Where to eat, stay and play in Townsville

Kate SymonsBy Kate Symons
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From swim-up bars to buzzing eat streets and island escapes, explore all the best bits of tropical Townsville.

With its postcard-worthy landscapes and more than 300 days of sunshine each year, Townsville is a genuine tropical playground. Here are some of the best ways to enjoy your time in the North Queensland capital.

Miss Songs Townsville
Ocean views and Southeast Asian flavours are aplenty at Miss Songs.

Eat

Miss Songs

Part of multi-million-dollar renovations at The Ville resort, Miss Songs is worthy of its new digs.

a bright and cosy dining interior at Miss Songs Townsville
A look inside Miss Songs.

Delectable Southeast Asian flavours reign, including favourites such as Peking duck pancakes and san choi bao, and the setting pairs sophistication with waterfront chill.

Southeast Asian menu at Miss Song Townsville
You’ll find Miss Songs inside Townsville’s The Ville resort.

Address: Sir Leslie Thiess Drive, Townsville, QLD, 4810 Australia

Miss Song Townsville
Pair your Asian feast with a cocktail from Miss Songs’s drink menu.

City Lane

If you’re the type that can’t decide what you feel like eating, City Lane has got your back. 

crowded isle along City Lane Townsville
City Lane is a laneway precinct brimming with restaurants, small bars and shops.

Simply head to the creative laneway precinct and let your senses do the choosing. There are a range of options, including Italian favourite Donna Bionda, Harri Dumpling and Born Wild wholefoods, as well as small bars and shops, all enveloped in friendly urban buzz.

a glass of cocktail at Quarterdeck
Have a cocktail drink at Quarterdeck.

Address: 373/401 Flinders St, Townsville City, QLD, 4810

The Ville's Quarterdeck
The view from The Ville’s Quarterdeck.

JAM

JAM Restaurant is a Townsville institution thanks to Matt Merrin’s innovative menus, created using fresh, local produce.

menu at The Ville's Quarterdeck
A standout selection of some of the seafood and starters on offer at The Ville’s Quarterdeck.

A delicious choice at any time of day, JAM is most famous for its award-winning breakfast menu. Local consensus will steer you towards the Asian chicken omelette, but you can’t go wrong.

Address: 1 Palmer St, South Townsville QLD 4810

The Ville's Quarterdeck
Don’t skip the dessert menu while visiting The Ville’s Quarterdeck.

Bridgewater

The new kid in town, Bridgewater has made a solid impression with an elegant entry into Townsville’s dining scene. Expectations were high ahead of last year’s grand opening – Matt Merrin of JAM fame is behind the project, after all. The two-storey venue houses a restaurant and bar, making it a hit from casual drinks to special occasions.

Address: 2/2 Dibbs Street,, Townsville, QLD, 4810 (cnr Tomlin)

Splash Bar The Ville
Take advantage of the swim-up Splash Bar at The Ville.

Tobin Fish Tales

A takeaway shop with a difference, Tobin Fish Tales is owned and operated by two fisheries scientists committed to bridging the gap between fishers and consumers. As well as locally sourced and sustainably caught seafood, the fish-and-chip shop serves up easy-to-digest sustainability information.

Address: 2/1 Rose St, North Ward, Qld, 4810

Palm House The Ville
Eat at The Ville’s inhouse restaurant, Palm House.

Longboard Bar & Grill

The beach vibes are strong with this one. Longboard Bar & Grill puts you in front of the water and in the mood for a long and lazy lunch, complete with sea breezes. With live entertainment until sunset, the Sunday Sesh is a Townsville icon and bookings are recommended.

Address: The Strand Headlands, 80 Gregory St, Townsville, QLD, 4810

The Ville's pool
The standout views from The Ville’s pool.

Stay

The Ville

A $43 million redevelopment has turned Townsville’s poorly performing casino into a slick and inviting resort.

bikes at The Ville Townsville
The Ville is one of Townsville’s classiest accommodation options.

