07 April 2025
13 mins Read
With its balmy tropical climate, abundant sunshine and ample sightlines lover the Coral Sea, accommodation in Townsville means water-view balconies, rooftop restaurants, poolside bars, and expansive verandahs will do. Luckily, that’s what it serves up in spades.
From sunny beachfront motels to tropical resorts with strong holiday vibes, and from historic Queenslanders to island retreats just a short ferry or helicopter ride away, there’s an oasis for you here to relax in after a day of exploring the city.
From boutique hotels with quirky designs and tucked-away restaurants to luxury resorts, with swimming pools, day spas, and entertainment at your doorstep, Townsville has a hotel or resort to suit all travellers.
The Ville Resort-Casino has an infinity pool with a swim-up bar, a sun-soaked deck and private cabanas.
The iconic The Ville Resort-Casino overlooking the marina is a stylishly laid-back destination with a tropical holiday feel that connects 194 guest rooms, a designer pool, five restaurants and a nightspot to its surrounding scenery and the oceanic Coral Sea and Magnetic Island aspects. The resort channels a lush pleasure garden vibe, with nods to the vernacular architecture of Townsville. Its guest rooms have more than a hint of mid-century California in their retro-cool furnishings and leaf-print carpet. Although you’re only a leisurely stroll away from The Strand, with its cafes and restaurants, The Ville’s dining and drinking options might just mean you stay put. Choose between Miss Songs, a modern Asian fusion restaurant; Quarterdeck, a cocktail bar with a balcony boasting uninterrupted views of Magnetic Island; the poolside, Palm Springs-inspired Splash Bar; the contemporary Palm House; and the laidback and welcoming Spin Café. Guests can also wander next door to the five-star Ardo to partake in their culinary collection.
The design-savvy resort has a vast pool with shaded sofas to relax on.
A boutique resort hotel in the centre of Townsville city, Rambutan is a design-savvy spot with 45 guest rooms catering to a range of budgets – from king rooms to deluxe suites and self-contained villas. The star of the show here is its rooftop pool, bar and restaurant, Armati’s, which serves up Mediterranean and Italian-inspired share plates – including its signature wood-fired pizzas – and carafes of wine alongside sweeping views of the marina.
Mercure Townsville is home to an expansive free-form swimming pool with a spa. (Image: Phil Cropp)
A 10-minute drive from the city centre, the four-star Mercure Townsville is spread across five luscious hectares of tropical gardens on the banks of Lake Curralea.
Its 162 rooms and 12 two-bedroom bungalows offer views across the lake, gardens or pool – Townsville’s resort-style swimming pool with the added bonus of a spa. There are also two full-size tennis courts on the property and a restaurant, Celsius, with a poolside deck and an à la carte dinner menu for making the most of North Queensland’s balmy nights.
Watch the sun go down with a drink in hand at Orpheus Island Lodge. (Image: James Vodicka)
For a unique and exclusive tropical North Queensland experience, take off in a helicopter from Townsville for the 30-minute (extremely scenic) flight over the Great Barrier Reef to Orpheus Island Lodge – a secluded hideaway that accommodates just 28 guests at a time. Check into one of its 14 contemporary suites rendered in tones reflective of their beachfront aspect, indulge at its on-site spa, dine at its award-winning restaurant and set off to explore the pristine reef at your doorstep. A stay at this sustainably minded luxury island resort includes three gourmet meals daily, an all-inclusive minibar and unlimited use of fishing and snorkelling gear, paddleboards, kayaks and more. And don’t miss Orpheus’s signature ‘Dining with the Tides’ experience, a night of exclusive dining for two under the stars on the island’s jetty.
This tropical-themed boutique hotel underwent a renovation in early 2022.
Located in the heart of Townsville’s CBD, The Palmer Collective is an easy walk to Flinders Mall and City Lane, where you’ll find shopping, restaurants and bars. The four-star hotel was renovated in early 2022 and has a fresh, subtle tropical theme across its guest rooms.
Start your day at Palmers Bar and Kitchen, the on-site restaurant, with breakfast favourites such as avocado on sourdough or eggs benedict, or choose pub classics from the all-day menu, including a chicken schnitzel and steak sandwich. You can also keep up your fitness in the gym and escape the North Queensland heat in the outdoor swimming pool.
