Oh dear, it’s a while since I flew in a plane with propellers. At least there were two, so that made me feel a bit better.
Qantas Link services rural areas around the country. It’s like catching a bus – it stops periodically to let passengers off, takes on more, and heads off again. I found it very comfortable and convenient.
My expectations of Townsville were of a busy, thriving city, what with it being a port and the largest city in northern Queensland. The bus dropped me off in the very centre of town, Flinders Street, and I wondered where all the people were. The place seemed to be empty.
Not being able to find a cafe open, I asked the man at the convenience store what was going on. He said several new shopping centres had opened in the suburbs and that’s where people now went.
When Townsville became the de facto capital of north Queensland in the late 19th century, banks and insurance companies were installed all along Flinders Street. It became the ‘Wall Street’ of north Queensland.
Most of the buildings still survive but with other uses.
I set out early the next morning with a view to catching the SeaLink ferry out to Magnetic Island, a 20 minute ride from Townsville, or 40 minutes on the car ferry.
On the way to the terminal I wandered in the sunshine around the pretty marina.
What looks to be a mountain in the background is Castle Hill, a giant granite monolith overlooking Townsville.
I chose not to do a bus tour around the island though I think now I probably missed some lovely scenery. Instead, I headed out the back of the resort area
to the bushy village and surrounds.
The sun got a bit hot eventually and so I called into the very eclectic Scallyways Cafe for a coffee and a massive chunk of carrot cake, enough to keep me going till dinner time.
By then it was time to catch the ferry back. I enjoyed the day, doing what I love, wandering around somewhere new.
Planning to the Nth 
I love the way you travel. It is similar to how I like to wander around a new place and take in the sites and sounds etc. That carrot cake looks amazing!!
LikeLike
Thanks, Darlene, and yes it was. I tell myself it’s healthier than other cakes because it’s got carrots in it – and sometimes walnuts. It works, but only on holidays.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I recall visiting Townsville a long while ago on our roadtrip along the coast. We didn’t get across to Magnetic Island but did spend three nights on Hamilton Island. Your post brought back fond memories.
LikeLike
That’s great, Marion. I love it when that happens. Three nights on Hamilton Island would be pretty easy to take.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The weather you had for Magnetic Island looks so much better than the day we went, we had a very choppy sea on the way back. We did take the bus, hop on and off but it was very crowded and they whizz around so fast that we finished up walking as much as possible. You’re right about Townsville too, everything seems to be centred around the Strand mostly along the foreshore but they had great markets in the centre of the city on weekends. 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks for that, Glenys. I made the right decision then. The Strand is lovely. I didn’t discover it till quite late in the piece. I hope to cover the gardens along there next time.
LikeLike
Hi Coral, out of town shopping malls are a death knell to city centres. What are planners thinking?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Do planners think? Sometimes you have to wonder.
LikeLike