Overlooking beautiful Cleveland Bay and nearby Magnetic Island, the Ville’s resort pool, complete with swim-up bar, and adjacent Quarterdeck bar are heroes of the facelift, celebrating the lifestyle and landscapes that give Townsville its charm.

King Ocean View room at The Ville
The King Ocean View room at The Ville.

Address: Sir Leslie Thiess Drive, Townsville, QLD, 4810 Australia

King Ocean View room at The Ville
The living room of the King Ocean View room at The Ville.

Rambutan

Forget what you know about backpacker hostels. Rambutan is a stylish version of the budget accommodation concept, smack bang in the middle of town.

With a rooftop bar and pool, an in-house restaurant, and air-conditioning and ensuite for each room, Rambutan boasts all the comforts of a boutique hotel without losing the playful atmosphere and affordability that can make a backpacker joint so appealing.

Address: 113-119 Flinders St, Townsville City, QLD, 4810

Rambutan Townsville
Rambutan has a rooftop bar and pool, an in-house restaurant, air-conditioning and ensuites.

Play

SS Yongala shipwreck

A mysterious and historically significant artificial reef teeming with marine life, the SS Yongala wreck is considered one of the world’s best dive sites. And it’s ready to explore just minutes from Townsville.

Adrenalin Dive offers two days trips each week, and the knowledgeable crew are a pleasure to journey with. Day trips to the Great Barrier Reef, Orpheus Island and Palm island are also available.

Address: 66-70 Perkins Street West, Railway Estate, Townsville, QLD, 4810

SS Yongala wreck
Explore one of the world’s best dive sites: the SS Yongala wreck.

Goat Track

It’s not everyone’s idea of ‘play’, but a walk to the top of Castle Hill, the pink granite monolith that stands proud in the middle of town, is certainly a rite of passage for locals. It’s a short and sharp effort, and the rewards are many with far-reaching views over the city and the bay.

Address: Castle Hill Road, Townsville, QLD, 4810

Castle Hill Townsville
Walk the Goat Track to the top of Castle Hill.

 

Hooch & Fellow

A cosy nook amid the revelry of Townsville’s nightlife precinct, Hooch & Fellow is Townsville’s first small bar and a go-to for excellent cocktails. The cocktail list is ever-changing – it has featured more than 1000 different concoctions in less than three years – and always indicative of the passionate bar staff. Plus, the classics are reliably satisfying.

Address: 181 Flinders St, Townsville City, QLD, 4810

Townsville Brewery

Get your fill of Townsville’s award-winning craft beer at the Townsville Brewery.

An ice-cold beer is the perfect complement to North Queensland’s hard-working sunshine and Townsville Brewery has been a popular watering hole for almost 20 years. Located in the city’s heritage-listed former post office building, the brewery certainly delivers with award-winning craft beers made just metres from the taps.

Address: 252 Flinders St, Townsville, QLD, 4810

Townsville Brewery

Magnetic Island

Just a hop, skip and jump – OK, a 20-minute ferry ride – from Townsville, Magnetic Island is a day tripper’s dream. The island is more than two thirds protected national park and its coastline is peppered with treasures both grand and discreet. An Aquascene Charter will help give you the lay of the land.

Address: Magnetic Island, QLD, 4819

Magnetic Island
Experience the best of Magnetic Island.
Planning a trip to Tropical North Queensland? Read our guide on what to do and where to eat, stay and play on your trip.
Kate Symons
Kate Symons is a freelance writer with a particular passion for uncovering the people that make the place. On assignments near and far, she observes and absorbs, waiting for that satisfying moment when the story lede - the tale that is sure to entice - presents itself.
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Discover the remote Queensland lodgings bringing luxury to the outback

    Australian TravellerBy Australian Traveller
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    Adventure and refined Luxury combine at the stunning Rangelands Outback Camp.

    Iconic Australian red dirt, ancient rocky landscapes and bursts of greenery and wildflowers all make the small town of Winton, and its surrounds, a sight to behold. Escape the ordinary and unwind in the Queensland outback, where ancient landscapes and off-grid luxury await at Rangelands Outback Camp.

    cosy seats in Rangelands Outback Camp
    Unwind in the ancient outback.

