8 tropical Townsville beaches and rockpools to discover

Megan Arkinstall Megan Arkinstall
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Cool off in the North Queensland heat by taking a dip at these Townsville beaches, rockpools and swimming holes.

Fringed by the Coral Sea, the Great Barrier Reef and tropical islands just a short boat ride away, and boasting 300 days of sunshine each year, the coastal city of Townsville is a destination where sun, sand and sea are part of the daily holiday routine. From golden beaches to calm rockpools to refreshing wild waterholes, here are the best places to go swimming in Townsville.

1. The Strand

Named Queensland’s Best Beach by Surf Life Saving Queensland in 2021, The Strand is a 2.2-kilometre stretch of beach that offers safe swimming spots for cooling off in the North Queensland heat.

The Strand Beachfront Townsville
Head to The Strand North and South for a safe dip in the ocean. (Image: Townsville Enterprise)

Protected by the breakwater and offshore islands – including Magnetic Island – the waves along The Strand are either gentle or non-existent, which spells perfect conditions for families with young kids. There are two safe swimming spots – The Strand North and South – which are patrolled by lifeguards over summer and installed with stinger nets during ‘stinger season’ from November to May.

Tracing The Strand is a palm tree-lined beachfront promenade, comprising a walking and cycling path, playgrounds, picnic spots, and dotted with cafes, bars and ice-cream stalls. You can also try stand-up paddle boarding or go jet skiing from The Strand.

 

Townsville Stand-up Paddle boarding
Try your hand at stand-up paddle boarding. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

2. The Strand Rockpool

At the northern end of the promenade, The Strand Rockpool is another safe place to go swimming in Townsville.

Rockpool The Strand Townsville
Take a dip in the waterfront rockpool at The Strand. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

This seawater pool is stinger-resistant and is patrolled by lifeguards in summer and has a gentle slope with wheelchair access. Kids can splash about in the shallows, while older kids and adults can swim deeper.

There are toilets, barbecue facilities, a playground and kiosk open daily for lunch and dinner, and plenty of grassy areas for relaxing with views out to the ocean.

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3. Rowes Bay

Rowes Bay is a quiet beach just north of the city of Townsville and can be accessed via a walkway from The Strand Rockpool.

The beach doesn’t have any stinger nets and isn’t patrolled, so swimming is at your own risk here. However, the 4.2-kilometre-long beach is great for long walks, sand-playing and fishing at the mouth of Three Mile Creek, which is found at its northern end. Rowes Bay is fringed by a grassy foreshore and has an excellent family-friendly caravan park nearby. 

sightseeing at Rowes Bay, Townsville
Capture relaxing nature views at Rowes Bay. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

4. Pallarenda Beach

Located north of Rowes Bay, separated by Three Mile Creek, Pallarenda Beach is a popular beach for swimming. It is patrolled by lifeguards during summer and stinger nets are also installed from November to May during stinger season.

The northern section of the beach forms part of Cape Pallarenda Conservation Park, which features a historic quarantine station and a WWII battery, as well as many walking and cycling trails.

Pallarenda Beach is a dog-friendly beach; your four-legged friend is allowed to exercise off-leash – but be aware of crocs if your dog likes to swim.

5. Bushland Beach

Part of the northern beaches of Townsville, about a 25-minute drive from the city centre, Bushland Beach is a great spot for walking and fishing. It’s also excellent for young children to wade about in the shallows at low tide, searching for shells and marine animals.

There are no stinger nets here, so swimming is at your own risk, however, it’s a picturesque beach and a great place to relax. There are picnic areas, barbecues, and a beachside tavern and kiosk.

6. Magnetic Island

Magnetic Island, or Maggie as the locals fondly call it, boasts 23 bays and beaches so is a hotspot for swimming, snorkelling and other aquatic adventures. Accessed via a ferry or car barge, the island makes for an idyllic day trip and has five main beaches.

