12 Of The Best Townsville Stays To Bliss Out In This Year

Wondering where to stay in Townsville? Live your best life just a short drive from everything the city has to offer at this beautiful three-bedroom Airbnb. With its white weatherboard exterior, this pad is a quintessential Queenslander, and yet it’s pretty luxe inside, with lovely wooden floors, high ceilings and of course that tempting lagoon-style outdoor pool.

You’ve got three living areas to choose from here, but our fave is the covered outdoor deck where you can laze on the lounge with a cocktail while keeping an eye on the crew in the pool. There’s an icebox out here so you can keep the drinks cool, and if you need some time out, we recommend heading to the bohemian book nook for a few hours of me-time. An added bonus of this accommodation? Small dogs are welcome on request.

The Strand is Townsville’s celebrated 2.2km stretch of beachfront promenade and if you’re looking for a classy stay close by, this is your guy. Coastal Corner Airbnb is a ground-floor property which sits directly opposite Strand Park, the surf club, beach, kids’ playground and basketball court, so there’s no need to even bring a car.

You’ll want to pack those bathers though, because the private pool is something special. It’s fully fenced, surrounded by greenery and sits next to the spacious undercover outdoor patio which has a barbecue you’ll want to get fired up pronto.

Call a heritage-listed building your home away from home for a while at this early 1900s Airbnb that’s filled with eclectic art and antique pieces. Your Townsville stay sits on Flinders Street, which is the city’s buzzing entertainment strip, so sitting on your private balcony and watching the world go by with a cuppa (or cocktail) is a must during your stay. 

The whole gang can join in the fun here, because your accommodation sleeps eight in four bedrooms and there’s three bathrooms to make mornings easy. They’re made even easier by the fact that your pad literally sits above Hoi Polloi Cafe, where you can easily grab a coffee or a smoothie and take it back to bed.

Need a seriously good stay near Townsville for a big group gathering? This Magnetic Island home has room for everyone. It’s a whopper, right on the waterfront, sleeping up to 18, thanks to the six bedrooms and bunk room that accommodates six—and it’s got a large outdoor entertainment area that calls for group chats and cocktails.

You’re walking distance to the ferry terminal here, so getting to Townsville will be a breeze. But back at base there’s more than enough to keep you entertained. Take a dip in the private swimming pool and you might see fish swimming in the marina on the other side. Afterwards, we reckon a stint on the daybed calls, or a cheeky lunchtime barbecue because, well, you’re on holiday.

How about a spot of studio living in Townsville’s only beachfront highrise? Open the bi-fold doors of this couples’ stay and you’ll get some pretty epic sea views, but that’s not the only drawcard. The space, which sits in the same building as the Aquarius on the Beach hotel, is cleverly designed by a local architect and you can tell.

There’s Italian marble throughout, a Denon sound system in the ceiling, a Smeg grill on the balcony, plus a hidden ironing board which is pretty neat. Take a long soak under the rainfall shower, snuggle up on the futon, or perhaps a trip to the large pool at Aquarius is in order? (While you can’t use the services of the hotel’s front desk here, you can use all the facilities, and that’s a real plus.)

Looking for a Townsville stay within footsteps of all the attractions? This top-floor one bedroom unit puts you right in the most central area of The Strand. It’s super practical, offering secure underground parking for one car, just 300 metres from North Ward Shopping Village.

You get not one but two balconies here—one at the front that gives you views of The Strand and ocean, and one at the side where you can look down to the complex’s shared pool. There’s a Weber barbecue out here for lighting up come snack time.

A tropical courtyard and complimentary breakfast just ten minutes out of the city. When it comes to choosing where to stay in Townsville, this two-bedroom Airbnb is well worth a deeper look. The hosts of this pad go above and beyond to make your stay a special one, offering flexible check-in times and an early luggage drop off if you need it.

Tuck into your brekky of bacon, eggs, bread, butter, and porridge out on the charming wooden deck. There’s a large gas barbecue out here too, and heaps of space to relax in. If you’re travelling with littlies, you’ll love the fact your accommodation backs on to the botanical Anderson Gardens, with lots of shady paths to explore and ducks to feed by the pond. Plus, there’s two portacots back at base, and child-friendly tableware, games and books.

There’s loads of space to roll around in at this three-bedroom Townsville home, and you’ll get breathtaking views of Cleveland Bay and Magnetic Island from every room too. The layout of this stay is epic, with the kitchenette flowing seamlessly into the lounge space with its enormous sliding glass doors.

Head out to the covered deck with a glass of the good stuff and you’ll find you’ve got a comfy lounge or outdoor table to sit at. We love the outdoor kitchen at this place too—it’s got a barbecue and sink to make entertaining a breeze. Prefer someone else to do the washing up? You’re minutes away from The Strand and all the local eateries.

Want to stay within commuting distance of Townsville, but indulge in some serious holiday vibes when you get home? At Bali Ha'i on Magnetic Island you get the slow pace of island life within a short ferry ride of the city which sounds like a win-win to us. 

This rustic one-bedroom Airbnb sits at the base of Nobby Headland, just a three-minute stroll from Picnic Bay Beach. It’s surrounded by granite boulders, eucalypt trees and paperbarks so you’re really among nature here. Fire up the Weber barbecue on the covered verandah and we reckon your food is best served in the separate screened dining area with its lovely treetop views. Lava Lava Cafe and General Store on the Esplanade in Picnic Bay offers some food supplies if you need to stock up.

Embrace the retro charm of Edgecliff, your holiday home by the sea in the heart of Townsville. She was born in 1968, and while her exterior has naturally seen a little wear and tear, inside, your fourth floor accommodation offers a character-filled stay in a super handy location that’s walkable to everything.

The open plan lounge and dining area is the place to be, and it leads to a compact patio with lovely water views. If you’re not sitting here with a cuppa, we expect you’ll be taking a stroll along the nearby beachfront, having a picnic at Anzac Park or a refreshing dip at the Tobruk Memorial baths.

Need quick access to Townsville city but love the beach life too? This renovated townhouse at the base of Castle Hill offers you the best of both worlds. Your accommodation is within a ten-minute walk of The Strand and you’re walking distance to Gregory Street shops and restaurants too, but back at base, you’ve got ocean views and a gorgeous little garden to explore.

Head to the private upstairs deck and drink in the scenery before grabbing the swimmers and accessing the shared pool next to your garden for a well-deserved dip.

Coffee and pizza lovers take note. This two-bedroom Airbnb just two blocks away from The Strand has you covered on both fronts. This Townsville location is the real deal. You’re literal moments from the beach, but you’ve got one of the best coffee houses in town across the road, and an excellent pizza place on the other side for good measure. Home cooks don’t worry, your ground-floor pad has a lovely wooden-topped kitchen to play in and a large patio with a barbecue and outdoor seating so you can serve up a feast.

Looking to make your stay extra spesh? The host, Louise, offers a concierge service for those who’d like to arrive to fresh bread and a well-stocked fridge. She can also sort transport, sailing adventures, dream dinners, hampers and more, so hit her up with any questions.