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Explore North Queensland
Things to see and do around Townsville, and what to check before you go. Each card shows where the information comes from and when Henari last checked it.
Weather and tides
Explore does not show weather readings itself. Use these for current conditions and warnings:
- Queensland weather warnings (bom.gov.au)
- Townsville forecast (bom.gov.au)
- Henari Townsville weather, and Fishing, Tides & Moon (henarisupport.com)
- Official Townsville tide predictions (data.qld.gov.au)
Tide and moon times help you plan. They do not tell you a spot is safe.
Know before you go
In the garden
Birds near us
Townsville City Council says about 400 bird species live in or visit the region. Start with a dozen you are likely to see.
The Aussie Bird Count runs from 19 October 2026 to 25 October 2026.
The Aussie Bird Count is on now, until 25 October 2026. Spend 20 minutes in one outdoor spot and note the birds you see.
The 2026 Aussie Bird Count has finished. Henari will add the next dates once BirdLife Australia confirms them.
Take part in the official Aussie Bird Count (aussiebirdcount.org.au)
Free places to try
- The Strand. A 2.2 km beachfront with walking and bike paths, picnic spots, playgrounds, a water park and a long pier. Check details for The Strand (townsville.qld.gov.au)
- The Strand Rock Pool. A large sea-water swimming pool at the northern end of the Strand, with picnic areas, showers and a playground nearby. Read Waterways and wildlife before swimming in the sea. Check details for The Strand Rock Pool (townsville.qld.gov.au)
- Castle Hill. A granite hill in the middle of the city with walking tracks and a lookout with views all around. Check details for Castle Hill (townsville.qld.gov.au)
- Riverway. Riverside parkland with lagoon pools, shaded paths and a boardwalk, and gas barbecues. Free movie nights run some evenings. Check details for Riverway (townsville.qld.gov.au)
- Ross River Riverwalk. A wide shared path along the Ross River with places to watch birds and parks nearby. Check details for Ross River Riverwalk (townsville.qld.gov.au)
- Townsville Palmetum. A botanic garden full of palms, with lagoons, shady paths and a café. Check details for Townsville Palmetum (townsville.qld.gov.au)
- Parks and playgrounds across Townsville. Council lists more than 300 parks, playgrounds and open spaces. Its list view works with a screen reader. Check details for Parks and playgrounds across Townsville (townsville.qld.gov.au)
- Citylibraries. Libraries at Aitkenvale, Flinders Street and Riverway, plus a mobile library. Check details for Citylibraries (townsville.qld.gov.au)
- Citylibraries Riverway Creative Hub. Digital studios and the MixHaus makerspace, with 3D printing and scanning, laser cutting, and cutting and sewing machines. Check details for Citylibraries Riverway Creative Hub (townsville.qld.gov.au)
- Pinnacles Gallery. A Council art gallery at Riverway. Check details for Pinnacles Gallery (townsville.qld.gov.au)
- Townsville Town Common Conservation Park. A conservation park of wetlands and woodland, with walking tracks and bird hides. Check details for Townsville Town Common Conservation Park (parks.qld.gov.au)
- Little Crystal Creek, Paluma Range National Park. A creek about an hour’s drive north of Townsville, with an old stone bridge, small waterfalls and rock pools. Check details for Little Crystal Creek, Paluma Range National Park (parks.qld.gov.au)
- Alligator Creek, Bowling Green Bay National Park. A day-use area south of Townsville with picnic spots, barbecues and a walking track along the creek, below the granite slopes of Mount Elliot. Check details for Alligator Creek, Bowling Green Bay National Park (parks.qld.gov.au)
- Townsville Community Garden. A volunteer-run community garden in Railway Estate with plots for members. Check details for Townsville Community Garden (townsvillecommunitygarden.wordpress.com)
- Coastal Dry Tropics Landcare nursery. A local native plant nursery and restoration group that grows plants from local seed. Check details for Coastal Dry Tropics Landcare nursery (cdtli.org.au)
- BirdLife Townsville. The local BirdLife group runs meetings, outings and conservation work. Check details for BirdLife Townsville (birdlife.org.au)
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