Radical Bay Magnetic Island
Explore the secluded Radical Bay on Magnetic Island. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Home to the island’s surf lifesaving club, Alma Bay has rock pools, a kid’s playground, barbecues and a grassy area. Horseshoe Bay is another patrolled beach and is an excellent place to spot turtles, rays, dugongs and dolphins.

Magnetic Island Stand-Up Paddle Boarding
Play in the emerald green waters off the coast of Magnetic Island. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Picnic Bay has a jetty and two wrecks of a paddle steamer and a wooden steamship. Nelly Bay – which has a long stretch of sand and a grassed area shaded by palm trees – and Geoffrey Bay – home to a popular wreck dive site and giant clams – aren’t patrolled.

Picnic Bay Magnetic Island
Stroll along the jetty at picturesque Picnic Bay. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

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7. Little Crystal Creek

Around an hour’s drive from Townsville, Paluma Range National Park is a wonderland of waterholes. If you don’t mind cold water, pack your towel and explore the many wild swimming spots found here.

Little Crystal Creek in Queensland
Little Crystal Creek is about an hour out of Townsville. (Image: Townsville Enterprise)

Little Crystal Creek is famous for its heritage-listed 1930s stone arch bridge that crosses over a cascading waterfall. You can swim on both sides of the bridge and take shade under it between dips. Be cautious of slippery rocks, and never jump or dive into the swimming holes as rocks and other hazards can be submerged.

A couple swim at Little Crystal Creek
Cool off on a hot day at Little Crystal Creek. (Image: Townsville Enterprise)

8. Big Crystal Creek

Located right near Big Crystal Creek campground in Paluma Range National Park, Paradise Waterhole is another popular spot for cooling off.

This pristine deep-swimming pool is surrounded by lush foliage and rocky outcrops. Two kilometres further along Big Crystal Creek, Rockslides is a picturesque series of cascades and waterholes, also suitable for swimming. Be cautious of slippery rocks, and never jump or dive into the swimming holes as rocks and other hazards can be submerged.

Safety Tip: Safe swimming in Croc Country

Townsville is part of ‘Croc Country’ and no waterway can ever be considered free of crocodiles. Crocodiles can stay submerged in shallow waters and may not be easy to spot, so it’s important to be vigilant.

To reduce your risk, swim between the flags at patrolled beaches, don’t swim at dawn or dusk, avoid swimming in murky water, read and obey all crocodile warning signs.

Dreaming of a tropical getaway? Escape to the city’s best beaches and know where to stay in and around Townsville.

Megan Arkinstall
Megan Arkinstall is a freelance travel writer who you’ll often find at the beach, bushwalking or boating with her young family. She loves reliving travel memories through writing, whether that be sipping limoncello in a sun-drenched courtyard of Monterosso or swimming with green turtles in the aquamarine waters of Tropical North Queensland.
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A gourmand’s guide to eating your way around Hamilton Island

(Credit: Nikki To)

    Eleanor Edström Eleanor Edström
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    From poolside bites and tasting flights to seafood plates and dry-aged steaks, a foodie adventure on Hamilton Island is worth every bite.

    Hamilton Island’s sun-lacquered shores have long magnetised travellers craving an escape from reality. But what’s less expected – and more interesting – is just how assuredly this Whitsundays idyll delivers on the culinary front. Dialling up the flavour as much as the barefoot allure, the Hamilton Island food scene offers world-class dining and drinking options, spanning slick fine-dining moments to just-caught seafood served within sight of the sea. Let’s dig in.

    Catseye Pool Club

    Catseye Pool Club
    Catseye Pool Club offers stunning beach views. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

    Framing the electric blues of Catseye Beach from The Sundays hotel, Catseye Pool Club is Hamilton Island’s latest culinary prodigy. Shown to our table, we thread through rattan chairs, Zellige tiles and tumbling greenery that opens up to Coral Sea shimmer.

