Reef HQ Aquarium: Situated on the mouth of Ross Creek in central Townsville is Reef HQ. This tourist attraction and education centre is the world’s largest living coral reef aquarium. Likened to going scuba diving without getting wet, Reef HQ is home to a number of species — such as sharks, clown fish and turtles that inhabit the nearby Great Barrier Reef.
Castle Hill: Only 2.5km away is Castle Hill, an isolated pink granite monolith. Standing at 286 metres high, the hill dominates Townsville’s skyline and offers stunning vistas of the city and the islands beyond. There are two ways up — you can either hike up the ‘goat track,’ or drive and follow the signs to the various lookout points. The best time to go is either at sunrise or sunset.
Bushland Beach: Bushland Beach, a suburb of Townsville, is a beautiful seaside resort. Only a 30-minute drive from the city, this idyllic town has golden sandy beaches, playgrounds, barbeque areas and fantastic swimming and fishing spots. Also not to be missed is the Bushland Beach Tavern, where you will find a bar, a lounge area and a swimming pool overlooking the beach.