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{{About|the metropolitan area of Townsville|the Townsville CBD suburb|Townsville City, Queensland|the local government area|City of Townsville|other uses|Townsville (disambiguation)}}
{{Use Australian English|date=January 2013}}{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox Australian place
| type = city
| name = Townsville
| state = qld
| image = {{multiple image
| total_width = 270
| border = infobox
| perrow = 1/2/2/1
| caption_align = center
| image1 = Ross River flowing through Townsville CBD.jpg{{!}} Townsville CBD
|caption1 = [[Townsville City, Queensland|Townsville CBD]] and [[Ross River (Queensland)|Ross River]]
| image2 = Aerial view of the city in Australia.JPG{{!}} Port of Townsville
|caption2 = [[Port of Townsville|Port of Townsville and Marina]]
| image3 = PTRG exterior street 2012 1.jpg{{!}}Perc Tucker Regional Gallery
|caption3 = [[Perc Tucker Regional Gallery]]
| image4 = Former Queen's Hotel, The Strand, Townsville, established 1872.jpg{{!}}Former [[Queen's Hotel, Townsville|Queen's Hotel]] on [[The Strand, Townsville|The Strand]]
|caption4 = Former [[Queen's Hotel, Townsville|Queen's Hotel]] on [[The Strand, Townsville|The Strand]]
| image5 = Townsville, Australia (44287339480).jpg{{!}}Castle Hill, Townsville
|caption5 = [[Castle Hill, Townsville|Castle Hill]]
| image6 = Townsville Waterfront Boardwalk.jpg{{!}}Townsville Waterfront & North Queensland Stadium
| caption6 = Townsville waterfront with [[North Queensland Stadium]] in the background
}}
| coordinates = {{coord|19|15|S|146|49|E|display=it}}
| pushpin_label_position = left
| pop = 201,313
| pop_year = As of 2024
| pop_footnotes = <ref name="abssua"/>
| poprank =
| density =
| density_footnotes =
| est = 1865
| postcode = 4810
| elevation = 15
| elevation_footnotes =
| area = 693.3
| area_footnotes = <ref name="ABSSUAProf">{{Census 2021 AUS|id=3017|name=Townsville|access-date=9 August 2023}}</ref> (2021 urban)
| timezone = [[UTC+10:00|AEST]]
| utc = +10
| mayor = [[Jenny Hill (politician)|Jenny Hill]]
| dist1 = 1348
| dir1 = NNW
| location1 = [[Brisbane]]
| dist2 = 348
| dir2 = SSE
| location2 = [[Cairns]]
| dist3 = 386
| dir3 = NW
| location3 = [[Mackay, Queensland|Mackay]]
| dist4 = 1267
| dir4 = NNW
| location4 = [[Sunshine Coast, Queensland|Sunshine Coast]]
| dist5 = 1434
| dir5 = NNW
| location5 = [[Gold Coast, Queensland|Gold Coast]]
| lga = City of Townsville
| region =
| county = [[County of Elphinstone|Elphinstone]]
| stategov = [[Electoral district of Townsville|Townsville]]
| stategov2 = [[Electoral district of Thuringowa|Thuringowa]]
| stategov3 = [[Electoral district of Mundingburra|Mundingburra]]
| stategov4 = [[Electoral district of Burdekin|Burdekin]]
| stategov5 = [[Electoral district of Hinchinbrook|Hinchinbrook]]
| fedgov = [[Division of Herbert|Herbert]] (majority)
| fedgov2 = [[Division of Dawson|Dawson]] (minor part)
| maxtemp = 28.9
| maxtemp_footnotes = <ref name="Climate statistics Townsville"/>
| mintemp = 19.8
| mintemp_footnotes = <ref name="Climate statistics Townsville"/>
| rainfall = 1134.7
| rainfall_footnotes = <ref name="Climate statistics Townsville"/>
}}
'''Townsville''' is a city on the north-eastern coast of [[Queensland]], Australia. With a population of 201,313 as of 2024,<ref name="abssua">{{Census 2021 AUS|id=3017|name=Townsville|quick=on|access-date=9 August 2023}}</ref> it is the largest settlement in [[North Queensland]] and [[Northern Australia]] (specifically, the parts of Australia north of the [[Sunshine Coast, Queensland|Sunshine Coast]]). Townsville hosts a significant number of governmental, community and major business administrative offices for the northern half of the state.<ref>{{cite web|title=Townsville |publisher=Department of Environment and Resource Management |work=Queensland Government |date=3 February 2009 |url=http://www.nrw.qld.gov.au/about/employment/townsville.html |access-date=20 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090901045018/http://www.nrw.qld.gov.au/about/employment/townsville.html |archive-date=1 September 2009}}</ref>
Part of the larger [[Local government areas of Queensland|local government area]] of the [[City of Townsville]],<ref name="qpnt">{{cite QPN|35084|Townsville|town in City of Townsville|access-date=19 September 2020}}</ref> it is in the dry tropics region of Queensland. The city is adjacent to the central section of the [[Great Barrier Reef]].<ref name="Govt">{{cite web|title=Schedule 1: Regional overviews|url=http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/register/p00607ae.pdf|url-status=dead|publisher=Environmental Protection Agency, Government of Queensland|page=13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080810201951/http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/register/p00607ae.pdf|archive-date=10 August 2008|access-date=20 September 2009}}</ref> The city is also a major industrial centre, home to one of the world's largest [[zinc]] refineries, a nickel refinery and many other similar activities. As of December 2020, $30M operations to expand the Port of Townsville are underway, which involve channel widening and installation of a 70-tonne Liebherr Super Post Panamax Ship-to-Shore crane to allow much larger cargo and passenger ships to utilise the port.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/news/townsville/townsville-ports-new-70tonne-crane-will-stand-almost-100m-high/news-story/8f1009d09f17f1375f73249a8955914b |title=Subscribe to the Townsville Bulletin |access-date=21 December 2020 |archive-date=22 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222065246/https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=TBWEB_WRE170_a&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.townsvillebulletin.com.au%2Fnews%2Ftownsville%2Ftownsville-ports-new-70tonne-crane-will-stand-almost-100m-high%2Fnews-story%2F8f1009d09f17f1375f73249a8955914b&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&nk=f28976620274915b5117a55f1bec71e9-1608619966 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.townsville-port.com.au/new-crane-heralds-a-change-on-townsville-s-horizon/ |title=New crane heralds a change on Townsville's horizon | Port of Townsville |access-date=21 December 2020 |archive-date=22 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222025701/https://www.townsville-port.com.au/new-crane-heralds-a-change-on-townsville-s-horizon/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It is an increasingly important port due to its proximity to Asia and major trading partners such as China.
Dominant sectors of its diverse economy include [[arms industry|defence]], [[administration (government)|administration]], [[health]] and [[education]], [[manufacturing]], [[Mining in Australia|energy]], [[transport in Australia|transport]] and [[logistics]].<ref>{{cite web|title = Strengthening North Queensland|url = https://www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/regions/queenslands-regions/north-qld|access-date = 20 January 2024|publisher = State Development|archive-date = 20 January 2024|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240120031432/https://www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/regions/queenslands-regions/north-qld|url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title = Townsville|url = https://www.epw.qld.gov.au/energy/renewable-energy-in-your-region/north-queensland#:~:text=With%20a%20rapidly%20developing%20renewable,supply%20chain%20infrastructure%2C%20and%20port.|access-date = 20 January 2024|publisher = Department of Energy and Climate|archive-date = 20 January 2024|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240120031432/https://www.epw.qld.gov.au/energy/renewable-energy-in-your-region/north-queensland#:~:text=With%20a%20rapidly%20developing%20renewable,supply%20chain%20infrastructure%2C%20and%20port.|url-status = live}}</ref> The city is a national hub for [[renewable energy]], in [[green hydrogen]] and [[Polycrystalline silicon|polysilicon]], as well as the centre of CopperString 2032 being Australia's largest renewable transmission project.<ref>{{cite web|title = Ark Energy breaks ground on Townsville hydrogen hub |date= November 2023 |url= https://www.aumanufacturing.com.au/ark-energy-breaks-ground-on-townsville-hydrogen-hub |access-date = 20 January 2024|publisher = AUmanufacturing}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title = $8bn silicon plant for Queensland – reports| date=31 October 2023 |url = https://www.aumanufacturing.com.au/8bn-silicon-plant-for-queensland-reports|access-date = 20 January 2024|publisher = AUmanufacturing|archive-date = 20 January 2024|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240120031432/https://www.aumanufacturing.com.au/8bn-silicon-plant-for-queensland-reports|url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title = Mission 2050: how Townsville is becoming a global renewable energy hub|url = https://www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/news/mission-2050-how-townsville-is-becoming-a-global-renewable-energy-hub|access-date = 20 January 2024|publisher = QLD Government: State Development and Infrastructure|archive-date = 20 January 2024|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240120031432/https://www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/news/mission-2050-how-townsville-is-becoming-a-global-renewable-energy-hub|url-status = live}}</ref> Townsville is Australia's 'fortress city', home to a large part of the strategic capability of the [[Australian Defence Force|ADF]], offering essential services including maintenance and supply chains including one of the largest military bases in Australia<ref>{{cite news|title = Townsville emerges as new 'capital' of Army in Defence Force shake up|url = https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-28/townsville-biggest-winner-of-defence-force-shake-up/102909694|access-date = 20 January 2024|newspaper = ABC news| date=27 September 2023 |archive-date = 29 September 2023|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230929173224/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-28/townsville-biggest-winner-of-defence-force-shake-up/102909694|url-status = live}}</ref> as well as a [[RAAF Base Townsville|Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) base]] that can accommodate most military aircraft in service. Townsville is the industrial heart of northern Australia with a [[Gross domestic product|GRP]] of $15.1 billion in 2023.<ref>{{cite web|title = City of Townsville|url = https://economy.id.com.au/townsville|access-date = 11 May 2024|publisher = IDcommunity|archive-date = 1 May 2024|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240501164000/https://economy.id.com.au/townsville|url-status = live}}</ref> The city is served by [[Townsville Airport]] and the [[Port of Townsville]], the largest general [[cargo|freight]] and container port in northern Australia.<ref>{{cite web|title = Master planning for the priority Port of Townsville|url = https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/business-industry/transport-sectors/ports/sustainable-port-development-and-operation/master-planning-for-priority-ports/master-planning-for-the-priority-port-of-townsville|access-date = 20 January 2024|publisher = QLD Government:Department of Transport and Main Roads|archive-date = 20 January 2024|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240120031432/https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/business-industry/transport-sectors/ports/sustainable-port-development-and-operation/master-planning-for-priority-ports/master-planning-for-the-priority-port-of-townsville|url-status = live}}</ref>
Popular attractions include "[[The Strand, Townsville|The Strand]]", a long tropical beach and garden strip; [[Riverway, Townsville|Riverway]], a riverfront parkland attraction located on the banks of [[Ross River (Queensland)|Ross River]]; [[Reef HQ]], which has been under renovation since 2021, a large tropical [[aquarium]] holding many of the Great Barrier Reef's native flora and fauna; the [[Museum of Tropical Queensland]], built around a display of relics from the sunken British warship {{HMS|Pandora|1779|6}}; [[Castle Hill, Townsville|Castle Hill]] or as it was originally known, Cootharinga, the most prominent landmark of the area and a popular place for exercise; The Townsville Sports Reserve; and [[Magnetic Island]], a large neighbouring island, the vast majority of which is [[national park]].
