Townsville Strand and Jetty

With an upcoming trip to Townsville in August I was keen to get some advice from a local.  Jan at Budget Travel Talk lives in Townsville and blogs about her travels far and wide.  Some of her beautiful photos of Townsville were inspiration for us to organise our trip to North Queensland’s hub.  She has kindly offered to share her answers to my questions with others of you that are considering a visit to Townsville.

What is your favourite place to stay?

Traditional motels line Bowen Road at the south-western entrance to the City, with new multi-storey hotels in Flinders Street West and Townsville’s premier dining precinct in Palmer Street.  But for the young family I would recommend self-contained accommodation on or near The Strand Esplanade.  Accommodation there comprises of older style motels (having had various facelifts), the new Watermark Executive Apartments about midway and at the Marina End, the 4 star luxury Mariners North Complex.

CWA Holiday Apartments

For those looking for a back to basics family beach front holiday, I would recommend the CWA Apartments (call Margaret on 4771 4718), a stone’s throw from the Rock Pool and patrolled beach.  When I say back to basics I mean, spacious older style two bedroom apartments, with open plan kitchen/lounge and Full Frontal Views – of the ocean variety.

Situated on a slight rise and running parallel to the beach, fourteen of the CWA apartments have the same ocean view… from the lounge… from the main bedroom… and even from the smaller strip window in the second bedroom.  When the kids are tired after beach time, there is just a quick walk across the road and into your own space.

The location is what makes these apartments – the downside being the lack of Wifi, air-conditioning (quotes are being sought currently) and pool.  I would suggest the downstairs apartments for families with young children.  There were air-conditioned units at the back but I preferred those at the front – remember those cooling ocean breezes!

Prices are $100 for one or two persons plus $15 per child, no charge for children under two years of age (travel cot provided free of charge).  Although basic, with a well-used air about them, these clean budget units are very popular during the winter months and are the perfect place to unplug and enjoy a relaxing family break.  The full kitchens have crockery and cutlery for six, with a shared laundry on site. Undercover parking is at the rear of your unit.

If your family would appreciate a few more creature comforts, the two bedroom units at the Bayside Holiday Apartments, a few doors away are a little more modern, with air-conditioning, Austar, free Wifi , and a small pool.  Side balcony views only.  A two bedroom apartment for one or two persons ranges from $140-$150 plus $15 per child.

Booking ahead is definitely required for Strand accommodation during School Holiday periods.

Where is the best place to take the family to dine?

When my travel feet get itchy I head to the C Bar on the Strand, choose a seat with a Magnetic Island panorama, sip my wine or coffee and dream.  My favourite girly lunch spot, the C Bar is also family friendly and open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  It is basically an open air café, with some indoor tables, so the weather is an important consideration.  High chairs, Children’s Menu and baby changing facilities are available.

Opposite the C Bar is the main café and take away hub which is always popular with some tables set beneath a huge fig tree.

Townsville Rock pool

The Rock Pool Seafood Café/Bar overlooking the Rock Pool, is best for Casual dining on the deck.  Although there is a menu, I suggest looking in the chilled food bar before ordering to peruse what is on offer.   I recommend the Battered Mackeral with a mixed salad plate (choose 3 or 4), and an ice cold beer.  Another family option is to order a seafood platter to share.  Closed Tues/Wed.   Monday and Thursday Lunch Only.  High chairs and baby changing facilities are available.  Take the 300 metre walk to the closest Juliette’s Artisan Ice-creamery for dessert.

All of the Strand cafes are family friendly, but if you fancy a different breakfast/lunch venue Betty Blue and the Lemon Tart, just over the hill in Denham Street, the City is the place to try.  My toasted pulled pork lunch time wrap ($15) that came with generous serve of plain rocket, was different and delicious.  The adults breakfast menu finishes before 12, but the kid’s one is extended through lunch.  There was nothing child friendly on the adults lunch menu.  There are highchairs but no baby changing facilities are available.  Monday and Tuesday they have Breakfast only, closing at noon.

Quirky Alert– some of Betty Blue’s tables are finished with blackboard paint, and garnished with a plastic cup full of coloured chaulk – for kids of all ages.  Grab an endless bottle of cold water from the fridge – High chairs available.

Most eating places with dedicated play areas are in the suburbs.  Graziers Steak House at the Vale Hotel, Ross River Road, Aitkenvale, has just been refurbished and contains a small clean indoor play area.  During the month of July their website has a printable $10 off any meal over $20 voucher.  Just google Vale Hotel Townsville.  Currently they also have an offer, although not on their website, of an attractive re-usable plastic cup and straw for $1 with any kids meal.

