Townsville

Townsville is on the tropic north coast and the Great Barrier Reef lies two hours east. The city is known for its gigantic inland agricultural and mining regions, for resident army boys and for its students. There is a lively esplanade and thriving nightlife. Only a 20-minute boat trip away is the gorgeous “Magnetic Island” you shouldn’t miss. A must to see is the “Reef HQ”, a living coral reef aquarium, with marine beasties and beauties. A vibrant beachfront esplanade is “The Strand” and at its top end is the enormous artificial “Coral Memorial Rockpool”, the admission is free.

The “Australian Institute of Marine Science” is a fascinating marine-research facility on “Cape Ferguson” that conducts free, two hour tours. Australia’s most famous shipwreck is probably “Pandora”, which you can visit in the “Museum of Tropical Queensland”. Information about the shipwreck “Yongala” are in the “Maritime Museum”.

Diving and snorkelling are very popular here and the most stunning and spooky thing is the “Yongala” shipwreck. There are seriously scary White-Water-Raftings on the “Tully River” or else the Coral Sea Skydiving. You can stay for overnight in the “Civic Guest House”, the “Globetrotter Hostel”, the “Reef Lodge” and the “Townsville Transit Centre Backpackers”. The costs are between A$ 17-20 per night and dorm.