The weather? Tropical. The people? Friendly. The overall vibe is what you’d expect a quintessentially Australian holiday to feel like. We know Townsville isn’t exactly a secret, but it certainly feels like one.
It’s 13 degrees back home in Sydney. Meanwhile, I’m in shorts and a T-shirt. My bare skin enjoying the sunshine. A whisper of tropical breeze stirs the palm trees above, while yachts shimmy through waters so blue they’re almost indistinguishable from the sky. It’s oh so quiet. Where is everyone?
A few weeks earlier, I’d been in Cairns for a family holiday. It was brilliant – equal parts poolside lounging and obligatory reef and rainforest explorations. It was also busy. It’s the middle of the Australian winter, after all, and southerners like us flock to Queensland when it’s cold and dreary back home.
But here I am in Townsville, still in winter, with not a soul obstructing my view of Magnetic Island as I enjoy my morning coffee. Later, I nab a front-row sun lounge at the rooftop infinity pool overlooking the Coral Sea – no hustling required. We don’t make dinner reservations, yet get a lovely table and incredible service. The sun is just as warm, the people just as friendly, the food a delight and the experiences top-notch. Townsville doesn’t seem to be on our collective radar – but perhaps it should be.
Under the radar
Embark on a scenic coastal drive. (Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland)
The Ville Resort Casino features an infinity pool and a swim-up bar for cocktails with views of Magnetic Island. (Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland)
Soak up serenity with uninterrupted views of the Coral Sea. (Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland)
Still defined by its catchy 1980s slogan, ‘Beautiful one day, perfect the next’, the Sunshine State has long been our go-to winter destination. We’ve been lucky to spend time in many of its coastal hotspots: the surfy lifestyle of Burleigh Heads, the chic appeal of Noosa, the tropical vibes on Hamilton Island, and Cairns’ vibrant mix of reef and rainforest. These destinations are foolproof for a great coastal holiday – Queensland’s illuminati, if you will. But they can steal the limelight from other deserving towns.
Townsville was never on my radar until, in 2018, a photo of The Ville Resort Casino’s pool popped up on my feed, complete with a swim-up bar, swaying palms and purple bougainvillea, and compelled me to book a weekend stay. The 1986-built casino had undergone a $43 million rebrand, transforming it into a modern entertainment precinct designed by Woods Bagot. Its opening, alongside Reef HQ in 1987 and the world’s first floating hotel, the Four Seasons Barrier Reef Hotel, in 1988, marked a booming decade for the city. But it was The Ville’s 2018 transformation that proved a game-changer, raising the bar for accommodation and dining.
So when the opportunity to return to Townsville this year came up, I jumped at the chance. The town’s first five-star hotel, The Ardo, had opened in 2023, and I was excited to experience it with my sister – a very different trip from my previous visit with my toddler son. She, on the other hand, had zero expectations. Like many, she’d never thought of Townsville as a holiday option.
Why Townsville deserves more attention
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Stroll along the 2.5-kilometre foreshore of The Strand. (Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland)
Go diving at the shipwreck of SS Yongala. (Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland/Scuba Diver Life)
Pedal along the palm tree-lined beachfront promenade. (Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland)
Having experienced Townsville and Cairns within weeks of each other, I found that Townsville has a slower pace. It’s a big city with a small-town feel but is still packed with fun things to do. Its 2.2-kilometre waterfront precinct, The Strand, is an incredible feature of the city: it boasts a flat walking path, cafes, playgrounds, an epic water play area with slides for little kids, basketball courts, a skatepark, and a stinger-free ocean-filled rockpool. It’s easy to wander along The Strand but we hired Ario scooters (which you find parked around the city) and had so much fun getting around.
If you can tear yourself away from your hotel pool or The Strand, Castle Hill has several walking trails for all abilities. To access the summit, with views over the city and Coral Sea, the Goat Track is less than two kilometres return but it’s steep and comprises uneven steps. Castle Hill Road is an easier, paved road but it’s longer at 5.2 kilometres return. Time your walk to see the sun set over the Coral Sea from this vantage point (there’s truly something special about the sunsets here in Townsville – they are unforgettable).
