Getting Around Townsville
Townsville is a spread-out coastal city in Queensland, and visitors have several options for moving around the metropolitan area. The most convenient transport modes for tourists are buses, taxis, and ride-hailing services, complemented by walking in the central business district and key attractions.
Public Transport: Buses
Buses are the primary public transport option in Townsville. The service is operated by Kinetic Townsville, which runs buses seven days a week across the city. Kinetic provides regular services to many parts of the metropolitan area, as well as several express routes that connect major destinations more quickly.
Key bus routes for visitors include services linking the CBD to Townsville Hospital via Townsville Shopping Centre and extending to the suburb of Kelso. There is also a public transport route from the CBD to Bushland Beach. For planning your journey and finding current timetables, you can visit the Kinetic website.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis operate 24 hours a day and service all parts of the metropolitan area, making them a reliable option at any time. Several taxi ranks are located throughout the city for catching a taxi on the street, including ranks at the airport, major shopping centres, and in the town centre at locations such as Flinders Street East, Cowboys Leagues Club, Palmer Street, and Seaview. You can also book a taxi by phone by dialling 13 TAXI (13 8294).
Rail Services
Townsville has access to regional rail services operated by Queensland Rail. The Spirit of Queensland service connects Townsville with Brisbane and Cairns, operating five times per week in each direction. There is also the Inlander service, which operates twice weekly to Mount Isa. These trains provide an alternative to driving for longer journeys, though they do not serve as urban transit within the city itself. The main station is located south of Townsville City.
Walkability
The CBD and surrounding areas are suitable for walking, particularly if you are staying near the city centre or major shopping and entertainment precincts. However, Townsville's spread-out nature means that walking alone is not always practical for reaching all parts of the city, and combining walking with bus or taxi travel is often necessary.
Getting from Townsville Airport to the City
Townsville Airport is located approximately 10 kilometres west of the city centre at Garbutt. Several options are available for reaching the city from the airport:
- Taxi: Taxis service the airport 24 hours a day. A taxi rank is available at the airport terminal, or you can book a taxi by phone.
- Rental car: All major car rental companies operate at the airport, giving you flexibility to explore the region at your own pace.
- Bus: Public transport buses serve the airport area, providing a budget-friendly option to reach the city and suburbs, though journey times may be longer than taxis or rental cars.
The airport is served by all three major Australian domestic carriers—Qantas, Jetstar, and Virgin Australia—as well as regional carriers including QantasLink, Rex Airlines, Alliance Airlines, and Skytrans Airlines. This means you have good flight options when planning your arrival and departure.
Alternative Transport to Townsville
If you are travelling to Townsville by coach rather than flying, both Flixbus and Greyhound operate services along the Brisbane–Cairns route, stopping in Townsville. Alternatively, you can drive via the Bruce Highway (A1), which connects Townsville to Cairns to the north and Mackay and Brisbane to the south. The Flinders Highway (A6) also serves the city, connecting to inland destinations such as Mount Isa.
Ferry Services
If you plan to visit nearby islands, regular ferry services operate from Townsville. Sunferries operates the service to Magnetic Island, while ferry services also run to Palm Island. These services provide a scenic transport option for day trips or island exploration.