First impressions back this association up with kms of railway tracks leading into the town alongside the massive fields of soon to be harvested sugar cane and industrial blocks on the outskirts of town. Many shops are in need of a repaint and many more are looking for new owners.
However, once you see past this Townsville is really a lovely little place. Beautiful architecture dots the main Flinders Street that itself is undergoing some development to improve the market place and pedestrian experience. All the shops you could want and need are here.
It is home of MTQ or the Museum of Tropical Queensland and for some reason they've got a large sculpture of a spider hung outside (we never did find out what type of spider this was!)
It is also home of Reef HQ, the world's largest indoor coral reef aquarium, and an interesting collection of exhibits relating to the Great Barrier Reef. We were fortunate to be just in time to see the Predator Feeding inside the main tank. Reef sharks, Giant Trevallys, Green Turtles, Humphead Maori Wrasses, Sawfish and other fish were fed mullet and perch from the top so was a frenzy of activity for 10mins whilst they ate. This only takes place twice a week so very lucky.
All aspects of the reef were covered from the fish but importantly the corals. Many rare species as well as those only found everywhere on the reef could be found and was an excellent backup to the experience of snorkelling on the Whitsundays. I hadn't appreciated the delicate environment the reef was to cater for the diverse nature of species.
Exhibits for all the family were dotted around the museum including old fashioned diving helmets that we obviously had to have a good look at. Luminescence fish were exhibited alongside the most dangerous snakes and jellyfish..
but they also had a children's area with clownfish or 'Nemo' fish....
Once we'd finished and said cheerio to the lovely staff, we took a walk along the Strand, a very cosmopolitan walk along the sea front that demonstrated another side of Townsville. Runners, cyclists and fitness fanatics could be found everywhere as the sun went down behind the palms...
Gigantic roots...
and references to Townsville's important role in WW2 could also be found alongside sculptures of Olympians of Townsville along this beautiful walk.
Townsville's Museum of Tropical Queensland was another impressive collection that focussed around an exhibit on HMS Pandora, the RN ship responsible for bringing the mutineers of the Bounty back to England for trial. She succeeded but tragically was shipwrecked off the coast of Townsville.
The musuem was vast and due to our ferry on to Magnetic Island couldn't fit the whole collection in one go. What was impressive and typical of the customer service we've experienced was that our receipt was stamped to allow us free entry upon our return. What a brilliant idea!
The only downside about Townsville was our accomodation and would recommend anyone reading this not to stay at Globetrotters Townsville as the rooms are cramped, cold and have thin walls that don't protect against any noise from the bar next door!
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