Townsville Region Guides Attractions Events in Queensland

"The Moltke" is a wreck dive accessible from the shore on Magnetic Island. The old cargo Boat has been here for over 70 years. The structure is fairly broken up providing many corners and holes for marine life to hide in. Batfish, Grouper, Squirrelfish, Butterflyfish and Damselfish make this home. Crayfish and Nudibranchs can often also be found.

Bowling Green Bay is the largest National Park (55 300 hectares) between the city of Townsville and the town of Bowen on the North Queensland coast. The park includes the Mount Elliot area and adjacent coastal wetlands, saltpans and mangroves. Bowling Green National Park is near the southern limit of the Wet Tropical Rainforest. On Mount Elliot the rainforest is confined to areas about 66 metres. Access is via the Bruce Highway - turnoff towards Alligator Creek 28 kilometres south of Townsville. From the highway turnoff, it is six kilometres to the National Park. The Park is open from 6.30am to 6.30pm. Toilets, showers, barbecues and tables are provided for campers and day visitors. Camping is limited to 25 sites and a permit is required. Campers are requested to book 6 to 12 weeks in advance. Permits are not required for day visitors.

Alligator Creek flows through Bowling Green Bay National Park in a series of cascades, deep pools and waterfalls.

The track to Alligator Falls meanders roughly parallel to the creek through the open forest to Hidden Valley. Discarded machinery is a rusty reminder of a failed farming enterprise. Across the creek the valley narrows, with Mount Elliot and Saddle Mountain framing the landscape.

The final section of the walk is through a rocky vine thicket from which the track suddenly emerges near the falls. Tropical rainforest grows towards the summit of Mount Elliot, the highest peak in the park. Open forests and woodlands, riverine vegetation, mangroves and coastal vegetation also grow in the park.

Anderson Park Botanic Gardens Townsville is one of the three separate gardens which together form Townsville Botanic Gardens being developed by the Metropolitan Council. Being a garden of international repute, Anderson Park is often crowded by plant enthusiasts and unfussy visitors.

Planned under the Botanic Gardens Masterplan of Australia, Anderson Park perfectly caters to a wide variety of public activities and expectations. The arboretum inside contains fine varieties of tropical tree ferns, palms, pandanus, tropical fruit and economic plants. The specimen flora in the botanic garden represents collections from the Cape York Peninsula tropical rain forest plants. The plant gathering from North Queensland territory is another star attraction of the park.

Anderson Park is a quiescent beauty amongst Townsville's abundant natural attractions. With extensive botanic credentials, the garden in Townsville spreads over 20 hectare, today, is a ground-breaking botanic accomplishment and magnificent public asset.

Visit the picturesque Anderson Park Botanic Gardens in Townsville and explore the exotic species of plants there.

Arcadia is the smallest of the four main bays around Magnetic Island. Arcadia surrounds two of the Island’s prominent bays; Alma Bay and Geoffrey Bay.

Geoffrey Bay is a Marine National Park Zone, which signifies no fishing or collecting, but is great for exploring during low tide. The old barge jetty, which is situated on the left side, is a great spot for feeding rock wallabies at dusk.

Alma Bay is a very popular swimming spot for local and visitors alike. The Arcadian Life Saving Club patrols the beach on weekends and public holidays. There are also public amenities such as a gas barbecue, picnic tables, shaded children's play ground, changing areas and toilets.

Alma Bay is also famous for it's ANZAC Day Commemorations. Real-life soldiers from the Thirty-fifth Field Squadron (Reservist Engineers) annually re-enact the events that took place and make a dawn landing right onto the beach.

The Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) is a leader in tropical marine science.

The Institute is consistently ranked among the top one per cent of specialist research institutions internationally and is known for its unique capacity to investigate topics from broad-scale ecology to microbiology.

AIMS is committed to the protection and sustainable use of Australia's marine resources. Its research programs support the management of tropical marine environments around the world, with a primary focus on the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, the pristine Ningaloo Marine Park in Western Australia and northwest Australia.

Public tours are available including data projection shows, information on research and guided tours of the facility.

Balgal Beach is a beachside community popular as a day and overnight trip destination for locals and tourists to Thuringowa and Townsville. Just a few minutes from Rollingstone, Balgal Beach features a stinger net, which is installed and patrolled from November to May, and an excellent boat ramp facility with easy access to the Palm Island group. It boasts a superb sand beach as well as a wide creek mouth and is a renowned beach and river fishing location.

Other activities include visiting the Anzac memorial, viewing the interpretive historic signage, having a picnic and barbecue at the park, bird watching and fishing.

There is also a licensed cafe and a variety of accommodation which includes Holiday Units, Bed and Breakfast Retreat, and Council’s two designated limited tent camping and vehicle camping areas. Download the flyer from their websites for more information on free camping.

Located in the protected Beaver Cay Marine Sanctuary off Mission Beach, Beaver Reef is an unspoiled fringing reef surrounding a sandy cay and offers a range of dive sites. Abundant soft corals and large gorgonian sea fans, lots of giant clams, helmet shells and bailer shells. Green and Hawksbill turtles are regularly sighted, large cod, big schools of spangled emperors, fusiliers, Whitetip reef sharks, barracuda and trevally. Manta Rays occur in winter. There is good snorkelling from the cay or Boat.

Bicton Hill is part of the Clump Mountain National Park. The walk has a fairly easy grade as it winds up the hill and forms a loop track apart from the first half a kilometre.

On the way up there are a few places along the way where you can see out past the rainforest to the coastal views below. Keep your eyes open for wildlife and rare palms and cycads.

The summit was once used by locals to spot ships and offers superb views out to sea and the various islands nearby

Billabong Sanctuary is a wildlife park featuring over 100 species of Australian animals, specialising in the fauna of North Queensland such as the saltwater crocodile and the endangered cassowary.

The wildlife park is set in 25 acres of natural bush land. There are three representative habitats – rainforest, eucalypt woodland and wetlands all set around a billabong which is teeming with North Queensland waterfowl offering great photographic opportunities. Many of the animals and birds are free-ranging while captive animals are displayed in enclosures that replicate the animal’s habitat in the wild and subtly blend into the landscape.

Billabong Sanctuary is Australia’s best interactive wildlife experience. Animal encounters is a series of unforgettable, hands-on adventures between you and Australia’s native animals. You can expect to have the time of your life experiencing the sight, sense and feel of Billabong Sanctuary’s native animals: some cute and cuddly, some slippery and fascinating. Hold a koala, hug a wombat, hold a crocodile or wrap a python around your shoulders.

The Sanctuary’s main focus is the conservation and preservation of native species. To this end, Billabong Sanctuary places emphasis on education at all levels and ages by providing an informative but fun and relaxed day out.

Bluewater hosts a picturesque fresh water attraction popular with picnic goers, including barbecues, toilets, showers and play equipment. Access the creek via the Bluewater Store (near the bridge), or Bluewater Park.

Bluewater Park is a designated limited free tent and vehicle camping area. Download the flyer from the Thuringowa website for more information on free camping.

The Urban Forest is adjacent to Bluewater Park. There is a fitness trail over 800 metres long with eight activity stations located along a pathway surrounded by over 7000 trees. See 'Bluewater Park Re-Development' on the Thuringowa website for more information on this project.

A boat ramp is also available off Bluewater Drive, via Jaloonda Road.

Diverse habitats are protected in Bowling Green Bay National Park, the largest coastal park in the region. Its coastal plains are dramatically set against a backdrop of rugged granite mountains rising abruptly in the distance. Camp overnight at Alligator Creek campground; or visit for the day, picnic among the gum trees and swim in the creek's deep pools. (The campground, picnic area and toilets are wheelchair accessible.) Look for agile wallabies, allied rock-wallabies and rufous bettongs feeding in the cool of the day. Go spotlighting for nocturnal animals. Meander along the creek to Alligator Falls.

