Best of Townsville

Check-in at The Ville Resort-Casino and the rest of the day is at your leisure.

Spend the afternoon taking advantage of the numerous facilities available at The Ville, superbly located on the breakwater overlooking Magnetic Island, the Coral Sea and the town centre. Wander the award-winning beachfront, The Strand, exploring the rock pools and water park. Or book a cabana, grab a good book and relax by the pool, with the occasional break to the swim-up Splash Bar for a cocktail or cool drink.

In the evening take a wander down to City Lane, where you will find a great selection of cuisines to indulge your tastebuds and funky bars where you can grab an after-dinner drink.

Overnight: The Ville Resort-Casino, 5 nights

Head out to the Central Section of the Great Barrier Reef with Adrenalin Snorkel & Dive, Townsville’s longest-running diving and snorkelling providers. Visit one of the pristine reefs in this section, chosen on the day based on great coral cover and fish life. See the spectacular marine life whilst being immersed in tropical crystal-clear water.

Their 14-metre custom built vessel has fully shaded areas, sun deck, stabilises, toilet and shower, plus easy access in and out of the water. All snorkelling equipment is provided, and demonstrations and instructions on techniques are included.

For an additional $90pp, certified divers can enjoy two dives, where you can choose to either dive with an experienced guide or explore the reef on your own.

Back on the mainland, enjoy dinner at the resort. With an assortment of restaurants, bars and cafes, there is sure to be something to tempt your tastebuds.

*Please note that guests are required to bring their own food for the day and this can be stored in the fridges aboard the vessel. Refreshments including cold water, cordial, tea and coffee are still available throughout the trip.

Hire a bike from your hotel, and take a ride around Townsville. For the keen cyclists, you may like to power up Castle Hill, where you will be rewarded with spectacular 360° views of the city.

Spend the afternoon back at the resort relaxing by the pool, or head to The Brewery, located in Townsville’s original Post & Telegraph Office. The family-owned micro-brewery offers a range of unique and original craft beer, as well as a choice of the Tavern or Smokehouse Restaurant for a hearty pub meal.

Join SeaLink North Queensland for your ferry transfer to Magnetic Island. Take your pick of up to 17 services a day, with the trip taking just 20 minutes. Once on the island you can collect your hire car for a day of sightseeing and exploring the island at your own pace.

The Forts Walk, on the hill between Arcadia and Horseshoe Bay, is an easy walk to the historical forts built in WWII. Keep an eye out for koalas – Magnetic Island is home to the largest colony of wild koalas in Northern Australia.

You can also head to Bungalow Bay Koala Village in Horseshoe Bay, where you can see koalas and other Australian wildlife up close and personal. Make sure you join in the afternoon lorikeet feeding - definitely an experience that will bring a smile to your face. Or buy some wallaby food and go to Bremner Point in Arcadia for a unique experience feeding the rock wallabies.

Late this afternoon, board Pilgrim Sailing's 58-foot yacht, for a sunset sail in Cleveland Bay. Enjoy the magic of sailing while you sip Australian organic wines or premium local beers and nibble from antipasto platters, watching the magnificent Magnetic Island sunset.

The last ferry back to the mainland is around 10pm, so if you're still hungry, you could head to Horseshoe Bay and grab dinner from one of the restaurants or takeaway shops there after your cruise.

On your final day in Townsville you can simply kick back and enjoy the luxurious facilities at The Ville, or venture into town and explore the walking trail around the city. While you're walking around at a pace that suits you, you'll see some truly unique street art on the 24 buildings and alleyways around Townsville.

The Museum of Tropical Queensland is also walking distance from your hotel. It houses several exhibitions and displays exploring World Heritage listed rainforest and reefs to the story of the shipwrecked HMS Pandora, the ship sent to capture the Bounty mutineers.

In the morning, there is still time for any last-minute shopping or sightseeing before you depart Townsville.