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Townsville, QLD: The Unofficial Capital of North Queensland

Townsville is located on the coast of tropical northeastern Queensland, Australia, and located about 1300 kilometres north of Brisbane.

The settlement was initially called Cleveland Bay, then Castletown, and renamed Townsville in 1866, after Robert Towns, a merchant and entrepreneur,


The Bindal and Wulgurukaba People 

The Bindal and Wulgurukaba people have lived for many thousands of years around the wider Townsville region, speaking the Birrigubba language.

The Bindal people call the country around Townsville, Thul Garrie Waja and the Wulgurukaba people call their area, Currumbilbarra.

The Totem of the Bindal people is the Dancing Brolga. And an important symbol for the Bindalpeople is the "Shooting Star". They believed that wherever the star fell, or the direction the star fell, there was either danger coming from that direction or someone from the direction was in need of help or in danger.

Wulgurukaba people were the original inhabitants of Palm Island and Magnetic Island. And the Bindle people occupied Black River to the north of Townsville, south to the Haughton River, east to the Barrier Reef. 
 North Queensland Aboriginal and dilly bags made from plaited grass and
bark fibre. Sydney Mail (NSW : 1912 - 1938), Wednesday 14 September 1938
Wulgurukaba means "canoe people". However, much of the language has been lost. Ernest Gribble, a missionary and activist for Aboriginal people and also a contentious figure, collected some of the vocabulary of the Wulgurukaba people.

An important symbol of the Wulgurukaba people is the carpet snake. The Wulgurukaba creation story tells of the creation snake that comes down from the Herbert River, went out to sea, creating the Hinchinbrook Channel, and down to Palm and Magnetic Islands. The snake's body broke up, leaving parts along the coast. The tail of the snake is at Halifax Bay, his body is at Palm Island, while his head rests at Arcadia, Magnetic Island.

Aboriginal cultural heritage is evident in shell middens, stone artefact scatters, scarred trees, rock shelters with paintings, ceremonial sites and burial grounds.

There are Aboriginal rock art sites not far from Townsville. More than sixty painted granite boulders can be found only metres from the main road (the Bruce Highway), just south of Townsville (see here). 
This man is making a Dilly Bag from lawyer cane (Callamus australis), called by the Aboriginals yappalam. These are the only dilly bags in Australia made by the men; all the others are made by the women. The bags are so strong that they can be carried full of lead, and last for a long time. This type of bag is made only between, Townsville and Cooktown, on the East Coast. Sydney Mail (NSW : 1912 - 1938), Wednesday 24 December 1913

1770

The first Europeans to reach Townsville were Captain James Cook and the crew of the Endeavour in 1770. Cook named the area where the city of Townsville now exists: Cleveland Bay.

Philip Parker King, the Australian-born son of Philip Gidley King (the third New South Wales Governor), visited the Townsville area on Sunday 14 June 1819 in the HMS Mermaid. Anchoring at present-day Red Rock Bay, King and botanist Alan Cunningham spent three days in the area and noted the presence of huts and the remains of cooking fires.
Drawing of HMS based on a model from the Maritime Museum
Twenty years later in 1839, Captain John Wickham explored the coast around Townsville during a maritime expedition in the Beagle.

Shipwrecked

English-born James Morrill,​ who had sailed to Australia on the Peruvian, was shipwrecked in 1846 after the vessel was caught in a cyclone. Morrill was thrown onto Horseshoe Reef in the Great Barrier Reef. He and only four other survivors made it to shore near Cape Bowling Green after drifting for about 42 days on a raft. Two years later, Morrill was the only survivor. Morrill was fortunate, as he was adopted by Aboriginal people and he lived with them for the next 17 years.

In 1863 Morrill approached a group of European settlers and said: "Don't shoot, mates, I'm a British object". His story was often presented in a sensationalist and inaccurate manner, giving little credit to the Aboriginal people with whom he lived for those years. 