Two distinct forest communities feature in Broadwater, Abergowrie State Forest. Endangered riparian rainforest lines the clear waters of Broadwater Creek. Open eucalypt forest dominates the visitor areas. The park is home to the vulnerable rufous owl and endangered southern cassowary. Enjoy the cool air in this forest retreat. The possibility of camping, the walking tracks and a large grassy picnic area with plenty of room for games make Broadwater a great place for the family. Visit the giant abbey tree. Along the creek, look for saw-shelled turtles and white-browed robins.

Bushland Beach is part of the Northern Beaches precinct of Thuringowa, located 15 minutes drive from Thuringowa central business district. Access to Bushland Beach is via a turnoff along the Bruce Highway. This beautiful stretch of beach is a suburban area with visitor accommodation and facilities available. Fishing, swimming and water activities permitted. At low tide, an old wooden shipwreck is uncovered. The beach is well serviced with a Resort, barbecue facilities, playgrounds and a boat ramp.

Wallaman Falls is the largest single drop waterfall in Australia, tumbling 305 metres through a rainbow-fringed cloud of mist into a large pool. Before setting out on your walk, take a moment to stand at the lookout (near the carpark) and gaze at the majestic white water dropping between sheer cliffs.

On the first day of the Buujan Quiinbiira Walk (23.3 kilometres), you follow an old forestry track through a range of landscapes including she-oak dominated country, open forest and rainforest.

You will pass by Garrawalt Creek and Flagstone Creek before camping at the Pack Trail campsite. The second day of the walk (14.2 kilometres) follows part of the Dalrymple Track, enjoy a pleasant walk through open forest along the high banks of the Herbert River. Listen for the noisy chatter of scaly-breasted lorikeets or the deep, gruff call of a wompoo fruit-dove.

A scenic coastal park close to Townsville, Cape Pallarenda is the site of a former quarantine station dating from 1915. The buildings are typical 'Queenslander style' with high ceilings and wide verandahs. The park features ruins and relics from World War Two, when the cape was part of Queensland's east coast defences. Stroll through the old quarantine station and imagine life in a bygone era. Visit the small museum and gain an insight into the history of the area. Walk along the beaches and over the rugged headland to take in sweeping views of Townsville and Magnetic Island. Inspect the World War Two gun emplacements and searchlight positions. Enjoy a picnic or barbecue on the foreshore.

Castle Hill is a red rock monolith in the heart of Townsville offering panoramic views, and a slice of military history. There is a popular walking track for fitness focused locals, with a rocky “goat track” a favourite for shedding those unwanted kilos. A road offers access for vehicles and pedestrians. The hill is just metres short of being classified as a mountain.

The rock face is home to Townsville’s iconic “saint” – a graffiti rendition of the popular television show’s stick figure emblem. The Hill’s vantage was used by visiting American soldiers during World War II. According to local legend, the visitors famously offered to demolish the hill and use the rock to build a bridge to Magnetic Island. A World War II observation bunker sits on one corner of the hill, which also boasts public amenities, a function centre and car parking to those wanting to enjoy the best view of Magnetic Island.

The Cathedral Fig Tree, like the Curtain Fig Tree, is a gigantic 500 year old strangler tree. Located in the Danbulla State Forest, the Cathedral Fig has the reputation of being the best place to hear an early morning bird 'singing' in the Atherton Tablelands. Circumnavigate the base of the tree and giant buttress roots on the easily accessible boardwalk.

Centenary Park has the gold discovery monuments, picnic tables, gas barbecues and is always cool and shady. Centenary Park also has an interesting history tied to the park. The area was first gazetted as Reserve for Public Purposes in 1888. In 1941 the last gazette Order in Council set aside the area as a Reserve for Park Purposes and named it "Sayers Park" after Robert John Sayers.

From the City's very early days, the Park was called "Harvey's Reserve", no doubt because Joseph Harvey, a local butcher built and lived in "Tower Villa", an old Queenslander style home that still faces out over the north east corner of the Reserve. During 1972 the Park was re-named “Centenary Oval” as part of the City’s centenary celebrations. The 1941 naming had mostly been forgotten by this time, although “Harvey’s Reserve” is still the name used by older Cricketers.

Charters Towers Cemetery was established in 1895. It is the resting place for a number of interesting local characters including Jupiter Mosman who, as local lore has it, was one of the party that discovered gold at Charters Towers; Doctor Leonard Redmond who discovered Australian dengue fever; Fredrick Pfeiffer owner of the rich Day Dawn PC Mine and James Knenniff who was the last bushranger in Queensland.
The Charters Towers Visitor Information Centre has the cemetery records for both the Pioneer and Charters Towers cemeteries. Or if it is family history you are seeking, why not contact the Charters Towers and Dalrymple Family History Association. This group aims to promote and preserve research into local and family history for the benefit of the community.

The Pioneer Cemetery contains graves of those buried from 1872 - 1895 and gives insight into the hardships their pioneers faced during the goldfield days.

This National Trust owned and run museum houses a large collection of photographs, equipment and other memorabilia that reflects Charters Towers golden past. Friendly volunteers and staff are only too willing to share their special stories and demonstrate some of the equipment that is housed in the historic Burns Philp building, built in 1888. Ask for a demonstration of the flying fox (the Lampson Aerial Cash System from the old Pollards building), this is always a favourite.

One of the most heard statements from the visitors to the Charters Towers Folk Museum is “Oh I remember that!” The collection is full of items guaranteed to bring back a lovely memory or two.

On a more serious note, Charters Towers also has a proud military history from the Boer War right through to the Vietnam conflict, housed in the Charles Wallace Military display. One of the more poignant pieces from World War One is a pair of half knitted socks, abandoned when a Mum received news that her son had been killed. See them exactly as she left them 100 years ago.

The Charters Towers Folk Museum is well worth a visit.

Drop into the Civic Club, originally known as the Londoner's Club, (a gentlemen's club) and enjoy a drink with a local, soak up the atmosphere of this amazing historic building and have a round of billiards on one of the two 100 year old tables. Don't forget to make your booking for their famous Friday night barbecue.

Cloudy Creek is one of a variety of short walks in the Paluma area. This walking track leads through the rainforest from McClelland's lookout, which is the perfect place for a picnic lunch and affords panoramic views of Halifax Bay, Crystal Creek and the Palm Islands. The walk takes you through an impressive stand of mountain rainforest.

Along the path educational signs tell you all about various plants and features of the rainforest. Because of the high elevation, the walk is often cool and shrouded in mist. After taking in the stunning mountain scenery from Witts Lookout, the track then diverges to the left down a reasonably steep hill to Cloudy Creek in the gully below

With Bicton Hill at its centre, Clump Mountain National Park preserves one of the few remaining patches of undisturbed lowland tropical rainforest. Many of the trees have large buttressed trunks and support epiphytic ferns and other plants. Several southern cassowaries live here and vulnerable arenga palms and ancient cycads grow near the summit. Climb to the summit of Bicton Hill on a four kilometre rainforest circuit. Enjoy the panorama of the mainland and offshore islands from viewing and resting seats along the track. In summer months, look for buff-breasted paradise-kingfishers nesting in termite mounds. Go spotlighting for long-nosed bandicoots, striped possums and fawn-footed melomys.

The Coral Sea Battle Memorial Park is Australia’s largest war memorial. The park was created to commemorate an air and sea battle which took place in 1942 about 800 kilometres east off the coast of Queensland, between Australian/United States forces and Japanese.

This was the first naval battle, in history, in which the opposing ships never came within sight of one another. The entire action was fought by carrier borne aircraft. The Japanese claimed a tactical victory whilst the Allies a strategic victory, in that the assault on Port Moresby had been thwarted.

With Hinchinbrook Island silhouetted against the skyline and cool sea breezes this is a beautiful park in which to enjoy a picnic. Facilities include picnic tables, barbecues, a shelter shed and toilets.

This battle is commemorated in Cardwell annually, during early May, with dignitaries from both the United States and Australia participating.

