8 Unmissable Day Trips From Townsville

A day trip from Townsville/Gurambilbarra is your golden ticket to the Great Tropical Drive—an epic road winding through 457km of North Queensland's most scenic landscapes. One minute you’re cruising past palm-draped beaches, the next you’re climbing into cloud forests or spotting longhorns in red-dirt country.

This corner of the tropics doesn’t do boring: within hours, you can swap ocean dips for waterfall swims and heritage pubs for island cocktails. So whether you’re chasing adventure, serenity, or just an excuse to jam out with a cracking road trip playlist, these 8 day trips deliver the lot (and then some).

Texas Longhorn Safari

Image credit: Texas Longhorn Tours | Instagram

Gear up for a one-of-a-kind outback experience. Hop aboard a horse-drawn wagon or an all-terrain Polaris Ranger for an up-close encounter with the world’s longest-horned cattle—some with spans over 3 metres. Fun fact: these majestic beasts are direct descendants of the Texas Longhorns that trekked from Texas in the 1800s. 

The tour includes a traditional Aussie smoko, a visit to the JR Gallery of Horns (home to the world record holding horned steer), and a peek inside the Longhorn Love Shack. Operating from early May to October, it's a must-do for anyone seeking a slice of Aussie history and wildlife. 

How to get there:
Texas Longhorn Tours is located near Charters Towers, about a 1.5 to 2-hour drive west of Townsville via the Flinders Highway. 

Hinchinbrook Island

Described by Lonely Planet as the “holy grail for walkers,” this untouched island is all rugged peaks, mangroves and white-sand beaches that look straight out of a movie. Jump on a boat from Lucinda or Cardwell for a guided day trip (try Hinchinbrook Eco Tours) to explore the island’s dramatic coastlines and secret swimming spots like Zoe Bay and Mulligan Falls. 

You can hike a short section of the famous Thorsborne Trail, paddle through mangrove creeks, or picnic on the beach. While it’s better suited to adventurous travellers than toddlers, older kids and teens will love the castaway vibes and wildlife-spotting opportunities.

How to get there:
Hinchinbrook Island is accessible via a short ferry or guided tour from Lucinda or Cardwell, both about a 2-hour drive north of Townsville. 

Paluma 

Nestled in the cool heights of the Paluma Range, this mountain-top village feels like stepping back in time. Spend your morning sipping tea at cosy tea houses, browsing quaint arts and crafts stores, or strolling through the village for a little local history. Then head into the surrounding Paluma Range National Park, a lush rainforest with swimming holes, easy walking trails and birdwatching spots. Keen for a laidback family outing or a nature escape? Paluma is your local favourite for a day trip just over an hour north of Townsville.

How to get there:
Take the Bruce Highway north from Townsville, then follow the turnoff toward Paluma Village. There’s parking and picnic facilities available once you arrive.

Charters Towers 

Image credit: Charters Towers | Townsville

Head west to the heart of the true Aussie outback—and the filming spot for Australian Survivor 2022. Charters Towers is a gold rush town with more character than a bushranger. Wander streets lined with 19th-century architecture, peek into the Heritage Centre, or get the scoop on the town’s mining past on a guided tour. Feeling brave? The Haunted Charters Towers Ghost Tour lets you wander the old city centre after dark… if you dare.

For outdoorsy fun, climb Tower Hill Lookout for epic views or explore Dalrymple National Park’s trails and wildlife. Wrap up with a coffee at a local cafe or a sunset stroll past historic landmarks, such as the 80-metre long Wall of History mosaic that pays homage to the gold rush era. See? The outback is way more fun than you’d expect.

How to get there:
The drive to Charters Towers takes about 1.5 to 2 hours from Townsville via the Flinders Highway. 

Orpheus Island

Floating 80km north of Townsville, Orpheus Island is pure Great Barrier Reef magic with turquoise lagoons, coral gardens and white-sand beaches you’ll probably have all to yourself (if you’re lucky). Spend the day snorkelling or diving among vibrant marine life, paddling across glassy shallows, or spreading out a picnic at Yanks Jetty or Pioneer Bay.

If you can’t bring yourself to leave (we don’t blame you), camp under the stars with a Queensland Parks permit, or treat yourself to the luxe life at Orpheus Island Lodge, an all-inclusive retreat with ocean-to-plate dining and private reef access. Getting there’s part of the fun too—a 30-minute heli ride from Townsville with jaw-dropping reef views the entire way.

How to get there:
Orpheus Island is accessible via a 30-minute helicopter flight from Townsville. Alternatively, private boats and charters can reach the island from Lucinda or Dungeness.  

Wallaman Falls

Image credit: Wallaman Falls | Townsville

If you’re chasing a nature spectacle, Wallaman Falls is the ultimate showstopper. Plunging a staggering 268 metres in a single drop, it’s Australia’s tallest waterfall and truly humbling in person. You’ll find it in the lush Girringun National Park, part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. The park offers well-marked walking trails, from short lookouts perfect for photos to longer hikes that take you closer to the base of the falls. Keep an eye out for native wildlife like cassowaries and scrub turkeys along the way.

How to get there:
The drive from Townsville to Girringun National Park takes about 2.5 hours. There’s a visitor centre with maps, parking and picnic facilities, and walking trails lead from the car park to the falls lookout and base.

Magnetic Island

Image credit: Magnetic Island | Instagram

Just a 20-minute ferry ride from Townsville, Magnetic Island feels like stepping into a tropical postcard. With 23 secluded bays, rocky headlands, and walking trails shaded by eucalyptus trees (and dotted with wild koalas), it’s the ultimate Townsville day trip. 

Hike the Forts Walk for sweeping ocean views, snorkel the Nelly Bay trail, or hop between beaches on the island’s iconic topless cars. You can even visit turtles being cared for at Reef HQ Aquarium's Turtle Hospital. Refuel with fish and chips by the water or grab a sunset drink at Horseshoe Bay before heading back to the mainland feeling smugly relaxed.

How to get there: 
Magnetic Island is a 20-minute ferry ride from Townsville, with regular services from SeaLink and Magnetic Island Ferries (if you’re bringing a car). Once you’re there, explore by topless car, local bus or on foot via the island’s scenic coastal trails. 

Hervey Range

Herveys Range isn’t just a scenic stretch of the state's largest mountain range—it’s also packed with history. Stop by the Herveys Range Heritage Tea Rooms (set in the restored Eureka Hotel, North Queensland’s oldest building) for high tea or even a cheeky cup of rare Kopi Luwak coffee. Then stretch your legs at Piper’s Lookout, where panoramic views take in the escarpment, the old Greenvale Line, and a landscape steeped in both Indigenous and European heritage. History, hiking, and views—tick, tick, tick.

How to get there:
Hervey Range is about 45 minutes northwest of Townsville via the Bruce Highway and Page Road. 

Image credit: Magnetic Island | Townsville