Townsville Region Guides Attractions Events in Queensland

Adrenalin Snorkel and Dive is Townsville's longest established day trip operator specialising in providing snorkelling and diving trips. They dive the wreck of the SS Yongala, and snorkel / dive Wheeler Reef on the Outer Barrier Reef. Non-divers are also welcomed on Wheeler Reef.

The SS Yongala is one of the world’s great dives. The SS Yongala is a national historical site that lies with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The wreck begins at 14 metres below the surface and sits on a sandy bottom at 28 metres. The artefacts, marine life and variety of corals that cover the wreck are spectacular.

Adrenalin Snorkel and Dive is committed to protecting their natural environment. Their day trips are ECO Certified by ECO Tourism Australia. The Vessel ‘Adrenalin’ is a 15 metre fly bridge cruiser, providing a comfortable and stable environment. It is fully fitted out for diving, and snorkelling including easy access in and out of the water.

Adrenalin Snorkel and Dive also provide Liveaboards and Dive Courses from Open water to Dive masters. They also have their own purpose built training facility with pool fully equipped for courses and refreshers.

Calypso Adventures has been operating Great Barrier Reef snorkel and dive tours for over eight years. Getting 'on the water' is an essential part of everyone’s Tropical North Queensland experience and Mission Beach is the best location to do that.

At Calypso they greatly respect what nature has presented them in her wonderful treasures of the Great Barrier Reef and her Tropical Islands. They are fortunate to be able to share this respect and these spectacular gifts of nature with people from all over the world on a daily basis. They hope you can join them on a Calypso Adventure soon.

Calypso Adventures 'on the water' activities from Mission Beach include:
Great Barrier Reef snorkel and dive trips from Mission Beach, Dunk Island and Bedarra.
Dunk Jetski Tours - jet pilot your circumnavigation of spectacular Dunk Island.
Mission Beach Transfers to Dunk Island and other Islands on Sealegs Mission Beach.
Padi Dive Centre –a Padi Five Star Dive Centre for Dive courses.
Wreck Dive the Historic Lady Bowen - scheduled tours for Advanced Divers.
Private Charters to the Great Barrier Reef on Calypso Spirit - your boat for the day.

Coral Sea Kayaking, based in Mission Beach, offer trips paddling to stunning rainforest clad National Park Islands within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Half day and one day trips visit Dunk Island or paddle along the tropical coastline.

The extended trips can go up to seven days and include camping and paddling through uninhabited islands, such as Hinchinbrook Island, the Family and Barnard Island. Their qualified, friendly guides have a wealth of knowledge regarding the local history, the island and reef ecology and they take pride in offering ecologically sound trips.

Coal Sea Kayaking small group trips offer an active and eco-friendly way to explore and appreciate these areas of great natural beauty, with opportunities to also enjoy snorkeling and interpretive island rainforest walks.

David and Justine provide friendly four wheel drive tag-along tours to all over Australia including North Queensland, Cape York, the Kimberley, the High Country, the Simpson Desert and beyond. David and Justine are passionate about the outback, remote places and history of Australia, both European and Aboriginal. On their tours you will experience the Australian bush by deep immersion. Experience the bush the way the pioneers did, find aboriginal rock art and historical places, that even the locals don't know exist. Gather around the campfire on a million star tour.

Experience the Freedom of sailing on their 40 foot (12 metre) catamaran around the majestic Magnetic Island and Cleveland Bay. Operating from Breakwater Marina on the Strand, they offer full day cruises to Horseshoe Bay, via the Strand and West Point allowing you to disembark at Horseshoe Bay. This is followed by a sumptuous tropical buffet lunch on board and return cruise east, continuing around the island past many picturesque bays and the return to Townsville. Group bookings only, minimum 12 persons, maximum 24.