The Great Barrier Reef can be reached within a 20–90-minute boat ride from Townsville. Snorkel among the Coral Sea’s marine wonders at Magnetic Island, go diving at the shipwreck of SS Yongala, take a scenic flight over the GBR, or see the world-first Museum of Underwater Art. Aside from the snorkelling, Magnetic Island has 23 beaches, beautiful hiking and a large koala population – it’s worthy of a day trip or an overnight stay.
On land, the former Reef HQ was demolished in and is being completely rebuilt as the Great Barrier Reef Aquarium. When it opens in 2029, it will be the world’s largest living coral aquarium.
Embrace slow living in this underrated QLD gem. (Credit: Megan Arkinstall)
Spend an afternoon by the pool. (Credit: Megan Arkinstall)
The Pavilion sits on a premier waterfront location. (Credit: Megan Arkinstall)
Townsville has a plethora of dining options, with delicious food and superb service. Stand-outs for us included Shorehouse, which has an Asian fusion menu and an atmospheric tropical setting across from The Strand; cool neighbouring cafes The Spirited Goat and Happy Place for coffee and all-day breakfast; the newly opened Flinders Street Wharves for a happening pub vibe with casual food; and Miss Songs, an Asian restaurant within The Ville where the food and service was top-notch and the French Martini too easy to swig.
As for accommodation, it’s a battle between The Ville or Ardo Hotel – it just depends what kind of holiday you’re after. The Ville is stylish but playful, with a fabulous pool area, entertainment and multiple dining options (it’s perfect for families or travelling who love a happening vibe). Next door, The Ardo is its ultra-sophisticated counterpart – all sleek lines, neutral tones and a rooftop pool to die for (it’s great for couples, an adults’ escape or for anyone seeking solitude and luxury).
The verdict
Townsville is the kind of place you dream of escaping to during the Aussie winter, but a weekend in summer didn’t disappoint either. A big city with a slower pace, Townsville has all the hallmarks of a great coastal escape: a tropical climate, fantastic dining options, fun activities and a laidback vibe. You can head out to the Great Barrier Reef, go koala spotting on Magnetic Island, wander along the Strand, or spend an afternoon by the pool with a good book and a cocktail or two. As far as underrated places in Australia go, Townsville must be on the podium.
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Megan Arkinstall is a freelance travel writer who you’ll often find at the beach, bushwalking or boating with her young family. She loves reliving travel memories through writing, whether that be sipping limoncello in a sun-drenched courtyard of Monterosso or swimming with green turtles in the aquamarine waters of Tropical North Queensland.
Conjuring calm and active adventure in equal measure, Hamilton Island is a tropical tonic for body and mind.
Hamilton Island knows a thing or two about indulgence. There are long lunches to linger over, seafood towers to savour and poolside loungers designed for guilt-free idling. But for health-minded travellers wanting to feel energised inside and out, this sliver of the Whitsundays takes wellbeing just as seriously. Think yoga mats rolling out at dawn, kayaks skimming turquoise water, state-of-the-art fitness facilities and spa therapists working tropical magic. These Hamilton Island wellness experiences promise to restore, rebalance and leave you feeling brand new.
1. E-Mountain biking
Follow Hamilton Island’s mountian biking trails. (Credit: Harry Gruttner)
For travellers with an appetite for adrenaline, Hamilton Island’s new self-guided e-mountain biking experience is worth carving out a morning for. Start at HI Trails HQ, where you’ll be fitted with a full-suspension, pedal-assisted e-mountain bike and given a run-through of a nine-kilometre section of the island’s 25-kilometre trail network. The electric boost makes the ride more accessible (and the climbs more manageable), though an intermediate level of fitness is still recommended.
As a first-time mountain biker, I start off wobbly – taking my time to get used to switching gears and electric modes – and wonder if I’ve overestimated my coordination. But soon something clicks. Suddenly we’re zooming through pockets of eucalyptus and out onto ridgelines with sweeping views of electric blue waters, catching our breath at hidden bays with barely another soul in sight. More than 70 per cent of the island remains untouched, so witnessing these lesser-explored pockets feels like a blessing. It’s the kind of adventure that leaves you buzzing, accomplished and blissfully tired out.
2. HI Fitness Club
Stretch out with reformer pilates.