Cotters Market is North Queensland's award winning arts and crafts market held every Sunday between 8.30 a.m. and 1.00 p.m. in Flinders Mall Townsville. Cotters Market is a great place to shop. They have ultra-fresh fruit and vegetables, stunning jewellery, original art works, massages, woodwork, stuffed toads, home-baked cakes, gifts for all occasions and entertainment.

Dalrymple National Park covers an area of 1640 hectares and is located 46 kilometres north or a 30 minute drive from the town of Charters Towers (90 minute drive west of the city of Townsville). The Park can be accessed via the Gregory Development Road (Lynd Highway).

Dalrymple National Park features some of the more unique features of the Charters Towers area including the lava flows of the Toomba Basalt, the site of the old Dalrymple township and the Burdekin River. The park has an interesting geological history, having been subject to three lava flows, two of which date back 2.4 million years. The Toomba Basalt flow which dates back 13 000 years created the Great Basalt Wall - now a tourist attraction of the Charters Towers outback region.

The vegetation of the Dalrymple National Park is mainly woodlands including a variety of eucalypts. This makes the park an important refuge for native animals including rock wallabies, greater gliders and sugar gliders.

Vehicle-based camping is permitted in the park along the south-western bank of the Burdekin River. Campers must be self-sufficient and camping fees apply. Camping permits can be obtained from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. Free camping is available near the entrance to the park at Fletcher Creek camping reserve. Day visitors are welcome. Bushwalkers are also advised to contact the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service Ranger at Charters Towers to register details of any proposed bushwalking trips and to leave emergency contact details for safety purposes.

Experience the thrill of livestock going under the hammer. Cattle Sales are held every Wednesday at the Dalrymple Sales Yards. Beef is produced on 250 commercial properties running around 600,000 head of cattle between them, making the Dalrymple Shire the biggest cattle producing local Government area in Australia. Dalrymple Sales Yards sell over 100,000 head per annum of store and prime cattle and hosts North Queensland's premier bull and horse sales. The significance of the selling centre and the quality of the animals marketed is highlighted by the centre recently breaking an auction record price for a bull of AUD145,000.

The Dan Gleeson Memorial Gardens are located along Thuringowa Drive, Kirwan in the city of Thuringowa (twin city of Townsville). The gardens feature a wide range of native flora situated amongst large lawn parks and paved pathways. The gardens also feature an artificial lake which attracts significant birdlife and a soundshell which is a venue for many community events and celebrations. The gardens are in close proximity to restaurants and visitor services. Entry to the gardens is free.

Davies Reef, off Townsville on the Great Barrier Reef, is home to a number of dive sites from large pinnacles with small caves to prolific coral gardens and drop-offs. Deep gutters cut through the reef where the walls are decorated with soft corals and gorgonians. Small tropicals and large numbers of pelagics congregate in the area. Dive sites include the Sisters, Coral Gardens and Atlantis.

Edmund Kennedy National Park is within the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. Few parts of north Queensland's wet tropics can boast the range of vegetation types found in this park.

Lying along the coastline, just north of Cardwell, Edmund Kennedy National Park contains areas of low coastal rainforest, eucalyptus forest, melaleuca woodland, sedge swamps and extensive mangrove swamps.

This section of coastline is just as explorer Edmund Kennedy found it. In 1848, he and his party of 12 men landed at Tam O'Shanter Point, about 35 kilometres north of the park, to begin their ill-fated expedition to Cape York.

Many of the mangrove species known to occur in Australia are found in the park. The red beech, with its distinctive red, flaking bark and large yellow flowers, along with pandanus and melaleucas are common. The rare Arenga palm, only known from a few locations in Queensland, also grows here.
Much of the wildlife is nocturnal although birds and reptiles may be seen during the day. The park is home to the endangered Mahogany Glider. Orioles, sunbirds, black butcherbirds and honeyeaters are common. The nesting mounds of orange-footed scrubfowl can be seen along the edge of the walking tracks.

Family Islands National Park covers a chain of islands near Mission Beach, with lush rainforest and woodlands, surrounded by coral reefs, tidal flats and sandy beaches. The chain is part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage area. The most accessible of the islands is Dunk. Take one of several walks that traverse 13 kilometres of Dunk Island's varied landscape. Relax at the resort after your strenuous walk. Go birdwatching or snorkelling, stroll along the seashore, or laze under shady beach trees. Bush camping is possible on two other islands: Wheeler and Coombe. As you explore the Family Islands, catch glimpses of the iconic Ulysses butterfly in beautiful metallic blue.

Magnetic Island fishing just has to be seen to be believed. A catch is virtually guaranteed, and what a catch it can be; 22 pound Coral Trout and 44 pound Spanish Mackerel are among the trophies happy fishermen have taken home.

From the beaches, rocky points and inshore waters, you can also catch species such as bream, flathead, whiting, queen fish and trevally. Fresh bait is best, using prawns, pilchards, squid or herring.

Fishing tackle and bait can be purchased from many places on the Island, also boat with outboard motors can be hired. There are boat ramps located in Picnic, Nelly and Horseshoe bay.

Some of the best fishing spots are Middle Reef, West Point, Orchard Rocks, the wrecks; Palmosa and Argonant in Horseshoe Bay, the rocks off Bright Point, Nobby Head and the Picnic Bay Jetty.

Local Fishing trips can be booked for a few hours or more, with a professional fishing guide who knows the “right spots”, so good results are assured.

Welcome to Frosty Mango, a wonderful stop-over on the Bruce Highway, 65 kilometres north of Townsville and gate-way to the Great Barrier Reef. In air-conditioned comfort inside or shade alfresco outside, you can refresh with the large range of home-made ice-creams and gelatos, fresh fruit juices, the best coffees, sandwiches, wraps and light meals. All meals are prepared freshly for you, mostly from self-grown ingredients. Customer favourites are the “Mango Chicken” and “Jackfruit Curry”, but there are many more for you to choose from. If you like mangoes then you can indulge in the mango juices, mango smoothies, mango trifle, mango cheesecake and Queensland Opals. If you require tourist information, the friendly staff here can help you as well.

Originally the Golden Gumboot was a competition between Tully, Innisfail and Babinda as to which town is the wettest in Australia. The winner for the competition (since 1970) was awarded with a rubber boot and with an annual rainfall of up to seven metres – Tully was the winner. The Golden Gumboot Festival is dedicated to the fact that Tully is a ‘pretty wet place’.
In this small sleepy town, locals get together once a year for this festival, of which the highlight is the gumboot throwing competition. The person who can throw a size eight gumboot the greatest distance wins. The festival begins in the afternoon with a 7.9 metre high Golden Gumboot being paraded through Tully’s main street.

This family orientated fun festival has as many things to do involving gumboots as possible including; tenpin bowling using gumboots, banana packing in gumboots, decorated gumboots…and the list goes on…

Other activities include, food market stalls, displays, children’s activities, judging of the Golden Girl, Golden Princess, and Golden Oldie quest and a big evening of live entertainment.

On the first day of the Gugigugi Walk (18.7 kilometres) in the Wallaman Falls section of Girringun National Park, you can enjoy a pleasant walk through open forest along the high banks of the Herbert River. Keep your eyes and ears open for resident wildlife. Listen for the noisy chatter of scaly-breasted lorikeets or the deep, gruff call of a wompoo fruit-dove. Then enjoy a night camping under the stars at Stony Creek campsite.

As you wander the track towards Henrietta gate on the second day (19.6 kilometres), you will see that some areas are not the pristine natural environments you expect to find in a national park.

Despite the presence of weeds and feral animals, this area is special. Previously, most of the area was used for grazing. The area is now a protected habitat for the endangered mahogany glider and work is underway to control the spread of weeds and remove feral animals.

Ingham, a large, tropical town of gardens on the Herbert River, is set apart from other sugar centres of the north by its distinctive Mediterranean flavour - a legacy of an influx of Italians, Basques and Spaniards who migrated in the twilight of the nineteenth century to work in the canefields.

