This quiet coastal city in Australia is about to blow up – here's why you should visit

Time Out

a day ago

l wasn't surprised to discover that Townsville was named one of Australia's top 'up and coming' destinations for 2024. It might be the largest city in regional Queensland, but it still flies under the radar as a launchpad for exploring the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef.
Last year, Townsville North Queensland saw an impressive 11.7 per cent spike in visitor numbers, making it one of the fastest-growing tourism destinations in the country. And it's only just getting started, with the coastal city set to shine even brighter as co-host of the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games and 2027 Men's Rugby World Cup. Our advice? Get in before the rest of Australia catches on.
Where is Townsville?
Townsville is the largest city in North Queensland, sitting approximately halfway between Brisbane and the top of Australia, Cape York. It's roughly a 15-hour drive north of Brisbane or a four-hour commute south of Cairns. You can also skip the road trip and fly direct from Brisbane (one hour and 55 mins), Sydney (two hours and 45 mins) or Melbourne (three hours).
What to do in Townsville?
Townsville is an outdoor playground for exhilarating adventures, both on land and offshore. Hiking (or driving) to the top of Castle Hill is a must for breathtaking panoramic views over the entire city and the sparkling Coral Sea beyond. Just 45 minutes from the CBD, Paluma Range National Park also offers a bunch of scenic trails, including Jourama Falls, Mount Spec and Mount Halifax. Pack swimmers for a refreshing dip at Big Crystal Creek and Little Crystal Creek, on the way back.
While in the city, take a stroll along The Strand, explore the Jezzine Barracks and brush up on history at the Queensland Museum Tropics.
If you're up for a day trip, catch the 20-minute ferry to Magnetic Island, where 23 beautiful beaches, historic shipwrecks, snorkelling escapades, hiking trails and Northern Australia's largest koala colony await. Planning well ahead? You can also ferry over to Hinchinbrook Island – the largest island on the Great Barrier Reef that welcomes only 7,000 visitors annually. While the four-day Thorsborne Trail books out months in advance (capped at 40 hikers at a time), you can still explore the island's cloud-covered mountains, thick rainforest and white sandy beaches on a range of shorter trails.
Where to eat in Townsville?
With a growing collection of top-tier restaurants and bars, Townsville's dining scene outdoes most regional cities. At the heart of it all is Ardo, the city's first five-star hotel, which is home to not one, but two chef-hatted venues. On the ground floor is Terasu, a punchy Japanese bar and restaurant inspired by the bright lights of Tokyo. On the top floor, you'll find Marmor, an elegant modern Australian restaurant that brings together the best of the land and sea. For a perfect evening, start with a sunset cocktail at the neighbouring Ardo Rooftop, where sweeping views of the Coral Sea meet the city skyline.
If you're after something more laid-back, head to Townsville Brewing Co for award-winning craft beers, Quarterdeck for breezy alfresco bites and bevs, Longboard for burgers and tacos with a view, or Shorehouse for relaxed waterfront dining. And don't leave without visiting Grandma's – a beloved local café serving brunch inspired by recipes from grandmas and grandpas around the globe.
Where to stay in Townsville?
With 180 kilometres of coastline extending out to the Great Barrier Reef, it makes total sense that most of Townsville's hotels and resorts offer views of the sparkling Coral Sea. But if you want to match those five-star vistas with five-star service, Ardo is the place to be. It's Townsville's newest and only luxury hotel, housing 132 elegant rooms and suites, plus the city's only rooftop infinity pool, a dazzling day spa, two fancy restaurants and an impressive rooftop bar with views that'll take your breath away. Guests also score full access to the facilities at the neighbouring The Ville Resort-Casino, which offers an additional 194 hotel rooms.
Other popular hotels in Townsville include Rambutan Resort Townsville, Quest Townsville on Eyre, Oaks Townsville Gateway, Grand Hotel and Apartments, Mercure Townsville and Aquarius on The Beach.