Townsville

Description

Located on the north-eastern coast of Queensland is the largest urban centre north of the Sunshine Coast, the vibrant city of Townsville. It is the gateway to the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef, national parks, sandy beaches, tropical islands, wet tropics rainforest, outback experiences, and so much more. Townsville offers a wide variety of activities, and is therefore a great holiday destination for families. The city is perfect for those looking to relax, as well as for individuals looking for an action packed vacation. This must-see destination in North Queensland is welcoming and definitely offers unique experiences. Muslim visitors will find it quite difficult to locate Muslim-friendly facilities in Townsville. They will only be able to find one mosque in Townsville, and finding Halal restaurants in Townsville will also not be so easy. 

Townsville has numerous attractions which are family-friendly. One such attraction is Reef HQ; the world’s largest living coral reef aquarium. Home to numerous marine creatures like sharks and turtles, this aquarium also has numerous recreated reefs which aim to showcase the unique and extraordinary features of the Great Barrier Reef. The exhibits found here are entertaining and interactive, and will keep kids and adults occupied for hours.

Located right next to Reef HQ is the Cultural Centre. This is the ideal place for those seeking to educate themselves on the Aboriginal Tribes of the area. Packed to the brim with cultural artefacts, the Cultural Centre is definitely a must-visit.

Another must-visit family-friendly attraction is the Billabong Sanctuary. This wildlife park is home to over a 100 species of Australian animals. Situated on 25 acres of natural bushland, the Billabong Sanctuary is said to be Australia's best interactive wildlife experience. The focus of this wildlife sanctuary is to conserve and preserve native species and therefore educates all its visitors, no matter what their ages, on these subjects. Visitors here will get to observe numerous animals interacting with each other in their own habitats. Some of the animals, birds and reptiles found here can also be fed and held. Visitors are encouraged to hold a cuddly koala, to hug a wombat and to even pose for pictures with a python. This is the perfect place for families and animal lovers.

To get a breathtaking view of the city and its surroundings, tourists must walk to the top of Castle Hill. This heritage-listed granite monolith stands at almost 300 metres above sea level and is said to dominate the Townsville skyline.

For those seeking action-packed recreational activities, Townsville is definitely the ideal place. Visitors can go skydiving, jet skiing, surfing, snorkeling, off road driving and much more. While in Townsville, a day trip to Magnetic Island is also a must. Located just 8 kilometres offshore from Townsville, this island has a number of attractions and is a wildlife haven.

Nearby Airports

The nearest airport to Townsville is Townsville Airport, which is located about 10 kilometres from the center of Townsville. This airport however only offers domestic flights. For international flights visitors will have to travel approximately 356 kilometres away to the Cairns Airport.

Halal Restaurants

There are a couple of Halal restaurants in Townsville. The Nando’s restaurant located on Thuringowa Drive is said to serve Halal food. Muslim visitors can also make inquiries regarding restaurants that serve Halal food in Townsville, at the local mosque. They must be aware that some restaurants claiming to be Halal also serve alcohol.

Mosques

There is one known mosque in Townsville. The Townsville Mosque is located on Ross River Road and is also said to have Jumu’ah prayers on Fridays. Muslim tourists can also make inquiries about other prayer areas in Townsville, here.

Things to Do and See in Townsville

• Museum of Tropical Queensland
• Billabong Sanctuary
• Riverway
• Reef HQ
• Queens Gardens
• The Strand
• The Palmetum
• Magnetic Island 
• Ross Creek
• Castle Hill