Morrill went on to work for the customs and pilot boat service, and he delivered the first bonded goods to Townsville and purchased an allotment in the first land sale of Townsville.
James Morrill, seaman, of Maldon, Essex, who was shipwrecked on the Barrier Reef in 1846, washed ashore at Cape Cleveland after 42 days adrift on a raft, State Library of Queensland

1860s: Beginnings of The Town

In 1864, John Melton Black, employed by Robert Towns of Woodstock Station, sent Andrew Ball, Mark Watt Reid and Aboriginal employees to search for a more suitable site for a port than the one at Bowen. 
Robert Towns (c. 1794 – 11 April 1873)
The group made their camp near the area where the present Customs House exists on The Strand, in April 1864. 

After exploring the area, the party returned to Woodstock Station and informed Robert Towns that they had found a suitable site for the port. All this happened without government approval.

The port of Townsville was gazetted as a port of entry in 1865. In the same year, John Melton Black built the first house in Townsville. And W.A. Ross arrived at Cleveland Bay with other settlers. Andrew Ball also returned to help establish the town of Townsville.
John Melton Black, first Mayor of Townsville from, 1866–1867, CityLibraries Townsville

The First House in Townsville

John Melton Black's residence, the first home in Townsville, built around 1865. State Libray of QLD
In April 1864, a group travelled from Bowen to survey the future site of Townsville, taking with them eight Native Police troopers, under the command of Inspector John Marlow and sub-Inspector E.B.Kennedy. About 24 Aboriginal men were killed, and 15 Aboriginal women were abducted as "wives" by these troopers.
Inspectors John Marlow, G.P.M. Murray and Walter Compigne with Trooper Billy
The first hotel in Townsville, owned by William Ross, was the Criterion Hotel, which was located in a rough timber hut. Catherine Robinson, born in County Armagh in 1835, was the barmaid when the Criterion Hotel opened. She and her husband, Heinrich Fredrich Rubinstein, later developed a successful dairying business. 

A Change of Fortune

In 1866, the Municipality of Townsville was declared, with John Melton Black its first Mayor. But Queensland, which was experiencing an economic recession, was then flattened by a cyclone in March of the following year. 

It was also in 1866 that the first steamship arrived at Townsville port. And the year that Robert Towns made his only visit to Townsville, at the age of 75, and organised the first South Sea Islander labour to be transported into the port, on the Blue Bell under Captain Edwards. However, as Towns had agreed to provide financial assistance to the new settlement, it was named in his honour.

Townsville's first newspaper, the Cleveland Bay Herald, began in 1866. The West End Cemetery was established, and the settlement had various hotels, shops, a saddler, a tobacconist and two banks. 

The discovery of gold in 1867 at Cape River, followed by gold finds at Ravenswood in 1868, and Charters Towers in 1871 brought about a change to Townsville's fortunes, as Townsville became the port from which people and goods flowed, to and from the goldfields.
Cleveland Bay opposite Townsville, NT QLD, Created/Publishedbetween 1860 and 1879, NLAUST
Townsville's first hospital, the Burdekin and Flinders Rivers Hospital, was founded in 1866. It was located in a small wooden building at the south end of The Strand. Later, the hospital was relocated to Ross Island. In 1880, the present site on Stanton Hill was chosen for the hospital, and a two-storied building was completed in 1882.

Hermit Park sugar plantation and cotton plantations at Railway Estate contributed significantly to the economic success of Townsville, but it was the gold rushes, the development of the Hervey Range road and Townsville's well-placed port, that were the main drivers of Townsville's growth. During the gold rush, there were many drays and bullock teams loaded with goods and people going to and from Townsville, to the goldfields.

The centre of the early town of Townsville was Flinders Street, an area which was often flooded by tides from Ross Creek. However, many people were living in rough timber huts, canvas tents, or living on boats or drays.

In 1868, the population of Townsville was approximately 300 people, growing to 1,237 by 1871. One year later, Townsville's population was at around 2000 people.

The Strand

Since the 1860s, many of the wealthier Townsville residents chose to build their houses along the area known as The Strand; to take advantage of the beautiful views and sea breezes. However, before the establishment of the port, there existed a headland of rock which prevented a road being made. So, stone was quarried from The Strand area to build the harbour breakwaters. Trees were cut down and the lagoons and wildlife of the area disappeared. 

