18+ Independent guide. Not operated by or affiliated with The Ville Resort-Casino.

Sir Leslie Thiess Drive, Townsville QLD 4810

Breakwater GuideThe Ville, Townsville, unofficial

Around Townsville

The resort sits within easy reach of the best of Townsville. Here is what is close by.

Breakwater Marina in Townsville at dusk with the waterfront path
Photo: Greditdesu, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Next door

Breakwater Marina

The marina wraps around the resort. Walk the waterfront path at sunset, watch the boats come in and stop at a marina cafe. Charter boats for fishing and reef trips leave from here.

Evening view from the Strand pier along the Townsville foreshore
Photo: Kgbo, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Waterfront

The Strand

Townsville's beachfront promenade runs north-west from the breakwater for more than two kilometres. It has a beach, a water park, playgrounds, a rock pool, cafes and a jetty. In stinger season, swim only in the enclosures.

Castle Hill rising above Townsville, seen from the breakwater
Photo: TheDinosaurMan08, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Lookout

Castle Hill

The pink granite monolith behind the city rises to almost 290 metres. Locals walk up the Goat Track early in the morning; you can also drive to the summit for a view over the city, the bay and Magnetic Island.

Shaded street at Horseshoe Bay on Magnetic Island
Photo: Ridiculopathy, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Day trip

Magnetic Island

Passenger ferries cross from Townsville to Nelly Bay on Magnetic Island in around 20 to 25 minutes. Over half the island is national park, with bays, granite boulders, the Forts Walk and a good chance of seeing koalas in the wild. Check ferry timetables before you go.

Reef HQ Great Barrier Reef Aquarium building in Townsville
Photo: Rabs003, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Great Barrier Reef

Reef HQ

The national education centre for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, with a large living coral reef aquarium, is on Flinders Street East, close to the breakwater. Check its current opening status and hours before visiting.

Also worth your time

Museum of Tropical Queensland on Flinders Street, Townsville
City

Flinders Street

Heritage buildings from the gold rush era, pubs, restaurants and the Museum of Tropical Queensland.

Photo: Rabs003, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Lagoon and palms at the Townsville Palmetum
Outdoors

Palmetum and Riverway

Botanic gardens and lagoon pools along the Ross River, a short drive from the centre.

Photo: ROxBo at English Wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Magnetic Island passenger ferry at the Townsville breakwater terminal
Reef

Day trips to the reef

Operators run reef and island trips from Townsville. Compare inclusions and weather policies.

Photo: Ridiculopathy, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons