FREE Things to Do In and Around Townsville
- Cotters Market, Sundays in Flinders Mall
- Water games at the Strand Water Playground
- Swimming in the Strand Rock Pool
- Catching fish on the Strand Pier and the Pock Pool
- Cook your dinner on the free BBQ’s on the Strand
- Listen and learn about our history from the verbal information at the War Memorial in Anzac Park
- See beautiful birds and enjoy lots of shady trees in the Queens Garden
- Look over all of Townsville at the Mt Stuart Look-out
- Watch the sun rise or set from the top of Castle Hill
- Learn all about Palms in the tranquil Palmetum
- Roll around in the sand with the Beach access wheelchair at Pallarenda or the Strand
- Surf the net at the library
- Discover the airborne history at the RAAF Museum Sundays 10am – 4pm
- Watch the bird life on the Town Common while nestled in the special hideout
- Enjoy the visual feast of art at the Tucker Gallery, Umbrella Studio and the Townsville Art
- Take a roll or stroll along the river on the Ross River Bike Path
- Swim surrounded by nature at Alligator Creek Reserve
ALLIGATOR CREEK
As the region’s largest coastal park, Bowling Green Bay National Park contains diverse habitats. Its coastal plains are dramatically set against a backdrop of rugged granite mountains rising abruptly in the distance. In this section of the park, Alligator Creek flows between two rocky mountain groups – Mount Elliot and Saddle Mountain.
Visit for the day, picnic among the gum trees and swim in the creek. View agile wallabies and rock-wallabies as they feed nearby. At night, common brushtail possums and rufous bettongs ‘patrol’ this area.
- Access Without Assistance for the Disabled
- BBQ Facilities
- Car park
- Public toilet
- Shaded Area
- Sheltered Area
- Visitor Information Centre
- Animal Watching
- Birdwatching
- Camping
- Swimming
- Walking
There is access for guests with a disability. The Alligator Creek campground and day-use area toilets, and a 100 metre boardwalk along Alligator Creek, are wheelchair accessible.How To Get There:
Turn off the Bruce Highway to Alligator Creek, 25 kilometres south of Townsville (or 65 kilometres north of Ayr). Follow the road 5.5 kilometres to the park entrance. There is no public transport available
BOWLING GREEN NATIONAL PARK (ALLIGATOR CREEK)
ALLIGATOR CREEK BOARDWALK (MOUNT ELLIOT)
—200 m return (15 mins) Grade: easy A wheelchair-accessible boardwalk leads from the day-use area through riparian forest to the bank of Alligator Creek. Interpretive signs highlight some of the plants and animals in the area.
ALLIGATOR CREEK LOOKOUT (MOUNT ELLIOT)
—1 km return (30 mins) Grade: easy Take your camera for a canopy-level view of the lower sections of Alligator Creek. Reach the lookout by walking 500 m directly from the car park along a sealed path, or use the steps from the swimming area.
ALLIGATOR FALLS TRACK (MOUNT ELLIOT)
—17 km return (5–6 hrs) Grade: difficult The track to Alligator Falls starts from the southern end of the day-use area. The Alligator Creek lookout is located 500 m along the track (as described above). The track then continues on for another 2 km to Cockatoo Creek, an ideal place for a rest and a swim.
From Cockatoo Creek the track meanders roughly parallel to the creek, following powerlines through open woodland forest to Hidden Valley. Across the creek the valley narrows, with Mount Elliot and Saddle Mountain framing the landscape. An open clearing features towering, old mango trees, one of the only reminders of the homestead that once stood there.
After a further 2 km, the track arrives at a series of steps ascending through a rocky vine-thicket where some boulder-scrambling is required. The track then suddenly emerges at the falls. Access to and above the falls is not provided.
On this track visitors must cross the creek on four occasions. These crossings vary in depth from ankle-deep to approximately waist-deep depending on the season and weather conditions.
As the walk is long, visitors are advised to start walking in the morning to ensure a safe return during daylight hours. Carry water and wear sturdy footwear.
REMEMBER TO TELL SOMEONE USE ARE HIKING ON THE TRACK AND WHEN TO EXPECT YOUR RETURN.
CUNGULLA
Cungulla is a small beach-side community to the south of Townsville. It is accessed by first turning off the highway toward AIMS, and then turning right about 5mins down the AIMS road. From town allow about 45mins drive.
The township has no shops/convenience stores; however there is a Community Centre. Cungulla is known for it’s fishing.
There are two boat ramps located at the small township of Cungulla. One is easy to find and most people know about, but the second is more hidden and difficult to get to. The first is in town and clearly sigh posted. Basically turn left as you arrive at Cungulla and then right just over the little creek. The ramp is a single lane concrete ramp on a small creek that snakes its way through Cungulla Beach. The ramp is only suitable for small tinnies on a half tide an up. The creek that winds through the beach is shallow but loosely marked. I would guess there is ocean access on a reasonable tide. But I suspect the ramp is mainly used to fish the sand flats for bream, whiting and flathead. There are no amenities here, and there is barely enough parking for a couple of cars!
The second ramp is of much greater interest. It provides relatively easy access across to the mouth of the Haughton River. To access the ramp you need to drive preferable a 4 x4, a very short distance along a beach track. To locate the track you need to drive to the southern end of the Cungulla township. Here you should see a sandy track run off into the bush. The track then runs along the top of the mangroves and soon opens up to a sand area.
OtherThings to Do Close to The Sunbird.
BILLBONG SANCTUARY
See our reception for discount voucher
Australian Native Animal Wildlife Park and Function Centre
Crocodiles, Koalas, Kangaroos, Snakes, Wombat & Birds
You can cuddle a koala, hold a wombat, and if you’re brave enough, there’s snake and crocodile handling too! Nowhere else in Australia can you interact with so many of Australia’s native animals.
ALLIGATOR CREEK BOWLS & REC. CLUB
10 Parkland Rd Alligator Creek 4816
Description: Welcome to the Alligator Creek Bowls and Recreation Club. We are fully licenced club with pokies machines and great bistro menu for all those who love food. We are situated 15 mins drive North of Townsville. Our club is surrounded by lush tropical wildlife, camping and swimming sites and picturess mountains. Come by and say hello to our friendly members who love meeting new people. If you love your bowls we have the best bowling green rated in the north.
Contact Person: Gary Cooper Phone: 07 4780 4819
TOWNSVILLE GUN CLUB INC
Killymoon Grounds, Bruce Highway South Alligator Creek 4816
Phone: 4778 8163
Clay Target Shooting
Secretary (Ms Daphne Leeds) Ph: 4780 4556
President (Mr Peter Mackey) Mob: 0419 726 699
Meeting Times: Practice: Saturday 1pm, 4pm; Competition: 3rd Sunday
