September 14 – September 15 : Townsville

Townsville, with a population of 200,000, lies about 350 km south of Cairns along the eastern coast of Australia. It also marks the southern end of the Wet Tropics region. Its most significant landmarks are Castle Hill, located in the city, and Magnetic Island, which lies just offshore.

How to get to Townsville from Cairns

Many people traveling around Australia long-term rent a car or a campervan (which also saves a lot on accommodation). However, I didn’t find these options appealing, as renting a vehicle solo is still expensive, and I wanted to move quickly without spending hours behind the wheel. Instead, I looked into Greyhound buses, which turned out to be a great solution for me. Cairns and Townsville are connected by three Greyhound buses daily (each way), and the trip takes about six hours. Read more about traveling via Greyhound in Australia in the article below.

About Greyhound travel

Greyhound buses connect the entire east coast of Australia, from Cairns to Brisbane and further south all the way to Melbourne. From Townsville (located between Cairns and Brisbane), there is also an inland connection to Darwin in the northwest and Alice Springs in the center. You can purchase either the East Coast Pass, which allows you to travel along the route from Cairns to Melbourne but only in one direction, or the National Pass, which is slightly more expensive but allows travel on the entire network in any direction. I chose the latter since I didn’t want to just stick to the coast. I opted for the 60-day pass for 569 AUD (345 €) as it was only about slightly more than the 30-day pass, and even if I end up spending only 35 or 40 days in Australia, the 60-day pass will still be cheaper than buying the 30-day pass and then adding single days. This was, again, quite an expense (together with the SCUBA, diverse accomodations, and this, I managed to spend way over 1000 € in just 4 days – way beyond my budget. But it is clear that this bus pass would obviously pay off on the long term.)

PXL_20240914_031709179.MP_ — Personally, I liked Townsville much better than Cairns.

Things to do in and around Townsville

Castle Hill: Hike or drive to the summit for panoramic views of Townsville, Magnetic Island, and the Coral Sea. It’s ideal for sunrise and sunset.
Magnetic Island: Take a ferry to explore this island’s beautiful beaches, hiking trails, and wildlife. Highlights include snorkeling at Alma Bay, hiking the Forts Walk for historic ruins and viewpoints, and spotting koalas and rock wallabies in their natural habitats. I dedicated a full day to this island and thought it was the best day I had in Australia so far (besides from Scuba diving maybe).
The Strand: Enjoy a walk along the scenic waterfront promenade with parks, swimming lagoons, and recreational areas. Perfect for picnics, swimming, and views of Magnetic Island.
Townsville Palmetum: Visit this botanical garden featuring extensive palm species collections and lush landscapes. A peaceful spot for leisurely walks and learning about tropical plants.
Museum of Tropical Queensland: Explore exhibits on the region’s natural and cultural history, including marine life and indigenous artifacts, providing insights into Northern Queensland’s unique environment and history.