    The poolside restaurant is the brainchild of Sydney-based chef duo Josh and Julie Niland, who have brought their relaxed yet elevated dining ethos north. The menu – designed to bring people together – is made for sharing, each hero ingredient orbited by a palette of sides to mix, match and layer as you please.

    My thyme cocktail – woody with scotch, lifted by lime leaf – pairs perfectly with the charcoal grilled prawns entree, which is served with tumeric and lemongrass marinade, macadamia satay sauce and a thai-leaning sour green mango salad. Each forkful lands differently, but all are a delight. Then comes the coral trout. True to Josh Niland’s ‘scale-to-tail’ philosophy, the fish is presented whole in a theatrical crescent, a tiny fork stuck into its cheek in a nod to Niland’s declared prize cut. Ribbons of zucchini resembling gauzy curtains bring brightness and snap, while kasundi lends depth and warmth. It’s tongue-tantalising, special occasion dining with humanity.

    Sails Restaurant

    Sails Restaurant hamilton island
    Settle into casual poolside dining. (Credit: Nikki To)

    A more casual poolside dining scene awaits at nearby Sails Restaurant, where Eastern Mediterranean flavours are dished up with an island twist. Chermoula chicken skewers and barramundi souvlaki lie on the more filling side of the menu, while the sumac squid and stone-bread flatbread with za’atar – arriving alongside pomegranate molasses, beetroot hummus and crushed macadamias – are perfect light bites after a dip in the pool. And don’t miss the garlic lemon scallops.

    The setting is equally part of the draw. Sunlight floods the high-ceilinged dining room, while outdoor tables look out across the glittering expanse of Catseye Beach. Holidaymakers in oversized sunglasses sip spritzes beneath umbrellas, the gentle clink of plates mixing with splashes from the adjacent pool. It’s the kind of place you’ll want to linger long after lunch.

    Bommie

    cuttlefish dish at Bommie restaurant Hamilton Island Yacht Club
    Head to the Hamilton Island Yacht Club for a taste of Bommie. (Credit: Nikki To)

    Tucked into a sleek curved wing of the Hamilton Island Yacht Club, Bommie delivers experiential fine dining with a sense of occasion. Led by award-winning Executive Chef Ryan Locke, the seasonal menu champions local and native Australian ingredients whipped up into a modern display of creative precision.

    Inside the dim-lit dining room, guests can choose between the Tasting Menu or Chef’s Signature Degustation. Sourdough with pine oil sets the tone for the six-course tasting menu, beautifully presented in a bed of pine needles alongside smoked paperbark butter. I love how the squid ink choux pastry is served with flavour-popping native finger lime, which our waiter encourages us to eat caviar-style. Standout moments continue with the wattle-seed-crusted venison elevated by red fruit and pickled beetroot swirls; the meat is perfectly pink in the middle and an homage to the island’s history as a deer farm.

    Pebble Beach

    qualia Resort Pebble Beach
    qualia Resort guests can dine at Pebble Beach. (Credit: Lean Timms)

    Exclusive to qualia Resort guests for lunch and dinner, Pebble Beach is Hamilton Island’s most serene expression of seasonal island dining. Ocean-facing chairs dot a timber deck that spills straight onto the resort’s private beach, while crystalline turquoise waters stretch to meet distant islands – a scene far prettier than any postcard could capture.

    The recently refreshed menu doubles down on seasonality and bright, layered flavours. While the more substantial T-bone steak with hazelnut honey carrots tempts, we go lighter: Coffin Bay oysters with Champagne foam and keffir lime dust kick us off splendidly, followed by Byron Bay burrata served with balsamic and caramelised figs. The fennel and orange salad topped with succulent grilled chicken is utterly delectable, but it’s the zingy, oh-so-fresh soft shell fish tacos that I can’t stop thinking about. It all goes down a treat with a glass of delicate Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve Champagne.