==History==
===Early history===
[[Aboriginal Australians|Aboriginal peoples]] such as the [[Wulgurukaba]], [[Bindal people|Bindal]], [[Girrugubba]], [[Warakamai]] and [[Nawagi]] originally inhabited the Townsville area.<ref>{{cite web|title=Vincent |work=Queensland Government |publisher=Department of Housing |date=14 September 2004 |url=http://www.communityrenewal.qld.gov.au/communities/operate/townsville_west/vincent.shtm |access-date=20 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090913000504/http://www.communityrenewal.qld.gov.au/communities/operate/townsville_west/vincent.shtm |archive-date=13 September 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last= Trood |first= Russell |author-link= Russell Trood |title= Town profiles: Townsville |publisher= [[Liberal National Party of Queensland]] |url= http://www.senatortrood.com/QueenslandGuide/NorthQueensland/tabid/90/Default.aspx#tow |access-date= 20 September 2009 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090913064444/http://www.senatortrood.com/QueenslandGuide/NorthQueensland/tabid/90/Default.aspx#tow |archive-date= 13 September 2009}}</ref> The Wulgurukaba claim to be the [[traditional owner]]s of the Townsville city area; the Bindal had a claim struck out by the [[Federal Court of Australia]] in 2005.<ref>{{cite news |title= Wulgurukaba to claim for Townsville |work= Magnetic Times|date= 20 May 2005 |url= http://magnetictimes.com/index.php?d=1&ID=1503 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20050706115936/http://magnetictimes.com/index.php?d=1&ID=1503 |url-status= dead |archive-date= 6 July 2005 |access-date= 20 September 2009}}</ref> The Wulgurukaba people call their country '''Gurrumbilbarra''', while the Bindal call their country '''Thul Garrie Waja'''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Townsville City Council |date=2024-01-31 |title=Traditional Landowners |url=https://www.townsville.qld.gov.au/about-townsville/history-and-heritage/townsville-history/traditional-landowners |access-date=2025-06-30 |website=www.townsville.qld.gov.au |language=en-AU}}</ref>
[[James Cook]] visited the Townsville region on his first voyage to Australia in 1770 but did not land there. Cook named nearby Cape Cleveland, [[Cleveland Bay (Queensland)|Cleveland Bay]] and [[Magnetic Island|Magnetic(al) Island]].<ref name="history">{{cite web|title=A Chronological History of Townsville 1770 to 1900 |publisher=[[City of Townsville|Townsville City Council]] |date=2 November 2008 |url=http://www.townsville.qld.gov.au/townsville/heritage/Pages/chronology.aspx |access-date=20 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110220115648/http://townsville.qld.gov.au/townsville/heritage/Pages/chronology.aspx |archive-date=20 February 2011 }}</ref>
In 1819, Captain [[Phillip Parker King]] and botanist [[Allan Cunningham (botanist)|Alan Cunningham]] were the first Europeans to record a local landing.<ref name="history" />
In 1846, [[James Morrill (castaway)|James Morrill]] was shipwrecked from the ''Peruvian'', living in the Townsville area among the Bindal people for 17 years before deciding to return to British society when the frontier of colonisation came to the region.<ref>{{cite web|author=corporateName=Queensland State Archives|title=Number 55 – Statement by James Morrill [Morrell] (1863)|url=http://www.archives.qld.gov.au/Researchers/Exhibitions/Top150/051-075/Pages/055.aspx|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413011451/http://archives.qld.gov.au/Researchers/Exhibitions/Top150/051-075/Pages/055.aspx|archive-date=13 April 2016|access-date=10 August 2020|website=Number 55 – Statement by James Morrill [Morrell] (1863)|date=7 April 2015|via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref name="history"/>
In 1860, [[George Elphinstone Dalrymple]] led a maritime expedition to the region from Brisbane. The expedition sailed to [[Cleveland Bay (Queensland)|Cleveland Bay]], finding a vast Aboriginal population. They landed on the shore near where the modern city of Townsville now stands and met with a number of Aboriginal people, giving them biscuits and tobacco. The Aboriginal people started to touch and feel all the expedition members and began "smacking their lips", which Dalrymple interpreted as an indication that they wanted to eat them. Another group of Aboriginal people came down, attacking them with a shower of stones and spears. Dalrymple and his men "were necessitated" to fire upon them, "repulsing them with loss." They landed again near [[Cape Pallarenda Conservation Park|Cape Pallarenda]] to obtain surveys from the hilltops but decided to descend to their awaiting dinghies as they noticed residents of three Aboriginal camps below were moving in their direction. These people were yelling and dancing "in a very hostile manner," and Dalrymple felt obliged to fire upon them. Dalrymple's group then made an "orderly retreat" to the dinghies, halting at intervals to fire upon those throwing spears. The crew that had remained upon the ''Spitfire'' had seen about eight armed Aboriginal men in canoes approaching them from nearby [[Magnetic Island]] in an apparent attempt to board the ship. A discharge of a brass gun repulsed them.<ref name="spitfire">{{cite book |title=Report of the Proceedings of the Queensland Government schooner Spitfire |date=1860 |publisher=T.P. Pugh |___location=Brisbane |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-475664242/view?partId=nla.obj-475931670#page/n0/mode/1up |access-date=28 December 2020 |archive-date=18 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211118101211/https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-475664242/view?partId=nla.obj-475931670#page/n0/mode/1up |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Establishment===
[[File:StateLibQld 1 137127 Panoramic view of Townsville and surrounds, ca. 1870.jpg|thumb|right|Townsville {{circa|1870}}]]
[[File:Queensland State Archives 1345 Anzac Memorial and Esplanade Townsville c 1935.png|thumb|Anzac Cenotaph and Esplanade, Townsville, {{circa|1935}}]]
The [[Burdekin River]]'s seasonal flooding made the establishment of a seaport north of the river essential to the nascent inland cattle industry.<ref name="wheelbarrow">{{cite news|title=Birth of Our Nation: The height of determination |newspaper=[[The Courier-Mail|Courier Mail]] |year=2001 |url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/extras/federation/CMFedNQlead.htm |access-date=20 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080727114045/http://news.com.au/couriermail/extras/federation/CMFedNQlead.htm |archive-date=27 July 2008}}</ref> [[John Melton Black]] of Woodstock Station, an employee of Sydney entrepreneur and businessman [[Robert Towns]], dispatched [[Andrew Ball (Townsville pioneer)|Andrew Ball]], Mark Watt Reid and a detachment of 8 troopers of the [[Native Police]] under the command of [[John Marlow]] to search for a suitable site.<ref name="history"/> Ball's party reached the [[Ross Creek (Townsville, North Queensland)|Ross Creek]] in April 1864 and established a camp below the rocky spur of [[Melton Hill, Townsville|Melton Hill]], near the present Customs House on [[The Strand, Townsville|The Strand]].<ref name="history"/>
Edward Kennedy, a [[Native Police]] officer accompanying the group, recalled how his "boys" (the Aboriginal troopers) chased four or five local tribesmen into the ocean. Kennedy then stated that he "left the "boys" in the water, pumping lead and hurling derisive cries at them, neither of which seemed to reach their mark". A member of the expedition who was from a town in the south accidentally shot dead an elderly Aboriginal man. He said that he thought an alligator was stalking him. On the return journey to Port Denison, the group "dispersed" another Aboriginal camp in reprisal for the killing of a shepherd. After the fighting, the "boys" rounded up around 12 women, each taking turns based on their rank in selecting one. "In five minutes, each had chosen their spouse and the ceremony was complete."<ref>{{Citation | author1=Kennedy, E. B. (Edward B.) | title=The Black Police of Queensland : reminiscences of official work and personal adventures in the early days of the colony | date=1902 | publisher=J. Murray | url=https://archive.org/details/blackpoliceofque00kenn/page/n7/mode/2up| access-date=19 October 2020}}</ref>
The next group of colonists, led by W. A. Ross, arrived at Cleveland Bay from Woodstock Station on 5 November that year. In 1866, Robert Towns visited for three days, his first and only visit. He agreed to provide ongoing financial assistance to the new settlement and Townsville was named in his honour.<ref name="history"/> Townsville was declared a municipality in February 1866, with John Melton Black elected as its first Mayor.<ref name="history"/> Townsville developed rapidly as the major port and service centre for the [[Australian gold rushes#Other discoveries|Cape River]], Gilbert, [[Ravenswood, Queensland|Ravenswood]], Etheridge and [[Charters Towers]] goldfields.<ref name="wheelbarrow"/> Regional pastoral and sugar industries also expanded and flourished.
The [[Alligator Creek meatworks]] was established in 1879. Up to 1500 workers, many who resided in Townsville, would work at the factory. It helped to build up the economy of Townsville. Jack Flowers was a local of Townsville and started working at Alligator Creek when he was 13 years old (in 1913). He worked there for 58 years and would walk from Townsville to Alligator Creek.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tent town, 1914-1915, Alligator Creek expansion by Swift Co., Townsville. |url=https://stories.townsville.qld.gov.au/nodes/view/13253 |access-date=2024-06-20 |website=Townsville City Council}}</ref> In 1915, the train line extended from Townsville out to Alligator Creek and in 1946 there was a dispute with workers who left work 15 minutes early to catch the 4:30 pm train back to town and the factory threatened to sack 340 workers reporting that it wasn’t 15 minutes but some had stopped working at 3:45 or 4 pm.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1946-07-19 |title=MEAT WORKS TO CLOSE AT ALLIGATOR CREEK |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2690788 |access-date=2024-06-20 |work=Canberra Times}}</ref>
===Importation of South Sea Islander labour===
{{Main|Blackbirding}}
On 8 July 1866, [[Robert Towns]] imported the first boatload of [[South Sea Islanders]] into Townsville to labour on the cane and cotton farms. They numbered 56 and arrived on the Blue Bell, which had brought them from the [[Loyalty Islands]] and the [[New Hebrides]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1271899 |title=CLEVELAND BAY. |newspaper=[[The Brisbane Courier]] |volume=XXI |issue=2,653 |___location=Queensland, Australia |date=28 July 1866 |access-date=30 October 2020 |page=7 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=22 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222025630/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1271899 |url-status=live }}</ref> Charges were made against [[Henry Ross Lewin]], the recruiter for Robert Towns, that some of the Islanders had been [[blackbirding|kidnapped]] to work on the plantations.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article148328894 |title=TELEGRAPHIC. |newspaper=[[Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser]] |volume=VII |issue=507 |___location=Queensland, Australia |date=4 September 1867 |access-date=30 October 2020 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=22 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222025710/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/148328894 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1867, a magisterial enquiry was set up into the death of an Islander working on one of Towns' plantations. A pharmacist attending was of the opinion the death was caused by a lack of proper nourishment, the Islanders receiving only cornmeal for food. Other evidence was given by employees of the plantation company who claimed the labourers were treated well, and a verdict of death by natural causes was declared.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article20314556 |title=THE SOUTH SEA ISLANDERS AT TOWNSVILLE. |newspaper=[[The Queenslander]] |volume=II |issue=80 |___location=Queensland, Australia |date=10 August 1867 |access-date=30 October 2020 |page=12 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=22 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222025707/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/20314556 |url-status=live }}</ref> Recent research has shown that the many allegations of blackbirding and slave conditions relating to the recruitment and employment of South Sea Islanders in Queensland are baseless, and without foundation in fact or reliable historical evidence.<ref>{{Citation | author1=Dillon, Paul | title=South Sea Islanders In Queensland, ISBN 978123224506 | date=2024 | publisher=Connor Court Publishing, Brisbane.}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=August 2025}}
===Turn of the century===
