Townsville is one of the largest cities in Queensland, and the regions main commercial and residential centre. There's plenty of accommodation and places to eat, as well as some interesting attractions including an excellent aquarium, a variety of galleries and museums, and many parks and gardens. Just out of town there are several wildlife sanctuaries and reserves.

Townsville is also the only departure point for Magnetic Island, an inexpensive twenty minute ferry trip away. The gorgeous white sand beaches surrounded by coral reefs accompanied with seemingly endless sunshine (averages 320 sunny days/year) have been attracting tourists to Magnetic Island for over one hundred years making it one of the states oldest resort islands. On the east side of the island there are a number of settlements each with places to stay and eat. The west side is a superb national park, containing an abundance of wildlife and bushwalks.

Further north, up the main highway from Townsville is the sugar producing centre of Ingham. Home to Victoria Mill, the largest sugar mill in the southern hemisphere as well as the Australian-Italian festival, a celebration of the town's Italian heritage held annually in May. Nearby is Lumholtz National Park which contains 305m Wallamans Falls, Australia's highest cascade.

A string of towns on a small stretch of coastline fringed by coconut palms and World Heritage rainforest, make up the popular travellers destination of Mission Beach. 14kms of the main highway, and another 100km north of Ingham, the townships of Kurrimine Beach, Bingil Bay, Garners Beach, Mission Beach and Wongaling Beach offer a great base for visits to Dunk Island and the Barrier Reef, as well as the nearby rainforest. In the area, there are many tours and activities, a broad art and craft scene, not to mention a healthy nightlife.