Townsville is the unofficial capital of North Queensland and a favorite cultural center. The city’s location on the banks of the Ross River and along the shores of Cleveland Bay hints at the local love of outdoor life. Riverway, a path-lined green park that traces the Ross, leads walkers and joggers past scenic views and the city’s original wharves and ports. Nearby, The Strand, a tranquil walkway, follows the long tropical beach. And no matter which corner of Townsville you are exploring, the red sandstone monolith of Castle Hill is always in view.
Shore Excursions
Shore excursions vary by each itinerary and are subject to change.
Townsville Orientation
Get to know this culturally rich city on Australia’s northeastern coast—North Queensland’s unofficial capital.
Townsville & Billabong Sanctuary
Meet your favorite Australian animals in a tropical bushland setting and view sunny Townsville.
North Queensland’s Rain Forest Walk
Explore an endangered ecosystem and look for exotic flora and fauna in the oldest surviving rainforest on Earth.
Mungalla Aboriginal Cattle Station
Discover the complicated history behind indigenous people and European settlers at a rural cattle station.
Magnetic Island Wildlife Explorer
Explore terrain, history and wildlife during a panoramic tour of Magnetic Island.
Charters Towers
Mine the history of North Queensland’s gold rush during an excursion to a former 19th-century boom town.
Great Barrier Reef & Museum of Underwater Art
Experience a fascinating underwater museum during a snorkeling excursion to the Great Barrier Reef.
Museum of Tropical Queensland
Gain insight into North Queensland’s natural splendor and history at the Museum of Tropical Queensland.
Nature of Magnetic Island
Discover the unspoiled beauty of Magnetic Island, a tropical haven located off the coastline of Townsville.