Townsville's population was 4,000 people in 1882 and grew to 13,000 by 1891.<ref name="history"/> In 1901 [[Lord Hopetoun]] made a goodwill tour of northern Australia and accepted an invitation to officially open Townsville's town hall, occasioning the first ever vice-regal ceremonial unfurling of the Australian national flag.<ref name="wheelbarrow"/> With Brisbane, in 1902 Townsville was proclaimed a City under the Local Authorities Act.<ref>{{cite web|title=A Chronological History of Townsville 1901 to 1969 |publisher=[[City of Townsville|Townsville City Council]] |date=2 November 2008 |url=http://www.townsville.qld.gov.au/townsville/heritage/heritage_chronology2 |access-date=20 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090929230730/http://www.townsville.qld.gov.au/townsville/heritage/heritage_chronology2 |archive-date=29 September 2009}}</ref>
[[File:Townsville 1937 parade of 31st battalion kennedy regiment.jpg|thumb|right|Parade of 31st Battalion, Kennedy Regiment, marching down Flinders Street, Townsville, Queensland, 1937]]
The foundation stone of the Townsville Cenotaph was laid in Strand Park on 19 July 1923.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article20643418 |title=Townsville Soldiers' Memorial |newspaper=[[The Brisbane Courier]] |date=21 July 1923 |access-date=6 April 2014 |page=9 |publisher=National Library of Australia |archive-date=12 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012000747/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/20643418 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was unveiled on 25 April 1924 ([[ANZAC Day]]) by the [[Queensland Governor]], Sir [[Matthew Nathan]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article61151083 |title=The Soldiers Memorial |newspaper=[[Townsville Daily Bulletin]] |___location=Qld. |date=26 April 1924 |access-date=6 April 2014 |page=4 |publisher=National Library of Australia |archive-date=12 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012000748/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/61151083 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Townsville Cenotaph|url=http://monumentaustralia.org.au/display/92826-townsville-cenotaph|publisher=Monument Australia|access-date=5 April 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407135624/http://monumentaustralia.org.au/display/92826-townsville-cenotaph|archive-date=7 April 2014}}</ref>
===Townsville/Thuringowa===
The rural land surrounding the city was initially managed by the Thuringowa Road Board, which eventually became the [[Shire of Thuringowa]]. The shire ceded land several times to support Townsville's expansion.<ref name="TCC history">{{cite web|url=http://www.thuringowa.qld.gov.au/thuringowa/history/|title=History of Thuringowa|author=Thuringowa City Council|date=15 November 2004|access-date=14 December 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060918160056/http://www.thuringowa.qld.gov.au/thuringowa/history/ <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date= 18 September 2006}}</ref> In 1986 the Shire became incorporated as a city, governed by the [[Thuringowa City Council]]. The cities of Townsville and Thuringowa were amalgamated into the "new" [[City of Townsville (LGA)|Townsville City Council]] in March 2008, as part of the Queensland state government's reform program.<ref name="TCC history"/>
===
In 1896, Japan established its first Australian [[Diplomatic mission|consulate]] in Townsville, primarily to serve some 4,000 Japanese workers who migrated to work in the sugar cane, turtle, [[trochus]], [[beche de mer]], and pearling industries.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.au.emb-japan.go.jp/e_web/news/archives/Season's_Greetings.htm |title=Ambassador's Season's Greetings |access-date=20 September 2009 |publisher=Embassy of Japan in Australia}}{{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=no}}</ref><ref name="repose">{{cite web |url=http://mayu.com.au/folio/inRepose/index.html |title=in repose |access-date=20 September 2009 |publisher=Mayu Kanamori |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070830194053/http://mayu.com.au/folio/inRepose/index.html |archive-date=30 August 2007}}</ref> With the introduction of the [[White Australia policy]], the demand for Japanese workers decreased, causing the consulate to finally close in 1908.<ref name="repose"/>
===Second World War===
[[File:Centenary Fountain Anzac Park.jpg|thumb|right|The Centenary Fountain built in 1959 to commemorate 100 years since the establishment of Queensland]]
At the beginning of 1942, Townsville had 30,000 inhabitants and between 5,000 and 7,000 of them voluntarily evacuated to other places.<ref>Trisha Fielding: ''Queen City of the North – a History of Townsville'', p. 73. Brisbane 2016</ref> During the [[Second World War]], the city was host to more than 50,000, and [[Townsville Naval Section Base]].<ref name="auto4">{{Cite web |url=https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/b/building-the-navys-bases/buidling-navys-bases-vol-2-chapter-26.html |title=US Navy, Bases of World War II |access-date=4 September 2022 |archive-date=20 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920163136/https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/b/building-the-navys-bases/buidling-navys-bases-vol-2-chapter-26.html |url-status=live }}</ref> American and Australian troops and air crew were stationed here, and Townsville became a major staging point for battles in the [[South West Pacific theatre of World War II|South West Pacific]]. A large United States Armed Forces contingent supported the war effort from seven airfields and other bases around the city and in the region. Many buildings, schools and 177 private houses were commandeered for use by the military.<ref>Trisha Fielding: ''Queen City of the North – a History of Townsville'', p. 75. Brisbane 2016</ref> Slit trenches were dug in many places, and 18 concrete air-raid shelters were built, six of them in Flinders Street.<ref>Trisha Fielding: ''Queen City of the North – a History of Townsville'', p. 74. Brisbane 2016</ref> The first bombing raid on [[Rabaul]], in Papua New Guinea, on 23 February 1942 was carried out by six B-17s based near Townsville.{{Citation needed|date=April 2013}}
Some of the units based in Townsville were:
*[[No. 3 Fighter Sector RAAF]], Wulguru & North Ward
*[[1 Wireless Unit]], Pimlico & Stuart & Roseneath
*[[North Eastern Area Command HQ, Townsville]], Sturt Street (now the Federation building)
*[[Castle Hill, Townsville]]<ref name="ozatwar">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ozatwar.com/ozatwar/castlehill.htm |title=Tunnels/Bunkers under Castle Hill in World War 2 |last=Dunn |first=Peter |date=2015 |website=Australia @ War |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180327045448/http://www.ozatwar.com/ozatwar/castlehill.htm |archive-date=2018-03-27}}</ref> tunnels & bunkers
*[[Green St. Bunker, West End]], Sidney Street West End, Project 81 (now the [[State Emergency Service|SES]] building)
*[[96th Engineer Battalion (United States)|96th Engineer Battalion]] (which mutinied in April 1942.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2012/s3427319.htm |title=Townsville WW2 Mutiny Uncovered by Queensland Historian |last=Bavas |first=Josh |publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=10 February 2012 |access-date=27 October 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151027064045/http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2012/s3427319.htm |archive-date=27 October 2015}}</ref>)
In July 1942, [[Air raids on Australia, 1942–43#Attacks on north Queensland, July 1942|three small Japanese air raids]] were conducted against Townsville, which was by then the most important air base in Australia.<ref>{{cite web |title= Air raids on Australian mainland — Second World War |publisher= [[Australian War Memorial]] |url= http://www.awm.gov.au/encyclopedia/air_raids/ |access-date= 20 September 2009 |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091008015715/http://www.awm.gov.au/encyclopedia/air_raids/ |archive-date= 8 October 2009}}</ref> On 25 July 1942 two Japanese [[Kawanishi Aircraft Company|Kawanishi]] Flying Boats dropped 15 bombs which landed near the mouth of the Ross River, only {{convert|400|yards|m|order=flip}} east of oil tanks in the harbour.<ref>Trisha Fielding: ''Queen City of the North – a History of Townsville'', p. 76. Brisbane 2016</ref> On 28 July, one Japanese plane dropped eight {{convert|500|lb|kg|abbr=off|adj=mid|order=flip}} bombs near the [[RAAF Base Townsville|Garbutt airfield]]. On 29 July 1942, a single [[Kawanishi H8K|"Emily"]] Flying Boat dropped one bomb at the Experimental Station of [[Oonoonba, Queensland|Oonoonba]] and seven bombs landed in Cleveland Bay where bomb craters are still clearly visible.<ref>{{cite web |last= Dunn |first= Peter |title= The Japs bomb Townsville, Queensland during WW2 |publisher= Australia @ War |year= 2004 |url= http://www.ozatwar.com/thejaps.htm |access-date= 20 September 2009 |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090921132518/http://www.ozatwar.com/thejaps.htm |archive-date= 21 September 2009}}</ref> There were no deaths and structural damage was minimal, as the Japanese missed their intended targets of the railway, the harbour and the airfield and destroyed a palm tree at the Experimental Station of Oonoonba. Although the Japanese aircraft were intercepted on two of the three raids, none was shot down.<ref>{{cite book |last= Gillison |first= Douglas |title= History of Australia in the War of 1939–1945. Series 3 — Air. Volume I — Royal Australian Air Force, 1939–1942 |publisher= Australian War Memorial |year= 1962 |___location= Canberra |pages= 562–563 |url= http://www.awm.gov.au/histories/chapter.asp?volume=26 |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060614143809/http://awm.gov.au/histories/chapter.asp?volume=26 |archive-date= 14 June 2006}}</ref>
===1960s and 1970s===
In 1961 the [[University of Queensland]] established a campus at [[Pimlico, Queensland|Pimlico]], near [[Pimlico State High School]], later developing a site at [[Douglas, Queensland|Douglas]] near the Army Barracks, and across the new Nathan Street Bridge. The faculties of Arts, Law, and Education, and several residential colleges, Union, St Mark's, and John Flynn relocated from central Townsville. This was followed by the relocation of St Raphael's college for women. A large modernist building was established. In March 1962, first year university students painted the stick figure depicting [[The Saint (Simon Templar)|The Saint]] on Castle Hill as a prank.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Ford |first1=Lyall |title=A History of The Townsville Saint |date=2022 |publisher=Taipan Press |isbn=978-0-9590776-5-0}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Knight |first1=Mia |last2=Naunton |first2=Jessica |title=Townsville's Castle Hill Saint story immortalised in new book about the rock graffiti |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-04/castle-hill-saint-story-immortalised-in-new-book/101500820 |access-date=12 September 2024}}</ref> In 1971 [[Cyclone Althea]] with flooding slowed progress of infrastructural building, but by 1972 [[James Cook University]] was established, with ecru academic gowns, quite different to those of older universities. From 1961, only the first years of studies for Medicine and for Veterinary Sciences were offered in Townsville, but the establishment of a new General Hospital at [[Mount Louisa, Queensland|Mount Louisa]] provided facilities necessary for the establishment of an independent Medical School.{{Citation needed|date=February 2019}}
In 1970, [[Queen Elizabeth II]], [[Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh|the Duke of Edinburgh]] and [[Princess Anne]] toured Australia including Queensland.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}} The Queensland tour began on Sunday 12 April when the royal yacht ''Britannia'' entered Moreton Bay at Caloundra, sailing into Newstead Wharf. After visiting Brisbane, Longreach and Mount Isa the Royal Family travelled to Mackay.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}} The royal party had a leisurely cruise to Townsville, taking four days to arrive after their departure from Mackay. On the morning of April 20, they were met by The Deputy Mayor of Townsville Mr. T. Aikens, M.L.A. and Mrs Aikens and Mr W.W. Shepherd, Chairman of the Townsville Harbour Board and Mrs Shepherd.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}} The day’s program began with a cavalcade of progress at the Townsville sports reserve. The grounds were filled with crowds and children waving their Australian flag. It was a spectacle for the royal visitors and the local community who came out on the day.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}
Following lunch on board Britannia, the royal family were driven to the site of Queensland’s newest university, the [[James Cook University]], Townsville campus. In the presence of many dignitaries, HRH Queen Elizabeth II formally granted autonomy to North Queensland’s new educational institution. In 2020, James Cook University celebrated its 50th anniversary with a Treasures exhibition, showcasing 50 collection items from Special Collections, Eddie Koiku Mabo Library, James Cook University, Townsville.