Today the Hambeluna Spirit Rising sculpture is located at the heart of The Strand, symbolising the place of the former lagoon - Hambeluna - where local Aboriginal people conducted ceremonial occasions. There is also a jetty, a recreational park, restaurants, cafes and pools.

1870s

The Jezzine Barracks and the Kissing Point Fort were established in 1870 after the British withdrew from the colonies. They were in continuous use until 2006. The Jezzine Barracks are now open to the public and include coastal boardwalks, artwork, traditional plantings and parklands.

"Townsville reminded me of a goldfields town at the zenith of the Victorian golden times – streets crowded, teams loading, shopkeepers busy, prices exorbitant and sellers indifferent to customers." (Port Denison Times, 1872)
Castle Hill above shops and buildings, Townsville, circa 1870. The Richard Daintree collection held in the John Oxley Library 
South Sea Islanders outside a plantation building, Townsville, QLD, circa 1870. The Richard Daintree collection held in the John Oxley Library
1. The first School of Arts, Townsville, QLD, 1870. 2. A restraunt, Flinders St west, Townsville, QLD, 1870. North Queensland Register (Townsville, Qld. : 1892 - 1905)
Panoramic view of Townsville and surrounds, QLD, circa 1870. The Richard Daintree collection held in the John Oxley Library
Lower Flinders Street, Townsville, QLD, circa 1873, State Library of QLD
St James Church of England in Townsville, QLD, 1874. State Library of QLD
Many thousands of hopeful gold prospectors arrived at the port of Townsville during the 1870s and many returned to Townsville after the gold rushes had subsided.
View over the harbour from the hospital, Townsville, QLD, circa 1881. State Library of QLD 
Townsville's Showground was established in 1882 and the first agricultural show was held at the Botanical Gardens Reserve in 1876.
The first show was held in 1876.
Beach and hinterland at Townsville, QLD, circa 1878
St Patrick's College was founded in 1878 by a group of Irish nuns from the Sisters of Mercy order (OP, n.d), Townsville, QLD

A Trip To Magnetic Island
                                                                                                       
The first European settlers, Harry Butler and his family arrived at Picnic Bay on Magnetic Island, in 1876. The family settled at Picnic Bay and grew vegetables and caught fish and sold them in Townsville. They also collected coral for lime production. Later, they built huts and operated a ferry service and health resort. Harry was also famous for his nude bathing habit.
Picnic Bay, Magnetic Island, North Queensland, Queensland State Archives

1880s

Patrons on the balcony and verandah of Queens Hotel, Townsville, circa 1880. State Library of QLD
Townsville's first railway station was built in 1880 in Flinders Street, near the corner of Jones Street, not far from the current station. However, the three-storey post-federation structure that we see today was built from about 1911 to 1914. The grand structure of this building is a symbol of Townsville's importance in the railways of North Queensland.

In 1881, the Townsville Council planted cedar and other trees, and in 1883, a road was built along the beachfront leading to Kissing Point. 

Townsville was continuing to grow in importance as a port and mercantile centre and reflecting this, the population ballooned to 11,500 in 1886. 
Early view of the hospital, Townsville, QLD, ca. 1887, State Library of Queensland
Procession in Flinders Street, Townsville, QLD, 1888, Queensland State Archives 

1890s

Shipping companies and wharves on the Ross River, Townsville, QLD, circa 1890. State Library of QLD
Flinders St, Townsville, QLD, circa 1890. CityLibraries, Townsville
The Ross River Meatworks was established during 1891-1892, as Queensland's first freezing works, to enable the export of Australian meat to the United Kingdom. Located on the banks of Ross River, this meatworks operated for over a century from 1892 to 1995.
North Queensland Register (Townsville, Qld. : 1892 - 1905), Wednesday 20 December 1893
Townsville's Town Hall 1895 with, from left to right, Aldermen T. Enright, E.J. Forrest, D.F. Treehy (Townclerk), P. Lillis (Rate Receiver), J. N. Parkes, B.P. McDougall (Accountant)
Cyclone Sigma struck the town on the 26th January 1896.
Townsville, QLD, circa 1897. Queensland State Archives
Townsville, QLD, circa 1897. Queensland State Archives
Looking down Flinders Street, Townsville, 1897
Looking down Flinders Street, Townsville, QLD, 1897, Queensland State Archives
Townsville, QLD. No 133, 1897, Queensland State Archives 
A ferry service began operation between Townsville and Magnetic Island in 1899.