The "Hinchinbrook Heritage Walk" is a concept that allows locals and visitors alike to walk and drive around the townships of Ingham and Halifax to gain some insight into the rich heritage of these two townships. At each designated heritage site, there is a sign post illustrating the historical significance of the particular site.

The designated heritage sites within the Shire are Shire Hall, Lee’s Hotel, Old Ingham Cemetery, Memorial Gardens, East Ingham Hotel, Ingham Decorating Service, Italian Hospital, Noorla Hotel, The Station Hotel, Victoria Mill and Church, Halifax Police Station, Mafeking Tree, Herbert River Museum and Gallery, New Ingham Cemetery.

Hinchinbrook National Park on Hinchinbrook Island offers isolation and experience of wilderness. Hinchinbrook is one of Australia’s most impressive and rugged continental islands and the challenging Thorsborne Trail is one of the world’s most popular wilderness walks. Hinchinbrook Channel, which separates the island from the mainland, is renowned for its variety of mangroves and its dugong population. On the island, take a short walk from Macushla to Cape Richards (Resort), to North Shepherd Bay or South Shepherd Bay. Trek along the remote east coast (Thorsborne Trail) for four to seven days or explore the island’s coastline by sea kayak, bush camping along the way. (Book your campsite early to avoid disappointment.)

The Historic Ambulance Centre dates back to 1903 and was restored and reopened to the public 100 years from its first opening. The centre was the first ambulance station outside of Brisbane and houses a wonderful collection of vehicles, uniforms and an enormous number of log books recording the cases treated by ambulance officers during the past 100 years. The centre is open on Sundays and at other times by appointment.

Horseshoe B Longhorns - Texas Longhorn Wagon Tours. Situated just 10 kilometres from Charters Towers and 2009 North Queensland Tourism Award winner.

Join them on a horse drawn western canvas covered wagon ride and see the largest herd of purebred Texas Longhorns in the country; direct descendents of the 'wild west' cattle that walked the great cattle drives from Texas to Kansas, Montana and other northern markets in the late 1800's.

On the wagon ride you will see magnificent trophy steers as well as the longest horned Texas Longhorn steer in Australia. The wagon ride also gives people a chance to see kangaroos and other native animals from the back of the covered wagon while travelling quietly through the bush drawn by a pair of magnificent 'gentle giant' draft horses; you will also learn some of the interesting history of these famous cattle.

Before the wagon ride enjoy a hearty 'bush smoko' at the Leahton Park homestead then join renowned saddle maker Michael Bethel on a demo/tour of the Bethel Saddle custom saddle shop. There is nowhere else in Australia that you can do this - a truly unique experience.

Horseshoe Bay is the largest bay on Magnetic Island. Ideal for watersports, almost every watercraft imaginable is available for hire as well as being a departure point for sailing, cruising, fishing and kayak trips. Here too, you can experience swimming on horseback. There is also a new safe swimming enclosure.

Normally several fishing boats can be seen anchored at the eastern end of the bay making ready for their trip out to the Great Barrier Reef.

Also, just a few hundred metres from the main roads, in the Horseshoe Bay Lagoon Environmental Park. If you approach quietly you may see some of the many water birds which frequent this fresh water lagoon especially after a wet season.

Horseshoe Bay Beachfront is considered the tourist strip of the Island, with a substantial array of restaurants, cafes, and bars with live entertainment. The area is also great for families with playground facilities and sheltered picnic tables.

In Girringun National Park you'll find Wallaman Falls - the largest single drop waterfall in Australia, tumbling 305 metres through a rainbow-fringed cloud of mist into a large pool. Before setting out on your walk, take a moment to stand at the lookout (near the carpark) and gaze at the majestic white water dropping between sheer cliffs.

On the first day (23.3 kilometres) the walk follows an old forestry track through a range of landscapes including she-oak dominated country, open forest and rainforest. You will pass by Garrawalt Creek and Flagstone Creek before camping at the Pack Trail campsite.

The second day of the walk (13.9 kilometres) begins on part of the Dalrymple Track,at the base of the hill you will pass through a big scrubby gully before the turn-off to the campsite at Stony Creek.

On the third day (19.6 kilometres) enjoy a walk through open forest along the high banks of the Herbert River.

The Jambal Walk begins at Blencoe Falls, a spectacular three-tiered waterfall, which cascades 300 metres down into the Herbert River Gorge below. Situated in the drier savanna woodlands, hoop pines grow on the rocky outcrops around the falls.

As you walk, look for emus and kangaroos resting from the heat and listen for laughing kookaburras or screeching sulphur-crested cockatoos. This country is rugged and one of extremes. With the arrival of the wet season, the countryside is inundated with water and the plants spring back to life.

The track then winds its way to the top of the escarpment above Blanket Creek before dropping steeply onto the banks of the Herbert River, which is lined with shady she-oak trees. After enjoying a night camping under the stars at the Blanket Creek bush camp, the walk returns the same way.

James Cook University offers study and research opportunities in a broad range of disciplines, whilst enjoying world leadership in subjects of special importance to the region. James Cook University increasingly focuses on a range of commercial links to allow industry to further benefit from expertise within the University. Disciplines include: Medicine; Occupational Therapy; Surgery; Nursing; Science; Biomedical Sciences; Animal Science; Applied Science; Pharmacy; Engineering; Law; Public Policy; Economics; Commerce; Business; Arts; Administration (Tourism); Hospitality Management; Indigenous Health and Studies; Computing; Information Technology; Communication Design; Visual Arts; Theatre; Music; Education; Journalism; Psychology; Social Work; Community Welfare; Languages; Environmental Studies; Photography. For a full list of faculties, bachelor, post graduate degrees and masters programs refer to the web site.

James Cook University also has a number of facilities available for use by the public including tennis courts, swimming pool, fitness centre, squash courts, ovals, football field and amenities block. Refer to the Visitor Information section on the web site for contact details.

Jourama Falls in Paluma Range National Park is a popular camping and picnic area beside rainforest fringed Waterview Creek.

The walking track winds along the creek and down into the rainforest where you walk through the rocky creek bed to the other side with the aid of a fixed chain. The track then climbs above the gorge to two lookouts about half a kilometre apart. There are breathtaking views of the waterfall cascading over salmon coloured granite cliffs.

There are numerous opportunities to swim in the waterholes along the walk.

Jourama Falls, Paluma National Park and other cascades and rapids on Waterview Creek are fed by streams flowing down from higher slopes. No wonder Paluma National Park is World Heritage-listed. The buff-breasted paradise-kingfisher migrates from Papua New Guinea and can be seen along the rainforest-lined creek between October and April. The open forest beyond the creek is home to the endangered mahogany glider. Camp at Jourama Falls and look for nocturnal animals such as northern brown bandicoots and amethystine pythons. Stroll along the one and a half kilometre track to view the falls, creek and surrounding rainforest. Look for the distinctive red flowers of weeping bottlebrush trees overhanging the creek, which attract the brilliant blue Ulysses butterfly.

The Juwun Walk starts at Blencoe Falls in Girringun National Park, a spectacular three-tiered waterfall, which cascades 300 metres down into the Herbert River Gorge below.

The walk follows the Herbert River downstream to Yamanie, with no designated walking track in the gorge. Be aware that beyond Blanket Creek, no designated bush camping sites have been identified.

As you walk, look for emus and kangaroos resting from the heat and listen for laughing kookaburras or screeching sulphur-crested cockatoos. On the track to Big W, keep a lookout for bird life such as shags, cormorants and sea eagles that reside in the gorge.

The Juwun Walk passes through the traditional lands of three Aboriginal groups - the Warrgamay, Warungnu and Girramay. All of the Wet Tropic Great!Walk tracks have been given language names by the Traditional Owners. They hope you will enjoy the walk and respect this sacred place.

