TOWNSVILLE

The Big Mango on the Bruce Highway south of Townsville

We spent a week in Townsville in 2007 and spent a day at their magnificent "Living Reef" aquarium and hired a Mimi Moke for a day's driving around Magnetic Island. We therefore only stayed there for two days to have the car serviced. There was a cycle path from the caravan park to The Strand, a beautiful piece of landscaping that stretches along the beachfront and we put our bikes to use there. Early mornings and late afternoon until sunset we spent at a birdhide on the town common.

David cycling along the Strand


Townsville's Memorial to the service of the fourteen week wonders - National Servicemen


This is a description of the Strand taken from Townsville's website.

"The Strand is a 2.2km world-class beachfront promenade custom-built for enjoyment. Along this palm tree studded stretch are bike and walkway paths, safe swimming beaches, picturesque picnic spots, a water park and chic restaurants and bars with to-die-for water views.

The Strand is a facility that provides the opportunity for people of all ages to be physically active in their daily life. It is an environment that encourages people in the Townsville community, of all ages, to be out and about in their local community.

You can enjoy the free family fun of the water park, fish off the pier, choose to get active with a jog, or simply laze on Australia's Cleanest Beach and enjoy the million dollar views to Magnetic Island. The Strand offers the best of all worlds."

Cycling back to the caravan park we spotted this smoke cloud rolling across the sea toward us caused by a bush fire on the other side of Magnetic Island.

A Spoonbill in the wetlands of the town common.

A water monitor

A crowded island

A St Andrews spider spotted in one of the bird hides

A native plant growing on the town common


The wetlands at sunset.


After leaving Townsville we bought a pack of "red spot crabs" for $10 at a Fisherman's Co-op as we passed through Innisfail. To our delight there were five crabs in the pack which provided quite a feast for lunch on arrival at Babinda.