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City guide

Townsville

Townsville is a city on the north-eastern coast of Queensland, Australia. With a population of approximately 204,541 as of 2026, it is the largest settlement in North Queensland and Northern Australia.

Type CityPopulation 204,541

Why go

  • City in Queensland, Australia.
  • Served by Townsville Airport / RAAF Base Townsville (TSV).

History

Townsville is a city on the north-eastern coast of Queensland, Australia. With a population of approximately 204,541 as of 2026, it is the largest settlement in North Queensland and Northern Australia. Townsville hosts a significant number of governmental, community and major business administrative offices for the northern half of the state.

Restaurants & places to go

Ice Cream, Ice Cream · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-22:00 Features: delivery · 8-10 Palmer Street · baskinrobbins.com.au
Indoor
Burger, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-22:00; Su 11:00-22:00 Features: takeaway · grilld.com.au
Indoor
Mexican, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 07:00-21:55 Features: takeaway · guzmanygomez.com.au
Indoor
Burger, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 06:00-22:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway · hungryjacks.com.au
Indoor
Coffee Shop, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-16:30; Sa-Su 09:00-16:00 · Gregory Street · coffeeworks.com.au
Indoor
Japanese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Sa 05:30-21:00 · gyojapaneserestaurant.com.au
Indoor
Vietnamese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-We 17:00-21:00; Th-Su 11:30-14:00,17:00-21:00 · 42 Gregory Street · lotus-saigon.business.site
Indoor
Juice, Fast Food · Opening hours: 06:30-16:00 · squeezeme.com.au
Indoor

146 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →

Airports

Townsville Airport / RAAF Base Townsville (TSV) 3.4 km to the centre
Townsville, QLD, AU — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 6 airlines (Qantas, Jetstar Airways, Regional Express, Virgin Australia…) · direct flights to 10 destinations incl. Brisbane, Darwin, Mount Isa, Sydney, Cairns… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 6 airlines, 10 direct destinations
  • Qantas QF (Dash 8-400, Dash 8-300, 737-800, Embraer 170) · 7 routes: Brisbane, Cairns*, Cloncurry*, Darwin*, Mackay*, Moranbah*, Mount Isa*
  • Jetstar Airways JQ (A320, A321) · 3 routes: Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney
  • Regional Express ZL (Saab 340) · 2 routes: Mount Isa, Winton
  • Virgin Australia VA (737-800, Embraer 190, 737-700) · 2 routes: Brisbane*, Sydney*
  • American Airlines AA (737) · 1 route: Brisbane*
  • Trans Mediterranean Airlines TL (Embraer 170) · 1 route: Darwin

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor
Ayr Airport (AYR) 68 km to the centre
Ayr, QLD, AU — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Indoor | Outdoor
Charters Towers Airport (CXT) 99 km to the centre
QLD, AU — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Indoor | Outdoor
Donnington Airpark 36 km to the centre
Donnington, QLD, AU
Outdoor
Bening Field Airport 65 km to the centre
QLD, AU
Outdoor
Macrossan Airport 87 km to the centre
QLD, AU
Outdoor

Getting there by ferry

Magnetic Island Ferries - Townsville Terminal
Ferry terminal · 6.7 km from the centre · Magnetic Island Ferries
Outdoor
Magnetic Island Ferries
Ferry terminal · 6.7 km from the centre · Riverside Marine
Outdoor
Quayside Terminal
Ferry terminal · 7.1 km from the centre
Outdoor
Car Ferry Ramp - Townsville
Ferry terminal · 16 km from the centre · Riverside Marine
Outdoor
Magentic Island Ferries - Vehicle Waiting Area
Ferry terminal · 17 km from the centre · Riverside Marine
Outdoor
Townsville – Magnetic Island
Ferry route · Sealink
Outdoor
Magnetic Island Ferry
Ferry route · SeaLink Queensland
Outdoor

Where things are

Full geo-intelligence in Better Mapping →
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping base map © OSM

Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
October – March

The warmer, longer-day half of the southern-hemisphere year.

Shoulder season
April – May, September

Milder and quieter, with better value.

Worth avoiding
June – August

The southern winter — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Townsville Airport / RAAF Base Townsville (TSV); 13 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: TSV has direct flights to 10 destinations on 6 airlines (incl. Brisbane, Darwin, Mount Isa, Sydney, Cairns…). By water: 5 ferry terminals within 20 km (nearest: Magnetic Island Ferries - Townsville Terminal, 6.7 km); routes include Townsville – Magnetic Island, Magnetic Island Ferry.

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Townsville. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Trains & rail

National rail

Coaches & shuttles

Intercity coach