This walk is part of the Misty Mountain Trails network, situated between the towns of Innisfail, Tully, Ravenshoe and Millaa Millaa. The Koolmoon Creek Track is a long distance walk between Cochable Creek on the coastal lowlands and Ravenshoe on the tablelands. A section of the Koolmoon Creek track follows the Jirrbal Aboriginal people's traditional pathway; the Djilgarrin track, and is recommended for fit and experienced walkers.

The track can be very steep in places and the Djilgarrin section entails numerous stream crossings. The walk offers a range of streams, swimming pools, waterfalls, panoramic scenic vistas, contrasting types of rainforest and a challenging wilderness experience.

Views of Elizabeth Grant Falls cascading over 300 metres onto Koolmoon Creek, can be experienced from a lookout 4.2 kilometres return off the Koolmoon Creek track. From this track you can access Little Millstream Falls in Millstream National Park.

Lake Paluma is an attractive lake surrounded by World Heritage Rainforest. It provides a water supply for approximately one third of the year. Access is via a 12 kilometres gravel road just past the Paluma township. There are weather proof shelters for day use with barbecues and camping sites for longer stays. All rubbish taken in must be removed, and no domestic animals are allowed.

Swimming and non-motorised vessels are allowed. If you are lucky you may see a platypus, peregrine falcon or eastern water dragon. Due to the popularity of Lake Paluma as a camping destination, there are a limited number of camp sites available and you must pre-book a permit.

Owned by NQ Water, Lake Ross stores over 200,000 million litres of water and supplies up to 80 per cent of the region's potable water supply. The dam wall stretches 8.3 kilometres across the Ross River floodplain (longest in the Southern Hemisphere) providing an additional flood mitigation benefit to the downstream community.

In recognition of its habitat values, Lake Ross is listed as a Wetland of National Significance. The extensive shallow margins of the lake provide habitat for a diversity of water birds. The lake is also surrounded by thousands of hectares of unspoilt open savannah teeming with wildlife. Over 220 species of bird have been recorded on or around the lake to date.

Licuala State Forest boasts several enjoyable walking tracks. Enjoy the native wildlife of the area as you walk around the forest…the Ulysses butterfly, cassowaries and green tree frogs. Be sure to look upwards to enjoy the sunlight shining through the beautiful palm leaves…it's truly remarkable! The Licuala Fan Palm is native to the area and has the majority of the fan palm trees in all of Australia.

Children are catered for in the forest…they can even follow cassowary footprints to a nest full of eggs on the children's walk! Licuala State Forest is a beautiful place to appreciate the beauty of nature.

While you are out and about in Charters Towers why not have a picnic in one of their beautiful parks. Lissner Park, comprising of seven hectares, includes the Boer War Kiosk, Band Rotunda, children's playground, World War One guns, Federation Fountain, duck pond and memorials to grazier William Hann and pioneer Jupiter Mossman. Lissner Park is well lit therefore perfect for evening picnics. There are picnic tables, gas barbecues and it is always cool and shady. The trees within the park include figs, jacarandas, eucalypts, tamarinds, burdekin plum, milky pines, palms and silky oaks.

The park was named after Isidor Siegfried Lissner who arrived in Charters Towers in 1873. During his time in Charters Towers Lissner developed a financial empire based on mining and commercial interests. He took a keen interest in community affairs and pushed for the establishment of sporting facilities and public amenities such as Lissner Park.

Situated near the southern end of World Heritage listed Hinchinbrook Island, the Lucinda bulk sugar terminal boasts the longest service jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. At 5.76 kilometres in length and supported by more than 660 concrete and steel pylons, the jetty is nothing short of an engineering masterpiece with it's length actually following the curved contour of the earth.

Sugar takes 22 minutes to travel along the conveyor from the on-shore storage to the shiploader. The single berth can accommodate fully loaded Panamax class vessels and the major cargo destinations are Canada and Malaysia.

The jetty enables Lucinda to receive the largest ships used in the raw sugar trade. Adjacent to this amazing structure is a small service jetty which is popular with anglers who don't have their own boat. Pelagic species such as Spanish mackerel, giant trevally, queenfish, northern bluefin tuna are assured and some anglers have even been lucky enough to land small black marlin.

Magnetic Island National Park presents a striking landscape of massive granite boulders, towering hoop pines, scenic sandy bays and fringing reefs. The island is easily accessible from Townsville and is noted for its abundant wildlife and varied history. Explore Magnetic Island's most picturesque spots via a 36 kilometre network of walking tracks. Look for koalas, rock-wallabies, possums and a variety of birds.

Swim or snorkel in secluded sandy bays and explore diverse reef and fish life. Go sailing. Discover the island's rich cultural heritage. Learn about the Wulgurukaba Aboriginal people’s strong island connections. Visit historic sites linked to World War II. Look out to sea and imagine what it must have been like for those who watched the sea in less peaceful times.

For an opportunity to see Magnetic Island’s wildlife and enjoy spectacular views, why not take the time and traverse through the Island’s six main walking tracks. Choose walks that range from 30 minutes to two and a half hours to complete. There are wonderful sights to be seen no matter which track you choose!

The Maritime Museum of Townsville is best known for its display about the doomed ship SS Yongala, sunk south of Townsville in 1911 with the loss of all 122 on board. The display includes a video recording showing the discovery and archaeology of the wreck, one of the world’s premier wreck dive sites. Other fascinating exhibits include The Women’s War Two display, which provides an insight into the lives of women living and working in Townsville during the Second World War; information about the Royal Australian Navy, the history of Townsville and its port, and the hard hat diving industry of Townsville. A model boat building room, boat shed, small research library and barbecue area can also be found here.

The Museum is located on the southern bank of Ross Creek, and is just a short walk to city restaurants and other attractions.

Located south-west of Ingham, Mount Fox was created by a violent volcanic explosion about 100,000 years ago. In the explosion, a lava flow 10 metres thick spewed from the southern end of the crater and chunks of molten magma were thrown out of the volcano's vent.

Evidence can be seen of the fierce Mount Fox eruption in the form of striated rocks, known as bombs. As the eruption threw the magma out of the volcano, the fragments cooled and kept their shape to form bombs. Some of the bombs near Mount Fox are more than one metre across.

The well-formed crater is about 10 metres deep and covered with sparse grasses and stunted trees. Vine thicket is found in a steep gully on the southern slopes. Open eucalypt woodland dominates the crater area. Pink and long-fruited bloodwoods are also common.

Mount Fox's tussock grass slopes shelter a number of small animals. On a cool day in the winter months, skinks and other reptiles can be seen basking on the volcanic bombs. During the hot summer months, the grasses provide protection from the sun and are ideal nesting places for ground-dwelling birds like the little button quail. After sunset, rufous bettongs (small wallaby-type mammals) emerge to feed on herbs and grasses. The large wing span of a wedge-tailed eagle can also be seen, as this bird of prey soars above the Mount Fox crater.

Mount Spec, Paluma Range National Park is an accessible, scenic section of Paluma Range National Park, the most southerly park in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. Straddling the Paluma Range, the upland rainforests are crossed by a maze of streams and cascades. Open eucalypt forests dominate the lower slopes. Casuarinas fringe the creeks. Escape the summer heat by picnicking near the creek. Go birdwatching and look for logrunners, Macleay’s honeyeaters and brush turkeys. If you are lucky you might see the golden bowerbird – the male decorates his bower with green and yellow leaves and flowers. For a glimpse of the past, visit Paluma, a village in the rainforest.

Murray Falls, Murray Upper National Park is one of north Queensland’s prettiest waterfalls, with large volumes of water racing over naturally sculpted pink granite boulders. Rainforested mountains and tropical lowlands meet in the attractive foothills of the Kirrama Range. Information signs along the walking tracks provide opportunities to learn about the Girramay Aboriginal people's culture. Try the moderately graded 930 metre walk through a cool rainforest gully, then up into open forest and spectacular views over the falls and Murray Valley. From the top end of the grassy campground, take a pleasant stroll along the river on a boardwalk. The first 75 metre section of the boardwalk is wheelchair accessible.