The five-star Ardo Resort will reward you with unbeatable views and unparalleled service. (Image: Simon Shiff)
Positioned for an uninterrupted vantage of the milky-blue Coral Sea, where anchored sailboats bob lazily in the calm waters, Ardo is Townsville’s latest luxury offering. The 32 rooms and suites are styled in soothingly minimalist tones that emphasise the high-vis tropical optics of the hotel’s surrounds. When the reef beyond isn’t beckoning, exhale on-site at the rooftop pool and adjacent bar, where sunsets descend in a blaze of iridescent oranges, or spend a quiet hour in the jade-hued spa or at the onsite gym. Contributing to the city’s high-end dining scene, Ardo’s two incredible restaurants are showpieces of culinary excellence. Downstairs, Terasu plates up beautifully refined Japanese dishes made with locally caught seafood, while the loftily located Marmor is an epicurean union of land and sea with views from city to reef.
The indulgent hideaway opens out to incredible ocean views.
The neighbouring island to Orpheus, unlock next-level luxury at the exclusive-use, all-inclusive Pelorus Private Island. Descending after a scenic 30-minute helicopter ride from Townsville, you’ll be greeted with bubbles and warm welcomes from your hosts as you acclimatise to the beauty of your surrounds. Set in the Great Palm Archipelago of the Great Barrier Reef, Pelorus perches on a slip of white sand encircled by crystal reefs. The single communal living residence with five suites is beautifully crafted with natural materials and styled with a laidback, understated elegance. The very definition of quiet luxury, this stunning escape is remarkable in its isolation and intuitive service. Those lucky enough to castaway here enjoy chef-made meals daily, all-inclusive drinks, and unlimited use of watercraft and boat charters. Design your own adventure with the Pelorus team always on-hand to guide you on fishing, snorkelling or hiking expeditions. If that all seems like too much effort, a freshly opened coconut and a poolside sun lounge awaits. Needless to say, this is a once-in-a-lifetime escape for most, but you can share the cost (by enquiry only) between 10 guests.
Families and larger groups will find convenience in accommodation that offers kitchen facilities and more space. These self-contained apartments and units are ideal for these travellers and for long-term stays.
The comfortable apartments are conveniently located near Townsville’s CBD.
Four-star hotel Quest Townsville on Eyre is within walking distance to Townsville’s CBD and offers 85 studio, one- and two- and three-bedroom serviced apartments. Each comfortable and contemporary apartment has a kitchen and some feature balconies, while studios have kitchenettes when you need to eat in. There’s also an al fresco barbecue area for chilled nights, an outdoor swimming pool and an on-site gym.
Hidden Valley Cabins are constructed from locally sourced recycled timber.
Need a holiday from your holiday? Drive 1.5 hours north-west of Townsville and check into the 100 per cent solar-powered Hidden Valley Cabins, located on the western edge of Paluma Range National Park, for a lungful of fresh mountain air and lower humidity than you’ll find on the coast. The bush resort offers rustic and cosy cabins, which – built from locally sourced recycled timber – were designed with the environment in mind from the very beginning. There is a range of daily tours and activities designed to introduce you to the wildlife, ecosystems and landscapes of the Hidden Valley, including platypus and nocturnal safaris. Four-day all-inclusive tours departing from Townsville can also be booked.
Each apartment boasts its own balcony, and the larger options have private plunge pools.
Taking the quick ferry trip out to Magnetic Island is non-negotiable for visitors to Townsville, and to really make the most out of the laid-back tropical island experience you’ll have here, consider checking in for a night or two. A 4.5-star resort located opposite the ferry terminal, Peppers Blue on Blue is one of the island’s most luxurious offerings. Ranging from hotel rooms to apartments to a three-bedroom apartment, each boasts its own balcony, many offer kitchen facilities and the larger options have private plunge pools. On top of this, it offers two outdoor pools, a day spa, and a restaurant and bar – Boardwalk – that deals in fresh tropical produce, including seafood straight from the reef, fine wines and vibrant cocktails.
Stay in a self-contained Polynesian-style bure.
Alternatively, check into Magnetic Island’s Island Leisure Resort on the other side of the marina. Small and boutique, this property is set on half a hectare of tropical gardens dotted with self-contained Polynesian-style bures, each with its own kitchen and outdoor dining patio.
Also onsite is a large lagoon pool and spa, a poolside barbecue area, a full-size tennis court, and a games room and library.
Smack-bang on The Strand, these motels and hotels are across from Townsville’s waterfront, boasting rooms with ocean views, and walking distance to drinking, dining, playgrounds and The Strand Waterpark.
Bed down in a cosy, whitewashed room opposite Townsville Beach.