    About Rangelands Outback Camp

    Unforgettable 360-degree views of this 95-million-year-old land await at Rangelands; bathed in style and positioned on top of a jump-up (or mesa), your tented camp seamlessly blends into its outback setting.

    Set on the 53,935-square-kilometre Rangelands Station – a working cattle property – the abundant wildlife are your only neighbours; kangaroos, echidnas, eagles and other birdlife all call Rangelands home.

    Bathed in style, your tented camp seamlessly blends into its outback setting. Indulge with carefully curated menus, personalised service and supersized luxury tents that guarantee a private experience. This exclusive camp only has a maximum of 12 guests at a time.

    Here, the aim is pampering. From tasty menus to supersized tents with all the creature comforts, to a range of guided tours around the property and beyond.

    Guests are transferred from Winton or Longreach by a dedicated Rangelands driver.

    aerial shot of Rangelands Outback Camp tent
    Soak in 360-degree views.

    Rangelands Outback Camp tours

    Join small-group tours and enjoy exclusive access to the ancient Rangelands Rifts with your Rangelands hosts. These incredible rock formations were formed by millions of years of erosion, leaving dramatic channels through the rock. Or explore the surrounds with Rangeland’s touring partner, Red Dirt Tours .

    Get sunset birds-eye views over dramatic mesa country in a helicopter, from Queensland’s own Three Sisters to Corey’s Range, stopping at the best lookouts along the way.

    Get up close and personal with this rugged land on four wheels, with expert drivers and guides leading guests through famous Bladensburg National Park, visiting Gondwana Stars Observatory and more.

    The Winton area is famous for its boulder opals (the second-rarest opal in the world, after black opals), and a stop at the mining community of Opalton sheds a fascinating light on the unique fossicking method used to find them.

    A trip to dinosaur country is a must, as this is the place that ramped up Australia’s dino contribution after a fossilised footprint was found in 1962; after more exploration, the discovery of 3300 footprints made it clear this was the world’s only evidence of a dinosaur stampede. Those same footprints are still on display today at Lark Quarry Conservation Park , a 90-minute drive from Winton. Also check out Australia’s largest collection of Australian Dinosaur fossils Australian Age of Dinosaurs, just 30 minutes from Winton. Here, join a tour through a working laboratory, dinosaur canyon and more.

    A twice-daily transfer into downtown Winton is offered to guests, where they can explore the Royal Outdoor Theatre, opal shops, Waltzing Matilda Centre and more.

    tour being led through Rangeland rifts
    Have an exclusive adventure through the Rangeland Rifts. (Image: TEQ)

    Sleeping in luxury

    After a day of exploring, return to your tranquil tent for a blissful open shower and uninterrupted views from your private deck.

    Designed to integrate guests into the surrounding nature, each tent feels like its own private haven. While being off-grid in the outback (in fact, each tent is powered by its own solar panels, with the added support of a backup generator), guests can also luxuriate in comfortable amenities like air conditioning, a supremely comfortable king-size bed and stylish designer touches.

    Guests can stroll to the open-air Sunset Deck for breathtaking panoramic views, or to the main lounge and dining tent, where books, on-demand coffee and drinks make it the perfect place to relax after a day in the outback.

    inside Rangelands Outback Camp bedroom
    Enjoy plenty of space inside, and stunning views outside.

    Rangelands Outback Camp dining

    As the sun starts to dip below the horizon, gather for drinks and canapés on the expansive Sunset Deck, watching the sun drench the landscape in pinks and oranges as it sinks below the horizon.

    Later, head to The Mahal lounge area and dining tent where mealtime magic happens. Savour a gourmet meal made fresh by Rangeland’s onsite chef. The meals use local produce to elevate classic outback dishes, and don’t worry, dietary requirements are happily accommodated.

    Enjoy an open bar filled with an expansive hand-selected list of wines and premium beers, with wine pairings offered by Rangelands hosts come dinner time.

    Discover more and book your luxurious stay at rangelandscamp.com.