The Museum of Tropical Queensland (MTQ) is a world-class museum, bursting with fun, fascinating and interactive displays. With a primary focus on North Queensland, it reveals the secrets of life in the tropics, the region’s unique fauna and flora, and weird and wonderful creatures from the deep sea and Australia's past.

The Great Gallery of the museum is dominated by a reconstruction of the bow of HMS Pandora, the British naval ship sent to capture the mutineers from the Bounty and which later sank on the Great Barrier Reef. The unique design of the Great Gallery carpet displays a plan of the gun deck on the floor of the gallery. Visitors can trace the histories of the Bounty and Pandora in the maritime archaeology gallery, learn the dramatic tale of the Pandora’s wrecking and explore displays of priceless artefacts recovered from the shipwreck.

See one of the most significant collections of diving heritage ever displayed in Australia. The Langley Diving Collection: Heritage of Helmets features diving helmets from around the world used for salvage, pearl shelling, marine science and war.

Your Shipwreck Adventure is an exciting and interactive maritime archaeology exhibition taking children on an undersea journey.

The National Trust Heritage Centre in Townsville is a collection of three heritage houses restored and furnished to period. These include a Worker's Dwelling (1878), The Currajong (1889) - a grand villa residence, and The Farmhouse (1921) - an example of an early house occupied by North Queensland farmers.

Nelly Bay is Magnetic Island's main residential bay. It is the first point of access to the island, as both the passenger and car ferries terminate here. Most transport facilities, from bicycles to car hire, are available for collection near the terminal. Tour operators also meet with corresponding ferries here. The local bus services and taxi rank are conveniently located just outside the terminal.

Most of the Magnetic Island's shopping and amenities are located in Nelly Bay. Nelly Bay is a great place to go for that early morning run or a leisurely walk. It's also the perfect place to go swimming or snorkeling on the fringing coral reef. And towards the northern end of the beach you will find a children's playground and a coin-operated barbecue area and further along, sheltered picnic tables and toilets.

The North Queensland Military Museum is located in Townsville, one of Australia's largest military bases with both an Army and RAAF presence. The Museum features exhibitions of Militaria and weapons from the 1890's to 1945 with an emphasis on local contributions to Australia's Military Heritage.

Paluma Range is a rainforest haven located approximately 60 minutes drive north of the city of Townsville. Paluma village is located on the mountain-top - a quaint rainforest township offering tea and craft rooms. Along the Paluma Range highway is Little Crystal Creek and Big Crystal Creek, both of which are ideal for swimming, camping (permit required), bushwalking, picnicking or barbecue. Magnificent panoramic views from various lookouts along the Paluma range. Paluma and Crystal Creek is an eco-tourism paradise with a wide array of wildlife and birdlife in this rainforest habitat.

Little Crystal Creek is located seven kilometres along the scenic road to Paluma and features a giant Roman Arch stone bridge which was constructed manually in the early 1930's during the depression. Big Crystal Creek leaves the highway two kilometres north of the Paluma turn off.

Camping is permitted and day visitors are welcomed. Camping sites can be booked online.

Housed in one of Townsville’s finest heritage buildings, Perc Tucker Regional Gallery is a dynamic visual arts centre and has a significant collection of North Queensland art.

It is Townsville’s foremost gallery with an exciting and diverse program of local, national and international exhibitions with a special focus on exhibitions featuring North Queensland artists. Floor talks, lectures, education programs and performances of music, theatre and dance supplement exhibitions.

The Perc Tucker Regional Gallery is located in the heart of the city centre on the corner of Flinders Mall and Denham Street.

Picnic Bay is located at the south end of Magnetic Island. There are a number of shops and restaurants situated throughout the Picnic Bay Mall, as well as a selection of accommodation, including hostels and hotels. You can also hire bikes, cars and scooters to get around the island. Situated in the middle of the bay is the old jetty, which is no longer used, but a great spot for fishing. Towards the back streets of the township is a popular golf course – often used to improve the skills of Greg Norman.

The two bays either side of Picnic Bay are well worth visiting. To the west is Cockle Bay where you will find the wrecked City Of Adelaide, and to the east is Rocky Bay which is a local hotspot for sun-lovers and one of the Island’s top beaches for swimming and snorkelling.

Pinnacles Gallery in Thuringowa is a regional gallery offering an exciting and diverse exhibition program with a strong community focus. The program includes local and touring visual arts, craft, social history and educational exhibitions as well as workshops, artist presentations and performances. Children are welcome and the gallery is wheelchair accessible.

Pioneer Park is located in Thuringowa on the banks of the Ross River and Ross River Dam. The park provides recreational facilities and is a popular fishing location. Facilities include sporting fields, picnic and barbecue areas. This park is the planned location for the development of the Thuringowa Riverway project, a major community facility with integrated facilities and attractions including retail, community, environmental and entertainment precincts.

Travel up Hervey Range Road from Thuringowa Central, past the suburbs of Rangewood and Rupertswood to find Piper's Lookout which is near the top of the Range, on your right. Piper's Lookout offers stunning views over the bushland below Hervey Range and out to the ocean. Nearby there are local tours and a cafe.

Queens Gardens are one of three botanical gardens of Townsville, Queensland. Queens Gardens are located in the suburb of North Ward, at the base of Castle Hill, near to both the city centre and The Strand beachside park. They have been called Townsville's finest park.

The park covers over four hectares. The garden is divided into quadrants, each with a central fountain. Special areas include a formal rose garden, the Herb Society's garden, the annuals garden beds, the 2 small hedge mazes, a rainforest walk and the black bean (also known as Moreton Bay chestnuts) avenue. There is also a small aviary featuring peacocks, lorikeets and sulfur-crested cockatoos.

Reef HQ is the world's largest living coral reef aquarium and national reef education centre for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. It is the only coral reef aquarium on the Queensland coast for visitors to experience the reef from a fish-eye-view. Both a tourist attraction and an educational facility, Reef HQ boasts a range of displays and exhibits designed to stimulate visitors' curiosity so they learn about the Great Barrier Reef and leave eager to know more.
The huge aquarium acts as a window to the reef revealing thousands of incredible fish and reef creatures. Even on a dive trip a visitor would rarely see so many creatures in such detail.

The 20 metre long acrylic walk-through tunnel allows excellent viewing into the 750,000 litre predator exhibit on one side where you can see various shark species and a two and a half million litre coral reef exhibit (the largest in the world), with it's hard and soft corals, providing a home for the thousands of beautiful fish, giant clams, sea cucumbers, sea stars and other coral reef creatures on the other.

Reef HQ is your opportunity to visit the Great Barrier Reef without getting wet, sunburnt or seasick.

Located in Thuringowa on the magnificent Ross River frontage, Riverway is fast becoming one of the most exciting destinations the region has to offer. Riverway offers a dynamic combination of residential, commercial, cultural, sports and leisure activities. It was conceived by Thuringowa City Council as a standard of ecological sensitivity and river management, while simultaneously providing an exciting environment to enjoy a variety of water-based and waterfront activities. With two huge swimming lagoons, the Riverway Arts Centre, Pinnacles Gallery, the Riverwalk, public art, village spine, restaurant, and parklands, there truly is so much to explore.

In 2007 Riverway will be adding to their already fantastic establishment. Other quality restaurants, cafes and shops are part of the commercial precinct planned for construction in addition to a national-standard cricket and AFL sports facility.

The area is a year round visitor destination with an annual calendar of events including festivals, Christmas festivities, New Year's Eve, Australia Day Celebrations, as well as food, wine, art and sporting events.The picturesque promenades, glorious Ross River, spacious parklands and state of the art Arts Centre, Gallery and Sports Centre are all venues used to host a range of public events.