Or alternatively they offer half day cruises, past the Strand to Westpoint or Nelly Bay, Peppers Resort, where guests may dine at the superb restaurant or alternatively a short walk into the village where there are other dining and takeaway alternatives. Return cruise via Port area down Ross Creek and return to the Marina. Group bookings only, minimum 12 persons, maximum 24.

Snack or afternoon teas and light refreshments included in both tours.

They specialise in private charters: have your own party onboard, private charters for business or pleasure, for up to 24 persons with or without complete catering, for any type of party or business luncheon. Hens party, sunset cruises their specialty!

Kookaburra Tours is a locally owned and operated tour business based in Townsville, Tropical North Queensland. Your guide, Tony O’Connor has lived and worked in the region all of his life and provides expert commentary on topics including local history, flora and fauna, Indigenous culture and life in the tropics. Areas covered range from World Heritage listed wet tropics rainforests to Charters Towers and the Outback.

Tours are suited to all ages and are conducted in a new 24 seat air-conditioned deluxe coach. So join Ironbark Tours for a journey of discovery to experience life in the tropics and to meet many of the wonderful characters that call North Queensland home.

The three hour Magnetic Island Scenic Tour departs twice daily at 9.15 a.m. and 1.15 p.m. Magnetic Island Bus Service utilises a smaller bus enabling them to reach areas not generally accessible.

You can be collected from your island accommodation or from the ferry terminal. Then it is off for a fascinating look around this beautiful tropical paradise with your informative driver and guide. The local driver will give you an insight into the history, flora and fauna and show you some great photo stops overlooking the Coral Sea.

Spot koalas in their natural habitat (Magnetic Island has one of the most dense populations of koalas in Australia) and view the Coral Sea and rugged rocky headlands from the roads which hug the coastline.

This tour gives you the opportunity to feed the tiny Rock Wallabies that inhabit the rugged terrain of Magnetic Island. You can also take part in feeding the fish at the end of the old Arcadia Jetty.

Morning or afternoon tea at one of Magnetic Island’s popular resorts is included in the tour.

With an average of 320 fine days a year, Magnetic Island is an ideal destination for a wide cross section of visitors.

The history and culture of Mungalla tours begins at the grand Mungalla Station homestead where they introduce you to 45 000 years of Nywaigi Aboriginal Culture. Here you can view artefacts and learn to throw a boomerang or spear. Then board the bus for a short trip to the original homestead site where they introduce you to Irish settler James Cassady and his family who were the first European settlers on Mungalla. As you view the remnants of the "old Mungalla site" hear the pioneering stories of these first white settlers and view old pictures of this historic site, let your thoughts drift back in time and imagine how it was in its glory days.

Return by bus to the homestead to experience the truly amazing Captive Lives story that tells the unbelievable story of two groups of Aboriginal people displayed as human curiosities throughout the circuses of Europe and America, the most famous of these being the Barnum and Bailey Greatest Show on Earth. This amazing story is captivated in a travelling exhibition that toured nationally and was seen by over 300 000 Australians. Interact with Aboriginal people as they share this wonderful story with you.

Providence V is Magnetic Island's own tall ship, a classic 62-feet gaff-rigged schooner, built as a replica of the Gloucestershire schooners, the first boats to sail in the America's Cup in the 1870s. She is a family owned vessel and is moored at Peppers Blue on Blue marina at Nelly Bay on Magnetic Island. Welcome aboard for a day cruise where they'll stop for a snorkel at the island's most magnificent fringing reef before sailing to a secluded beach where you are taken ashore with a gourmet picnic to laze around the granite-bouldered, hoop-pined wonderland of Magnetic Island.

Or, you can join in for sunset nibbles and a complimentary glass of champagne. Why not charter them to an island of your choice - they are only a hop, skip and a wave from the pristine Greater Palm group including Orpheus and Pelorus where the coral is as good as it gets on the Great Barrier Reef. Get together a group of friends or two families for a private charter.

