Traditional Owners

The original inhabitants of Townsville City were the Wulgurukaba of Gurambilbarra and Yunbenun, Bindal, Gugu Badhun and Nywaigi Aboriginal Peoples.

Settlement history

European settlement dates from the 1860s when the first land selections were made, with a port established at Townsville in 1866. Land was used mainly for farming and grazing. Growth took place during the late 1800s and early 1900s, aided by improved access, the establishment of the sugar industry and other industries, and some mining. During World War II Townsville became a major military base, accommodating up to 90,000 military personnel in hospitals, staging camps, air support depots and supply facilities. The population increased steadily from the post-war years. Significant residential development occurred from the late 1950s, accompanied by industrial and commercial growth, and the construction of a major army base at the Lavarack Barracks in 1966. Growth continued from the 1970s, aided by tourism. Population growth is expected to continue.

Land use

Townsville City is a growing urban area, with significant rural areas and some industrial and commercial land use. Townsville City includes Magnetic Island and many smaller islands and rock shoals. The City encompasses a total land area of about 3,740 square kilometres, including beaches, rivers, rainforests, national park and other significant parklands. Most of the urban areas are located in the east, in and around Townsville. Rural land is used mainly for cattle grazing, sugar cane farming, pineapple growing and orcharding, with some mining.

Transport

Townsville City is served by the Bruce Highway, the Flinders Highway, Townsville Airport, the Port of Townsville, the Spirit of Queensland train and the Magnetic Island Ferry.

Major features

• Major features of Townsville City include Magnetic Island,
• Bowling Green Bay National Park,
• Magnetic Island National Park,
• Paluma Range National Park,
• Cape Pallarenda Conservation Park,
• Townsville Town Common Conservation Park,
• Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area,
• Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park,
• Jourama Falls,
• numerous beaches,
• various state forests,
• Lavarack Barracks,
• Mt Stuart Training Area (Military),
• RAAF Base Townsville,
• Townsville Correctional Centre,
• Mt Stuart Power Station,
• Townsville Power Station,
• The Townsville CBD,
• CastleTown Shoppingworld,
• Stockland North Shore shopping centre,
• Stockland Townsville shopping centre,
• Willows Shopping Centre,
• Townsville Hospital,
• Mater Health Services (Pimlico and Hyde Park),
• Central Queensland University (Townsville Campus),
• James Cook University (Townsville Campus),
• TAFE Queensland North (Townsville - Aitkenvale and Pimlico Campuses),
• Australian Institute of Marine Science,
• Riverway Arts Centre,
• Pinnacles Gallery,
• Perc Tucker Regional Gallery,
• The Ville Resort-Casino,
• Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre,
• Reef HQ Great Barrier Reef Aquarium,
• Museum of Tropical Queensland,
• Maritime Museum of Townsville,
• Army Museum North Queensland,
• Townsville Heritage Centre,
• Castle Hill Lookout,
• Anderson Gardens,
• Queens Gardens,
• The Palmetum,
• 1300SMILES Stadium,
• Riverway Stadium,
• Townsville Stadium,
• North Queensland Equestrian Centre,
• Pioneer Park,
• Townsville Showgrounds,
• The Ross River,
• Ross River Dam,
• Lake Paluma and Burdekin Falls Dam.

Included areas