7 things you didn't know about Townsville
When most people picture Townsville, the first things that likely spring to mind are some combination of the Great Barrier Reef, mining, and humidity - however there's so much more on offer that many of both the Aussie public and international visitors don't know about that gives the city its own special character. Here, we take a look at 7 things you probably didn't know about Townsville, QLD.
Unless you're a local, you'll likely only know a few things about Queensland's Townsville; check out the below facts to acquire some interesting Townsville-ian knowledge!
1. Townsville holds a Guiness World Record
Townsville holds a Guinness World Record – for the ‘Longest Horns in the World’. The region's world famous Texas Longhorn steer, named JR, was certified by the Guinness World Records in 2011 to have the longest horns measured tip to tip, of all the cattle in the world. JR was born and raised in Leahton Park and his horns are now believed to exceed 2.82 metres.
Townsville offers the Texas Longhorn Wagon Tour where visitors can take a traditional wagon tour into Leahton Park, the home of JR, and see hundreds of Horseshoe B Longhorns and the largest herd of purebred Texas Longhorn cattle in Australia.
2. Townsville is home to one of Australia’s key military bases
The Australian Defence Force isn’t typically front-of-mind when you think of Townsville, but in fact the region is home to Australia’s 3rd Brigade – the country’s largest Army Barracks. Townsville has supported Australia’s defence in both war and peace for more than 130 years and its airport still plays an important role, remaining as an operational air force base with Australian Fighter aircrafts regularly heard and seen conducting training exercises over Townsville.
Visitors to Townsville can take a trip down military memory lane and learn about the region’s rich history, historical military campaigns from the Boer War to the current post in Afghanistan and listen to stories told from soldiers on the Townsville Military Day Tour.
Brandy's, along with Peppi Peppi above, mean that those looking for some tasty Italian will no doubt come away with a smile on their face regardless of their choice.
3. Townsville introduced the first ever Segway tour through a National Park in Australia.
Townsville is the first to introduce guided Segway tours through a National Park in the country, with people invited to hop on two wheels to explore greenery and ocean views through the Town Common Conservation Park. The National Park is a haven for the region’s most beautiful wetlands and gives visitors a number of opportunities to spot native bird and animal species.
4. The coastline has been brutal to ships over the years
While the coastline has taken its toll on ships over the years, on the plus side, visitors can see one of the world’s ten best wreck dives from Magnetic Island. Tourists to Magnetic Island, one of Townsville’s suburbs, can go underwater and see the famed wreck of the SS Yongala up close. The SS Yongala lies in the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and sank during a cyclone in 1911. The dive site sits on the sandy bottom of the ocean at 28 metres deep and has become a haven for a spectacular marine life and coral including large gropers, eagle and mantra rays, turtles, sea snakes and more.
5. There’s another world heritage site – not the Great Barrier Reef
Visitors to Townsville can take a day trip to smash off another World Heritage listed site (that’s not the Great Barrier Reef) off the bucket list. Located in the southernmost point of the World Heritage listed Wet Tropics is the Paluma National Park, home to Paluma Village, a small settlement set in the heart of a tropical rainforest.
Home to Little Crystal Creek, known as the best swimming hole in Townsville, Paluma is also a great spot for bird watching, walking, BBQ or picnic.
6. Townsville has the world’s largest living coral reef aquarium
Townsville is home to the world’s largest living coral reef aquarium – Reef HQ. A great way to ‘experience the Great Barrier Reef without getting wet,’ Reef HQ is also the main headquarters for the National Reef Education Centre for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.
7. Townsville has an average 300 days of sun
Situated in North Queensland, Townsville is in the dry tropics region of Queensland and boasts more than 300 days of sun which means you’ll need to bring some serious sunscreen. This also means perfect beach-weather almost all year round - the perfect environment for enjoying the water and the city's wonderful Strand esplanade district.
