Townsville is the capital of North Queensland and with Magnetic Island on the doorstep, it offers a unique blend of coastal lifestyle, natural wonders, major events and dining culture.
Townsville combines world-class tourism experiences with a thriving economy and vast array of landscape and experience diversity.
Positioned between the Great Barrier Reef, tropical islands, rainforest and the outback, Townsville is the ideal base to experience the variety of North Queensland. Visitors can explore iconic attractions, vibrant dining precincts, major sporting and cultural events, and a year-round outdoor lifestyle.
Just 20 minutes by ferry from the city centre lies Magnetic Island. It offers 23 bays and beaches, and more than 2,000 koalas roam free in an idyllic tropical setting offering superb views, palm-fringed beaches, a wide variety of accommodation and plenty to see and do including bush walks and snorkelling or diving fringing reef to World War II fortifications.
Townsville also serves as the gateway to the North Queensland outback. Historic Charters Towers, the sugar-growing Ayr region, the Italian heritage town of Ingham, spectacular Hinchinbrook Island.
Visit the Great Barrier Reef, and experience the Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA), or perhaps dive the SS Yongala; one of the top 10 wreck dives in the world. Magnetic Island also offers opportunities to enjoy the reef and marine life.
We hope you enjoy our 'Life in the Tropics' when you visit Townsville in North Queensland - it can only be described as paradise.
Gallery Images
Tabs
Activities
Half Day Experiences
- The Strand and waterfront precinct
- Magnetic Island ferry and explore with a guided tour or by bus
- Billabong Sanctuary
- Queensland Museum Tropics
- Indigenous cultural experiences
- Sailing, diving and snorkelling experiences
- Castle Hill walking trails
Full Day Experiences
- Great Barrier Reef and outer reef cruises
- Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA) scuba dive and snorkel, SS Yongala wreck dive
- Charters Towers heritage tours
- Paluma Range rainforest
- Wallaman Falls
- Hinchinbrook Island Adventures
Dining (Best Restaurants for Lunch and Dinner)
Townsville's dining scene showcases fresh North Queensland produce, tropical flavours and locally sourced seafood. Popular dining precincts include Palmer Street, The Strand, Flinders Street and the City Lane laneway district.
Recommended Restaurants:
- A Touch of Salt
- Bridgewater Restaurant + Botaniq
- Ardo Rooftop
- Marmor
- Terasu
- Shorehouse Townsville
- Longboard Bar & Grill
- Jam
- The Watermark
- C Bar
Entertainment
The events capital of the North, Townsville offers a vibrant mix of entertainment, live music, cultural performances and sporting events. From stadium concerts through to international sporting events, there is something for everyone.
Accommodation
- Ardo
- The Ville Resort-Casino
- Hotel Grand Chancellor Townsville
- Quest Townsville
- Orpheus and Pelorus Islands
- Peppers Blue on Blue Resort Magnetic Island
- Grand Mercure Apartments Magnetic Island
- Accommodation styles to suit everyone and every budget
Best Beaches
Townsville
- The Strand
- Pallarenda Beach
Magnetic Island
- Horseshoe Bay
- Alma Bay
- Radical Bay
- Florence Bay
- Picnic Bay
Golf
- Townsville Golf Club
- Rowes Bay Golf Club
- Willows Golf Club
Fishing and Diving Experiences
- Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA) + SS Yongala Dive Experiences
- Magnetic Island snorkelling and diving- Fringing reef and snorkel trails
- Great Barrier Reef fishing charters
- Tours to Magnetic Island and John Brewer reef
Walking and Nature
Townsville and Magnetic Island offer extensive walking trails, lookouts and nature experiences.
Popular options include:
- Castle Hill Walking Tracks
- Magnetic Island offers a variety of bush walks over 25km of interpretive walking trails in the National Park.
- Paluma Range National Park and Wallaman Falls
- Jourama Falls
- Multi day hikes on Hinchinbrook Island
Shopping
- City : 1.5 kilometres from the port
- Castletown : 6 kilometres from the port
- Townsville Shopping Centre : 10 kilometres from the port
- Willows : 15 kilometres from the port
Customs
Working hours |
|
| Customs Officers | 24 hours |
| Quarantine Officials | 24 hours |
| Immigration Officials | As for Customs |
Customs and Immigration |
|
| Passenger Manifest | Three copies at the first port of call with one copy to Immigration with the passengers card one copy to Customs and the third copy to remain on board the ship. |
| Embarking Passenger Manifest | 3 copies - 1 to Customs 1 to Port 1 stays |
| Crew Manifest | 2 - 1 at first port to Immigration 2nd stays. |
| Stores List | 2 (Aust. Customs Service and Sydney Ports Corporation |
| Customs Declaration (Ship) | 1 (Australian Customs Service) |
| Customs Declaration (Crew) | 2 (Australian Customs Service) |
| Forms Comments | All forms listed above are produced at the first Australian port of call and then one copy of each form travels on board the ship to be produced at subsequent ports. |
| Customs Declaration (Passengers) | One at first Australian port of call only. |
Port Health |
|
| Health Declaration | One (pratique) at first Australian port of call only |
Ground Operations
The following Ground Handlers are ACA members and supply superior ground handling services throughout Australia.