1900s

North Beach area of Townsville, QLD, ca. 1900, State Library of Queensland
Hoisting the flag on Federation Day, January 1901 in Townsville, Queensland, State Library of Queensland
Cooperage at the Ross River meatworks, Townsville, ca. 1900, CityLibraries Townsville
In 1902 Townsville was proclaimed a city.
Two horse drawn carriages driving in front of Customs House on The Strand, Townsville, QLD, around 1902. State Library of Queensland
Sussex berthed at Townsville's Jetty Wharf, QLD, 1903, State Library of Queensland
Flinders Street, Townsville, QLD, after Cyclone 'Leonta', 1903, State Library of Queensland
Indigenous people from Townsville, Qld - circa 1905
Aboriginal people dressed for corroboree, North Queensland Register (Townsville, Qld. : 1892 - 1905), Monday 18 December 1905
The historic shipwreck, the passenger ship, SS Yongala, sank on 23 March 1911 near Cape Bowling Green, off the coast between Townsville and Ayr.
SS Yongala, Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), Saturday 1 April 1911
The luxury vessel which was sailing from Melbourne to Cairns headed right into the path of a cyclone. The ship had no radio, and when it was 4 days late reaching its destination, two steamers were sent out on a search but could find no sign of the vessel. When cabin doors, cargo and other wreckage from the ship began to wash ashore, all hope was lost. All of the 122 people aboard were lost.

The fate of the ship remained a mystery for 50 years until the wreck was found in 1958. The wreck has been reclaimed by nature and is home to plentiful marine life. Diving tours take place at the site.
People looking up to the sky, watching the first aircraft ever to fly over Townsville, QLD, ca. 1912, State Library of Queensland

WW1

First troops leaving Townsville, QLD, in August 1914. State Library of Queensland
In 1915, nurse Elizabeth Kenny volunteered to serve as a nurse in the First World War and went to Europe. Nurse Elizabeth Kenny in August 1915. In 1933, Nurse Elizabeth Kenny opened a clinic in Townsville during the polio epidemic. She was regarded as a fraud by doctors but her method of placing hot compresses around the arms and legs and massaging the affected limbs of polio victims became the foundational physical therapy for polio.State Library of QLD
Mounted troops leading servicemen in Armistice Day Peace Parade, Townsville, Queensland, 11 November 1918, State Library of Queensland

1920s

In 1921, Townsville’s population was over 21, 000 people.

