Hi,

I'm hoping one of you lovely Queenslander ladies could help me. I'm looking at booking another family holiday to Queensland. We have been to Gold Coast, Port Douglas, Cairns, and Noosa and I'm looking at somewhere different.

As virgin our now flying direct from where I live to Townsville I thought perhaps I could take my boys on a holiday there.

Is it a holiday destination? Or am I mistaken? What are the beaches like? Are the beaches are long walk from town or resorts?

Do you recommend Townsville as a holiday destination for a young family???

Townsville is a great holiday destination with lots to do. We have fantastic pools, museums, parks, markets and the Waterpark. If you don't mind driving a little there are fantastic places to explore like Palluma and Rollingstone or go over to Magnetic Island.

Beaches are not really for swimming in unless you swim in the stinger nets, however the walk along the Strand is great and you can always use the Rockpool or Waterpark to get wet.

Most accomadation is located near the beach or in the city centre and it isn't too far to walk.

Make sure you stay close to the waterpark - it's fantastic and all the good attactions are in town. We made the mistake of staying at another place further north, and while the accommodation was good it's SO much nicer to walk everywhere!

We're keen to take our boys there again some time.

Thank you.

I will look at accommodation near the waterpark. What is the waterpark called? And where is it located?

It's on The Strand (infront of the beach you can't swim at!)

Don't forget the lagoons, they rock plus they're man made and have no stingers

Is there any beaches in Townsville you can swim at?

DP loves the beach (especially surf/wave beaches) and would love to swim at one.

We are thinking about going in August/Sep

Sorry, no surf in Towsville.

Saw this and couldn't help but respond as I live in Townsville.

Google 'The Strand' in Townsville. It is our main beach with heaps to do. You can swim at the rockpool with the kids which is a man made lagoon type thing of the beach. The water park is part of the stand. With picnic tables, parks BBQ's etc there.

The beach is great. It doesn't become stinger season until November so the stinger nets won't be up and the water is fine to swim in

I also recommend a day at Magnetic Island. Google it, and the biggest bay 'Horse shoe Bay' Plenty of stuff to do there.

Also maybe Billabong Santuary. An award winning zoo type place that has tonnes of Aussie Animals.

http://www.billabongsanctuary.com.au/

Also Reef HQ is a MUST see.

http://www.reefhq.com.au/

I guess the downside of our beaches is the sand is a bit grainy (like raw sugar) and there are no waves. But that is because we have the Great Barrier Reef at our doorstep.

HTH

Awesome! thanks for the post OP. I have close friends that move from Sydney to Townsville tomorrow and we are already planning a 'winter-sun' holiday to visit them. Sounds good!

I agree with everyone else, I love Townsville, Its a beautiful place, you and your family will have a great holiday.

And if you do have the time, go to Palluma. It is beautiful, I love it there.