
JAM Restaurant is a Townsville institution thanks to Matt Merrin’s innovative menus, created using fresh, local produce. A delicious choice at any time of day, JAM is most famous for its award-winning breakfast menu. Local consensus will steer you towards the Asian chicken omelette, but you can’t go wrong.
Address: 1 Palmer St, South Townsville QLD 4810
A standout selection of some of the seafood and starters on offer at The Ville’s Quarterdeck.
Don’t skip the dessert menu while visiting The Ville’s Quarterdeck.
Bridgewater
The new kid in town, Bridgewater has made a solid impression with an elegant entry into Townsville’s dining scene. Expectations were high ahead of last year’s grand opening – Matt Merrin of JAM fame is behind the project, after all. The two-storey venue houses a restaurant and bar, making it a hit from casual drinks to special occasions.
Address: 2/2 Dibbs Street,, Townsville, QLD, 4810 (cnr Tomlin)
Take advantage of the swim-up Splash Bar at The Ville.
Tobin Fish Tales
A takeaway shop with a difference, Tobin Fish Tales is owned and operated by two fisheries scientists committed to bridging the gap between fishers and consumers. As well as locally sourced and sustainably caught seafood, the fish-and-chip shop serves up easy-to-digest sustainability information.
Address: 2/1 Rose St, North Ward, Qld, 4810
Eat at The Ville’s inhouse restaurant, Palm House.
Longboard Bar & Grill
The beach vibes are strong with this one. Longboard Bar & Grill puts you in front of the water and in the mood for a long and lazy lunch, complete with sea breezes. With live entertainment until sunset, the Sunday Sesh is a Townsville icon and bookings are recommended.
Address: The Strand Headlands, 80 Gregory St, Townsville, QLD, 4810
The standout views from The Ville’s pool.
Stay
The Ville
A $43 million redevelopment has turned Townsville’s poorly performing casino into a slick and inviting resort. Overlooking beautiful Cleveland Bay and nearby Magnetic Island, the Ville’s resort pool, complete with swim-up bar, and adjacent Quarterdeck bar are heroes of the facelift, celebrating the lifestyle and landscapes that give Townsville its charm.
Address: Sir Leslie Thiess Drive, Townsville, QLD, 4810 Australia
The King Ocean View room at The Ville.
The living room of the King Ocean View room at The Ville.
The Ville is one of Townsville’s classiest accommodation options.
Rambutan
Forget what you know about backpacker hostels. Rambutan is a stylish version of the budget accommodation concept, smack bang in the middle of town. With a rooftop bar and pool, an in-house restaurant, and air-conditioning and ensuite for each room, Rambutan boasts all the comforts of a boutique hotel without losing the playful atmosphere and affordability that can make a backpacker joint so appealing.
Address: 113-119 Flinders St, Townsville City, QLD, 4810
Rambutan is unlike any backpacker hostel you’ve seen before.
Rambutan has a rooftop bar and pool, an in-house restaurant, air-conditioning and ensuites.
Play
SS Yongala shipwreck
A mysterious and historically significant artificial reef teeming with marine life, the SS Yongala wreck is considered one of the world’s best dive sites. And it’s ready to explore just minutes from Townsville.
Adrenalin Dive offers two days trips each week, and the knowledgeable crew are a pleasure to journey with. Day trips to the Great Barrier Reef, Orpheus Island and Palm island are also available.
Address: 66-70 Perkins Street West, Railway Estate, Townsville, QLD, 4810
Explore one of the world’s best dive sites: the SS Yongala wreck.
Goat Track
It’s not everyone’s idea of ‘play’, but a walk to the top of Castle Hill, the pink granite monolith that stands proud in the middle of town, is certainly a rite of passage for locals. It’s a short and sharp effort, and the rewards are many with far-reaching views over the city and the bay.
Address: Castle Hill Road, Townsville, QLD, 4810
Walk the Goat Track to the top of Castle Hill.
A cosy nook amid the revelry of Townsville’s nightlife precinct, Hooch & Fellow is Townsville’s first small bar and a go-to for excellent cocktails. The cocktail list is ever-changing – it has featured more than 1000 different concoctions in less than three years – and always indicative of the passionate bar staff. Plus, the classics are reliably satisfying.
Address: 181 Flinders St, Townsville City, QLD, 4810
Townsville Brewery
Get your fill of Townsville’s award-winning craft beer at the Townsville Brewery.
An ice-cold beer is the perfect complement to North Queensland’s hard-working sunshine and Townsville Brewery has been a popular watering hole for almost 20 years. Located in the city’s heritage-listed former post office building, the brewery certainly delivers with award-winning craft beers made just metres from the taps.
Address: 252 Flinders St, Townsville, QLD, 4810
Magnetic Island
Just a hop, skip and jump – OK, a 20-minute ferry ride – from Townsville, Magnetic Island is a day tripper’s dream. The island is more than two thirds protected national park and its coastline is peppered with treasures both grand and discreet. An Aquascene Charter will help give you the lay of the land.
Address: Magnetic Island, QLD, 4819
Experience the best of Magnetic Island.