Let There Be Light

On 31 May 1922, the Mayor of Townsville pressed a switch, and the street lights of Flinders Street shone out of the darkness to the delight of the waiting crowd. This electricity for Townsville new street lights was generated by Hubert’s Well Powerhouse, the original water pumping station.
View of an old gas light alongside an electric street light in Townsville, QLD, June, 1922
Townsville Railway Station, QLD, 1923, State Library of QLD
Townsville, new buildings, QLD. Townsville Daily Bulletin (Qld. : 1907 - 1954), Saturday 24 September 1927
The Wintergarden Theatre in Sturt Street, Townsville, QLD, opened in June 1927 and was operated by Birch Carroll & Coyle until 1971
English footballers during their visit to the Northern State, had an enjoyable experience at Palm Island, near Townsville, where a corroboree was given in their honour. Sydney Mail (NSW : 1912 - 1938), Wednesday 1 August 1928
WINNERS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP CHARTERS TOWERS COUNTRY WEEK, 1st to 10th JULY, 1911. BACK ROW: W. H. Smith, W. Greenlees. G. P. Barr. S. A Frazer, R. P. Thomson. SECOND ROW: W J. S Payne R P West Allan Napier. S. W. Horn. G. S. Johnston. W. H. Molloy. FRONT ROW: J. T. Feeney. J. Farquhar. J. H. Foley (manager). C. T.Loughrey (captain), A. M. Anderson. J. I. Finch, A. Foley, FLO OR: J. C. Lynam. Townsville Daily Bulletin (Qld. : 1907 - 1954), Saturday 21 July 1928
Busy scene on Flinders Street, Townsville, QLD, 1929, State Library of Queensland
Flinders Street in Townsville, QLD, 1929, State Library of Queensland
The Strand, Townsville, QLD, circa 1931, PD
The successful Townsville Railway Band, QLD: BACK ROW : J. Phillips, A. Bragg, B. Johnson, J. Hides, R. C. Pickering, P. Mitchell, F. Maiican, F. Smith, B. Trembath ; SECOND ROW : W. Trembath, W. Turner (not with band),J. Stevens, H. Wellings, W. Newman ; THIRD ROW : V. Johnson, A. Coleman, T. Waddel, T. Parra (not with band), B. H. Pearce, G, Harris, R. Peapell, H. Lewis ; FRONT ROW : A. E. Mills, J. York, W. Cornell, H. Moore, A. W. Trembath (conductor), L. Gran, J. R. Hoskings, V. Wyatt, C. Vespennin (not with band) ; NOT IN PHOTO. : P. Jones and J. Carvolth. Townsville Daily Bulletin (Qld. : 1907 - 1954), Saturday 31 January 1931
Townsville Daily Bulletin (Qld. : 1907 - 1954), Saturday 17 August 1935
Queens Hotel - Townsville, QLD, 1930 - 1959, Queensland State Archives
Flinders Street, Townsville, c 1932
Flinders Street, Townsville, c 1932, Queensland State Archives
 In August 1932, Penney's self-service chains store opened in Flinders Street, Townsville. The store sold groceries, clothing, hardware and more.
Townsville Daily Bulletin (Qld. : 1907 - 1954), Saturday 17 September 1932
Townsville Daily Bulletin (Qld. : 1907 - 1954), Monday 25 November 1935
In 1936 Townsville's population reached 30,000 people. 
St Patrick's Day, Townsville, QLD, Townsville Daily Bulletin (Qld. : 1907 - 1954), Monday 18 March 1935
The City of Townsville Ladies' Pipe Band at Practice. From left to right : Misses J. Baldock. R
Johnstone. E. Thomas. B Campbell. E. Hivere, M. MacDonald. B: Baldock. C. Robinson (Hon. Sec).
Mr. John S. Crawford (Instructor). Misses M. McQuade, T. Andprson, P. Payne, N. Bailiff, M.Baldock. G. Morrso. L Duh and A. Robinton.TOWNSVILLE LADIES' ' PIPE BAND. Townsville Daily Bulletin (Qld. : 1907 - 1954), Wednesday 29 September 1937
The 31st Battalion in camp at the Townsville Show Grounds, QLD, Townsville Daily Bulletin (Qld. : 1907 - 1954), Saturday 7 October 1939

1940s and WWII

Queensland State Archives 1943 Flinders Street Townsville. QLD Archives
During WWII, Townsville was an important military supply base for the Pacific campaigns. A defensive signal station and coastal battery were also built on Magnetic Island in 1942–43. And in 1943, the Pallarenda Battery was constructed to protect the northern entrance to Townsville Harbour.

On 22 May 1942, there was a mutiny by African American servicemen of the United States Army. Aiming to kill their commander, Captain Francis Williams, the black troopers began firing machine guns at the tents of white officers, resulting in an eight-hour siege. Reports of the mutiny were suppressed, as future US president Lyndon B. Johnson was visiting Townsville at the time.

