Stay Well in Terrific Townsville and Enjoy The Best of Beautiful Magnetic Island

by Jessica Palmer

We watch quietly as the rock wallaby gently picks up the pieces of carrot we had left her and brings it closer to her mouth for a nibble.

‘’Mum look … there’s a baby,’’ my daughter whispers in my ear, telling me to ‘’shhh’’ before I can even answer. Sure enough, a tiny little head pops out from her pouch, extends an adorable little paw and reaches out to feel the piece of carrot.

After a good sniff of the small carrot piece, the baby rock-wallaby decides a nap would be a better idea and slowly closes its eyes, head lolling to one side. He tries numerous times to nap, waking up to reposition himself before finally turning around to delve headfirst into the pouch so he can get some shut-eye minus the sunlight.

We wait and watch. Another rock wallaby appears a few metres behind us and forages around for something to eat. It is a wonderfully Australian, memorable experience unique to Magnetic Island.

Rock Wallaby on Magnetic Island

Credit - Jessica Palmer

Discover the wonders of Magnetic Island

Here at Geoffrey Bay on Magnetic Island, there is a large population of rock wallabies that gather every evening among the large boulders on the old jetty. There is signage explaning what can be fed to them so carrots and wallaby pellets are A-Okay, but lettuce and broccoli will give them a belly ache.

Magnetic Island is home to not only a large population of rock wallabies but also one of the largest wild populations of koalas in Australia. Tackling the 4km return Forts Walk is a great way to spot them and as that the eucalyptus trees don’t appear to be the towering kind found elsewhere in Australia, they are usually at a great viewing height.

The Forts Walk is a popular track on the island that leads to historic WWII fortifications with some great lookouts on the way.

Once you reach the actual forts, you are allowed to climb up the ladders inside them and enjoy 360-degree views from the top of the fortifications.

With 23 beautiful beaches to choose from and an official snorkelling trail, Magnetic Island is a wonderful place to relax and unwind among nature.

A fortification on the Magnetic Island Forts Walks

Credit - Tourism & Events QLD

Stay Well in Comfort at The Park Regis Anchorage

A quick 25 minute fast cat over the water will see you back on the mainland at Townsville, which offers up an amazing array of familyfriendly experiences.

Staying at the Park Regis Anchorage, a surprisingly affordable and incredibly spacious apartment building fronting Ross Creek on Palmer St, families can retire to a comfortable air-conditioned base while exploring Townsville and surrounds.

The Park Regis is an upscale brand of quality accommodation and is part of Stay Well, one of the largest hotel management groups in Asia Pacific. Stay Well properties take health and safety seriously and since March 2020, have enhanced their cleaning and sanitization measures with the ‘’Stay Well’’ program which you can read about on their website.

Although it’s located near the restaurant precinct of Townsville, the two-bedroom apartments also feature a fully decked out kitchen and both indoor and outdoor eating options. Therefore if you would rather not purchase takeaway or eat at a restaurant for every meal, this is easily managed.

Two bedroom apartment at the Park Regis Anchorage in Townsville

Credit - Homepix Photography

Explore Terrific Townsville

Townsville often lives in the shadow of Cairns a further 350 km north when it comes to family holiday destinations, but this charming city and its surrounds are seriously under-rated, offering many of the great features that Cairns does for families including access to the reef, beautiful freshwater swimming holes and a fantastic free-to-use public beach front area.

Here’s a glimpse of what you can get up to in Townsville when you’re not day tripping over to Magnetic Island:

Hang out at The Strand

The Strand is Townsville’s buzzing beach foreshore featuring a free waterpark, playgrounds and 2.5 km of beachfront walkway.

Families can swim in the ocean or manmade rockpools, cast a line from the jetty or discover Jezzine Barracks and the stories of Townsville’s settlement.

There are stinger nets installed during the wet season, usually from November through to March.

The Strand Rock Pools Swimming Area in Townsville

Credit - Tourism & Events QLD

Watch art come to life on the Augmented Reality Public Art Trail

Grab a map from the information centre and hit the pavement across Townsville’s CBD to find a series of public art pieces, some of which come to life using augmented reality (AR) and your phone or tablet.

It’s really easy. Simply download the app. (there is a code you can scan to do so on the ground near the artwork), point your device at the artwork and voile ... it comes to life!

One of the many public art pieces around Townsville

Credit - Jessica Palmer

Hire a scooter and snap a selfie in front of the Townsville sign

Hire one of the bright orange e-scooters located around the CBD and Strand areas and hit the streets of Townsville, stopping to snap an Instagram selfie in front of the well known Townsville sign.

The scooters can be hired on the spot using your phone and prices begin at AUD $1 to unlock the scooter and then 38 cents per minute. A much more affordable option is to sign up for a three-day pass where users can ride to their heart’s content for up to 90 minutes per day for $25.

The iconic Townsville Sign

Credit - Jessica Palmer

Learn about crocodiles at the Billabong Sanctuary

Located just 20 minutes drive south of Townsville, the Billabong Sanctuary is a

27-acre sanctuary with lots to occupy the whole family, including a daily crocodile show where you can learn the do’s and don’ts of swimming in North Queensland. Families can feed a cassowary, cuddle a koala and experience many other Australian animals.

Cuddle a koala at the Billabong Sanctuary

Credit - Tourism & Events QLD

Roadtrip out to stunning waterfalls and waterholes

It’s not just Cairns that gets all the fun... Townsville has its fair share of beautiful freshwater creek swimming holes within driving distance as well! Check out Alligator Creek, Little Crystal Creek and Big Crystal Creek. Don’t worry, there are no Alligators in Alligator Creek!

Sneak in some education

The Maritime Museum of Townsville is located opposite the fabulous Park Regis Anchorage apartments, featuring some interesting displays on the SS Yongala and a great collection of model boats.

At the time of writing, Reef HQ Aquarium and the Museum of Tropical Queensland are closed for refurbishments.

Dive or Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef

Jump on board one of the snorkelling tour operators departing Townsville or Magnetic Island. Magnetic Island also has its own official snorkelling trail that you don’t need a boat to access.

If you have your diving certificate, you absolutely won’t want to miss the Museum of Underwater Art, a world-class underwater art installation by the World’s leading underwater sculptor, Jason deCaires Taylor. Regular diving trips depart Magnetic Island to the SS Yongala and other nearby dive sites.

Take a dip in Alligator Creek

Credit - Jessica Palmer