I grew up in T'ville and have lived all round the place since. I'm back here now and love it. Townsville is actually growing so much and is bigger than Cairns, at lease in terms of population.

In terms of things to do,

- Magnetic Island
- Paluma (about an hours drive)
- a drive up Castle Hill which has great views of the region
- a drive out to the Hervey's Range Tea Rooms. Which has the oldest building in QLD
- Reef HQ which also has the omnimax (sp) which is an amazing cinema where the screen is from horizion to horizion.
- the museum. Has fantastic section for kids which is interactive. My 3 yr old loves it.
- The Strand. I could spend endless days there, swimmig enclosures and the rock pool mean it's safe to swim year round.
- Palmer Street. Has fantastic restaurants. Try Cactus Jacks, it's an instiution around here.
- The Billabong Century which is a local zoo.
- There are some great markets around for eg the Strand Markets, Cotters markets.
- Riverway. It has great play areas for kids and. Free swimming lagoon.

That's but to name a few.

In terms of accomodation I had friends come recently who stayed in a self contained unit just back from the strand And loved it. I'd suggest getting a car, public transport is pretty hopeless around here.

HTH

Spring xx