With an average of 320 days of sunshine in Townsville and our region boasting over 300 parks and open space areas, it’s the perfect location for enjoying an outdoor picnic! Here’s just a few of our favourite local picnic spots for you to enjoy.
Strand Water Park
<5 minute walk
Popular with families, the Strand Water Park is a free and fun day out for all. Enjoy cooling off with water cannons, slides, tipping buckets and more. In addition to the water activity there’s public toilets, outdoor showers and BBQ/picnic facilities available.
Anzac Memorial Park
5 minute walk
Located at the eastern end of The Strand near the breakwater marina this heritage-listed memorial and park provides a scenic setting for a day in the outdoors. Onsite facilities including picnic settings, seats, rotunda, drinking fountains and toilets.
Queens Gardens
20 minute walk / 4 minute drive
Established in 1870, Queens Gardens are the oldest botanic gardens in Townsville. The gardens are a lush oasis of green set against the dramatic pink granite monolith of Castle Hill, covering four hectares.The garden is divided into quadrants, each with a central fountain. Some points of interest include the formal rose garden, Herb Society’s garden, annuals garden beds, two small hedge mazes, a rainforest walk and the black bean (also known as Moreton Bay chestnuts) avenue. Facilities include picnic area, carpark and public toilets.
Jezzine Barracks
30 minute walk / 7 minute drive
A significant site for both the Australian military and local Aboriginal People, the redeveloped Jezzine Barracks include coastal boardwalks, artwork, traditional plantings and parklands.The 15-hectare heritage precinct commemorates the military and Aboriginal heritage of the Kissing Point headland through 32 specially commissioned public artworks, extensive interpretive signage and the restoration of significant elements of the Kissing Point Fort complex.The precinct provides a range of public facilities including BBQ area, observation deck, parking, picnic shelters, playground, toilets and some wheelchair access.
Castle Hill Lookout
10 minute drive
Castle Hill is the giant pink granite monolith that stands proud in the centre of Townsville With vehicle access it’s easy to get to and it’s popular walking tracks, are frequented by more than 2,500 locals a day! The 360-degree views of Townsville at the top are well worth the journey. Facilities include car parking, public amenities, drinking fountains and shaded seating.
Magnetic Island
20 minute ferry trip
Jump on the ferry from the Breakwater Ferry Terminal, located just a short stroll from Mariners North Holiday Apartments, and head over to picturesque Magnetic Island. There’s plenty of great spots to enjoy your picnic including Picnic Bay!
Staying at Mariners North Holiday Apartments not only are you handy to some of Townsville’s best picnic spots, there are supermarkets within a 5 minutes drive where you can pick up your picnic supplies. Plus all apartments at Mariners North have their own fully equipped kitchen so you can refrigerate your groceries and prepare your picnic with ease!
Image – Tourism and Events Queensland