If mountain biking isn’t quite your speed, there are plenty of other ways to stay active on the island. One of the newest Hamilton Island wellness experiences, HI Fitness Club now has 24-hour access, offering a fully equipped modern gym, group classes spanning HIIT to yoga, plus two bubbling spas and a sauna waiting to loosen sore muscles.
I drop in for a Reformer Pilates class. Each of the four machines has its own mini screen with a wide selection of high-quality virtual classes, meaning I can select one that suits my level and mood that day. Beyond Pilates, the virtual library is like a choose-your-own adventure for fitness enthusiasts: dance, Body Pump, Body Combat and GRIT Cardio are among the options. Or perhaps challenge a family member or friend to a hit of tennis at one of the three courts.
3. Walking trails
Get the blood pumping on a morning run.
We set out early. By 6:45am, we’re halfway up Passage Peak, the highest point on Hamilton Island and widely considered its most impressive vantage point. From the Scenic Trail Entrance, the viewing platform takes around an hour to reach by foot, with moderate inclines that will get your heart pumping without feeling too punishing. The payoff at the top is immediate. Bush-clad Whitsundays islands scatter across the horizon in every direction, the sunrise brushing the scene with soft melon and gold tones. I take my time soaking up the 360° panorama, remembering how powerful an active start in nature can be for clearing the mind and energising the day ahead.
While Passage Peak is one of the most popular hikes on Hamilton Island, Flat Top Hill Lookout and the longer Southeast Head Trail are also excellent choices.
4. Spa wumurdaylin
Feel your worries melt away at Spa wumurdaylin.
In a tranquil treatment room at Spa wumurdaylin, the world disappears. The space is all brown stone tiles, bamboo racks and lush garden views, setting the tone for my Soul Temple treatment. My therapist, Kass, begins with a full-body, exfoliating orange buff sugar scrub that feels divine. Next comes the vertical Vichy shower and underwater massage to knead out muscle knots. The sound of cascading water is reminiscent of a tropical rainstorm, and stress becomes a distant memory.
It’s a prime example of the transportive power of the island’s spa, where guests can come to reset the mind and loosen tension in the body. The menu spans radiance facials to deep release rituals and mud wraps, all using products from pH-balanced skincare brand LaGaia Unedited. Concluding with herbal tea, I leave in a blissful daze.
5. Sunrise yoga
Start your day on the right foot.
Morning movement doesn’t get more surreal than sunrise yoga on The Sundays’ seaside terrace. As we roll out our mats, morning light spills across Catseye Beach below, turning the water into a sheet of molten gold. But the setting only does half the healing. I match my breath to the rhythm of the waves and feel my body gradually lengthen and wake as instructor Tyla Rae guides us through a slow, mindful flow.
Available exclusively to guests of The Sundays, this session captures the spirit of wellness on Hamilton Island – immersion in nature, slowing down by the sea, recalibrating both body and mind. To round out the experience, the perfect ocean cool-off awaits just steps away.
6. Getting out on the water
Try your hand at a host of watersports.
Speaking of ocean delights, Catseye Beach’s host of watersports delivers spades of fun and rejuvenation. Glide over the crystalline water in a kayak, test your sailing skills in a mini catamaran, spot schools of fish (and a turtle if you’re lucky) from a stand-up paddleboard, or slip into an underwater wonderland when you snorkel off the beach.
Out here, the water is so clear it feels like floating in glass, and the green silhouettes of the Whitsunday Islands rise on the horizon. Half an hour on the water here is all you need to reset your entire mood.
Guests staying at qualia, Beach Club, The Sundays, Reef View Hotel, Palm Bungalows and Hamilton Island Holiday Homes have complimentary access to all these water activities, making it easy to dive right in.
7. Take a swing
Enjoy incredible views with a swing of golf.
For others, mindfulness comes from calm concentration – and golf fits the bill to a tee. Designed by five-time British Open winner Peter Thomson, Hamilton Island Golf Club is perched along the scenic ridges of Dent Island. It’s Australia’s only golf course on its own island, making it one of the most scenic golf courses in the world. The experience is suitable for golfers of all skill levels, with spectator bookings also available for those simply wishing to take in the views. Follow the game with a well-earned lunch at the Clubhouse restaurant.
