Best of Townsville
Free Things to Do in Townsville: Coast, History and Culture
Townsville has a good range of cost-free activities for visitors and residents. The Museum of Tropical Queensland on Flinders Street, covering the HMS Pandora shipwreck and regional natural history, offers free entry on some days and reduced rates on others. Reef HQ Aquarium on Flinders Street East is the world's largest living coral reef aquarium and carries an entry fee, but the exterior and surrounding precinct are free to walk. Castle Hill walking and running tracks are free and popular at sunrise and sunset for views over the city. Queens Gardens in the CBD, the Botanical Gardens at Anderson Park and Aplins Weir on the Ross River are all free public green spaces. The Strand foreshore and beach are free to use year-round.
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- 1
The Strand, Foreshore Walk and Beaches
A 2.2km foreshore promenade with patrolled beaches, a free pool, BBQ areas, playgrounds and views across to Magnetic Island, the heart of Townsville's outdoor life.
- 2
Museum of Tropical Queensland (Free Tues)
A museum covering the history of the Yongala shipwreck, Queensland natural history and North Queensland heritage, free on Tuesday mornings.
- 3
Castle Hill Lookout Walk
A 3.4km walk to the summit of Castle Hill, a distinctive pink granite monolith rising 280m above Townsville, with sweeping views over the city and Coral Sea.
- 4
Reef HQ Aquarium
The world's largest living coral reef aquarium, with a predator tank, turtle hospital and interactive reef-walk displays, a free activity on select days.
- 5
Queens Gardens (Botanical Gardens)
A formal Victorian park adjacent to the CBD with heritage tropical plantings, a small aviary, koi pond and free Saturday morning yoga sessions.
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