How should we spend out time in Townsville?

Everyone’s Favourite Stroll, the 2.2 km boulevard-style Strand walkway, offers plenty of ocean views and people-watching opportunities.  Remember to pack that camera.

Weekday mornings are the domain of Mums with strollers and/or dogs on leads with a sprinkling of visitors and kids cycling to school.  Afternoons see the tide change with after-work exercisers and on week-ends it is a free for all.  It all works surprisingly well, and the council provided doggie bags prevent nasty surprises of the step-in variety.

There are two patrolled ocean swimming spots (with stinger nets in summer), the fresh water Tobruk Memorial Baths with shaded toddler’s pool ($13 family of 4) and picnic/take-away food options along the way, as well as exercise stations for those wanting a more strenuous work-out.  Detour along the Jetty (near Strand Park) to check out the amateur catch-of-the day and bring your own line or crab pot along, for a share of the action.

Starting from the Rock Pool (CWA) end of the Strand there are six playgrounds.

• The landscaped Rock Pool surrounds incorporate swings, a climbing frame and a full sized flying fox.  The flying fox is high enough off the ground to preclude young children.  Watch the action first – the ending is rather abrupt and could scare some children – place one parent on the receiving end?
• Stuart St. Headland Rotary unfenced pirate playground near the Jetty.
• “Teenrager” playground at the nearby Strand Park for the bigger kids, with an attached half-court basketball court.
• Opposite St. Patricks College is a fully enclosed playground with picnic tables to take the worry away from the nearby busy road.
• The free Strand Waterpark, complete with wet slides, gentle falling showers, water guns and big bucket that fills up and tips over is a huge summer time favourite.  Closed Tuesday and Wednesday for cleaning and maintenance, except on Queensland Public Holidays and State School holidays when it opens daily.
• Tucked away down the Marina or Mariner’s North End of the Strand walkway, near the Rotunda, is a small unfenced playground.  Nice for an intimate family picnic on the large expanse of grass.
  

  Strand Waterpark Townsville

Where is your favourite place to swim in Townsville?

You guessed it – the Rock Pool.  This is a man-made rock pool with a continuous supply of freshly pumped and filtered seawater, and smooth concrete underfoot.  The gradient from shallow to deep is gradual, making it suitable for all ages, as well as wheelchairs.  The landscaped surrounds are perfect for children watching and sunbaking.  Bring an Esky (cooler) with picnic/BBQ supplies, remembering that the public areas of the Strand are alcohol-free.  Entrance is free.  Each Wednesday in conjunction with low tide the pool is drained and cleaned mechanically, effectively making it unavailable all day.

What is your favourite attraction?

In keeping with the seaside theme, a visit to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority operated Reef H.Q. is a must.  Although nothing compares with a “real” reef experience, this living coral aquarium provides an authentic taste of the reef without the boat trip.  There are smaller tanks and displays to highlight minute reef animals which cannot be viewed in the huge aquarium, and a hospital devoted to saving sick turtles.  Ask about school holiday activities beforehand.  A Turtle Hospital tour leaves from Reef HQ each morning and is included in the general admission price.  There is a Gift Shop and reasonably priced café on site.  Located in Flinders Street East, it opens at 9.30 a.m. with set times for guided talks and walks with the best photographic time being around noon.

Note:  Adjacent to Reef H.Q. is the Museum of Tropical North Queensland (Separate Entry Charge) which continues the theme, housing a replica of the HMS Pandora.

Reef HQ Townsville

What about your favourite Out of Town half/full day trips?

Magnetic Island – turn left at the river end of the Strand to catch the passenger ferry (25 mins.).  The vehicle ferry, which takes passengers as well, departs from Ross Street, South Townsville (40 mins.).

Billabong Sanctuary (wildlife experience)  – 20 minutes south on the Bruce Highway.

Heritage Tea Rooms – Views en route to a Café set in the garden of a rustic heritage house – 45 minutes north-west to Herveys Range.

Paluma Range  – 1.5 hours north of Townsville where the air is cooler, and where there is crystal cold water and lush rainforest.  The road from the Bruce Highway to the top of the range is winding with good views.  Travel sickness medication may be required.

Charters Towers – Relive the Gold Mining era (1872-1899) 1.5 hours west of Townsville.  A little taste of the Outback.

You can read about more Townsville Experiences here:  Destination Townsville.  30 Experiences.

Jan who lives in Townsville, North Queensland, shares information about her and her husband’s Journeys/Destinations/Experiences, so that others can make their own travel dreams come true in a cost effective way.  Her travel blog is budgettraveltalk.com.

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