Port Approach
Approach |
|
| Arrival Departure Restrictions | No |
| Tidal Variation | MHWS: 3.07m, MHWN: 2.22m, |
| Highest Astronomical Tide | 4.01m |
| Prevailing Currents | Queensland Coastal current |
| Prevailing Winds | |
| Length of Channel | 2.9 nautical miles (Sea Channel)3.5 nautical miles (Platypus Channel) |
| Depth of Channel | 11.9 metres |
Depth and breadth of turning basin |
|
| Location of Turning Basin | N/A |
| Diameter | 440 metres (maximum) |
| Depth | 11.6 metres Inner Harbour |
| Other points | |
Pilotage |
|
| Pilotage Name | Port of Townsville Limited |
| Pilotage Address | PO Box 1031 Townsville QLD 4810 |
| Pilotage Phone No | 61 7 4760 2173 |
| Pilotage Fax No | 61 7 4760 2257 |
| Is Pilotage Compulsory | Yes unless the Master is the holder of a current Certificate of Exemption |
| Position of Pilot Pickup | Alpha |
| Distance from Berth | 8 nautical miles |
| Pilot VHF Channel | 16, 67 and all working frequencies |
| Description of Pilot Boat | 15 metres in length, white and yellow, |
| Pilot Hours | 24 hours, 7 days per week, subject to notice. |
| Pilotage Fees | 8.7 cents per GRT for the first 20,000 GRT |
| 5.4 cents per GRT over 20,000 GRT to 40,000 GRT | |
| 3.4 cents per GRT over 40,000 GRT | |
| Minimum charge $312 | |
Port Services
Shipping agents |
|
| The following ACA members offer superior service throughout the region. | |
Port Operations/Services |
|
| Inchcape Shipping Services | |
| Address | |
| Telephone | +61 7 4724 2477 |
| 24 hour contact | +61 428 775 028 |
| Fax | |
| Website | www.iss-shipping.com |
| Townsville@ISS-Shiping.com | |
| Services | Contact: |
| Wilhelmsen Shipping Services | |
| Address | |
| Telephone | |
| 24 hour contact | +61 4467 707 114 |
| Fax | |
| Website | www.wilhelmsen.com |
| john.fergus@wilhelmsen.com | |
| Services | Contact John Fergus |
Towage |
|
| Are tugs available | Yes |
| Are tugs compulsory | Sole discretion of Harbour Master |
| Tug operator`s name | North Queensland Marine Towage Pty Ltd |
| Tug operator`s fax | 61 7 4721 1380 |
| Ship or tug lines | Both |
| Tug working hours | 24 Hours |
Linesman |
|
| Working hours | 24 hours |
| Port officials | |
| Working hours | 24 hours |
| Overtime | If required |
Stevedoring |
|
| For details of suitable stevedores, please contact the Shipping Agent | |
Provedoring |
|
| For details of several quality, competitively priced provedores please contact the Shipping Agent. | |
Telephones |
|
| NA | |
Bunkering |
|
| Fuel Grades | Diesel |
| Quay or barge | Quayline Mainfold and road tanker options available |
| Suppliers | Contact Shipping Agent to arrange |
Water |
|
| Fresh Water | Yes. Request fresh water prior to arrival to ensure correct ship to shore connections available on arrival. |
| Exquay or barge | Multiple connection points on quayline |
| No of hoses | 2 |
| Capacity per hose/hour | N/A |
| Tonnes per hour guaranteed | 25 - 82 |
| Type of connect | Female |
| Connect size in inches | 4 inches |
Dry garbage |
|
| Dry garbage | Yes. Request for waste removal to occur prior to arrival through Shipping Agent to ensure collect times are pre-arranged and cleared with DOA. |
| Barge alongside | No |
| Containers available | No |
| Size of containers | N/A |
| Number available | N/A |
| Incineration or dump | Incinerator |
| Facilities to transport | N/A |
Wet garbage |
|
| Wet garbage | Yes. Request for waste removal to occur prior to arrival through Shipping Agent to ensure collect times are pre-arranged and cleared with DOA. |
| Ship or shore pump | N/A |
| Sludge disposal | Sludge disposal available – request through Shipping Agent to arrange via road tanker. |
| Sludge details | N/A |
Charges |
|
| Port Charges | As per Port Charges | Port of Townsville |
Repair facilities |
|
