Car Rental Townsville Airport

You’ve arrived at picture-perfect Townsville. Warm and super-sunny in weather and outlook, Townsville is an ideal gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, the awesome ancient rainforests of the Wet Tropics, spectacular nearby islands, and striking outback experiences – complemented by a long list of exciting things to see and do in this vibrant city.

As you embark on your sensational tropical adventure, don’t forget to head inland to discover the heart and history of North Queensland. Its gold rush roots are enchantingly preserved in the charming streetscapes of Charters Towers. Get a fossicker’s licence and you can even dig for gold!

Back in the city, take your bearings by the red granite monolith of Castle Hill: a dominating feature and wonderful spot to conquer and climb – for stellar views that include Cape Cleveland and the palm-fringed shores of nearby Magnetic Island. And for less effort, you can admire the sweeping vistas and best-kept secrets around Townsville from the comfort of a chopper. You can even customise your aerial experience.

Come down to Townsville’s beachfront , always a hive of activity. There you’ll be welcomed by an alluring illuminated sculpture, the Ocean Siren – just off the promenade, rising from the Coral Sea. Take a seaside stroll on The Strand, a popular two-and-a-half kilometre promenade fringed by palm trees, with playgrounds, picnic spots and a great selection of places to eat or grab a gelato.

Townsville draws much colour and youthful energy from a mix of backpackers and fly-in fly-out miners; as well as through being a university and garrison town, supplying fun and entertainment for everyone from students to defence force members. Its proximity to pristine rainforests, majestic marine ecosystems and phenomenal island playgrounds, enhances Townsville’s reputation as a traveller’s delight. You can witness all these wonders and more when you take off from Townsville Airport in your hire car.

Greet this great gateway city in your hire car via Townsville Airport

Townsville is renowned as the ‘official headquarters of the Great Barrier Reef, the largest coral ecosystem in the world. From here you can dream and plan your agenda and book the right kind of adventure to suit your needs. Get your fill of swimming, sailing, diving, snorkelling, or simply relaxing on secluded island beaches. The turquoise waters and island shorelines are immaculate, and the technicolour marine display beneath the surface offers an experience of a lifetime. Take a tour or explore on your own.

A first-time visitor will be amazed at the bounty of islands to discover, with economy to luxury options to cover every facet of your experience. A perfect place to start is Magnetic Island, a short 20-minute ferry ride from Townsville’s centre. Its rugged natural beauty uplifts, with an abundance of wildlife and quiet beaches. If you’re feeling active, jump on a jet ski, take a sea kayaking tour, or set sail on a seafaring escapade. Horse-riding or a round of golf are also great options if you prefer to keep grounded. If you’re not just day-tripping, watch the sun go down from West Point or enjoy the evening breezes at the marina.

If you want to splash out, stay at Bedarra or Orpheus Islands. Both are private retreats with beachfront villas and low guest numbers that mix luxury with an abundance of breathtaking scenery. These spectacular hideaways offer an unforgettable escape and an opportunity to restore wellbeing away from the crowds. Arrive at Orpheus from Townsville on a private 30-minute helicopter flight. Its waters are rich with sea life, including green turtles and around 1500 species of fish. Time your visit right and you could witness the annual coral spawning or humpback whales playing.

Discover the wild side of Townsville in your hire care

Go wild at Hinchinbrook Island to get closer to nature or fly over by helicopter to get a spectacular overview of its marvels. Drive north from Townsville to Lucinda and board the ferry to Australia’s largest ‘floating’ national park. Hinchinbrook is the ultimate adventure island, open to just 40 explorers at one time. With rainforests, waterfalls, mangroves and jaw-dropping scenery, it simply teems with wildlife. Try hiking the famous 32-kilometre Thorsborne Trail, which has a reputation as one of the best nature walks on the planet, or paddle around the perimeter in a kayak.

‘The most extraordinary place on earth!’ That’s what David Attenborough dubbed the world’s oldest rainforest in the Wet Tropics. This great Gondwanan refuge covers an expanse from Townsville right up to Cooktown and is home to a mind-boggling diversity of plant and animal species. Considered a great tropical drive, steer your wheels from the coastal lowlands to the cool mountain reaches of the Paluma Range National Park, and set up a tent or just have a picnic. Take the time to head deeper into these magical forests – a must for your bucket list.