    Beach Club Restaurant

    Beach Club Restaurant hamilton island
    Book in advance for Beach Club Restaurant. (Credit: Nikki To)

    A lunch or dinner table at Beach Club Restaurant is best booked in advance – and it’s easy to see why. Looking out over the hotel’s palm-fringed infinity pool, the restaurant spotlights elegant contemporary Australian cuisine with a stellar (also Aussie-leaning) wine list to match.

    I am completely enamoured by the grilled Queensland prawns, which are brought to life with a smoked compound, local fried curry leaves and lime. Digging into the butter-soft lamb rump served atop pea ragout and parsley Paris mash feels like a warm, nostalgic hug. And dessert – vanilla bean ice cream drizzled with hot salted honey and apple gel – ends the night on a high note.

    Expect warm and discreet service; our waiter Marco tells us that the tiny decorative starfish on our table are there to help the staff remember whether we prefer sparkling or still water, so they don’t need to bother us by asking multiple times.

    Talk & Taste with Courtenay Morgan-Fletcher

    hamilton island Talk & Taste with Courtenay Morgan-Fletcher
    Join this immersive wine experience. (Credit Eleanor Edström)

    There’s more to Hamilton Island’s foodie scene than restaurant reservations alone. For wine-curious travellers seeking something a little more immersive, Beach Club has recently introduced Talk & Taste – a tutored tasting hosted by Bommie Assistant Manager and wine enthusiast Courtenay Morgan-Fletcher. Held twice weekly for a maximum of eight guests, the experience explores Australian wine culture through four thoughtfully selected drops paired with native-inspired bites.

    We opt for the white wine and seafood option. Alongside pours from Eden Valley and Launceston, a nibbling platter arrives featuring sashimi, salmon roe, Mooloolaba prawn ceviche and palate-cleansing ginger. The seafood is pristine and pared back, allowing the wines to take centre stage.

    The real highlight, however, is discovering just how nuanced winemaking can be. Courtenay speaks of viticulture as both art and science: harvest grapes a week too late and ripeness tips into ruin; plant the same varietal on different elevations and the sun, slope and water flow will shape entirely different expressions. Pinot noir, she explains, with its delicate skin and high water content, yields lighter fruit-forward wines, while thicker-skinned shiraz delivers depth and structure. I leave feeling fascinated and inspired by Courtenay’s evident passion.

    coca chu

    table spread at CocaChu
    Get a taste of Southeast Asian flavours. (Credit: Nikki To)

    Sweet and hot. Sour and salty. Dining at ever-popular coca chu is a sensation-swirling experience that’s not to be missed if you’re a sucker for punchy Southeast Asian flavours. Located at the Main Pool end of Catseye Beach, this lively hangout is all swaying lanterns, driftwood, high beamed ceilings and giant open windows that let in the balmy ocean breeze.

    Drawing from hawker traditions, the grilled betel leaf is a neat, vibrant mouthful of chilli fried cashews and spiced beef. The tofu surprises – soft beneath a tumble of dill, mint and coriander, and glossed in moreish peanut sauce. The massaman curry is pure comfort: creamy, fragrant, fall-apart meat. It’s generous and expressive cooking that I, for one, cannot get enough of.

    Marina Cafe

    hamilton island MArina Cafe
    Take in harbour views and comfort food.

    Sometimes, all you crave on holidays is a bacon and egg roll done properly and a creamy fruit smoothie. Boasting harbour views, an easygoing atmosphere and clean modern interiors, Marina Cafe is a popular local haunt for a reason. The casual menu lures families and couples alike with its all-day brekky, seasonal salads and sandwiches – from a roasted pumpkin bowl to prosciutto and rocket on herby focaccia.

    The acai bowl, topped with toasted nuts and berries, is a refreshing start to my day. Whether you sit in or takeaway, it’s a good-vibes-guaranteed place to refuel before or after your Whitsundays adventures.

    Discover your foodie getaway now at hamiltonisland.com.au.