Townsville in Queensland – Discover the Best of this Amazing City

Our very own Justin Ireland has fond memories of growing up in Townsville. So much so, that despite a successful career working for a top-tier law firm in Sydney, he was drawn back to his home city where he set up his own law firm Strategic Lawyers with a quest to help and give back to the community.

If there’s one thing to know about Townsville in Queensland it’s that there are so many things to do and see while you’re here. Whether you’re considering relocating to the area, planning a weekend break or a vacation, there’s something to cater to all tastes and ages. Take a read of our mini Townsville ‘best of’ guide’ and you’ll see why we all love it so much.

The Best of Townsville’s Natural Wonders

The first thing you’ll notice when arriving in Townsville is how the city is framed by lush greenery and crystal blue water. You know what this means don’t you? …. plenty of hiking walks, waterfalls, and swimming spots.

No trip to Townsville is complete without journeying by foot or car to the top of Castle Hill. Falling just a few metres short of a mountain, the panoramic views across the city and to Magnetic Island are incredible.

Speaking of Magnet Island, or ‘Maggie’ as she’s affectionately called by the locals, you can’t visit Townsville without crossing the water to visit this tropical paradise island. If spotting wildlife is top of your list of things to do, this island promises Rock Wallabies Koalas, Brush Tail Possums, Little Bentwing Bats and Black Flying Fixes. Be sure not to miss Forts Walk where you’ll see two WW11 military bases as well as spectacular views of the Island’s 23 bays and beaches.

If you’ve more of a thing for freshwater then why not head inland to the Paluma Range National Park. Here you can swim in crystal clear waters at Crystal Creek, enjoy a walk in a rainforest, and take a step back in history at Paluma village. Little Creek is also known for its historic stone arch bridge and cascading waterfalls.

You don’t have to travel far from Townsville to experience the Outback. Just 138km west of the City is Charters Tower complete with red dirt and modern conveniences such as 4G mobile phone reception. Although it was gold that put this small town on the map, it’s the glorious colours and golden sunsets that maintain its popularity with visitors. Of course, your Outback adventure wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Leahton Park to meet JR, the proud owner of the longest horns in the world. Let’s face it, where else can you wear your cowboy boots by day and at night be sipping cocktails in the City overlooking the water!

TOWNSVILLE’S LOCAL FOOD AND DRINK SCENE

We put our heads together in the office and came up with our top cafe, bar, and restaurant from what was a pretty extensive list.

Best Cafe – Cafe Dominion

This was a hard one to call but we reckon it serves the best espresso and pastries in town. Since its inception in 1998, it’s grown into one of the most recognised coffee brands in North Queensland.

Best Bar

Gosh, this gets harder….

The Hooch & Fellow is an awesome bar with a great vibe, lighting, and amazing staff. You’ll like that they’re always changing their cocktail list and they serve great wine. It’s also a great place to sip a drink over a shared cheese platter.

Best Restaurant

City Lane

Okay, so this is a bit of a cop-out. If you’re like us and can’t decide what you fancy eating until you see it or smell it, then City Lane has got you covered. Just head for the creative laneway precinct where you’ll find a plethora of options as well as small bars and shops – enjoy its friendly urban buzz.

Donna Biona is an Italian favourite and if you close your eyes you can imagine you’re sitting in a wine bar in Rome. Harri Dumpling is another popular restaurant serving Asian Fusion food. We love the steamed prawn and ginger dumplings but if you’re a vegetarian the honey soy tofu bao buns are too good to miss

Oh, and we almost forgot to include Townsville Brewery – the perfect place to enjoy award-winning craft beer. Its ice-cold beer is the perfect way to cool down and quench your thirst after a day spent exploring North Queensland.

WHERE TO STAY

The Ville

If you’re looking for classy accommodation – and why not, everyone deserves a treat once in a while, then it has to be The Ville. This $43 million development has completely transformed what was an under-performing casino in Townsville into a chic inviting resort.

Rambutan

Unlike any backpacker hostel you may have stayed at in your youth, Rambutan is a stylish boutique hotel with accommodation options to suit every budget. Conveniently located smack in the middle of town it boasts a rooftop pool and bar, in-house restaurant, air-conditioning and ensuite for every room.

