In recent years, millions of dollars have been spent in an effort to attract more visitors to stay in Townsville rather than heading on to Cairns. A hotel-casino and marina have been built on the oceanfront; other parts of the city are being redeveloped while retaining many of its 19th-century buildings. The showpiece is the Great Barrier Reef Wonderland, which offers an impressive
aquarium, an Omnimax Theater, shops and the Queensland Museum. From here ferries depart for Magnetic Island, a popular destination just eight miles offshore with fine beaches, lots of bird life, bush-walking tracks and a koala sanctuary.
Although the city sprawls a long way, the center is fairly compact and can be explored on foot easily. Just a short distance out of town are several museums worth visiting as well as parks, gardens and wildlife sanctuaries. The lookout point atop Castle Hill, which dominates the city, offers fine views over the town and the coast.
Trips to various offshore islands via launch and by air, outer reef cruises and fishing boat trips are available from Townsville.
Cruises
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From $22,099.00 (USD)
Destination: South Pacific/Australia/New Zealand
Ship: Seven Seas NavigatorSydney Australia to Singapore Singapore on Seven Seas Explorer
From $23,799.00 (USD)
Destination: South Pacific/Australia/New Zealand
Ship: Seven Seas ExplorerMiami Florida to San Francisco California on Seven Seas Mariner
From $90,499.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: Seven Seas MarinerOutback & Island Pearls - Bali (Benoa) Indonesia to Papeete (Tahiti) French Polynesia
From $9,799.00 (USD)
Destination: South Pacific/Australia/New Zealand
Ship: RegattaUltimate Pacific Traveler - Los Angeles California to Sydney Australia
From $25,599.00 (USD)
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: RegattaSydney Australia to Tokyo Japan on Seven Seas Explorer
From $49,999.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: Seven Seas ExplorerSM250216018 - Sydney to Singapore
Destination: South Pacific/Australia/New Zealand
Ship: Silver MuseAwe Of Australia - Sydney Australia to Bali (Benoa) Indonesia
From $5,399.00 (USD)
Destination: South Pacific/Australia/New Zealand
Ship: RegattaSM240229018 - Auckland to Benoa, Bali
Destination: South Pacific/Australia/New Zealand
Ship: Silver MuseSydney Australia to Singapore Singapore on Seven Seas Mariner
From $23,699.00 (USD)
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Seven Seas Mariner58-Day Grand Australia & New Zealand Voyage
Destination: World
Ship: VolendamSydney Australia to Bali (Benoa) Indonesia on Seven Seas Mariner
From $20,099.00 (USD)
Destination: South Pacific/Australia/New Zealand
Ship: Seven Seas MarinerWH240214018 - Sydney to Singapore
Destination: South Pacific/Australia/New Zealand
Ship: Silver WhisperSM240215C32 - Melbourne to Benoa, Bali
Destination: South Pacific/Australia/New Zealand
Ship: Silver MuseLagoons To Safari Legends - Papeete (Tahiti) French Polynesia to Cape Town South Africa
From $22,799.00 (USD)
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: NauticaMiami Florida to Miami Florida on Seven Seas Mariner
From $93,799.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: Seven Seas MarinerTokyo Japan to Sydney Australia on Seven Seas Explorer
From $48,999.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: Seven Seas ExplorerIndian Ocean Ovation - Sydney Australia to Cape Town South Africa
From $14,099.00 (USD)
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: NauticaDynasties To Down Under - Tokyo (Yokohama) Japan to Sydney Australia
From $15,699.00 (USD)
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: RegattaBali (Benoa) Indonesia to Sydney Australia on Seven Seas Explorer
From $20,099.00 (USD)
Destination: South Pacific/Australia/New Zealand
Ship: Seven Seas ExplorerOceania To Indonesia - Auckland New Zealand to Singapore Singapore
From $7,299.00 (USD)
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: NauticaEpic Continental Explorer - Papeete (Tahiti) French Polynesia to Barcelona Spain
From $40,799.00 (USD)
Destination: Transoceanic
Ship: NauticaMiami Florida to Miami Florida on Seven Seas Mariner
From $100,999.00 (USD)
Destination: World
Ship: Seven Seas Mariner