In July 1942, the Japanese conducted three raids on Townsville.
Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1931 - 1954), Monday 27 July 1942
Service Personnel on the landing barge returning to the mainland after two days spent at the Australian Comforts Fund and YMCA Rest Centre, Magnetic Island, QLD, circa 1942. Queensland State Archives
Townsville Daily Bulletin (Qld. : 1907 - 1954), Saturday 5 December 1942
 Top. PRIVATE JAMES JAMES,
Adopted son of Mr. and Mrs. A. E. James, Perkins-street, South Townsville killed in action. Below. Warrant Officer C. V. WATSON, of Townsvllle, missing in Singapore..Townsville Daily Bulletin (Qld. : 1907 - 1954), Thursday 14 January 1943
Townsville, Qld. 1944-04-11. US Fifth Air Force Service Command at Garbutt airfield. RAAF and US Army Air Force armourers working shoulder to shoulder, checking and oiling 0.5-inch calibre machine guns. Left to right: Sergeant (Sgt) Stanley A. Kosky of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; 124296 Aircraftman 1 (AC1) Fred H. Cooper of Toowoomba, Qld; 129666 AC1 R. L. Draper of Ascot Vale, Vic; Corporal William Parkinson of Annapolis, Maryland; 27798 Sgt Lloyd C. Jury of Mile End, SA; 69533 AC1 Ernie J. L. Byrom of Bathurst, NSW; 2286 Warrant Officer J. A. Michell of Warburton, Vic. The RAAF armourers are being trained in the maintenance of B-24 Liberator aircraft weapons prior to the RAAF's acquisition of B-24s.
Townsville women with a fine war record, QLD, Townsville Daily Bulletin (Qld. : 1907 - 1954), Friday 1 November 1946
Len Waters was the first Aboriginal Australian military aviator, and the only one to serve as a fighter pilot in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) during World War II. He met Gladys Saunders, a driver for the United States Army in Townsville in 1946, and began a relationship which resulted in 46 years of marriage.
RAAF pilot Len Waters, (20 June 1924 – 24 August 1993)
Townsville on Victory Night, QLD, Townsville Daily Bulletin (Qld. : 1907 - 1954), Wednesday 12 June 1946
Townsville has a tropical savanna climate with dry and wet seasons. The summer wet season, (November to April) is also associated with monsoon troughs and cyclonic or semi-cyclonic activity.
Flooded Empire Hotel in Townsville, Queensland, 1946, State Library of Queensland
Congregation of St. Theodores Greek Orthodox Church in Townsville, QLD, 1947, State Library of Queensland

1950s

Immigration Hostel, Townsville, QLD, 1952. Opening of the State Government British Migrant Hostel at Townsville was the first step in a programme of decentralisation of British immigration to Queensland, said Mr. V. C. Gair, Deputy Premier and Treasurer on Thursday, when performing the official ceremony. Queensland State Archives
Flinders Street, Townsville, QLD, c 1953, Queensland State Archives
Townsville, QLD, Rodeo, Townsville Daily Bulletin (Qld. : 1907 - 1954), Tuesday 24 August 1954
The Queen visits Townsville, QLD, in 1954

1960s

Rex Motel, 30 Wills Street, Townsville, Qld - 1960s, Aussie~mobs

1970s

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II visiting Townsville, QLD, 1970, Queensland State Archives
Just before Christmas in 1971, a powerful tropical cyclone caused significant destruction around Townsville and Magnetic Island.
Damage to the Mansfield Hotel by Cyclone Althea, 1971. CityLibraries Townsville
Townsville, Nt QLD (1973) Queensland State Archives
Townsville Harbour, QLD, (1973) Queensland State Archives
Townsville City, The Strand, QLD, (1973) Queensland State Archives
Townsville City, Flinders Street (1973) Queensland State Archives
Townsville City, QLD (1976), Queensland State Archives

2000s

Townsville, QLD, Taken on May 31, 2017, Ian Cochrane

Change and Loss

In 1902 Townsville was proclaimed a city and in 1903, Buchanan's Hotel was built. This hotel, which featured ornate wrought iron and stained-glass was destroyed by fire in 1982.  Lyndon Johnson, who later became the President of the United States and Cricketer Sir Donald Bradman, stayed at Buchanan's Hotel as guests.
Buchanan's Hotel, Townsville. The hotel, built in 1903, was destroyed in a fire in 1982. from the University of Queensland Architecture Library

Diversity

The Queensland gold rushes greatly increased the ethnic diversity of Queensland, bringing not only many people from Britain and Europe, but Scandinavians, people from the Americas and Chinese. The sugar plantations often employed Chinese and Malay labour, and many workers came from the islands of the South-west Pacific.