The Riverway Arts Centre features a 380-seat flexible performance space doubling as a function room, the Pinnacles Art Gallery, rehearsal space, meeting room and working spaces for resident art groups. The Pinnacles Gallery is a contemporary art gallery showcasing all aspects of visual arts for the community and featuring local, state and national artists in exhibitions across all themes and media.

Riverway Arts Centre is located at Pioneer Park, Riverway - diagonally opposite to Willows Shopping Centre, Thuringowa Central.

Rollingstone's Bushy Parker Park is a designated limited free tent and vehicle camping area. It is a popular spot with an attractive freshwater creek swimming area next to the park. Download the flyer from the Thuringowa website for more information on free camping.

Regular community markets are also held there, on the first Saturday of each month from April to September from 8.00 a.m. to noon.
Rollingstone also boasts a Museum, the restored Rollingstone Railway Station filled with historical mementos of the area, as well as a network of interpretive historic signage. Contact the Rollingstone Historical Society for more information on the history of the area, and the markets. Rollingstone also boasts a pub, the community's landmark and a popular stopover for travellers day visitors enjoying local bands and arts and crafts markets. Rollingstone also has a beach caravan resort a little further down the Highway.

The Ross River is fast becoming Thuringowa’s recreational centrepiece, hosting a wide range of sporting and leisure activities. Riverwalk, a three metre wide pathway which overlooks the beautiful Ross River, runs along the river and provides numerous opportunities to enjoy its natural beauty. The Riverway Loam Island and Pioneer Park developments provide entertainment venues and fishing spots. Skiing and wakeboarding are popular activities on the water.

Ross River also offers some excellent bird watching opportunities, particularly from Pioneer Park, Loam Island, Apex Park and Dam Park.

Saunders Beach is part of the Northern Beaches precinct of Thuringowa. Saunders Beach has a residential community and some commercial accommodation. The beach is largely untouched and visitors still literally have the beach to themselves.

With over six kilometres of beach to discover, take a long refreshing walk, drop a line in to fish, and claim a piece of paradise to yourself. Have lunch at the Cafe or Take-Away and store under a magnificent fig tree, then relax at the beautiful Saunders Beach Park. Stay on the beach at the Retreat House or Ocean View Units. A boat ramp is also available for the keen fisher.

Saunders Beach Park is also a designated limited free vehicle camping area. Download the following flyer for more information on free camping via the Thuringowa website.

The SS "Yongala" off Cape Bowling Green near Townsville, is one of the best wreck dives in the world. At 110 metres long she is one of the largest, most intact historic shipwrecks and intriguing maritime mysteries.

Sinking in 1911 with loss of all aboard, she lay undiscovered for more than half a century. An exciting dive adventure with its coral encrusted structure and incredible array of marine life, including eagle rays, turtles, giant Queensland gropers, schooling barracuda, sea snakes and much more.

Stage Door Theatre Restaurant is the most unique entertainment venue in North Queensland. Every Friday and Saturday night professional entertainers Bernadette Smith and Phill Stephens play to a packed house in their hilarious comedy cabaret dinner shows.

Stage Door Theatre Restaurant combines beautiful live singing, glamorous costumes and orchestral backing tracks with tongue in cheek impersonations of famous celebrities. Great food, fabulous entertainment - a complete night out! Shows change regularly.

The Stock Exchange Arcade was designed by Sydney architect Mark Day and built by Sandbrook Brothers of Sydney in 1888. This prestigious shop and office arcade was built for local civic leader and businessman Alexander Malcolm. Known then as the Royal Arcade, it housed the Charters Towers Stock Exchange from 1890. It was one of Australia's first few regional stock exchanges and needed to raise capital for the deep reef mines throughout the region. The Stock Exchange was linked into the world via telegraph, with three calls a day, six days a week.

The arcade is a great open thoroughfare and it is easy to imagine the stockbrokers busy at work in their offices, which have now been converted into shops. Don't miss the "calling of the card", a ghostly reminder of Charters Towers' golden days when just a touch of greed echoed in these stately walls.
The Assay Mining Museum is located at the back of the Arcade.

Tam O’Shanter National Park contains one of the largest remaining areas of coastal lowland rainforest in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. It includes a rare patch of licuala fan palm forest and is one of the few places you’re likely to see an unusual and endangered bird - the southern cassowary. Have a barbecue at Lacey Creek and learn about cassowaries at the information shelter. Nearby, signs in the cassowary arboretum identify the trees that cassowaries feed on. A short circuit walk leads you through the forest and past a viewing platform overlooking the creek. Picnic at Licuala day-use area and follow the children’s cassowary walk. A slightly longer circuit leads you under the bright green, patterned canopy of fan palms.

The Lady Bowen Wreck off Mission Beach is a 220ft schooner now over 100 years old. A converted paddle steamer, she now rests in 34 metres and has become a reef in itself hosting magnificent coral formations and awesome marine life. You are likely to witness natures finest in the form of gropers, sea snakes, giant turtles, lionfish and barracuda.

Many Australian towns boast large monuments of their most recognisable town features, and Mission Beach is no different. Come see the five metre tall Big Cassowary at Wongaling Beach.

Mission Beach is known for its high population of cassowaries and it's quite likely that you’ll spot one on your visit. So come by and take your photo with the Big Cassowary…it's definitely worth it!

From the turn-off to Radical Bay on Magnetic Island National Park, this track ascends to follow a ridge behind the bays before arriving at the ruins of the Forts complex operated during World War II. Magnetic Island's WWII forts are listed on the Queensland Heritage Register and are among the best examples of such forts on Queensland's east coast.

The lookouts afford excellent views to the Palm Island Group in the north and Bowling Green Bay National Park in the south. The park features spectacular natural landscapes and seascapes including boulder-strewn headlands, hoop pines, high quality sandy beaches and fringing coral reefs.

The Strand is a seaside foreshore located in Townsville, Australia. It is located in the suburb of North Ward. The Strand has a magnificent view of the Port of Townsville and Magnetic Island, as well as views stretching all the way out to Cape Cleveland.

Townsville's fantastic beachfront promenade, The Strand incorporates a jetty, recreational park, restaurants, cafes, a series of headlands, a free water park, picnic areas and swimming pools and enclosures.

Explore the World Theatre, a cultural complex where the unique blend of heritage architecture and state of the art technology meet. Browse at your own leisure. Check with their friendly staff for details of the live shows, movie times, morning melodies and the free local and touring exhibitions of art, sculpture, photography and more. Ask them about the 'murder on Mosman'.

Hinchinbrook Island, one of Australia's largest island National Parks, is a mountainous wilderness, that lies adjacent to the coast between Townsville and Cairns.

The Thorsborne Trail is one of Australia's most spectacular coastal walks. Named after Cardwell conservationists, Arthur and Margaret Thorsborne, it traverses spectacular Hinchinbrook Island, in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

The island has long sandy beaches, lagoons, estuarine creeks, and rugged rocky mountains the reach 1000 metres into the clouds. Patches of lush rainforest and extensive eucalypt forest descend to mangrove-fringed channels in the west while sweeping bays and rocky headlands are featured along the east coast.

The Thorsborne Trail covers 32 kilometres of the island's east coast and is best walked over 4 days. The trail can be walked south from Ramsay Bay or north from George Point. Walking quickly does not allow enough time to see the area, to swim or to really enjoy the walk.

For a peaceful experience on yet another one of Thuringowa's gorgeous beaches, visit Toolakea Beach and bring the whole family for a relaxing day out! Enjoy a picnic lunch or spend a relaxing few hours fishing from the beach. This beach is also very quiet which is perfect for birdwatchers.

Somewhat more isolated, Toomulla Beach is a great place for birdwatchers. It also boasts a boat ramp and great camping spot for the whole family to enjoy, and is designated for limited free tent and vehicle camping. Download the free flyer from the Thuringowa website for more information on free camping.

