 Townsville, Charters Towers & Hinchinbrook
From the golden sands of Townsville to the golden heritage of mining town Charters Towers, the southern section of the Great Tropical Drive delivers a unique North Queensland experience with a tempting selection of city, country and ocean adventures.
Townsville is the vibrant and unofficial capital of North Queensland, with an alluring combination of five-star development, big business and pockets of natural wilderness. Magical Magnetic Island is just 20 minutes from the city centre. Whether you want to explore the reef (from a boat or from the dry comfort of Reef HQ at the mainland), visit art galleries or museums, cuddle a koala or experience some of the North’s best shopping, Townsville has an enviable mix of big city and laidback living.
Rich in gold-mining history and surrounded by natural wonders, Charters Towers is a western treasure of the North. Heritage trails are mapped out for on-foot or in-car adventures, with trails tailored to mining, military, architecture or environmental interests.
With two historic pubs, both clocking more than 100 years standing, Ravenswood is a great destination for a dose of mining history or a cold beer. Venture to the local lookout for a birds-eye view of the impressive open-cut mine.
The bountiful Burdekin centres on the townships of Ayr and Home Hill, but also encompasses the many smaller towns surrounding it. The shire is famous for water, sugarcane, fishing and its friendly locals.
Hinchinbrook is an adventure circuit, with Wallaman Falls, Australia’s highest single-drop waterfall at 305 metres attracting sightseers, access to beautiful Hinchinbrook Island via Lucinda, and the Tyto Wetlands offering 90 hectares of lagoons and walkways with interpretive signs and fantastic bird-watching opportunities.
Discover a rainforest hideaway in the mountains at Paluma. Stay at the award-winning, environmentally-sustainable Hidden Valley Cabins, sight-see the many trails and lookouts and explore tranquil Crystal Creek.
Whether you desire diving with the underwater residents of the Great Barrier Reef, exploring Australia’s mining history, retreating to a rainforest hideaway in the mountains, or visiting a majestic waterfall, take one of the southern routes for your Great Tropical Drive.
Useful Links for more information:
Townsville Holidays website
Charters Towers website
Hinchinbrook website
Discovery Trails in this Region:
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