The rare collection item – ‘James Cook University Development: Pimlico to the First Chancellor archival footage, 1960 – 1970’ was one of the Treasures selected for the anniversary year. The 12min film preserved on NQHeritage, the University Library’s Special Collections online repository, shows footage of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II arriving at the official ceremony and being introduced to the official party.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 May 2022 |title=James Cook University Development: Pimlico to the first Chancellor [archival footage, 1960-1970] |url=https://nqheritage.jcu.edu.au/749/ |access-date=18 May 2022 |website=James Cook University NQHeritage@JCU |archive-date=17 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317141733/https://nqheritage.jcu.edu.au/749/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Their Royal Highnesses first appear in the film at 6:06 minutes.<ref>{{SLQ-CC-BY|url=https://www.slq.qld.gov.au/blog/state-queensland-welcomes-royalty-1970-part-2-coastal-tour|title=The state of Queensland welcomes royalty in 1970 - Part 2 The Coastal Tour|date=6 May 2022|author(s)=Anne Scheu|accessdate=18 May 2022}}</ref>
On Christmas Eve 1971, Tropical [[Cyclone Althea]], a [[tropical cyclone scales#Australia|category 4]] cyclone, battered the city and Magnetic Island, causing considerable damage.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/history/althea.shtml|title=Severe Tropical Cyclone Althea|publisher=Bureau of Meteorology|access-date=12 January 2023|archive-date=31 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331023319/http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/history/althea.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 1973, Indigenous activists [[Eddie Mabo|Eddie]] and [[Bonita Mabo|Bonita]] Mabo established the Black Community School in Townsville, where children could learn their Indigenous culture rather than white culture.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mabonativetitle.com/theman_18.shtml|title=Black Community School|website=Screen Australia Digital Learning|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180410125426/http://www.mabonativetitle.com/theman_18.shtml|archive-date=10 April 2018|url-status=live|access-date=27 November 2018}}</ref> Eddie Mabo worked as a gardener at [[James Cook University]] in the 1970s and 1980s. It was at the university in 1974 that he first learned of the implications of the ''[[terra nullius]]'' doctrine which held that he did not legally own the land he believed was his under the traditional land inheritance system of his people.<ref name="BBCPres2008">{{cite episode|title=We Are No Longer Shadows|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/firstaustralians/index/index/epid/7|series=First Australians|network=[[Special Broadcasting Service|SBS]]|station=[[Special Broadcasting Service|SBS]]|minutes=13:45|credits=Created by [[Thomas Rickard]]|___location=[[Australia]]|airdate=2 November 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100927101757/http://www.sbs.com.au/firstaustralians/index/index/epid/7|archive-date=27 September 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=The Law of the Land|last=Reynolds|first=Henry|date=1992|publisher=Penguin|edition=2|place=Ringwood, Vic|pages=185–186}}</ref>
===1980s===
[[Buchanan's Hotel]] in Flinders Street, regarded by architectural historians as Australia's most significant building in the [[Filigree]] style, was lost to fire in 1982.{{citation needed|date=April 2013}}
In 1981 a land rights conference was held at James Cook University and Eddie Mabo made a speech to the audience where he explained the land inheritance system on [[Murray Island, Queensland|Murray Island]]. The significance of this in terms of Australian [[common law]] doctrine was taken note of by one of the attendees, a lawyer, who suggested there should be a test case to claim land rights through the court system. Mabo decided to take on the [[Australian Government]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/MULR/2000/35.html|title=Keon-Cohen, B.A. (2000) "The Mabo Litigation: A Personal and Procedural Account" ''Melbourne University Law Review'' '''24'''(3)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110516055642/http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/MULR/2000/35.html|archive-date=16 May 2011|url-status=live|access-date=1 February 2011}}</ref> [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]]-based solicitor Greg McIntyre was at the conference and agreed to take the case; he then recruited barristers [[Ron Castan]] and Bryan Keon-Cohen.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bryankeoncohen.com/about.aspx|title=About Bryan Keon-Cohen|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610225336/http://bryankeoncohen.com/about.aspx|archive-date=10 June 2015|url-status=live|access-date=17 June 2015}}</ref> McIntyre represented Mabo during the hearings.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/youre-part-of-the-family-mabo-clan-tells-lawyer-who-led-landmark-case-20120603-1zq57.html|title=You're part of the family, Mabo clan tells lawyer who led landmark case|date=4 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924180224/http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/youre-part-of-the-family-mabo-clan-tells-lawyer-who-led-landmark-case-20120603-1zq57.html|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=live|newspaper=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]}}</ref> The James Cook University Douglas campus library is now named after Mabo.<ref>{{cite news |title= Eddie Mabo Library to open at Townsville's James Cook University |work=The Australian |date= 21 May 2008}}</ref>
==
On 3 June 1992, the [[High Court of Australia]] ruled in favour of Eddie Mabo in ''[[Mabo v Queensland (No 2)]]'' recognising native title in Australia for the first time.<ref name="Mabo #2 HCA">{{cite AustLII|litigants=Mabo v Queensland (No 2)|HCA|23|1992|date=3 June 1992|parallelcite=(1992) 175 [[Commonwealth Law Reports|CLR]] 1|courtname=[[High Court of Australia|High Court]]}}.</ref>
In 1993, the [[New South Wales Rugby League]] announced that a team from Townsville would be admitted to the expanded, nation-wide competition, and the [[North Queensland Cowboys]] made their debut in the [[1995 ARL season]].
===2000–present===
In October 2000, a [[Solomon Islands]] Peace Agreement was negotiated in Townsville.<ref>{{cite press release |title= Praise for International Peace Team in Solomon Islands |publisher= Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs |date= 25 June 2002 |url= http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2002/fa094_02.html |access-date= 20 September 2009 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090920211223/http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2002/fa094_02.html |archive-date= 20 September 2009}}</ref>
In February 2019, Townsville experienced a [[2019 Townsville flood|major flood event]], which caused five deaths. Floodwaters damaged approximately 3300 homes and about 1500 homes were rendered uninhabitable.
==Urban layout==
[[File:Townsville DSC08648 Qld.jpg|thumb|Townsville CBD and surrounds]]
Inner-city high-density development has also created population growth and [[gentrification]] of the central business district (CBD). One significant contributor to CBD development was the construction of a new rail passenger terminal and re-siting of the railway workshops,<ref>[http://www.dtrdi.qld.gov.au/dsdweb/v3/guis/templates/content/gui_cue_cntnhtml.cfm?id=18072 Department of Tourism, Regional Development and Industry]. Dtrdi.qld.gov.au. Retrieved on 18 August 2011. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071212201528/http://www.dtrdi.qld.gov.au/dsdweb/v3/guis/templates/content/gui_cue_cntnhtml.cfm?id=18072 |date=12 December 2007}}</ref> releasing prime real estate which formerly belonged to [[Queensland Rail]] for the development of residential units, retail projects and a new performing arts centre. The skyline of Townsville's central business district has undergone dramatic changes over the last few years, with a number of new highrise buildings, both commercial and residential, constructed.<ref>[http://www.newprojectsaustralia.com.au/regions/townsville.php Townsville — New Projects Australia — Investment Property Homes, Townsville, Cairns, Mackay, Toowoomba] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725150804/http://www.newprojectsaustralia.com.au/regions/townsville.php |date=25 July 2008}}</ref>
In the short term, much of the urban expansion will continue to the west and the north, in the former City of Thuringowa. The most significant of these is North Shore Estate, a new [[Australian dollar|A$]]1 billion 5,000-lot housing estate, located close to the [[Bruce Highway]], just north of the [[Bohle River]].<ref>{{cite news |last= Raggatt |first= Tony |title= Townsville's billion-dollar suburb |newspaper= The Townsville Bulletin |___location= Townsville |date= 25 April 2008 |url= http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2008/04/25/12531_news.html |access-date= 20 September 2009 |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080731143022/http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2008/04/25/12531_news.html |archive-date= 31 July 2008}}</ref>
Medium-term city expansion will be focused on two major urban developments that have started in 2017 and 2018. Elliot Springs, a satellite city to the south of Townsville developed by national developer [[Lendlease Group]], is expected to be home to 26,000 people by 2057.<ref>{{cite web |title= Mountain ranges inspire newly named master planned community – Elliot Springs |publisher= Lendlease |date= 25 January 2017 |url= http://www.lendlease.com/-/media/llcom/investor-relations/media-releases/2017/20170125_-newly-named-master-planned-community-elliot-springs.ashx|access-date= 1 July 2017 |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171203225941/https://www.lendlease.com/-/media/llcom/investor-relations/media-releases/2017/20170125_-newly-named-master-planned-community-elliot-springs.ashx |archive-date= 3 December 2017}}</ref> Additionally, the [[Queensland Government]] announced it will be offering {{convert|270|hectare}} of state-owned land (the former abattoir reserve), just south of the [[Bohle River]], for urban expansion.<ref>{{cite news |last= O'Reilly |first= Jennifer |title= New Townsville suburb planned for Bohle |newspaper= The Townsville Bulletin |___location= Townsville |date= 24 June 2008 |url=http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2008/06/24/14165_news.html |access-date= 20 September 2009 |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080731150911/http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2008/06/24/14165_news.html |archive-date= 31 July 2008}}</ref>
==Geography==
{{For|a full list of suburbs in Townsville and the surrounding region|List of Townsville suburbs}}[[File:Ross River from Riverway.jpg|thumb|The Ross River that runs through Townsville]]
Townsville lies approximately {{convert|1350|km|mi}} north of [[Brisbane]], and {{convert|350|km|mi}} south of [[Cairns]]. It lies on the shores of Cleveland Bay, protected to some degree from the predominantly south-east weather. Cleveland Bay is mostly shallow inshore, with several large beaches and continually shifting sand bars. [[Magnetic Island]] lies {{convert|8|km|mi|0}} offshore, to the north of the city centre. It, together with Castle Hill in the town centre and Mount Stuart to the south of the city, form a large [[quartz monzonite]] igneous province.{{Citation needed|date=March 2020}}[[File:Castle Hill, Viewed From Townsville Breakwater..jpg|thumb|Castle Hill, a granite monolith in Townsville|left]]The [[Ross River (Queensland)|Ross River]] flows through the city. Three weirs, fish stocking and dredging of the river in these reaches has resulted in a deep, stable and clean waterway used for many recreational activities such as water skiing, fishing and rowing. {{convert|30|km|spell=In}} from the mouth (at the junction of Five Head Creek) is the [[Ross River Dam]], the major water storage for the urban areas.
The historic waterfront on [[Ross Creek (Townsville, North Queensland)|Ross Creek]], site of the original wharves and port facilities, has some old buildings mixed with the later modern skyline. However, the central city is dominated by the mass of red granite of [[Castle Hill, Townsville|Castle Hill]], {{convert|286|m|ft}} high.<ref>{{cite web|title=Townsville Community Profiles Division 3|date=March 2016|access-date=6 May 2018|page=5|url=https://www.townsville.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/12085/TCC_Community-Profiles_Division-3_Web.pdf|author=Townsville City Council|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330154733/https://www.townsville.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/12085/TCC_Community-Profiles_Division-3_Web.pdf|archive-date=30 March 2018}}</ref> There is a lookout at the summit giving panoramic views of the city and its suburbs, including Cleveland Bay and [[Magnetic Island]]. There are a number of parks scattered throughout the city, including three [[botanical gardens]] — [[Anderson Park, Townsville|Anderson Park]], [[Queens Gardens, Townsville|Queens Gardens]] and [[The Palmetum, Townsville|The Palmetum]].
{{wide image|Magnetic Island from Castle Hill.jpg|1000px|align-cap=center|Magnetic Island viewed from Castle Hill at sunrise}}
===Climate===
{{climate chart
| Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| 24.7 | 31.9 | 252.6
| 24.7 | 31.7 | 338.1
| 23.5 | 31.3 | 156.7
| 21.1 | 30.2 | 54.3
| 18.0 | 28.2 | 26.3
| 15.3 | 26.2 | 17.1
| 14.0 | 25.7 | 13.9
| 14.8 | 26.5 | 20.3
| 17.9 | 28.4 | 9.9
| 21.1 | 29.8 | 24.3
| 23.1 | 31.1 | 60.6
| 24.5 | 31.9 | 122.2
| units = metric
| float = right
| clear = both}}
Townsville has a [[tropical savanna climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Aw''). Owing to a quirk of geographical ___location, Townsville's winter rainfall in particular is not as high as elsewhere in the eastern coastal tropics of Queensland, such as [[Cairns]].<ref name="Climate of Townsville">{{cite web |title= Climate of Townsville |publisher= Bureau of Meteorology |url= http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/townsville/climate_Townsville.shtml |access-date= 5 October 2017 |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171005100637/http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/townsville/climate_Townsville.shtml |archive-date= 5 October 2017}}</ref> The winter months are dominated by southeast [[trade winds]] and mostly fine weather. Further north the coastline runs north–south and the trade winds are lifted to produce rainfall right through the year. Townsville, however, lies on a section of coastline that turns east/west, so the lifting effect is not present. As a result, winter months are dominated by blue skies, warm days and cool nights, although at times significant rainfall may occur.<ref name="Climate of Townsville"/>
The average annual rainfall is {{convert|1095|mm|in|2}} on an average 61 rain days, most of which falls during the six-month "wet season" from November to April. Because of the "hit or miss" nature of tropical lows and thunderstorms, and the powerful influence of the [[El Niño–Southern Oscillation]], variation from year to year is almost uniquely large for such a wet climate, being comparable only to a few cities in [[Northeast Region, Brazil|the Northeast of Brazil]] (e.g. [[Fortaleza]]).<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Dewar|first1=Robert E|last2=Wallis|first2=James R|title=Geographical patterning of interannual rainfall variability in the tropics and near tropics: An L-moments approach|journal=[[Journal of Climate]]|volume=12|issue=12|pages=3457–3466|bibcode=1999JCli...12.3457D|year=1999|doi=10.1175/1520-0442(1999)012<3457:GPOIRV>2.0.CO;2|s2cid=55652367|url=http://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/6a6d/680c9dab538e276ba3146bc0e1c673a3c285.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190226011120/http://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/6a6d/680c9dab538e276ba3146bc0e1c673a3c285.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=2019-02-26}}</ref> Since records at various urban locations started in 1871 twelve-month rainfalls in Townsville have ranged from a mere {{convert|217.9|mm|in|2}} between December 1901 and November 1902 at the peak of the [[Federation Drought]], to as much as {{convert|2956.2|mm|in|2}} between March 1990 and February 1991. On average, the driest year in ten can expect only half the mean rainfall, compared to around 64 percent in Brisbane, 68 percent in Sydney, and 72 percent in Darwin.