So that just about covers our selection of the best attractions, eateries, and places to stay in Townsville which brings us to schools and local businesses.

Townsville is proud to have a close-knit community that bond well and look out for each other. Here are 3 of the best schools and some friendly local businesses to know about should you decide to put down some roots.

BEST SCHOOLS IN TOWNSVILLE

According to Better Education.co.au the best primary schools in Townsville ranked on their year 5 results in 2019 were:

West State School with a state overall score of 99

Located at the base of Castle Hill, Townsville West State school is the second oldest school in Townsville and refers to itself as a ‘small school with a big heart’. It provides differentiated learning for a student population coming from a range of cultural backgrounds. Its small size also facilitates a genuine family feel where the staff feel a collective responsibility to help and support all of their students.

St Joseph’s Catholic School the Strand with a state overall score of 96

Located in Fryer Street, North Ward, St Joseph’s Catholic dates back to 1873. Over the decades it has served generations of families and has transformed into a modern and innovative learning community providing Kindergarten to Year 6. The school offers a friendly trusting collaboration between the principal, teachers, parish priest and parents.

Townsville Grammar School (North Ward) ranked on year 9 results with a state overall score of 99

The North Ward campus is within close walking distance to Castle Hill, The Strand beachfront and Queens Gardens. The school is heritage-listed and was established in 1888. It offers day and boarding facilities and a school bus providing morning and afternoon services that connect the 3 grammar school campuses.

SOME OF THE BEST LOCAL BUSINESSES AND THEIR PEOPLE

Well naturally we couldn’t miss this opportunity to plug our business but we’ve also listed a few other businesses that play a significant role within the community.

Strategic Lawyers

Led by local Townsville resident Justin Ireland, he and his dynamic team can assist with a wide array of practice areas including:

Justin and his team value every client and want to give them the best service possible. They do this by listening and understanding a client’s exacting needs, so they can assign the best-matched specialised lawyer to their case. Furthermore, they operate a fixed-fee service so there are no nasty surprises when it comes to settling the bill.

Chappell Accounting

Jeff Pringle knew from an early age that he wanted to be an accountant and have his own business which as an Equity Partner with Chappell Accounting, he has achieved. Jeff believes in communicating regularly with his clients to see how they’re doing, what’s happening with their family, and talking about business and the next step.

Time2Shine

You can count on Josh to keep your vehicle looking and feeling brand new. The team has over 12 years experience in the automotive detailing industry and a mission to save water, care for the environment and offer an experience and level of detail with a convenient mobile service that you and your car won’t forget.

IMCSteak House

If you like a steak there’s no better place to visit than IMC Steakhouse. Owner Tim is passionate about showcasing the finest produce from farmers around Australia and guarantees top-quality tender juicy steaks grilled perfectly to order and at a price that will keep you coming back for more.

BRI Ferrier

Director, Moira Carter, is a registered trustee in bankruptcy with 18 years experience in the insolvency industry. She has a particular interest in personal bankruptcy and insolvency agreements and gets vast satisfaction from helping people with their financial situations providing them with outcomes that are commercial, sound, and achievable. She also provides a free initial consultation so as not to add to their financial burden.

Well, that’s it ….. just a taster of the best of Townsville. but there’s plenty more where this came from.

We hope you enjoyed the read and if you decide to check out Townsville in Northern Queensland for yourself, then why not drop by and say hello. We’d love to meet you.

Author

Justin Ireland

Justin is passionate about achieving life-changing outcomes for his clients. Justin’s family were farmers in New South Wales before moving to North Queensland where Justin grew up assisting his family to run businesses. Justin turned to the law in his mid-20’s, moved to Bondi Beach and completed a Bachelor of Laws from the University of New South Wales. Justin won a scholarship to go to London to study law at one of the best international law schools, University College London. Justin returned to Sydney and worked for top-tier firm Ashurst and then at DC Strategy in Sydney, before starting Strategic Lawyers, one of North Queensland’s fastest growing and dynamic law firms with an innovative and client-focused approach.

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