Multi-day hikes

THORSBORNE TRAIL, HINCHINBROOK ISLAND

Difficult

32km one way 3–4 days

Boat transfer from Dungeness to Ramsay Bay, Hinchinbrook Island

Regarded as one of the best hikes in the world, traverse tropical peaks, coastal beaches, rocky shorelines and stunning waterfalls. *Permit required

DJAGANY (GOANNA) WALK

Difficult

56.8km one way 3 days

Wallaman Falls day use area

Hinchinbrook

Follow an old forestry track through she-oaks, open forest and rainforest. *Permit required

Learn about the World-heritage nature surrounding you with Wild Hinchinbrook Adventures or NQ Cycle Journeys.

Join a local hike with Townsville Hike and Explore to unearth secret local trails off the beaten track.

Burdekin Bridge Walk

Pull off the highway on the Ayr side heading south, find a park near the stairs and walk up to the bridge access for unobstructed views of the mighty Burdekin River

Juru Walk

Follow the trail to a 53m carpet snake art installation which stands as the totem of the Juru people

Castle Hill Trails

Where else can you take a heart-pumping city hike than in Townsville to the summit of Castle Hill.

Ghosts Of Gold

Walk the shadowy streets of Charters Towers after dark on a 2-hour guided historic ghost tour

On Ya Bike

Forget walking and hit the trails by e-bike to explore Paluma Range National Park with NQ Cycle Journeys.

Tyto

Bird-watch, marvel at local art, and spot the park’s namesake owl, all on the 50-minute easy walk around the TYTO Wetlands in Ingham.

as the Townsville North Queensland region itself.

Gudjuda Cultural Tours

Cultural tours run by the Gudjuda Group will immerse you in a range of traditional activities with visits to sites in the Townsville and Burdekin Regions.

Wulgurukaba Plant Trail Townsville

Step in the footsteps of the Wulgurukaba peoples along the Plant Trail in Saunders Park and learn about the way in which Indigenous people have used native plants as a resource for food, to make medicine, shelters, fishing nets, dilly bags, spear, boomerangs, coolamons (carrying vessels) and canoes.

MUNGALLA ABORIGINAL TOURS - HINCHINBROOK

Discover the culture and history of the Nywaigi People and Mungalla Station, the traditional owners of the lands around Ingham in North Queensland. Learn about their culture and history, try throwing a boomerang or taste a ‘Kup Murri’, a traditional underground cooking feast Minimum of 10 people are required for a tour.

OCEAN SIREN - TOWNSVILLE

JURU WALK - BURDEKIN

At the rear of Plantation Park in Ayr sits the Juru Walk, an important link to the Burdekin’s Indigenous history. Highlights include the rainforest ecosystems, animal art installations and the man-madelagoon. Plantation Park is also home to Gubullamunda, a 53-metre carpet snake art installation which stands as the totem of the Juru people.

Take a stroll along Townsville’s jetty at dusk to witness the Ocean Siren rising out of the sea. Modelled on a 12-year-old local Wulgurukaba girl, the thought-provoking sculpture is fitted with LED lights that change colour as the water temperature changes - a strong representation of the Indigenous people’s connection to land and sea.

From military fortifications to outback mining towns, there’s a world of history and culture to be uncovered. Learn from the keepers and preservers of our authentic Australian past.

Miners Cottage Charters Towers

Venus Gold Battery

The Venus Gold Battery offers an insight into the amazing life of the gold rush in the late nineteenth century. The Battery is of national cultural significance as the largest surviving battery relic in Australia and the oldest surviving battery in Queensland.

Stock Exchange Arcade Charters Towers

A rare example of an arcade in Queensland, the Stock Exchange Arcade in Charters Towers is indicative of the rise and fall of fortune on a nineteenth century goldfield.

Cape Pallarenda Townsville

Hit the trails of Cape Pallarenda (see page 64) to uncover World War II structures and visit the historic Quarantine Station, established in 1915 to quarantine passengers on incoming ships and service the American and Australian armies during World War II.