Rainfall also varies considerably within the metropolitan area; it typically ranges from {{convert|1136|mm|in}} at central [[Townsville City, Queensland|Townsville City]] to {{convert|853|mm|in}} at [[Woodstock, Queensland|Woodstock]], a southwestern suburb. The wettest 24 hours on record was 11 January 1998, with {{convert|548.8|mm|in}} falling mostly in a 12-hour period after dark, which has since been dubbed the "Night of Noah" by Townsville residents.<ref>{{cite web|last=Parkes|first=Kevin|title=Submission to Queensland Floods Commission of Enquiry|url=http://www.floodcommission.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/file/0018/1809/Parkes_Kevin.pdf|publisher=[[Queensland Government]]|access-date=8 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140326132215/http://www.floodcommission.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/file/0018/1809/Parkes_Kevin.pdf|archive-date=26 March 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{Weather box
|___location = [[Townsville Airport]] (19º15'00"S, 146º46'12"E, 4 m AMSL) (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1940–present)
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|Jan record high C = 44.3
|Feb record high C = 42.7
|Mar record high C = 37.6
|Apr record high C = 35.8
|May record high C = 32.2
|Jun record high C = 32.2
|Jul record high C = 31.6
|Aug record high C = 33.3
|Sep record high C = 36.5
|Oct record high C = 37.1
|Nov record high C = 41.7
|Dec record high C = 42.1
|Jan high C = 31.9
|Feb high C = 31.7
|Mar high C = 31.3
|Apr high C = 30.2
|May high C = 28.2
|Jun high C = 26.2
|Jul high C = 25.7
|Aug high C = 26.5
|Sep high C = 28.4
|Oct high C = 29.8
|Nov high C = 31.1
|Dec high C = 31.9
| Jan mean C = 28.3
| Feb mean C = 28.2
| Mar mean C = 27.4
| Apr mean C = 25.7
| May mean C = 23.1
| Jun mean C = 20.8
| Jul mean C = 19.9
| Aug mean C = 20.7
| Sep mean C = 23.2
| Oct mean C = 25.5
| Nov mean C = 27.1
| Dec mean C = 28.2
| year mean C =
|Jan low C = 24.7
|Feb low C = 24.7
|Mar low C = 23.5
|Apr low C = 21.1
|May low C = 18.0
|Jun low C = 15.3
|Jul low C = 14.0
|Aug low C = 14.8
|Sep low C = 17.9
|Oct low C = 21.1
|Nov low C = 23.1
|Dec low C = 24.5
|Jan record low C = 18.7
|Feb record low C = 17.9
|Mar record low C = 16.7
|Apr record low C = 10.9
|May record low C = 6.2
|Jun record low C = 4.4
|Jul record low C = 3.5
|Aug record low C = 1.1
|Sep record low C = 7.7
|Oct record low C = 8.2
|Nov record low C = 14.1
|Dec record low C = 17.9
| Jan avg record high C = 35.4
| Feb avg record high C = 35.0
| Mar avg record high C = 33.9
| Apr avg record high C = 32.3
| May avg record high C = 30.5
| Jun avg record high C = 28.9
| Jul avg record high C = 28.3
| Aug avg record high C = 29.6
| Sep avg record high C = 31.9
| Oct avg record high C = 33.0
| Nov avg record high C = 34.4
| Dec avg record high C = 35.2
| year avg record high C =37.4
| Jan avg record low C = 21.7
| Feb avg record low C = 22.2
| Mar avg record low C = 20.4
| Apr avg record low C = 16.9
| May avg record low C = 12.2
| Jun avg record low C = 8.9
| Jul avg record low C = 8.0
| Aug avg record low C = 8.4
| Sep avg record low C = 12.7
| Oct avg record low C = 16.3
| Nov avg record low C = 19.1
| Dec avg record low C = 21.4
| year avg record low C = 6.8
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 252.6
|Feb precipitation mm = 338.1
|Mar precipitation mm = 156.7
|Apr precipitation mm = 54.3
|May precipitation mm = 26.3
|Jun precipitation mm = 17.1
|Jul precipitation mm = 13.9
|Aug precipitation mm = 20.3
|Sep precipitation mm = 9.9
|Oct precipitation mm = 24.3
|Nov precipitation mm = 60.6
|Dec precipitation mm = 122.2
|year precipitation mm = 1095.3
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 11.3
|Feb precipitation days = 12.2
|Mar precipitation days = 7.9
|Apr precipitation days = 4.3
|May precipitation days = 2.8
|Jun precipitation days = 2.6
|Jul precipitation days = 1.7
|Aug precipitation days = 1.3
|Sep precipitation days = 1.4
|Oct precipitation days = 2.7
|Nov precipitation days = 5.1
|Dec precipitation days = 7.2
|Jan afthumidity = 64
|Feb afthumidity = 68
|Mar afthumidity = 60
|Apr afthumidity = 58
|May afthumidity = 55
|Jun afthumidity = 52
|Jul afthumidity = 50
|Aug afthumidity = 51
|Sep afthumidity = 53
|Oct afthumidity = 55
|Nov afthumidity = 58
|Dec afthumidity = 60
|Jan dew point C = 22.5
|Feb dew point C = 23.1
|Mar dew point C = 21.1
|Apr dew point C = 19.0
|May dew point C = 16.3
|Jun dew point C = 13.5
|Jul dew point C = 12.1
|Aug dew point C = 13.4
|Sep dew point C = 15.6
|Oct dew point C = 17.8
|Nov dew point C = 19.7
|Dec dew point C = 21.4
|Jan sun = 254.2
|Feb sun = 211.9
|Mar sun = 244.9
|Apr sun = 243.0
|May sun = 244.9
|Jun sun = 231.0
|Jul sun = 263.5
|Aug sun = 279.0
|Sep sun = 291.0
|Oct sun = 306.9
|Nov sun = 291.0
|Dec sun = 288.3
|Jan percentsun = 62
|Feb percentsun = 60
|Mar percentsun = 64
|Apr percentsun = 70
|May percentsun = 71
|Jun percentsun = 71
|Jul percentsun = 77
|Aug percentsun = 80
|Sep percentsun = 80
|Oct percentsun = 78
|Nov percentsun = 74
|Dec percentsun = 70
|source 1 = [[Bureau of Meteorology]] (1991-2020 normals, extremes 1940-2024)<ref>{{cite web
|url = http://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/ncc/cdio/cvg/av?p_stn_num=032040&p_prim_element_index=0&p_comp_element_index=0&redraw=null&p_display_type=full_statistics_table&normals_years=1991-2020&tablesizebutt=normal
|title = Townsville AirportClimate Statistics (1991-2020)
|publisher = [[Bureau of Meteorology]]
|access-date = July 14, 2024
|archive-date = 29 May 2022
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220529012352/http://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/ncc/cdio/cvg/av?p_stn_num=032040&p_prim_element_index=0&p_comp_element_index=0&redraw=null&p_display_type=full_statistics_table&normals_years=1991-2020&tablesizebutt=normal
|url-status = live
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url = http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_032040_All.shtml
|title = Townsville Airport Climate Statistics (1940-2024)
|publisher = [[Bureau of Meteorology]]
|access-date = July 14, 2024
|archive-date = 5 June 2011
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110605102641/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_032040_All.shtml
|url-status = live
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url = http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/data/
|title = Climate data online (Site number: 032040)
|publisher = Bureau of Meteorology
|access-date = 30 Jun 2025}}</ref>
}}
{| class="wikitable collapsible" width=100% style="text-align:center; font-size:90%; line-height: 1.2em; margin:auto;"
! colspan=14 |Townsville Airport Rainfall Data
|-
! Month
! Jan
! Feb
! Mar
! Apr
! May
! Jun
! Jul
! Aug
! Sep
! Oct
! Nov
! Dec
! Total
|-
! style="border-right:1px #fff;"|Highest rainfall mm (inches)
| style="background: #6396ce; " | {{convert|1141.7|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
| style="background: #a6c4e4; " | {{convert|960.8|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
| style="background: #a6c4e4; " | {{convert|696.2|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
| style="background: #a6c4e4; " | {{convert|546.2|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
| style="background: #a6c4e4; " | {{convert|180.8|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
| style="background: #a6c4e4; " | {{convert|111.4|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
| style="background: #a6c4e4; " | {{convert|173.7|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
| style="background: #a6c4e4; " | {{convert|258.2|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
| style="background: #c6d9e9; " | {{convert|84.4|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
| style="background: #a6c4e4; " | {{convert|252.8|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
| style="background: #a6c4e4; " | {{convert|345.2|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
| style="background: #a6c4e4; " | {{convert|458.0|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
| style="background: #6396ce; " | {{convert|2399.8|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
|-
! style="border-right:1px #fff;"|Highest 24-hour rainfall mm (inches)
| style="background: #a6c4e4; " | {{convert|548.8|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
| style="background: #a6c4e4; " | {{convert|317.6|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
| style="background: #a6c4e4; " | {{convert|366.5|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
| style="background: #a6c4e4; " | {{convert|271.6|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
| style="background: #c6d9e9; " | {{convert|96.0|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
| style="background: #c6d9e9; " | {{convert|93.0|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
| style="background: #c6d9e9; " | {{convert|89.8|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
| style="background: #a6c4e4; " | {{convert|134.2|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
| style="background: #c6d9e9; " | {{convert|64.6|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
| style="background: #c6d9e9; " | {{convert|89.4|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
| style="background: #a6c4e4; " | {{convert|132.8|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
| style="background: #a6c4e4; " | {{convert|206.8|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
| style="background: #a6c4e4; " | {{convert|548.8|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
|-
! style="border-right:1px #fff;"|Average rainfall mm (inches)
| style="background: #a6c4e4; " | {{convert|252.2|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
| style="background: #a6c4e4; " | {{convert|298.7|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
| style="background: #a6c4e4; " | {{convert|192.4|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
| style="background: #c6d9e9; " | {{convert|66.4|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
| style="background: #c6d9e9; " | {{convert|31.7|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
| style="background: #c6d9e9; " | {{convert|21.2|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
| style="background: #c6d9e9; " | {{convert|14.9|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
| style="background: #c6d9e9; " | {{convert|16.1|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
| style="background: #c6d9e9; " | {{convert|10.4|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
| style="background: #c6d9e9; " | {{convert|23.4|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
| style="background: #c6d9e9; " | {{convert|58.4|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
| style="background: #a6c4e4; " | {{convert|127.7|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
| style="background: #6396ce; " | {{convert|1134.7|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
|-
! style="border-right:1px #fff;"|Lowest rainfall mm (inches)
| style="background: #d1e7e2; " | {{convert|8.8|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
| style="background: #d1e7e2; " | {{convert|4.2|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
| style="background: #d1e7e2; " | {{convert|2.0|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
| style="background: #d1e7e2; " | {{convert|0.3|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
|| {{convert|0|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
|| {{convert|0|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
|| {{convert|0|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
|| {{convert|0|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
|| {{convert|0|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
|| {{convert|0|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
| style="background: #d1e7e2; " | {{convert|0.2|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
|| {{convert|0|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
| style="background: #a6c4e4; " | {{convert|397.6|mm|in|1|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
|-
| colspan="14"| Source: Bureau of Meteorology<ref name="Climate statistics Townsville"/>
|}
December is the warmest month of the year with daily mean maximum and minimum temperatures being {{convert|31.5|°C|°F}} and {{convert|24.1|°C|°F}}<ref name="Climate statistics Townsville">{{cite web |url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_032040_All.shtml |title=Climate statistics for Townsville |access-date=11 December 2016 |publisher=[[Bureau of Meteorology]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161205185122/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_032040_All.shtml |archive-date=5 December 2016}}</ref> respectively. July is the coolest month with daily mean maximum and minimum temperatures being {{convert|25.1|°C|°F}} and {{convert|13.7|°C|°F}}.<ref name="Climate statistics Townsville"/> Townsville experiences an annual mean of 8.5 hours of sunshine per day, averaging 120.8 clear days per year.<ref name="Climate of Townsville"/>
====Tropical cyclones and flooding====
Like most of Northern Australia, Townsville is susceptible to [[tropical cyclone]]s. They usually occur between December and April, forming mainly out in the Coral Sea, and usually tracking west to the coast. Notable cyclones to affect the Townsville Region have been: [[Cyclone Kirrily]] (2024), [[Cyclone Yasi]] (2011), [[Cyclone Tessi]] (2000), [[Tropical Cyclone Sid (1997)|Cyclone Sid]] (1998, in particular damaging [[The Strand, Townsville|The Strand]] and causing [[1998 Townsville floods|major flooding]]), [[Cyclone Joy]] (1990), [[Cyclone Althea]] (1971), [[Cyclone Leonta]] (1903), and [[Cyclone Sigma]] (1896). The city was also affected by the [[2019 Townsville flood]], the convergence of a monsoon and a slow-moving tropical low.
