Townsville, Australia 

Townsville can provide the ultimate tropical holiday.  The area is unique because of the convergence of differing landscapes. With the Great Barrier Reef to its east, the city is bordered by pristine palm-lined beaches. A couple of hours drive to the west and you get to know what country life in Australia is all about. The dense rainforests and the beautiful islands near Mission Beach to the north and the sugarcane and mango farming communities to the south, complete the amazing and diverse picture that one associates with holidays in Queensland.

Your P&O ship will dock alongside Wharf 8 or 9 at the Suter Pier, Townsville Port.

It is an approximate 10 minute drive from the pier to the centre of town. Taxis will be available or for a small charge a shuttle bus will operate. Please see the crew at the Shore Tour desk to reserve your seat on the shuttle bus.

Townsville is one of Queensland’s major centres of indigenous art, so it’s a great place to hunt out the very best Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and crafts. Don’t forget, Townsville is also North Queensland’s major commercial centre, so just about anything you’d care to buy is available here. Fancy some traditional Aussie outback gear? Townsville is where jackaroos and jillaroos from hundreds of kilometres away come to do their important shopping.

Being Queensland’s third largest city, Townsville has a superb range of restaurants, bars, pubs and cafes featuring the latest fusions of Australian, Asian and international cuisine. Of course, as Townsville is a port city, you really can’t go past the local seafood and there are plenty of places right on the waterfront, especially on The Strand, where you can enjoy fantastic tucker while relaxing and watching the world sail by.

Tropical. Pretty much year-round Townsville enjoys a warm sunny climate, however it can be hot and humid in summer, refreshed by regular rain showers. In the higher terrain inland it can be a little cooler and there’s usually a sea breeze out on the reef and islands. Always make sure you stay hydrated and sheltered from the sun.

If you’re pleased with the service you receive in a restaurant, a reasonable tip would be around five to ten percent of the bill.

Major credit cards and charge cards are widely accepted.

Public telephones are available at the pier and are widely available in Townsville.

To make your day ashore as enjoyable as possible, wear comfortable, flat soled shoes, lightweight clothes and a hat, and bring along some sunscreen, insect repellent and bottled water. It’s also a good idea to bring an umbrella and weatherproof jacket. Don’t forget your swimming gear! Snorkelling equipment is available for hire or purchase on board the ship.

There are a number of tours available for you to really get the most out of your time in and around Townsville.

The season for box jelly-fish and stingers generally starts with the onset of the wet across the top of Northern Australia, usually around October and lasts until April.

In case of emergency while you are ashore please contact:

Inchcape Shipping Services Ltd
90A Bundock Street
Townsville QLD 4810
Tel: 07 4724 2477