ANZAC PARK AND JEZZINE BARRACKS - TOWNSVILLE

At the southern end of The Strand, visit Anzac Park to discover a number of memorials amongst lush gardens. At the opposite end of The Strand you’ll find Jezzine Barracks’ 15-hectare heritage precinct to explore, complete with the remaining bunker system, gun emplacements and amazing views. History buffs will also enjoy a visit to the

Cane Cutters

Completed in May 2016, the two Hand Cane Cutter sculptures represent the multicultural history of the Australian sugarcane industry. Find these giants at the Home Hill Showgrounds

Towers Hill Charters Towers

Take the journey up Towers Hill in a car or on foot for the opportunity to explore World War II bunkers, hear the stories of the war with augmented reality apps for a fully immersive experience. While in town, visit the World War II Photographic Display in the City Hall Foyer on Mosman Street to get a glimpse into the conditions of the town during the war.

Connect with the spirit of the place, and characterful architecture throughout the streets of Townsville on a guided tour with Raven Tours Explore in air-conditioned comfort with Magnetic Island Best Bus Tours.

CHARLIE’S HILL BURDEKIN

Located south of Home Hill, Charlie’s Hill was part of the frontline defence of Australia during World War II and includes a radar station noted in the Queensland Heritage Register for its historical and military significance.

Download the free, self-guided tour app - Townsville Tours and Trails to hear the city’s past come to life with guided audio and walk-through immersive GPS stop points.

Rediscover the luxury of time with a rail journey along Queensland’s coast aboard the Spirit of Queensland.

What better way to enhance your holiday experience than to sit back and take in the picturesque scenery. With regular services each week to Townsville from Brisbane or Cairns, the Spirit of Queensland is an easy way to travel.

You’ll arrive relaxed and ready to enjoy your Townsville holiday. Visit queenslandrailtravel.com.au

As one of the most diverse fishing locations on the east coast, Townsville North Queensland offers a whole school of world-class fishing locations. From endless unspoilt coastlines to the open water of the Great Barrier Reef, estuarine waters and incredible freshwate r sites – this place will have you hooked!

Freshwater

Wet a line along the Burdekin River, flowing from the Burdekin to Charters Towers. The Burdekin Dam offers a great day out, or visit the Weir Water Park in Charters Towers

Flowing right through the heart of Townsville, the Ross River is a must-visit fishing location. Suitable for both land and boat fishing.

Offshore Islands And Reefs

The vast waters of the Great Barrier Reef is a sportfishing mecca, home to an incredible range of fish species. Whether you’re floating across shallow coral flats for Coral Trout, tracking the edges of the reef for Trevally, or seeking the hard fighting Giant Trevally and Spanish Mackerel, a day on the Great Barrier Reef is sure to excite and create memories to last a lifetime.

Before you hit the water always check species seasons and zoning maps. Visit www.gbrmpa.gov.au.

Rivers And Creeks

Explore the 110-square kilometres of interconnected mangrove-lined creeks, rivers, tidal flats, sandy drop-offs and deep rocky holes in the Hinchinbrook Channel, regarded as one of the most scenic fishing locations in the world and the perfect place to chase a barramundi. Other popular sites in Hinchinbrook include the Lucinda jetty and the Herbert River. Groper Creek is regarded as one of the best inland fishing locations in the Burdekin, providing access to the Burdekin River and Wallace Creek

LAND-BASED

Cast a line off a stretch of pristine coastline for an easy and accessible fishing experience. Favourites include the spectacular beaches in the Hinchinbrook region, Lynch’s Beach and Wunjunga Beach in the Burdekin or cast a line straight off The Strand jetty in Townsville. Across the water on Magnetic Island, Picnic Bay jetty is also a local favourite for relaxed fishing with stunning views.

Townsville is a ripper gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. There are some amazing fishing opportunities on offer with easy access via the biggest boat launching park I’ve ever seen.

Reel Action TV

• Wild Hinchinbrook Adventures

• Horseshoe Bay

Fishing Charters

• Island Time Cruises

• Crackajack Sportfishing

On the bite

FRESH

• Hinchinbrook Adventures

Heli-fishing

• Northern Conquest Charters

• North Queensland

Island Charters

Land the ultimate catch and experience an angling adventure to remember, with many of the top fish species in the waters in and around Townsville North Queensland.

SALT

Sooty Grunter

Barramundi

Fingermark

Giant Trevally

Sailfish

Cobia/Kingfish

Queenfish

Red Emperor

Coral Trout

Spanish Mackerel