==Governance==
Townsville has offices of many State and Federal Government agencies, such as [[Centrelink]] and the [[Australian Taxation Office]].
===Local===
Townsville is governed by a [[City Council]], comprising an independently elected Mayor and 10 Councillors who each represent a separate division within the local government area.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://results.ecq.qld.gov.au/elections/local/LG2016/TownsvilleCityCouncil/index.html|title=2016 Townsville City Council Mayoral / Councillor Election : 19 March 2016|date=19 March 2016|publisher=[[Electoral Commission of Queensland]]|access-date=18 June 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160512212935/http://results.ecq.qld.gov.au/elections/local/LG2016/TownsvilleCityCouncil/index.html|archive-date=12 May 2016}}</ref> Following local government reform undertaken by the [[Government of Queensland]] prior to the March 2008 elections, the previous entities of NQ Water, The City of Townsville and the City of Thuringowa were amalgamated.
In the [[2024 Townsville City Council election]], [[Troy Thompson (politician)|Troy Thompson]] (Independent), was sworn in as Mayor of Townsville.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-03-27/townsville-mayor-jenny-hill-concedes-election-defeat/103638636|title=Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill formally concedes election defeat to Troy Thompson|publisher=ABC News|date=27 March 2024|first1=Rachael|last1=Merritt|first2=Lily|last2=Nothling|access-date=28 June 2024|archive-date=26 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240626013116/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-03-27/townsville-mayor-jenny-hill-concedes-election-defeat/103638636|url-status=live}}</ref> The previous Mayor of Townsville was [[Jenny Hill (politician)|Jenny Hill]], a member of the [[Australian Labor Party|Labor Party]]. Hill was elected in April 2012, replacing the retiring Les Tyrell and defeating main opposing candidate [[Dale Last]].<ref name="hill's victory">{{cite news|last=Templeton|first=Anthony|title=Hill ready to take over reins of city|url=http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2012/05/04/327511_news.html|access-date=27 June 2012|newspaper=Townsville Bulletin|date=4 May 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520001332/http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2012/05/04/327511_news.html|archive-date=20 May 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://results.ecq.qld.gov.au/elections/local/LG2012/TownsvilleCityCouncil/results/mayoral/summary.html|title=2012 Townsville City Council – Mayoral Election – Election Summary|date=28 May 2012|publisher=[[Electoral Commission of Queensland]]|access-date=18 June 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508004355/http://results.ecq.qld.gov.au/elections/local/LG2012/TownsvilleCityCouncil/results/mayoral/summary.html|archive-date=8 May 2016}}</ref> Tyrell was the immediate past Mayor for 17 years of the former local government authority, the [[City of Thuringowa]]. The previous Mayor of Townsville for 19 years was [[Tony Mooney]] ([[Australian Labor Party]]). Hill faced a largely hostile chamber in her first term, with 'Townsville First' candidates winning the majority of divisions.<ref name="hill's victory"/> When local government elections were held in March 2016, Jenny Hill was re-elected as Mayor of Townsville.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://results.ecq.qld.gov.au/elections/local/LG2016/TownsvilleCityCouncil/results/mayoral/summary.html|title=2016 Townsville City Council – Mayoral Election – Election Summary|date=20 April 2016|publisher=[[Electoral Commission of Queensland]]|access-date=18 June 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160614015309/http://results.ecq.qld.gov.au/elections/local/LG2016/TownsvilleCityCouncil/results/mayoral/summary.html|archive-date=14 June 2016}}</ref> She was re-elected in the 2020 Queensland local government elections.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-07-01 |title=2020 Local Government Elections: Saturday, 28 March 2020: Townsville City Mayor |url=https://results1.elections.qld.gov.au/lga2020/072 |access-date=2022-08-10 |website=[[Electoral Commission of Queensland]] |language=en |archive-date=10 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810221935/https://results1.elections.qld.gov.au/lga2020/072 |url-status=live }}</ref>
===State===
In the [[unicameral]] [[Queensland Parliament]] five electorates cover the Townsville Region:{{Citation needed|date=August 2022}}
*[[Electoral district of Burdekin]] (southern suburbs): [[Dale Last|Dale Last MP]] ([[Liberal National Party of Queensland|LNP]])
*[[Electoral district of Hinchinbrook]] (northern suburbs): [[Nick Dametto|Nick Dametto MP]] ([[Katter's Australian Party]])
*[[Electoral district of Mundingburra]] (central/southern suburbs): [[Janelle Poole|Janelle Poole MP]] ([[Liberal National Party of Queensland|LNP]])
*[[Electoral district of Thuringowa]] (western/northern suburbs): [[Natalie Marr|Natalie Marr MP]] ([[Liberal National Party of Queensland|LNP]])
*[[Electoral district of Townsville]] (CBD + [[Magnetic Island|Magnetic]] & [[Palm Island, Queensland|Palm]] Islands): [[Adam Baillie|Adam Baillie MP]] ([[Liberal National Party of Queensland|LNP]])
===
The majority of the population of Townsville is represented in the [[Australian House of Representatives]] by [[Phillip Thompson]] of the [[Liberal National Party of Queensland|Liberal National Party]], reelected as the member for the [[Division of Herbert]] at the [[2022 Australian federal election]]. Some of the suburbs on the southern fringe of the urban area are part of the [[Division of Dawson]] and are represented by [[Andrew Willcox]], representing the [[Liberal National Party of Queensland|Liberal National Party]]. Some of the northern suburbs of Townsville, known collectively as the "Northern Beaches", are included in the [[Division of Kennedy]] which is represented by [[Bob Katter]] ([[Katter's Australian Party]]), who is based in [[Mount Isa]] about {{convert|900|km|mi}} west of Townsville.
==
[[File:Flinders Street, Townsville City, QLD and Titles Office.jpg|thumb|Flinders Street]]
The city has a diverse economy with strengths in education, healthcare, retail, construction and manufacturing. It is a defence hub and is home to thousands of military personnel. It is also a major manufacturing and processing hub. Townsville is the only city globally to refine three different base metals — [[zinc]], [[copper]], and [[nickel]] — and it is planned in the near future to be home to a $2billion [[lithium-ion battery]] manufacturing facility developed by the Imperium3 consortium in partnership with [[Siemens]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://reneweconomy.com.au/townsville-battery-gigafactory-plan-gains-momentum-49401/|title=Townsville battery "gigafactory" plan gains momentum|date=23 April 2018|access-date=28 August 2018|publisher=Renew Economy|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828171920/https://reneweconomy.com.au/townsville-battery-gigafactory-plan-gains-momentum-49401/|archive-date=28 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2018/8/23/queensland-charges-ahead-with-townsville-battery-project|title=Queensland Charges ahead with Townsville battery project|date=23 August 2018|newspaper=Queensland State Government|access-date=28 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828170427/http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2018/8/23/queensland-charges-ahead-with-townsville-battery-project|archive-date=28 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Nickel ore is imported from Indonesia, the Philippines and New Caledonia and processed at the Yabulu Nickel refinery, {{convert|30|km|mi}} north of the port. Zinc ore is transported by rail from the [[Cannington Mine]], south of Cloncurry, for smelting at the Sun Metals refinery south of Townsville. Copper concentrate from the smelter at Mount Isa is also railed to Townsville for further refining at the copper refinery at Stuart.{{Citation needed|date=March 2013}}. The zinc refinery is one of the world's largest with an expansion from 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.propertyfriends.com.au/economic-impact-proposed-sun-metals-expansion/|title=Economic Impact of Proposed Sun Metals Expansion |website=Property Friends|access-date=2018-11-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322191631/https://www.propertyfriends.com.au/economic-impact-proposed-sun-metals-expansion/|archive-date=22 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
Townsville has several large public assets as a result of its relative position and population. These include the largest campus of the oldest university in northern Queensland, [[James Cook University]], the [[Australian Institute of Marine Science]] headquarters, [[Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority]], the large Army base at [[Lavarack Barracks]], and [[RAAF Base Townsville]].
==Demographics==
[[File:Sacred Heart Cathedral Townsville.jpg|thumb|Sacred Heart Cathedral]]
Townsville's population was 179,011 at the [[2021 Australian census|2021 census]]. The city has a younger population than the Australian and Queensland averages.<ref name="abssua" /> The city has traditionally experienced a high turnover of people, with the army base and government services bringing in many short to medium term workers. The region has also become popular with mine workers on [[fly-in fly-out|fly in/fly out]] contracts.