Remote Area Dive offers personalised dive courses/fun diving trips combined with camping safaris on tropical island paradises. The Northern most islands in the Palm Island group, Pelorus Island and Orpheus Island National Park are tropical wonderlands. The waters surrounding them are home to 310 of the regions 360 coral species and also a huge variety of fish and invertebrates. In the winter months, manta rays and humpback whales pass by the island on their migratory route, some even coming within metres of the boat.

Their dive courses are flexible to meet everyone's needs with after hours and executive classes. All courses are personalised with small student to instructor ratios to ensure every student gets the best training possible and their guarantee is that they will do everything possible to make you feel comfortable in the water.

Come aboard the River Rat, a purpose built vessel that allows you to safely watch the wild crocodiles as you explore the unique ecosystem of the Hull River Estuary. During the next three hours, help set the traps for crabs, or sit back and relax as you cruise down the river during daylight. See crocodiles, sea eagles, kingfishers and more in their natural habitat. Learn tales of their existence, with the knowledgeable local skipper answering questions you may have. At sunset, disembark at Hull Heads and enjoy the delicious baguettes available and complimentary tea or coffee. Cruise back up the river in darkness, with conditions now perfect for the much anticipated crocodile spotting. Help check the crab pots, possibly returning from the cruise with a 'Queensland Muddy'.

“We take only photos and leave only footprints”
Magnetic Island Sea Kayaks is one of the oldest running operations on the east coast established in 1993, they operate the Island's only Advanced Ecotourism Certified tour and the regions first Australian Climate Action Business.

Discover World Heritage Magnetic Island's National and Marine Parks from the quiet of your kayak on their fun and adventurous multi-award winning tours. Paddle within metres of huge granite boulders to marvel at the coastline's rugged beauty. Drift over sea grass beds and coral gardens without disturbing the environment to view nature in the wild on the Island's most informative and only true environmentally friendly tour.

“View Nature in the Wild” on Magnetic Island's only environmentally friendly tours as you discover its World Heritage National and Marine Park from the quiet of your kayak.

Choose from a Morning Tour including tropical breakfast on a secluded, picturesque beach, or reflect over your day with a leisurely paddle and a drink on their Sunset Tour.

With two statewide Tourism Awards and 10 North Queensland Awards, Tropicana uses its unique signature stretch Jeeps to showcase Magnetic Island and Townsville in a very special and totally unique way. Expert driver/guides include (or recently include) Marine Biologists, an Environmental Scientist, a White Water Rafting and Kayaking Instructor, a Geologist, a Zoologist, a professional Cabaret entertainer but most importantly they are all authentic Aussie Characters. Cross training has produced an amazing array of skills amongst the guides and they are all experts at fun.

To miss this is to miss experiencing Tropical North Queensland in all is glory with local guides. Smell the Frangipanis as you sit back in luxury at a relaxed pace that enables you to be amazed by the natural beauty of Townsville and Magnetic Island. Tropicana offers genuine small groups, with a maximum of nine guests per guide, and unforgettable half day and full day tours of Townsville and Magnetic Island. Over the past eight years Tropicana has cultivated a culture of excellence and has earned an enviable reputation for quality and professionally consistent experiences and fantastic customer satisfaction.

Take the fastest trip to one of the best dive sites in Australia, the SS Yongala Wreck. In approximately 30 minutes, Yongala Dive will transport you to the dive of your dreams - experience giant Queensland gropers, huge marble rays, schools of giant trevally and barracuda, sea snakes, turtles and much more - it's a dive you will never forget!

The SS Yongala lies within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, only 12 nautical miles from Yongala Dive's base at Alva Beach in Queensland. She sank in 1911 with the loss of all aboard, creating one of Australia's most intriguing maritime mysteries as she lay undiscovered for more than half a century. Lying in 14 to 28 metres of water and over 100 metres long it is one of the largest and most intact historic shipwrecks in Australian a and provides an exciting adventure for divers due to its coral encrusted structure, the depth and the incredible array of marine life. Yongala Dive also has an onsite dive lodge to make your experience every cosier.