This 3.5-star family-owned Beach House Motel is situated right on Townsville’s foreshore, The Strand, and offers a range of 24 clean, comfortable and stylish rooms and studio suites that put you in prime position for exploring the city’s beachy highlights without breaking the bank. Among its attractions are a swimming pool with water views out to Magnetic Island and Cleveland Bay, and proximity to all the bars, restaurants and cafes of this buzzy strip, including Longboard Bar & Grill and C-Bar, right across the road.
Wake up to this kind of view at Aquarius on the Beach.
Positioned on The Strand, Aquarius on the Beach claims to have the best views in Townsville.
Each of its spacious rooms has a balcony that overlooks the ocean and out to Magnetic Island. You can book a standard hotel room or a studio or suite with kitchen facilities.
There is a swimming pool onsite, or head over to Strand Park, which has beach swimming (with stinger nets), as well as walking and biking paths, picnic areas, basketball courts and a playground, just a short walk away.
This basic motel is well positioned on The Strand, within quick walking distance of the toddler park and the epic water playground, which kids will love. Strand Motel offers hotel rooms, as well as two- and three-bedroom units. The units have full kitchens, though, with your location right near some of the best restaurants and cafes in Townsville, you won’t need these cooking facilities every night. There’s also the Strand View Café onsite, which serves an all-day breakfast menu, where you can sip on your morning coffee with views of the sun rising over the ocean.
Travelling with your dog? These pet-friendly hotels and motels will let your four-legged friend enjoy your Townsville holiday with you.
Located at the foot of Castle Hill, The Robert Towns is a motel offering pet-friendly accommodation, as well as spacious family rooms and one-bedroom apartments. It’s a short walk into the CBD, where you’ll find dining and shopping. The property has an outdoor swimming pool, barbecue facilities and an on-site laundromat, and it caters to large group bookings.
Retreat into a rustic yet classy room at Classique Bed and Breakfast.
Check into Classique Bed and Breakfast to stay in a magnificent old Queenslander built in 1890 with original timber floors, high pressed-metal ceilings and French doors that spill onto a sunny verandah. The property has just three ensuite queen guest rooms, each elegantly appointed, an outdoor spa and a games room for playing pool, snooker or darts. Enjoy a complimentary tropical breakfast on the deck each morning and soak in the ambience and good old-fashioned hospitality that comes with the territory here. You’ll find Classique at the foot of the city’s landmark Castle Hill, with quick access to one of its trails for sunset hikes, and a few minutes’ drive from the city centre.
For a tropical home away from home or when you’re planning a longer stay, settle into the cadence of Townsville life in a beautiful Airbnb.
This one-bedroom stay opens out to a beguiling vista.
Ascend to level 12 and drop your bags at the door the second you lock eyes on the shimmering blue horizon from the balcony of this stylish, one-bedroom stay. Bi-fold doors open out to that beguiling vista, but inside, the architecturally designed interiors easily hold your attention, from marble finishes to floating timber shelves. Although a private apartment, Studio 1201 is located within the Aquarius Hotel, which means you can use all the shared facilities except the front desk.
This North Ward apartment is just a five-minute stroll to The Strand, with easy access to restaurants, bars and Townsville City. Styled in a 1970s-era Mediterranean aesthetic with contemporary touches, The Elba is a beachfront, two-bedroom stay full of charm. Retreat from the heat in the bright and open, air-conditioned space and make yourself entirely at home.
Strand Residence by Sublime Experiences is the perfect oasis for a Townsville holiday. (Image: Lauren and Douglas laurenanddouglas.com)
This gorgeous one-bedroom, ground-floor apartment is set in a historic block of just three and is truly the place to entwine yourself in a tropical life. The beautiful timber shiplap building enjoys a shared garden and design-savvy styling throughout. You’re also within easy reach of The Strand and the beach, but being nestled two blocks behind the action, you’re also removed from the noise that comes with it. If that’s not enough space for you, Sublime Experiences also has a two-bedroom apartment in the same sweet block.
Perfect for a couple of couples or a few friends, this two-bedroom unit is a coastal retreat in handy proximity to the lively diversions at The Strand. Stylishly renovated with oceanic hues and contemporary touches, you’ll find holiday goals ticked at Seabreeze with a full kitchen, laundry, patio and retro motel vibes.
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Originally writen by Megan Arkinstall with updates by Lara Picone
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No thanks, I like to travel solo
Have stayed at Hidden Valley Cabins. Such a beautiful experience. Staff are friendly and very knowledgeable.