In 2021, 9.0% of Townsville's population was of Aboriginal or Torres Strait islander descent.<ref name="2021CensusAboriginalTorresStrait">{{Census 2021 AUS|id=IQS318 |name=Townsville, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people|quick=on|access-date=10 April 2023}}</ref> In 2021, there were 21,180 people of Aboriginal or Torres Strait islander descent living in Townsville.<ref name="2021CensusAboriginalTorresStrait" />
==Education==
{{See also|List of schools in North Queensland}}
There are over 60 [[Public and Private Education in Australia|private and state schools]] of primary and secondary education within the Townsville area. [[Townsville Grammar School]] is the oldest co-educational school on the Australian mainland.<ref>{{cite web|title=Townsville Grammar School Prospectus |page=5 |url=http://www.tgs.qld.edu.au/documents/prospectusweb.pdf |access-date=20 September 2009 |publisher=Townsville Grammar School |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090913062944/http://www.tgs.qld.edu.au/documents/prospectusweb.pdf |archive-date=13 September 2009}}</ref> The [[Townsville State High School]] opened on 7 June 1924 and [[Cathedral School, Townsville|The Cathedral School of St Anne & St James]] opened in 1917.<ref>{{Cite QldSchool|access-date=6 August 2024}}</ref>
==
[[James Cook University]] (JCU) is a [[public university]] based in Townsville. Established in 1970, the main campus is located in the suburb of [[Douglas, Queensland|Douglas]].<ref name="About">{{cite web|url=http://www.jcu.edu.au/top/ABOUT_THEUNI.html |title=JCU Background|access-date=17 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071009070947/http://www.jcu.edu.au/top/ABOUT_THEUNI.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date= 9 October 2007}}</ref> JCU was the second university in Queensland and the first in [[North Queensland]]. The University has a strong and internationally recognised expertise in marine & tropical biology.<ref>[http://www.jcu.edu.au/mtb/ School of Marine and Tropical Biology] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106030823/http://www.jcu.edu.au/mtb/ |date=6 January 2009}}, James Cook University. Retrieved on 18 August 2011.</ref> The [[James Cook University School of Medicine and Dentistry|JCU Medical School]] was established in 1999 and is linked with the adjacent tertiary-level [[Townsville Hospital]]. The Veterinary Sciences undergraduate facility is the newest in Australia.<ref>[http://www.jcu.edu.au/vbms/JCUDEV_013352.html School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences Overview], James Cook University. (28 April 2011). Retrieved on 18 August 2011. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090518154411/http://www.jcu.edu.au/vbms/JCUDEV_013352.html |date=18 May 2009}}</ref>
[[CQUniversity]] first established a presence in Townsville in 2014 with the opening of a Distance Education Study Centre in the CBD.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cqu.edu.au/cquninews/stories/general-category/2015/townsville-now-a-2-uni-city-mayor-welcomes-new-cbd-facility|title=Townsville now a 2-Uni city and Charters Towers welcomes new Study Hub|publisher=[[CQUniversity]]|date=12 September 2014|access-date=4 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180404200817/https://www.cqu.edu.au/cquninews/stories/general-category/2015/townsville-now-a-2-uni-city-mayor-welcomes-new-cbd-facility|archive-date=4 April 2018}}</ref> The University quickly felt the demand for a face-to-face teaching presence in Townsville and has since opened a purpose built campus in the city offering many on-campus courses including nursing, paramedic science, business and psychology as well as supporting growing numbers of online students.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cqu.edu.au/cquninews/stories/general-category/2017/cquniversity-townsville-campus-continues-to-grow|title=CQUniversity Townsville campus continues to grow|publisher=[[CQUniversity]]|date=31 July 2017|access-date=4 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180404200842/https://www.cqu.edu.au/cquninews/stories/general-category/2017/cquniversity-townsville-campus-continues-to-grow|archive-date=4 April 2018}}</ref>
===Vocational education===
The city is home to the [[Pimlico, Queensland|Pimlico]] and [[Aitkenvale, Queensland|Aitkenvale]] campuses of [[TAFE Queensland North]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Townsville |publisher=TAFE Queensland North |url=http://tafenorth.edu.au/about-us/locations/townsville/ |access-date=21 May 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170519134808/http://tafenorth.edu.au/about-us/locations/townsville/ |archive-date=19 May 2017}}</ref> — a [[TAFE|Technical and Further Education College]], a campus of Queensland Agricultural Training Colleges, and Tec-NQ.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tec-NQ|publisher=Tec-NQ|url=https://www.tecnq.com.au/|access-date=21 May 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170526130618/http://tecnq.com.au/|archive-date=26 May 2017}}</ref>
==Culture, events and festivals==
The city is home to the Townsville Saint, a {{convert|6|m|ft|-1|abbr=on}} stick figure depicting [[The Saint (Simon Templar)|The Saint]] on the northern cliff face of Castle Hill, painted by seven first-year University College of Townsville (which would later become [[James Cook University]]) students on St Patrick’s Day, 17 March 1962. The figure went on to survive numerous attempts at removal. On 28 May 1993, The Saint became integrated with the heritage significance of the hill as a natural and cultural landmark.<ref>{{cite web |title=Queensland Heritage Register: Castle Hill |url=https://apps.des.qld.gov.au/heritage-register/detail/?id=601218 |access-date=16 September 2024}}</ref> In 2013, the Townsville City Council won legal ownership of The Saint as a trademark, protecting its use by the wider community.<ref>{{cite news |title=Townsville Bulletin |date=October 4, 2013}}</ref> The mystery of who painted the figure was revealed on the 40th anniversary (2002) to be Graeme Bowen, Lyall Ford, Rodney Froyland, David Greve, Peter Higgins, Barrie Snarski and Robert Sothman.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Ford |first1=Lyall |title=A History of The Townsville Saint |date=2022 |publisher=Taipan Press |isbn=978-0-9590776-5-0}}</ref> While adopted by the [[James Cook University|University]] from the beginning, The Saint has become iconic, surviving opposition and attempts at removal.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Knight |first1=Mia |last2=Naunton |first2=Jessica |title=Townsville's Castle Hill Saint story immortalised in new book about the rock graffiti |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-04/castle-hill-saint-story-immortalised-in-new-book/101500820 |access-date=12 September 2024}}</ref>
The [[Australian Festival of Chamber Music]] is an international [[chamber music]] festival held over ten days each July in Townsville.<ref>[http://www.afcm.com.au/ Australian Festival of Chamber Music Official Webpage] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091012142848/http://afcm.com.au/ |date=12 October 2009}}. Afcm.com.au. Retrieved on 18 August 2011.</ref> The festival has been running since 1991, and attracts many acclaimed international and Australian musicians. Townsville also has its own orchestra, the Barrier Reef Orchestra, which presents concerts throughout North Queensland. The [[Townsville Entertainment Centre]], seating more than 5,000 people, is host to many national and international music shows, as well as sporting and trade shows.
The region has many renowned festivals, many which celebrate the international heritage of many that call North Queensland home. The Annual Greek, Italian and Indian Festivals are popular with the locals and tourists alike. The [[Stable on the Strand]] is celebrated each Christmas.
[[File:Perc Tucker Regional Gallery, Townsville, Queensland Closeup.jpg|thumb|[[Perc Tucker Regional Gallery]]]]
The Townsville Civic Theatre is North Queensland's premier cultural facility. Since its opening in 1978, the Theatre has been a centre of entertainment and performing arts, providing an environment to further develop the performing arts in Townsville and the North. TheatreiNQ is an independent professional theatre company based in Townsville, presenting four shows a year including the popular annual Shakespeare Under the Stars in [[Queens Gardens, Townsville|Queen Gardens]]. Dancenorth Australia is a contemporary dance company based in Townsville, whose works tour all over Australia and the World. Dancenorth is the only performing arts organisation based in regional Queensland to be included in the Australian Government's National Performing Arts Partnership Framework.<ref>{{Cite web |title=National Performing Arts Partnership Framework (Partnership Framework) |url=https://creative.gov.au/investment-and-development/multi-year-investment/national-performing-arts-partnership-framework/ |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=Creative Australia |language=en-US |archive-date=6 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240106073031/https://creative.gov.au/investment-and-development/multi-year-investment/national-performing-arts-partnership-framework/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
The [[Perc Tucker Regional Gallery]] is the public art gallery of Townsville.<ref>[http://www.townsville.qld.gov.au/recreation/gallery/perctucker/index Townsville Council: Perc Tucker Gallery] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090918094611/http://www.townsville.qld.gov.au/recreation/gallery/perctucker/index |date=18 September 2009}}</ref> Located on the eastern end of Flinders Mall, the Gallery focuses on artwork relevant to North Queensland and the Tropics. Every second September the gallery presents sculpture artworks and art festival called Strand [[Ephemera]], exhibited over the two kilometre beachfront strip.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.townsville.qld.gov.au/perctucker/strandephemera.asp|title=Townsville City Council — Strand Ephermera|access-date=3 April 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070302174903/http://www.townsville.qld.gov.au/perctucker/strandephemera.asp <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date= 2 March 2007}}</ref> The City is also home to Umbrella Studios who regularly exhibit and promote the work of artists from the region.
Townsville has been a PechaKucha city since 2012. PechaKucha is a global storytelling platform running in more than 1,300 world cities. It celebrates people, passion, and creative thought through ideas shared visually, concisely and memorably. We are redefining authentic human connectivity through inclusive social engagement and technology. Upcoming and past events can be viewed at PechaKucha Night Townsville.
[[File:Cultural Fest in The Strand 2009.jpg|thumb|Cultural Fest in the Strand]]The Townsville City Council and Townsville Intercultural Centre annually organises Cultural Fest in mid August. The festival has been held in various locations across the city over its history, and is currently held on the grounds of James Cook University. The Cultural Fest showcases the cultural diversity of the city and dance, food, and music from different ethnic groups in the region.
[[File:Museum of Tropical Queensland.jpg|thumb|[[Museum of Tropical Queensland]]]]
The city has several museums. The Maritime Museum of Townsville, also known as the Townsville Maritime Museum, is located as part of the [[Port of Townsville]]. Its features include {{HMAS|Townsville|FCPB 205|6}}, SS ''Yongala'', and lenses from current and former lighthouses.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tmml.org.au/ |title=Maritime Museum of Townsville |access-date=2017-08-05 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805060210/https://www.tmml.org.au/ |archive-date=5 August 2017}} Maritime Museum of Townsville</ref><ref name="UNC">{{cite rowlett|qld| access-date= 2011-12-27}} "...the Townsville Maritime Museum...exhibits a collection of Fresnel lenses from the former...Albino Rock...lighthouses."</ref> The [[Museum of Tropical Queensland]] (abbreviated MTQ) is a museum of natural history, archaeology and history. In addition to housing artifacts from the wrecks, the museum administers the shipwreck sites for HMS ''Pandora'' and SS ''Yongala''.<ref>[http://www.mtq.qm.qld.gov.au/ Museum of Tropical Queensland] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060702143547/http://www.mtq.qm.qld.gov.au/ |date=2 July 2006}}</ref> The Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA) features the work of underwater sculptor [[Jason deCaires Taylor]], including the coral greenhouse at John Brewer Reef and the ocean siren at The Strand.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.moua.com.au/|title=Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA)|publisher=Museum of Underwater Art|access-date=20 April 2022|archive-date=30 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220430020138/https://www.moua.com.au/|url-status=live}}</ref>
The city has many restaurants, concentrated on Palmer Street in South Townsville, Flinders Street and along the Strand. The city also has a vibrant pub and night-club scene, many of them located in Flinders Street East.
== Architecture ==
[[File:Flinders St, Townsville.jpg|thumb|19th century buildings on Flinders Street, the oldest street]]
There are many well-preserved old buildings in Townsville dating from the 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries, especially in Flinders Street which is the oldest street.<ref>Trisha Fielding: ''Queen City of the North – a History of Townsville'', p. 9. Brisbane 2016</ref> One of the most famous buildings is the Townsville Post Office, built in 1886 with a clock tower which was dismantled in 1942 and reconstructed in 1963/64. Another sightworthy building is the Australian Joint Stock Bank which was built 1887–88. Tattersalls Hotel which was built as early as 1864, the former Bank of New South Wales dating from 1887 and the former Bank of Australasia built in 1905 are sightworthy historic buildings as well.<ref>Trisha Fielding: ''Queen City of the North – a History of Townsville'', p. 44. Brisbane 2016</ref> The ''Australian Joint Stock Bank'' (1887–88), the Townsville Technical College dating from 1920/21, the Westpac Bank Building (1935) and the Great Northern Hotel with its large balconies which was completed in 1901 are worth a visit as well. The former Main Train Station opposite the Great Northern Hotel was built 1910–1913 and inaugurated on 24 December 1913.
One of the most impressive churches of Townsville is Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Cathedral which was built 1896–1902.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.tsv.catholic.org.au/sacred-heart-cathedral-parish-sacred-heart-cathedral/ |title=Catholic Diocese of Townsville | Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish - Sacred Heart Cathedral |access-date=3 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190903190435/https://www.tsv.catholic.org.au/sacred-heart-cathedral-parish-sacred-heart-cathedral/ |archive-date=3 September 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> St. James' Anglican Cathedral was built in two stages 1887–1892 and 1959–1960.{{citation needed|date=May 2022}}
== Parks ==
[[File:Townsville Bandstand.jpg|thumb|Bandstand (1913) in Anzac Memorial Park]]
''[[Queens Gardens, Townsville|Queens Gardens]]'', laid out in 1870 in the Northern part of Townsville cover an area of {{cvt|4|ha}}. Originally they were a part of a botanical garden of {{cvt|100|acre}} dedicated to the experimentation and propagation of tropical plants like breadfruit, mahogany, coffee and mangoes.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.soe-townsville.org/parks/queens.html |title=Townsville Parks:: Queens Gardens ________________________________________ |access-date=5 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517045005/http://www.soe-townsville.org/parks/queens.html |archive-date=17 May 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
''The Strand'' is considered the most popular park of Townsville. In 1950, ''Tobruk Memorial Baths'' were inaugurated here.<ref>Trisha Fielding: ''Queen City of the North – a History of Townsville'', p. 88. Brisbane 2016</ref> The Strand is known for its Rock Pool and for various cultural events which take place here.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.soe-townsville.org/parks/strand.html |title=Townsville Parks:: The Strand ________________________________________ |access-date=5 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120423215300/http://www.soe-townsville.org/parks/strand.html |archive-date=23 April 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>
''Anderson Park'' covering an area of about 20 ha in the district of Mundingburra is mainly known for its ferns and pandanus. The park is named after William Andersen (1845–1935), the first curator of parks of the city. The park was laid out in 1929. Its design was prepared in 1962 by Allan Wilson, Superintendent of parks from 1959 to 1969.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.soe-townsville.org/parks/anderson.html|title=Townsville Parks:: Anderson Park|website=[[Townsville City Council]]|access-date=2020-04-13|archive-date=12 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012000750/http://www.soe-townsville.org/parks/anderson.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
''Townsville Palmetum'', a park covering an area of 17 ha with about 300 species of plants, was inaugurated in the South of Townsville in 1988. Most of the 60 species of palms which are native to Australia can be seen here.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.soe-townsville.org/parks/palmetum.html|title=Palmetum|website=[[Townsville City Council]]|access-date=14 April 2020|archive-date=27 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200127103000/http://www.soe-townsville.org/parks/palmetum.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
The first park in the city centre which was named ''Anzac Memorial Park'' later was laid out as early as 1912. A bandstand was built in the middle of the park in 1913.<ref>Trisha Fielding: ''Queen City of the North – a History of Townsville'', p. 39. Brisbane 2016</ref>
==Media and communications==
{{Main|Media in Townsville}}
Townsville is the media centre for North Queensland, with four commercial and five [[narrowcast]] radio stations, North Queensland [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]] radio station, three commercial television stations, one regional daily newspaper and one community weekly newspaper (both owned by [[News Ltd]]). There are no local Sunday papers although The Sunday Mail (Qld) — based in Brisbane — does have a North Queensland edition. Media distributed on the World Wide Web include the [[Townsville Bulletin]].
