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THINGS TO DO
THINGS TO DO
Be sure to make time to explore the beautiful surrounds of Townsville-Gurambilbarra and Magnetic Island-Yunbenun, either independently or with any one of the many sightseeing tours, guided day trips or eco adventure tours on offer.
Townsville-Gurambilbarra offers a variety of experiences - whether you’re after adventure, nature, action or leisure, there’s something to whet your appetite and showcase the natural beauty of the region. Visit the Townsville Queensland website for more information.

Festivals & Events

PUNQ 2024 2 Aug 2024 - 18 Aug 2024
PUNQ is a biennial place-making festival which activates and engages with spaces, histories, and futures through art. It celebrates the distinct landscapes of North Queensland to inspire cultural exchange and reimagine expectations, transform perceptions and provide unique creative experiences for locals and visitors alike. The festival presents immersive journeys across North Queensland on Gurambilbarra (Townsville), Yunbenun (Magnetic Island), Warrgamay, Nywaigi & Bandjin Country (Hinchinbrook) and Gudjal Country (Charters Towers). The festival elevates innovative and exciting arts and cultural practices of the region, while also providing a platform for regional artists to reach new. The site-specific commissions featuring artworks produced by established First Nations and Australian artists were set in significant natural environments in the North Queensland region.

North Australian Festival Of Arts 26 Sep 2024 - 13 Oct 2024
Townsville City Council presents the North Australian Festival of Arts (NAFA), a celebration of arts, culture, inclusion, and community. NAFA transforms Townsville with eclectic and vibrant events that include comedy, dance, theatre, circus, music, visual arts, cabaret, workshops and so much more. Our audiences range from 1 to 100+ years old, no matter who you are or where you come from NAFA is a platform for everyone to access, discover and experiment with the arts.

Burdekin Water Festival 31 Aug 2024
Celebrating the abundance of water in the district. The Burdekin Water Festival is one of the longest running festivals in Queensland. The celebrations include a wide variety of exciting events that encompass the whole community. This includes an art exhibition that features an extensive display of artworks various mediums created by local artists.

Attractions
Photo courtesy of Townsville Enterprise
The Strand
Townsville-Gurambilbarra’s 2km beach esplanade is fondly called The Strand and makes for a very pleasant walk. You can stroll from Anzac Park at the southern end all the way to the Rockpool and around the Jezzine Barracks precinct with its coastal boardwalks and sculptures. Stop along the way at one of the many cafes and restaurants such at C-Bar for a coffee or Juliette’s for gelati.
Castle Hill-Cutheringa
Join the thousands of fitness goers who walk up Castle Hill-Cutheringa every day (or you can drive up) and be rewarded with 360-degree views of Townsville-Gurambilbarra. It offers spectacular sunset and sunrise moments (and phot opportunities), along with several challenging walking tracks.
Magnetic Island-Yunbenun
You can’t visit Townsville-Gurambilbarra without making time to visit Magnetic Island-Yunbenun with its 23 bays and beaches and stunning bushwalking tracks. There is a wonderful Koala Sanctuary (as featured in the Netflix series Izzy's Koala World), abundant wildlife and a friendly local community.
Galleries
Located in the heart of the city is Perc Tucker Gallery, Townsville-Gurambilburra’s premier art gallery presenting a dynamic range of local, national and international exhibitions. A short stroll along Flinders Street will have you at Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts, a wonderful gallery for independent, experimental contemporary art.
Other sights to see
- Town Common Wetlands - enjoy some bird watching
- Cape Pallarenda Conservation Park – discover its role in WWII
- Museum of Tropical Queensland - learn about the HMS Pandora
- Museum of Underwater Art - series of installations and sculptures within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

MAGGIE ISLAND-YUNBENUN BUS TOUR
Sit back and relax on a comfortable air-conditioned bus and experience the island through the eyes of a local guide. Learn about its history, geography, wildlife, folklore and discover the secret spots that only locals know about. This tour has been developed from the combined knowledge of over 40 years of experience of visiting and living on ‘Maggie’. Approx. 5 hours duration.

WHALE WATCHING TOUR
Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity to see the gentle giants of the sea when the waters off Townsville-Gurambilbarra come alive with the annual migration of the majestic Humpback Whales. Mid-July to August is the prime time for whale watching and this cruise is the perfect opportunity to enjoy an encounter with these beautiful mammals, which love to show off with breaches, tail slapping and even a close-up wink when they are feeling extra curious! Enjoy a 3-hour SeaLink ferry cruise with commentary, delicious morning or afternoon tea and two decks with spacious indoor and outdoor viewing areas.
To book: call SeaLink on 1300 MAGGIE (1300 624 443) or visit sealinkqld.com.au