| CITY OVERVIEW
Stay in Townsville
|
Townsville is located on the far north coast
of tropical Queensland - some 1400km north of Brisbane and some 350km
south of Cairns. Townsville is the major centre of this burgeoning region. If you
don't like it hot do not come here - Townsville averages 320 sunny days per
year. In summer, the temperature averages over 33 degrees centigrade.
Townsville is one of the major gateways to the world famous Great Barrier Reef off the far North Queensland Coast. One of the most popular islands off the Coast that many people visit is Magnetic Island - some 20km away. The Magnetic Island Marina near Jupiters Casino provides access to the Island and other parts of the Great Barrier Reef. Townsville's major centre of activity is located on The Strand, which connects the City to the waterfront. A 2.5km stretch of The Strand has been upgraded into a busy boulevard lined with restaurants, cafes and recreation facilities - including an aqua fun park and enclosed ocean areas. Walking south-east along The Strand also leads you down to Sir Leslie Thiess Drive, which provides the main access to the popular Jupiters Casino and Resort, which along with the adjoining Entertainment Centre hosts many of the shows and attractions that come to Far North Queensland. A popular couple of attractions for those fascinated with aquatic life are the Museum of Tropical Queensland and the adjoing Reef HQ, which are located at the southern end of the City off Flinders Street along the banks of Ross Creek. |
| GETTING THERE
Fly to Townsville From USA
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Townsville Airport is directly accessible to most other Australian cities, with most services flying via Brisbane. It is located only 5km away from the City Centre. A shuttle bus service operates between the City Centre and the Airport. Queensland Rail also provides up to 4 services per week between Brisbane and Townsville. Townsville's public transport system is bus-based, with services provided by Sunbus. Most people drive cars in these parts, so public transport services are irregular - especially on weekends |
| NRL NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS Ticket information through Cowboys
|
The North Queensland Cowboys entered the national competition in 1995. Although renowned as having a huge home town advantage due to the warmer sub-tropical climate that supposedly makes it difficult for opposing teams to acclimatise, the Cowboys have been perennial strugglers. Since 1995, the Cowboys have never qualified for the semi-finals and, in fact, have only won just over 25% of matches they have played in since their entry. |
| NBL
TOWNSVILLE CROCODILES |
The Townsville Crocodiles were originally known as the Suns and entered the national competition in 1993. They changed to the Crocodiles in 1998. Like many new teams, the Suns/Crocodiles got off to a slow start but since 2000 the Crocodiles have become one of the League powerhouses - making the playoffs in 2000 (where they made the final) and again in 2001. |
| WNBL
TOWNSVILLE FIRE |
The Townsville Fire are the newest team in the WNBL – only starting up for the first time in 2001-2002. There seems to be a long road to haul, however, as the Fire finished last in their first year. |
| DAIRY FARMERS STADIUM | From the City Transit Mall (Gregory and Strand) take Sunbus Route 3 (Route 1 goes to the nearby Willows Shopping Centre) which goes to Dairy Farmers Stadium. However, there are no evening or Sunday services on Route 3 so it may be more convenient to take a taxi from the City or to take Route 1 to the nearby Willows Shopping Centre and take a taxi from there. |
| TOWNSVILLE ENTERTAINMENT AND CONVENTION CENTRE | Sunbus Route 1A does access the Entertainment Centre but the Centre and Casino are a pleasant walk from the City Centre. From The Strand (which runs along the beach front), walk west until you reach Sir Leslie Thiess Drive and walk north to the Casino and Centre. |