Local lore has it that an Aboriginal boy named Jupiter first discovered gold at the foot of Towers Hill in December 1871. Since the discovery of gold, the hills' three peaks have been subject to much use, predominately as a mining site. The early telegraph route to Cardwell passed overhead, and the valley below was used for ordinance storage during World War II.

It is the site of the first gold discovery - look for the monument at the base of the Hill. Follow the road and uncover the stories of the Hill from the informative storyboards along the way. There's "Jupiter's Luck", "the Seismograph Station", and "Clark's Gold Mine". Discover the World War II bunkers, there are 30 of them. A track at the summit leads off to the ruins of the Pyrites Works.

Towers Hill Lookout also has many interesting and factual storyboards, so you can learn about the region's colourful past. Towers Hill comes to life in the evening with a film screened in the Amphitheatre, called Ghosts after Dark. This film reveals the story of the history of Charters Towers, in which ghosts of their past have a starring role. Admission fees for Ghosts after Dark apply.

The Townsville Museum and Historical Society has two large exhibition halls displaying artefacts relating to Townsville's medical, artistic, technological and social history. It is located in the suburb of Currajong, in the former Traffic Training Centre building. As well as its extensive artefact collections, the Museum also owns a large number of photographs and plans of Townsville and a more limited collection of documents and books relating to North Queensland.

The Palmetum is a unique tropical experience covering over 17 hectares. It is a botanical garden featuring one family of plants - the palms. Approximately 60 species of palms are native to Australia and most are represented in the Palmetum. The collection contains around 300 species, many rare and threatened in their natural habitat. The Palmetum has been designed to display plants in environmental context to habitat type from the dry tropics to the wet tropical lowlands. In addition to these recreated habitats there are expansive lawns and water features frequented by numerous bird species. The Palmetum also features the magnificent 'Tumbetin Lodge'- a heritage building with a long history. Facilities include art exhibitions, public amenities, meeting rooms and restaurant and tea room. The Palmetum also features a Memorial to the Black Hawk Disaster.

The Townsville Tennis Centre, North Ward is the largest and most modern tennis centre in North Queensland. It is located only five minutes from Central Business District and 10 minutes from Townsville airport. The centre has 12 plexipave tennis courts and all are lit for night play. The centre has also a clubhouse, a bar and barbecue facilities. It caters for corporate social functions, public court hire, coaching of juniors and adults. At the centre a comprehensive junior development program is conducted as well as night fixtures and daytime ladies fixtures and premier league. Public is most welcome.

Townsville Town Common Conservation Park is a birdwatcher's paradise! Only minutes from the centre of Townsville - open woodland, grassland, swamps and vine thickets provide a habitat and refuge for as many as 280 bird species. Summer rains transform the area into an immense wetland, attracting large flocks of waterbirds. The park offers excellent birdwatching opportunities at each of six observation points. From bird hides, view flocks of magpie geese, brolgas, finches, wrens and cisticolas. Take the Many Peaks Range walking track to see sweeping views over the park and along the coastline, from Palm Island in the north to Cape Cleveland in the south.

Tully Gorge National Park is situated in Australia’s wettest area. Heavy rainfall encourages lush tropical vegetation and ensures plenty of white-water on the Tully River. The park’s walks and lookouts offer spectacular views of the rainforest and river rapids. Relax and enjoy the serene, grassy campground beside the river. If you’re feeling adventurous, join an organised white-water rafting tour. Take a stroll along the short, wheelchair-accessible, rainforest walk (20 minutes).

Tyto Wetlands is a unique 90-hectare natural wetland site that is home to over 230 species of birds and numerous tropical plant species in addition to such native Australian wildlife creatures as the wallaby.

Located just 500 metres from the township of Ingham and situated just a few hundred metres off the Bruce Highway down Cooper Street, Tyto Wetlands is a carefully preserved natural environment that integrates lagoons, walking tracks and native flora.

Experience the natural beauty and tranquility of this tropical environment by leisurely strolling along the four kilometre walkways. Interpretive signs, marked lookouts and specially created viewing platforms allow you to view local wildlife without interference or disturbance to their habitats.

The area is named after the endangered Eastern Grass Owl (Tyto Capensis) Tyto meaning monkey faced owl which can be found in the Hinchinbrook Shire, one of the few places in the world where this owl can be spotted regularly. This owl can be seen leaving their grassy habitat just on dusk.

A wonderful walking track is known to locals as the Ulysses Link Walking Track. Coiling its way along Mission Beach’s foreshore, the areas Indigenous and European history can be learnt through interpretive artworks created by local artists.

Named for the brilliant blue Ulysses butterflies, the one and a half kilometre Ulysses Link Walking Track winds its way along the breathtaking foreshore. It begins at the Hub shopping Centre and meanders along the foreshore to Clump Point. You can easily return along the beach if you wish to do a circuit. If you wish to walk further, it links with Cutten Brothers walk at the northern end.

The walk includes a variety of local features - locally carved poles and artwork, a tourist visitor centre and cassowary information centre, an arboretum of native rainforest plants and, of course, the views of the beach and Dunk Island.

The history of Mission Beach has been interwoven along the walk with indigenous and historical stories expressed through mosaics, carvings and ceramic sculptures created by local artists.

Located on the outskirts of town, the Venus Gold Battery offers an insight into an amazing real-life gold rush of the late 19th century. The battery is of national cultural significance as the largest surviving battery relic in Australia and the oldest surviving battery in Queensland.

Constructed in 1872, it was a public or custom mill in its heyday and became a State Battery in 1919 to provide ore crushing facilities for small miners long after other mills had closed. It ceased commercial operations in 1973 after a century of service. Guided tours are available daily at the battery. One of the highlights is a fascinating film presentation that shows not only the process of extracting gold from ore, but also the story of the battery's working life and some of its ghosts.

Wallaman Falls National Park is part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, boasting the highest, permanent, single-drop waterfall in Australia. Open forest dominates the ridge tops. Rainforest lines the gullies and creeks. The area is home to endangered cassowaries and musky rat-kangaroos. Stroll 800 metres along the banks of Stony Creek on the Banggurru walk, and learn about the rainforest. Look for platypus in the creek below the falls. To enjoy a closer look at the falls, take the 3.2 kilometre Jinda walk into the gorge. Experienced bushwalkers can choose from one of three overnight hikes that are part of the Wet Tropics Great!Walk.

Passing through North Queensland's Wet Tropics World Heritage listed area, the Wet Tropic's Walk is located in Girringun National Park. Here the Traditional Aboriginal Custodians continue their close association with the land.

A variety of walks are available including short walks, overnight adventures, and for more self-sufficient walkers, a unique wilderness experience.

The walk begins at the breathtaking Wallaman Falls, the largest single-drop waterfall in Australia. Early risers taking a walk along the creek may be rewarded with a glimpse of a platypus or even a southern cassowary. For the more adventurous, overnight walks highlight the transition from rainforest to open eucalypt forest and provide opportunities to see ancient cycads or the endangered mahogany glider.

The remains of an old forestry camp and staging area provide an insight into the history of the area. Step back in time and hike the pack trail forged in the 1860s by early settlers.
The four to six day walk from Yamanie to Blencoe Falls offers a true wilderness adventure, and part of the walk follows the awe-inspiring, 60 kilometre long Herbert River Gorge. Enjoy half-day walks to view the Gorge and Blencoe Falls.

The walk is approximately 100 kilometres long and traverses the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Are and Einasleigh Uplands bioregion. The Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area is exceptional as one of only twelve World Heritage sites in the world the meet all four natural heritage criteria as set out in the World Heritage Convention.

At Wheeler Reef, On the Great Barrier Reef off Townsville, you can enjoy diving or snorkelling on some of the most pristine reefs. Wheeler Reef is an ideal location for certified divers, the novice diver or snorkellers. The maximum depth is 18m and the lagoon is abundant with an exciting array of marine life. Explore the myriad of gullies, canyons, caves and swim-throughs that this reef is famous for.