Townsville | North QLD Destination Guide

We invite you to explore beautiful Townsville with us, both on and off the ‘Rocky Trails,’ with two back-to-back event weekends just for you!

Boasting more than 300 days of sunshine each year and surrounded by stunning natural landscapes, Townsville North Queensland is just the place to ignite your sense of wonder. Explore romantic villages nestled amongst the rainforest and discover the magic of the Great Barrier Reef, as well as the awe of the Outback. Townsville North Queensland has something for everyone!

Rocky Trail Event Line-Up

With thanks to the Townsville Rockwheelers MTB Club and supported by Townsville Enterprise, we are hosting two back-to-back racing weekends with THREE EVENTS at Mount Douglas Reserve for you!

  1. We start off with cross-country racing and together with the local Rockwheelers MTB Club we will bring back the legendary “Hot Rock” race with our Shimano MTB Grand Prix endurance race!
  2. The following weekend starts early with a Rocky Trail Academy schools competition for the young shredders on the Friday to get their skills up.
  3. On the second weekend it’s all about “Race the way you Ride” with the Fox Superflow!

Shimano MTB GP

This is cross-country endurance lap racing at its best!

With the Shimano MTB Grand Prix we are bringing back the spirit of Hot Rock cross-country racing to Townsville!!!

Race for four or six hours solo or in relay pairs. There are age-group and eBike categories. From the first time between the tape to people that have spent a lifetime training for power output, we have you covered when you line up at the Rocky Trail start line!

Find out more…

Rocky Trail Academy

Endurance, Speed and Tech Skills for School Age Kids Year 7-12

The Rocky Trail Academy presents the North QLD Schools MTB Comp for secondary school kids year 7-12. ​It’s is all about fostering the grass-roots development of the cycling sport. These events are part of our junior rider development program, which will be rolled out in the coming months.

Find out more…

Fox Superflow

RACE THE WAY YOU RIDE: this is friendly enduro racing without a tight schedule.

Ride up at your own pace. Drop in with your buddies on each other’s tyre or leave a space to pin. It’s about doing party trains, railing berms and SENDING IT! Be a Rocky Trail racer and turn up the volume in your mountain bike life at the Fox Superflow!

You can do up to five runs on each stage, the fastest one counts and there are no start orders, which means whatever category you’re in, you can ride together and still lock your own best race run in!

Find out more…


Race & venue at Mount Douglas Reserve

Set on 116 hectares of land, the Douglas MTB Park consists of 36km of trails that have been developed by the volunteer trail builders of Townsville Rockwheelers MTB Club.

The park is a stacked loop design, with awesome features, a pump track, skills park, gnarly rock gardens, jumps from beginners through to elite riders, a handful of timber drops and a timber wallride. Lots of variety for all different fitness and skill levels!

Address: Angus Smith Drive, Douglas QLD 4814

Head past the Hospital and University, southwest along Angus Smith Drive for a few kilometres. After the last cross street, Freshwater Drive, look for the main car park and trail head on your left.

Transport Information

AIRPORT

Townsville Airport is the gateway to North Queensland, with regular services from across Australia arriving at the centrally-located terminal a number of times per day.

The Airport Shuttle provides a pick-up and drop off service from the airport to/from city hotels and the Magnetic Island Ferry Terminal for all major flights seven days per week. Bookings are essential and can be organised by calling 0478 160 036 or visiting shuttletsv.com.au.

TAXIS AND CAR HIRE

Vehicles of all shapes and sizes are available for hire in Townsville and on Magnetic Island.

Taxi services operate in all regions of Townsville North Queensland and can be contacted on
132 227 (13Cabs) or 131 974 (Checkered Cabs).

RAIL

Queensland Rail is the largest and most comprehensive network of long distance and tourist trains in the nation. Ever-reliable, the Spirit of Queensland services Home Hill, Ayr, Townsville, Giru, Townsville, and Ingham every five days/week. While the Inlander services Townsville and Charters Towers twice/week.

BUS/COACH

Take the local bus to get around Townsville and the outer suburbs with ease. Visit Translink for the latest timetable.

E-SCOOTERS

For a different way to explore Townsville city, try the new e-scooters available for hire on most street corners simply using a free App. Standard road rules apply, and location and time restrictions are also in place. Visit https://www.townsville.qld.gov.au/ for more information.


Destination Information

If you like to get the most from your holiday, look no further than Townsville North Queensland. The MOST difficult part of your trip will be deciding where to go and what to do – there is so much to choose from!

But don’t worry – we’ve got your back. See below for all our top tips, ideas, and inspiration for your weekend (or week) in paradise, along with great accommodation deals for our Rocky Trail fam!

Deals and Packages

The team at Townsville Enterprise has made all the planning super easy by putting together some fantastic packages for your best trip to Townsville. You can access any of these deals through the Townsville North Queensland website, or get in touch with them and have a chat about putting together your own custom package!