| Dry Dock Access | Cairncross Dockyard, Brisbane (~ 300m LOA, up to ~ 85,000 T) |
| Length | 310 metres |
| Maximum Tonnage | 85000 T |
| Divers | Arrange via Shipping Agent with local providers. |
| Engineering Services | Arrange via Shipping Agent with local providers. |
Dredging |
|
| Dredging undertaken | Yes |
| Dredging when | Annually |
Port Operator
Port operator |
|
| Name | Port of Townsville Limited |
| Address | PO Box 1031 Townsville QLD 4810 |
| Telephone | +61 7 4781 1500 |
| Facsimile | |
| Web Site | www.townsvilleport.com.au |
| Email Address | cruise@townsvilleport.com.au |
Berth details |
|
| Berth | Berth 10 (dedicated Cruise & Defence Berth) |
| Maximum draft | Subject to the current Notice to Mariners. Townsville: Notices to Mariners - Dataset - Publications | Queensland Government |
| Tidal variation | Approximately 2.0–3.0 metres. Highest Astronomical Tide (HAT): 4.11 metres. |
| Berth length | Wharf face length 180m, with operational capacity to accommodate vessels up to 320m LOA. |
| Guaranteed berthing for cruise ships | Yes. Berth 10 is a dedicated cruise and Defence berth with guaranteed cruise access under established port agreements (subject to programmed allocations). |
| Are other ships able to dock | No |
| Cargo ships at dock | No |
| Security fences | Yes fully secure with permanent fencing and controlled access. |
Nearest ports |
|
| Australia | Cairns |
| Nearest Overseas Port | Port Moresby |
Terminal
Terminal facilities |
|
| Terminal Building | Yes. Dedicated cruise terminal, fully enclosed, undercover and fully air‑conditioned. |
| Meet and Greet Facilities | Yes. Undercover arrivals area with designated meet‑and‑greet zones |
| Toilet Facilities | Yes. Modern public amenities within the terminal. |
| Telephones | No. Public telephones not provided (passengers rely on mobile services). |
| Availability of Maps and/or Brochures | Yes. Available within the terminal and via tourism representatives. |
| Souvenir Shopping | Yes. Local pop‑up markets operate during cruise calls. |
| Money Exchange | No |
| Is the US Dollar Accepted? | Limited acceptance only; Australian Dollars are the standard currency. |
Transport |
|
| Closest Airport to Pier | Townsville Airport |
| Distance to Airport | Approximately 10 km. |
| Transport to Airport | Yes. Taxis, shuttle services and pre‑arranged transfers available. |
| Can Passengers Walk to Town | Yes. Passengers can walk, though distance and heat should be considered. |
| Drive Time from Pier to Shuttle Stop | Approximately 4-5 minutes. |
| Distance from Pier to Town Centre | Approximately 2.5–3 km (Flinders Street / CBD). |
| Are Shuttle Buses Necessary | Yes. Recommended, particularly in warm weather and for mobility‑limited passengers. |
| Suggested Shuttle Stop in Town | Flinders Mall precinct. |
| Availability of Taxis at Pier | Yes. Dedicated taxi rank within the terminal precinct. Taxi’s can be called by tourism representatives. |
| Availability of Public Transport at Pier | Yes. Buses operate nearby, with cruise‑day services coordinated where possible. |
| Other Forms of Transport at Pier | Yes. Tour coaches, private transfers, ride‑share services and accessible transport (all prearranged by vessel prior to arrival). |
Tour buses |
|
| Distance from Ship to Tour Buses | Approximately 150 m from berth to front of cruise terminal. |
| What is the Normal Coach Capacity | Approximately 12–54 passengers, depending on vehicle type. |
| Are Tour Buses Air Conditioned | Yes |
| Are Refreshments Provided on Buses | No |
| Are Cold Towels Provided on Buses | No |
| Are Step Stools Provided on Buses | Yes. Commonly available for passenger assistance. |
| Bus and Taxi Facilities | Multi‑bay bus and taxi rank area with excellent turnaround and marshalling space located directly adjacent to the terminal. |