"Townsville - Along the Great Barrier... " a Townsville Travel Page by MikeAtSea

Founded in 1864, Townsville is one of the focal points of North Queensland. A pleasant climate and relaxed lifestyle rank among the town’s great attractions. Townsville is the port for the agricultural and mining production of the vast inland region of North Queensland as well as the starting point of the main road to the Northern Territory.
In recent years, millions of dollars have been spent in an effort to attract more visitors to stay in Townsville rather than heading on to Cairns.
A hotel-casino and marina have been built on the oceanfront and other parts of the city are being redeveloped while still retaining much of their 19th-century atmosphere. The showpiece is the Great Barrier Reef Headquarter, an impressive complex that includes a showpiece aquarium, an Omnimax Theatre, shops and the Queensland Museum.
Although the city stretches a long way, the centre is fairly compact and can be easily explored on foot. Just a short distance out of town are several museums worth visiting, as well as parks, gardens and wildlife sanctuaries. The lookout point atop Castle Hill, which dominates the city, offers fine views over the town and the coast.