A popular destination for holiday-makers, Townsville is just as rewarding to live in as it is to visit. The largest urban centre north of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, this tropical city is a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and its boundless aquatic adventure. But you don’t have to venture far to see the best of Townsville’s own attractions. There’s a stunning view of the land and ocean from atop the Castle Hill hike, The Strand’s beautiful seaside walk and water park, and three different botanical gardens with hectares of greenery, palms and plants.
Townsville has something to offer everyone, from families with young kids to single professionals on the rise to retirees relocating to Queensland for sunnier skies. Yet, like any major life decision, moving to Townsville takes preparation. It helps to do your research on areas to live in, house and rental prices, transportation weather and other costs that may factor in before you start making your move.
Ready Movers can help with every stage of the process. If you’re considering moving house to QLD, we can offer you expert advice on what to expect from your change of scenery, as well as provide you with seamless moving services. We can help you relocate across the country while helping you maintain peace of mind with the safety of your belongings.
Here is the Ready Movers guide to the basics of moving to Townsville and the benefits of moving with Ready Movers.
Popular Areas to Live in Townsville
You’ll find natural beauty and leisure activities throughout Townsville, from waterfalls in ancient rainforests to the view from Castle Hill’s peak to the city’s many bars, restaurants and shopping options. The most highly sought-after areas to live in include:
Alice River
An outer southwestern suburb, Alice River is popular with homebuyers due to its large, family-friendly blocks of land and calm traffic conditions. An up-and-coming suburb, it’s a part of the city that’s expected to keep growing into the future.
North Ward
One of the oldest suburbs in the city, North Ward’s coastal location makes it popular with tourists, investors and those looking into moving to Townsville. It provides close proximity to local attractions like The Strand and Castle Hill as well as Townsville’s vibrant markets, chic cafes and stretch of beach.
South Townsville
If you love nightlife or dining out, South Townsville may be the suburb for you. A region with a wide variety of apartments and homes to move into, it’s close to restaurants, nightspots and other leisure attractions in Townsville.
Annandale
Annandale is an enticing option for couples, both young and looking to settle down as well as older and with kids out of home. There are affordable rentals, plenty of school options and it’s close to a host of other facilities.
The Cost of Buying or Renting a Home in Townsville
If you’re on a tight budget, you’ll be pleased to know that Townsville is more affordable than many other parts of Queensland.
Townsville’s median house price is $375,000. Rentals average around $400 per week per household. The rest of your expenses depend heavily on your lifestyle. Fortunately, Townsville is the kind of city where you can enjoy a high quality of life without going over your budget.
How to Get Around Townsville
You can get around Townsville by car, cab, bus, rideshare, e-scooter or by walking. Getting around on foot is easy as the majority of Townsville’s bars, cafes and other attractions are in or around the CBD.
Kinetic is the Queensland Government’s transport partner in Townsville. Operating 13 bus routes, its services connect people in Townsville and the surrounding suburbs with facilities such as James Cook University, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, and local shopping centres.
13CABS and Black and White Cabs provide taxi services in the Townsville region, while rideshare companies like Uber, DiDi and Ola are also available. E-scooters are available around the Townsville CBD, The Strand and Castle Hill.
When you need to leave, Townsville has its own airport in Garbutt, with national flights all over the country.
What Climate to Expect in Townsville
Townsville has a tropical climate, with rain not as high as elsewhere in the tropics due to its geographical location. Its annual maximum average temperature is 28.9°C (84°F).
South-easterly trade winds and generally fine weather dominate the winter months in Townsville. The summer months are humid and hot, with the highest annual rainfall and thunderstorms beginning in late October or November.
Interesting Facts about Townsville
Like everywhere else, Townsville has a history and some interesting trivia. Here are some coommnly known and perhaps not-so-commonly known facts about this major Queensland city:
1. Townsville has around 300 days per year of sun
On average, this city boasts around 300 days of sunshine annually, perfect if you love a summertime feel and beach weather all year round. Just remember to apply sunscreen.
2. Townsville holds two Guinness World Records
In 2019, Townsville broke the world record for the most people wearing high-visibility vests at a single venue. 2,499 locals gathered in a shopping centre car park to raise awareness for World Mental Health Day. The turnout beat the previous record of 2,136 held by the Japanese city of Kitakyushu.
Townsville also holds a Guinness World Record for ‘the longest horns in the world’ for the region’s famous Texas Longhorn steer, J.R. This steer’s striking horns were found to measure a massive 2.77 metres (9.1 inches) from tip to tip.
3. Townsville is home to Australia’s largest army barracks
Townsville has played a key role in Australia’s defence for over 130 years and is the home of the 3rd Brigade, a key military base with over 3,500 personnel. Townsville Airport has an active Royal Australian Air Force base, and tours of Townsville’s military history are available.
4. Townsville has the world’s biggest living coral reef aquarium
The Great Barrier Reef Aquarium, otherwise known as Reef HQ, has the largest and most impressive collection of colourful, striking coral and fish you’ll find gathered in one place.
5. Townsville is the biggest city in North Queensland
If living in the big smoke is getting too hectic for you but you still want the facilities of a major city, Townsville offers a happy medium: not too urban, not too remote. Townsville itself has a population of 185,064, making it the largest city in North Queensland, while the Greater Townsville region is the home of more than 200,000 residents.
Hassle-Free Moves to Townsville with Ready Movers
Reday Movers can take the stress out of moving to Townsville with removalists who meet your needs and offer you flexible options. Whether you’re relocating to Queensland from interstate or moving to a different part of Townsville, we can shift everything from a single room to a full household.
Our Townsville removalists provide fully equipped trucks, competitive prices, dismantling and reassembling services, cartons and packing materials, and 24/7 support. Our services for interstate moves include free evaluations and detailed quotes, clear volume-based pricing, expert packing and unpacking assistance, the option for extensive insurance protection, and relocation services for pets and vehicles.
If you want to make moving to Townsville as easy as possible, get in touch with the Ready Movers team to get a free quote.