Around Townsville

The former Burns Philip & Company Ltd Building, Townsville QLD
The Criterion was Townsville's first hotel, opening in August 1865 on the site that it still operates from today. The first landlord of the Criterion was Mr William Ross, one of Townsville first settlers. The Criterion suffered extensive damage when Cyclone Leonta hit Townsville in March of 1903. The damage was so severe that the owner decided against repairing the hotel and instead a new structure was built on the original site. In 2016, developers petitioned Council to remove the heritage listing of the Criterion Hotel. Jan Smith Townsville QLD
The Rocks Guesthouse was constructed c. 1897-1900 as a private residence, Townsville QLD
Perc (pronounced purse) Tucker Regional Gallery, was built by the Union Bank of Australia in 1885
Townsville QLD
Warringa is a heritage-listed villa at 26 Cleveland Terrace, Townsville, built 1912, Townsville QLD
Synod Hall is a heritage-listed Anglican church hall at 36 Cleveland Terrace, Townsville, built from 1897 to 1898, Townsville QLD
Australian Institute of Tropical Medicine Building is a heritage-listed laboratory at Clifton Street, Townsville, built 1912 to 1913. Townsville QLD
101 Flinders St, Townsville, Qld. Originally built as the Bank of NSW in 1887 Jan Smith
Queensland Building, at 104-106 Flinders Street, Townsville, QLD, built from 1890 to c. 1971
Magnetic House, Flinders Street, Townsville, QLD, built from 1886 to 1888
Australian Joint Stock Bank Building, Townsville, QLD, built from 1887 to 1888
Queens Building, 175 Flinders Street, Townsville, built c. 1887 (Google), Townsville QLD
Atkinson & Powell Building, Townsville QLDdesigned in 1886 by Willoughby Powell for chemists Atkinson & Powell
T. Willmetts & Sons Printery,193 Flinders Street, Townsville, QLD, built from 1883 to 1927
Stanton House, 197-203 Flinders Street, Townsville, QLD, constructed in 1885
The Commercial Bank of Australia Building, built c. 1897, Townsville QLD
Block A of Townsville Technical College, built from 1920 to 1921, Townsville QLD
Clayton's Apothecaries' Hall, built in 1885 John skewes, Townsville QLD
Howard Smith Company Building, was erected in 1910-11, Townsville QLD
Aplin Brown & Company Building, was constructed in 1887, Townsville QLD
Rooney Building was built in 1883, Townsville QLD
Samuel Allen & Sons Building was constructed in 1881, Townsville QLD
Former Townsville Post Office built in 1886, Townsville QLD
Commonwealth Bank Building built in 1923, Townsville QLD
Queensland National Bank built from 1878-1879, Townsville QLD
Australian Mutual Provident Society Building, Townsville, Qld, built from 1937 to 1938
Townsville State Government Offices, built in 1928 denisbin, Townsville QLD
Great Northern Hotel, built from 1900 to 1901, Townsville QLD
Old Townsville railway station formerly the Great Northern railway station, was constructed between 1910 and 1913, Townsville QLD
Former Lion Brewery, was erected in 1894 for Samuel Allen, Townsville QLD
The first Queen's Hotel was constructed on this site in 1872 for James Evans, Townsville QLD
Osler House was designed in 1888, by William George Smith and Son, Townsville QLD
Erected in 1889 as Townsville's first masonic hall, Townsville QLD
The Townsville Government Offices were constructed in 1935-7, Townsville QLD
The fourth customs building in Townsville, was constructed in 1901/02, Townsville QLD
Townsville Heritage Centre, is located in Currajong House, built in 1888, Townsville QLD
School House at Townsville Grammar School, built from 1903 to 1904, Townsville QLD
Tobruk Memorial Baths were commenced in 1941 and completed in 1950, Townsville QLD
The Yongala wreck south of Townsville, QLD, Townsville QLD
Ruins of WWII fort on Magnetic Island, QLD
Ruins of WWII fort on Magnetic Island, QLD

Things To Do and Places To Go


Early Townsville Trail

Hidden aboriginal rock art around Townsville

Townsville Museum

Forts walk, Magnetic Island National Park

Jezzine Barracks

Museum of Tropical Queensland

Maritine Museum

RAAF Townsville Aviation Heritage Centre

Underwater Art museum

The Cultural Centre Townsville

Magnetic Island Museum

Townsville Heritage Centre