Just email hello@townsvillenorthqueensland.com.au or give them a call on 07 4721 3660.

Accommodation

There are a few other big events happening in Townsville over this fortnight, so get in quick!!

The Ville Resort – Casino

Address: Sir Leslie Thiess Drive, Townsville
Phone: 07 47 222 333
Email: tsvl.reservations@the-ville.com.au
Web: www.the-ville.com.au/

Discover a world class destination on the edge of paradise – and get 15% discount off the best available rate at the time of booking. Just visit the website, select your dates, and enter the code ‘Rockytrail.’

Applicable for stay dates between 19th and 27th June 2021 – please be aware this rate cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers and discounts.

City Oasis Inn

Address: 143 Wills St, Townsville QLD 4810
Phone: (07) 4771 6048
Email: reservations@cityoasis.com.au
Web: cityoasis.com.au

Free Parking and Wifi. Pool and Hot Spa for relaxing after a big ride.

Mariners North Apartments

Address: 7 Mariners Drive, The Strand, Townsville QLD 4810
Phone: 07 4722 0777
Web: www.marinersnorth.com.au/

  • 2 Bedroom Apartment – 2 night stay $265 p/n
  • 2 Bedroom Apartment – 5 night stay $245 p/n

Located right on the Strand – Minimum 2 night stay.


Our top tips for #rockytrailracers

1.
Explore the magic of the underwater worldImmerse yourself in one of the world’s most spectacular natural wonders and dive a little deeper to uncover the hidden secrets of the Great Barrier Reef. Or explore fringing reefs on the Magnetic Island Snorkel Trails and spot corals, fish, giant clams, and even a WWII aeroplane propeller!
Our tips:Dive to the depths of the SS Yongala wreck, one of the world’s top 10 diving experiences.
2.
The StrandSync into the relaxed Queensland lifestyle with a stroll along Townsville’s beach foreshore The Strand. With a water park, playgrounds and plenty of BBQ spots – the whole family will be entertained.
Our tip:Visit the weekend markets!
3.
Magnetic IslandMagnetic by name, magnetic by nature. Magnetic Island, in the middle of the Great Barrier Reef, lures visitors with koalas, stunning hiking trails and pristine palm- fringed beaches. Only a 20-minute ferry ride from Townsville’s city you’ll be feeling tropical island vibes in next to no time.
Our tip:Take a hike through historic military sites on the Forts Walk – the best location to spot koalas in the wild.
4.
Paluma National ParkFind your own Fern Gully. Paluma Range National Park is a quaint rainforest village only 40 minutes north of Townsville. Explore heritage-listed wet tropics rainforest and swim in the waters of Little Crystal Creek.
Our tip:Visit Hidden Valley Cabins for your opportunity to spot platypus in the wild.
5.
Charters TowersStep back in time. Be charmed by the town of Charters Towers just an hour and a half west of Townsville. Driving through the streets of Charters Towers is like a living montage of Aussie heritage, with more than 60 buildings of historical significance to ogle.
Our tip:Find out about Australia’s history and imagine being back in days of the gold rush.
6.
Don’t (but do) go chasing waterfallsFall in love with a Waterfall! Located in the Girringun National Park, Wallaman Falls is a sight to behold. You’ll be awed by the power of nature and dwarfed by the grandeur of Australia’s highest single drop waterfalls.
Our tip:Explore the majestic Paluma rainforest and watch out for the birdlife.
7.
Active adventuresExplore the region’s many mountain bike trails or head out and enjoy a day of thrilling watersports at Magnetic Island’s Horseshoe Bay. Walk, ride or scoot your way along The Strand or play at the waterpark with the kids.
Our tip:Take a walk up Castle Hill and enjoy the amazing panoramic views
8.
Urban FoodieTownsville North Queensland is just the place to get amongst the vibrant city atmosphere and have all the creature comforts close at hand. Explore the inner city laneways and discover a collection of urban street art and
culture
. Meander through the Sunday markets and try the fresh local produce for yourself. Wake to Australia’s best breakfast on Palmer Street or pop into a funky café for a coffee. Get amongst the live music scene, make a toast to your best holiday yet and party the night away on Flinders Street.
Our Tip:Enjoy a local brew at the Townsville Brewery and
spoil yourself with a purchase from a boutique fashion
store.
9.
AquariumVisit the world’s largest living coral reef aquarium at Reef HQ Great Barrier Reef Aquarium and meet the rescued turtles at the turtle hospital.
Did you know?Each turtle is given a name and has its own unique personality and story.
10.
Catch a movie – old schoolTake a trip back in time to watch a movie under the stars at Tors Drive In Theatre in Charters Towers.
Our tip:Catch a double-header – two movies for the price of one!

Want even more inspiration? Find plenty of articles and ideas here.


INS(TA)PIRATION:
There are so many experiences that await,
here are just a few to get you started:

Share your stories, tag
#townsvilleshines
Official Rocky Trail hashtags:
#rockytrailracer #rockytrailentertainment