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- Destinations
- Australasia
- Australia
- Townsville
Townsville
With a magnetic charm and dozens of fabulous attractions and
golden sandy beaches, this laid-back little town in the heart of
the tropics oozes with character and takes pride in being the
unofficial capital of Queensland. Townsville is located on the
shores of Cleveland Bay and with views of the picturesque and
idyllic Magnetic Island in the distance it's not hard to see why
people are so strongly drawn here. Townsville played an active role
in the World War II when American and Australian troops were
stationed here to cover the Pacific campaign. Japanese bombs were
even dropped in the harbour in 1942 but thankfully, there was very
little damage to this coastal city. Today an army of local and
international tourists visit, drawn to the year round good weather
and varied attractions to suit any inclination. Take a trip to the
magnificent Magnetic Island to explore the National Park, or take
the plunge and do some reef diving to discover the famous Yongala
Wreck or Great Barrier Reef to the east. Back on land go on a 4x4
trip into the outback to the west, marvel at the magnificently
verdant tropical rainforests dotted with waterfalls to the north,
or visit the mango and sugar cane farms in the south. With numerous
restaurants and bars, wonderful shopping opportunities and a quiet
cosmopolitan feel, Townsville has something for everyone, though it
should be noted that saltwater crocodiles are present in all
swimming locations here, including the beach so caution should be
exercised when swimming.
Information & Facts
Climate
With around 3, 000 hours of sunshine a year Townsville
experiences a tropical savannah climate. Its rainfall is not nearly
as high as other tropical regions like Cairns, but with the
majority of the rain falling in the 'wet season', which runs from
November through April, and cool and mild winters that are
moderated by the south easterly trade winds, Townsville still
experiences very mild winters. July is the coldest month with
average daily temperatures reaching 25°C (77°F). The summer months
are warm and December is the hottest month with daytime
temperatures soaring to 31.4°C (88.5°F). Townsville is prone to
tropical cyclones between November and May which form mainly over
the Coral Sea.
Getting Around
Townsville's public transport system incorporates bus services
operated by Sunbus which provides regular and efficient services
between major points throughout the city. Taxis are easily hailed
and operate 24 hours a day throughout the metropolitan area.
Ferries and vehicular barges operate regularly to Magnetic Island
and Palm Island. Car rental agencies can be found in the city and
travellers planning on exploring further afield should opt for a
rental car.
Language
English is the official language of Australia.
Money
The Australian Dollar (AUD) is divided into 100 cents. Banks and
bureaux de change exchange most foreign currencies. Travellers
cheques are also welcome everywhere, but banks take a small
commission and it is better to take cheques in major currencies
(e.g. US dollars or Euros) to avoid additional charges. Credit
cards are widely accepted and ATMs are freely available throughout
the country. Banking hours are generally 9.30am to 4pm Monday to
Thursday, and 9.30am to 5pm on Friday, but some banks offer
extended hours and some are open on Saturday mornings.