Townsville Accommodation

Wow! What a surprise this town was! Friends in the RAAF were transferred back to Townsville after living in Perth for 2 years and invited us to stay with them. I was expecting a little country town and was absolutely gobsmacked when we got there! The councils have done an amazing job of developing the foreshore (\"The Strand\") with a waterpark, playground, parks, BBQ\'s, and a pool all on the beachfront with amazing views of Magnetic Island all along. Then there is the recently developed \"Riverway\" with its swimming pools, lagoons, kids paddling pools and art gallery, all on the banks of the Ross River. During the day you can always see Castle Hill, we went up there both during the day and at night, at nighttime the view is breathtaking. There are lots of shops, a casino, the Reef HQ (an \"Underwater World\" type thing) and good restarurants. We loved it there, beautiful weather in winter (28C in August) but it gets very hot in summer.

I loved Townsville. You drive through industrial areas, with a stark landscape and if it\'s a sweltering hot day you are just waiting to hit Townsville. First you see Castle Hill which is a Hill that just comes out of the ground and is the highest point in Townsville. At night and day you get spectacular views from Castle Hill. Townsville is a old Northern Queensland Town with its old queenslanders (houses) and new highrise condominiums. There is the casino, the harbour that welcomes cruise liners, and off course the ferry that takes you for a very reasonable price to the wonderful Magnetic Island approx 30 mins ferry ride from Townsville. It is hot in the summer and pleasant in the winter. Off course this is crocodile, box jelly fish and stingray country. You can go swimming in the winter months but not in the summer unless it is in a pool or in protective nets.