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Tequilas in Townsville

Rebecca Sparrow finds the best shopping, dining and drinking in one of Australia’s sunniest cities.

Girl, if you’re ready to break out the sunscreen, the floppy sunhat and the  sarong then Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is whispering your name. For the  ultimate holiday in the sun, you can’t go past Townsville -the perfect spot  for a sun-kissed summer adventure.

The city of Townsville is considered to be the capital of North

Queensland on Australia’s east coast. Townsville is a two-hour flight north from Brisbane or three hours north from Sydney. From Townsville, you can drive to Cairns (four hours), Airlie Beach (three hours) and Port Douglas (five hours). The Ville (as locals call it) has a population of 150,000.

If sunshine is your thing, then Townsville is your town. The city has 300 days of sunshine a year. You’ll get the best weather between April and October. Avoid February and March – the wet season – when it can rain in biblical proportions.

If you’ve got cash to splash around and the exchange rate is in your favour then the Watermark is where you’ll want to stay. Their five star penthouse boasts three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a study and quite possibly the best location in Townsville – right on the waterfront. Better yet, the restaurant downstairs is the place to be seen every weekend. You can stay at the Watermark Penthouse for three nights for $1500. Penthouse sleeps six. The Watermark: Corner of Mitchell and Gregory St, North Ward.

Reef Backpackers International is great for budgets. Backpacker accommodation has changed significantly in the past ten years. Take this place. You can stay in dorm rooms for $19 per night. Or for $72 per night you can have a private double room with DVD player, air-con, linen, a fridge, a toaster, a TV, your own shower facilities and they’ll fly your mum over to make your bed. Okay, maybe that’s pushing it! Reef Backpackers International is clean, popular and in the best spot in Townsville – on the corner of The Strand and Flinders Street East – the entertainment district. Go to www.reeflodge.com.au.

Join the Townsville tradition and stand in line at Harold’s Seafood on Gregory Street to get yourself some fish and chips. Otherwise head straight to Palmer Street in South Townsville. Order an apple martini at the Rhino Bar and then take your pick from the culinary delights on the restaurant strip.

You’ll find the major chain stores at the massive Stocklands shopping centre in Aitkenvale (plenty of buses head there – so you won’t have any problems). But for Australian and New Zealand designer labels like Sass and Bide, Willow, Karen Walker, Zimmermann, Ginger & Smart and True Religion head straight to Miss Ruby at 224 Flinders Street East. Then head to Jaxx at 46 Gregory Street and check out their funky street wear. If, on the other hand, you’re in the market for cocoa butter hand cream, silver rings crafted from Burmese plates and the perfect kaftan then go straight to Reflections on Gregory Street.

Here are some other things to do while you’re in town –

  • Climb Caste Hill: it’s the largest ‘hill’ in the southern hemisphere and will take you about an hour to climb up and back)
  • Walk The Strand: ‘The Strand” is the name given to the beachfront promenade. It’s over two kilometres long, boasts a bike and walking path and is peppered with cafes, free water parks and bars. There’s even a free kids water park if you’ve got littlies with you.
  • Swim in the Rockpool: it’s an enormous fresh salt water pool at one end of The Strand – a popular weekend spot for families.
  • Visit Magnetic Island: take the ferry over to this gorgeous island and just chill or hire a bike or go for a walk …
  • Yongala Wreck: strap on a snorkel and dive in. Yongala is considered to be the best dive wreck in Oz.
  • Reef HQ: Try and find Nemo at the world’s largest coral reef aquarium
  • Support the Cowboys: the locals are in love with their Cowboy (think rugby league, not rodeo …). You won’t have a better night out than hanging with the locals and cheering on the team at Dairy Farmers’ Stadium … well, assuming they win …

If you want good Townsville nightlife, then remember that as pubs, clubs and bars go in and out of favour, your best bet is to head straight to Flinders Street East. Start at the Brewery and work your way up. Remember mates don’t let mates drink tequila slammers alone!

For more information about Townsville go to www.townsvilleholidays.info.

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