==Sport and recreation==
[[File:Queensland Country Bank Stadium on a non game day (cropped).jpg|thumb|[[North Queensland Stadium]]]]
Townsville hosts several sporting teams that participate in national competitions. These include the [[North Queensland Cowboys]] ([[National Rugby League]]), who play at [[Queensland Country Bank Stadium]] and the [[Townsville Fire]] ([[Women's National Basketball League]]) who play at the [[Townsville RSL Stadium]]. The city also formerly hosted the [[Townsville Crocodiles]], ([[National Basketball League (Australasia)|National Basketball League]]) who played out of the [[Townsville Entertainment Centre]], known as The Swamp during Crocs home games.
[[Queensland Country Bank Stadium]] is the home ground for the Cowboys. It replaced the [[Willows Sports Complex]]. The Willows Sports Complex was an official venue for the [[2003 Rugby Union World Cup]], with three matches played in Townsville. Townsville hosted the popular [[Japan national rugby union team|Japanese national rugby union team]]. [[Tony Ireland Stadium]], in the suburb of [[Thuringowa Central, Queensland|Thuringowa]], has an international standard [[cricket]] and [[Australian rules football|AFL]] stadium. Townsville was a host city for the preliminary rounds of the men's (Pool B) and women's (pool A) Basketball competition for the [[2018 Commonwealth Games|2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gc2018.com/place/townsville|title=Townsville|publisher=Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation|access-date=2 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802041003/https://gc2018.com/place/townsville|archive-date=2 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://gc2018.com/article/townsville-guide-commonwealth-games-basketball|title=The Townsville Guide to Commonwealth Games Basketball|publisher=Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation|date=15 February 2018|first=Fiona|last=Self|access-date=2 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802071608/https://gc2018.com/article/townsville-guide-commonwealth-games-basketball|archive-date=2 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
The most popular sport in Townsville is [[rugby league]]. In addition to the Cowboys in the NRL, Townsville and its surrounding suburbs host a number of local junior and senior [[rugby league]] sides in the successful [[Townsville District Rugby League]], including A-grade sides: Brothers Townsville, Norths Devils, Souths, Western Lions and Centrals ASA Tigers. The local league has produced a number of Australian internationals such as [[Gorden Tallis]] and [[Gene Miles]].
Townsville also hosts two [[touch football (rugby league)|Touch Football]] associations. The Townsville/Castle Hill Touch Association (TCHTA) conducts competitions annually at its grounds at Queens Park, Townsville.<ref>[http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=1-611-0-0-0 SportingPulse Homepage for Townsville Castle Hill Touch Association] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090210163522/http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=1-611-0-0-0 |date=10 February 2009}}. Sportingpulse.com. Retrieved on 18 August 2011.</ref> Thuringowa Touch Association (TTA) also conducts competitions at Greenwood Park, [[Kirwan, Queensland|Kirwan]].<ref>[http://www.thuringowatouch.com/ Thuringowa Touch Association] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425074502/http://www.thuringowatouch.com/ |date=25 April 2012}}. ThuringowaTouch.com. Retrieved on 18 October 2011.</ref><ref>[http://previous.thuringowa.qld.gov.au/news/index?media_id=1025 Clubhouse opens doors to sports fans] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724195937/http://previous.thuringowa.qld.gov.au/news/index?media_id=1025 |date=24 July 2008}}</ref> Both competitions have produced a host of regional, state and national representative players and officials.
Townsville is also home to [[Football Queensland North]]. Soccer is played by junior participants in the city. Major clubs include MA Olympic, Brothers Townsville, and Saints Eagles Souths FC. As of 2020, soccer had 3,614 participants in the region.{{Clarify|reason=are the clubs listed here for juniors or all players, similarly are these junior numbers or all player numbers?|date=July 2021}}{{Citation needed|date=July 2021}}
[[Townsville and Districts Rugby Union]] run a successful Winter Junior and Senior Rugby Union competition including teams from Ingham, Charters Towers and Ayr. Townsville has produced a number of members of the [[Australia national rugby union team]] (the Wallabies) in the past including [[Peter Grigg]] and [[Sam Scott-Young]].
[[AFL Townsville]] operate a regional Australian rules football league in the region. [[Jake Spencer (footballer)|Jake Spencer]] is the first local player to play in the [[Australian Football League|AFL]].<ref>[http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/sport/afl/story/0,27046,25079731-5016190,00.html Courier Mail: Townsville's Jake Spencer set for debut with Demons] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090330140332/http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/sport/afl/story/0,27046,25079731-5016190,00.html |date=30 March 2009}}. News.com.au (19 February 2009). Retrieved on 18 August 2011.</ref>
Several Australian Test and ODI cricketers have come out of Townsville including fast bowler [[Mitchell Johnson (cricketer)|Mitchell Johnson]], [[Andrew Symonds]] and [[James Hopes]]. In 2012 Townsville hosted under 19 cricket World Cup preliminary matches, semi finals and the final featuring Australia and India.
The Townsville Running Festival is an annual event organised by the Townsville Road Runners that began with the first Townsville Marathon in 1972 and now also includes several shorter [[fun run]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://townsvillerunningfestival.com/about/|title=About the event|publisher=Townsville Road Runners|access-date=9 November 2021|archive-date=9 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109054452/https://townsvillerunningfestival.com/about/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://townsvilleroadrunners.com.au/about-us|title=About us|publisher=Townsville Road Runners|access-date=9 November 2021|archive-date=9 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109052528/http://townsvilleroadrunners.com.au/about-us|url-status=live}}</ref>[[File:Riverway (Townsville).jpg|thumb|One of Riverway's swimming lagoons, a free swimming and recreation area.]]
Townsville is hosting the [[World Triathlon]] Multisport World Championships from 15 to 25 August 2024.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-08-15/world-triathlon-multisport-world-championships-in-townsville/104225828|title=Thousands of athletes in Townsville for World Triathlon Multisport World Championships|publisher=ABC News|date=15 August 2024|first1=Cameron|last1=Simmons|first2=Rachael|last2=Merritt|access-date=15 August 2024}}</ref>
The [[Reid Park Street Circuit]] is located in Reid Park. Each July since 2009, it hosts the [[Townsville 400]] for the [[Supercars Championship]].
Townsville also has a go cart track and motocross track; Townsville had a 1/4-mile [[Bohle River Aerodrome|dragstrip]], but it closed its gates on 25 August 2012 due to urban development.
[[Rowing (sport)|Rowing]] occurs at Townsville & JCU Rowing Club and Riverway Rowing Club. Both clubs cater to competitive masters, social, learn to row and school-based rowing programs. In 2009 the Townsville & JCU club won its first Queensland Club Premiership and in 2010 [[Riverway, Townsville|Riverway]] club claimed theirs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rowingqld.asn.au/our-regattas/queensland-club-premiership/|title=Queensland Club Premiership – Rowing Queensland – revolutioniseSPORT|website=www.rowingqld.asn.au|access-date=26 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180515105440/http://www.rowingqld.asn.au/our-regattas/queensland-club-premiership/|archive-date=15 May 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
Townsville has 3 Tennis Clubs. The Western Suburbs Tennis Club Inc., Tennis Townsville Inc. and Kalynda Chase Tennis Centre. Each year Tennis Townsville host the NQ Open Championships and Western Suburbs Tennis Club host the Townsville Open. These tournaments see Australian and international players competing for up to $10,000 prize money and the opportunity to improve their Australian Tennis Ranking.
Townsville Speedway is a speedway venue located at the Townsville Showground on Showgrounds Road, off Ingham Road.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.speedwayandroadracehistory.com/townsville-showground-speedway.html |title=Townsville Queensland |website=Speedway and Road Race History |access-date=12 February 2024 |archive-date=3 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003145831/http://www.speedwayandroadracehistory.com/townsville-showground-speedway.html |url-status=live }}</ref> It has also been used for [[motorcycle speedway]] and has hosted important events, including the Australian qualifying round of the [[Speedway World Championship]] in 1990<ref>{{cite web |url=https://dlprezes.pl.tl/SPEEDWAY--_--Indywidualne-mistrzostwa-%26%23346%3Bwiata-----------k1-World-Speedway-Championship-k2-.htm |title=World Championship |website=Metal Speedway |access-date=12 February 2024 |archive-date=28 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128131020/https://dlprezes.pl.tl/SPEEDWAY--_--Indywidualne-mistrzostwa-%26%23346%3Bwiata-----------k1-World-Speedway-Championship-k2-.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.speedway.org/history/ |title=World Championship |website=Speedway.org |access-date=12 February 2024 |archive-date=10 September 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050910032243/http://www.speedway.org/history/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and the final of the [[Queensland Solo Championship]] on four occasions.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://speedwaychampions.com/australasia/ |title=Honor Roll since 1927/28 |website=Speedway Champions |access-date=29 August 2025 |archive-date=6 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706204745/http://speedwaychampions.com/AustralianChampions.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Infrastructure==
===Health===
{{wide image|Townsville Hospital at Douglas.jpg|350px|Townsville Hospital at Douglas, Townsville |50%|right|}}
The Townsville Hospital is a 580-bed university teaching hospital in the suburb of [[Douglas, Queensland|Douglas]].<ref name="qld">[http://www.healthier.qld.gov.au/health-service/townsville-hospital Queensland Government: Townsville Hospital] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110329203103/http://www.healthier.qld.gov.au/health-service/townsville-hospital |date=29 March 2011}}. Healthier.qld.gov.au (19 May 2011). Retrieved on 18 August 2011.</ref> The Townsville Hospital was formally located in North Ward whose main building serves an example of the [[Streamline Moderne]] style of architecture.
It is co-located with the [[James Cook University]] School of Medicine. The hospital caters for the city of Townsville, as well as people in the north as far as [[Thursday Island]] and [[Papua New Guinea]], west to [[Mount Isa]] and south to [[Sarina, Queensland|Sarina]]. During the year 2010, the hospital admitted 54,941 patients, and had 60,676 presentations to the emergency department. The hospital is also the major tertiary maternity centre, with 2,308 babies delivered in 2010.<ref name="qld"/>
The Townsville Hospital underwent a $437 million redevelopment as of 2011, delivering an additional 100 beds, a four-storey expanded Emergency Department, expanded Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and expansion of oncology services.<ref>[http://www.health.qld.gov.au/townsville/Redevelopment/redevelopment.asp Queensland Health: The Townsville Health Service District Redevelopment] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110330153401/http://www.health.qld.gov.au/townsville/Redevelopment/redevelopment.asp |date=30 March 2011}}. Health.qld.gov.au. Retrieved on 18 August 2011.</ref> The Emergency Department will be the largest in Queensland.{{citation needed|date=May 2022}}
There are four other public health campuses in Townsville: the [[Kirwan Health Campus]],<ref>[http://www.health.qld.gov.au/townsville/Services/KirwanHealthCampus.asp Kirwan Health Campus] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070220201020/http://www.health.qld.gov.au/townsville/Services/KirwanHealthCampus.asp |date=20 February 2007}}. Health.qld.gov.au (21 April 2006). Retrieved on 18 August 2011.</ref> the Magnetic Island Health Service Centre,<ref>[http://www.health.qld.gov.au/townsville/Facilities/magnetic_Is_hlth.asp Magnetic Island Health Service Centre] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070218120132/http://www.health.qld.gov.au/townsville/Facilities/magnetic_Is_hlth.asp |date=18 February 2007}}. Health.qld.gov.au (4 November 2008). Retrieved on 18 August 2011.</ref> the North Ward Health Campus<ref>[http://www.health.qld.gov.au/townsville/Services/NWHealthCampus.asp North Ward Health Campus] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070220200920/http://www.health.qld.gov.au/townsville/Services/NWHealthCampus.asp |date=20 February 2007}}. Health.qld.gov.au (21 April 2006). Retrieved on 18 August 2011.</ref> and the Townsville Hospital Dentist, located in [[North Ward, Queensland|North Ward]].
In addition there are two private hospitals in Townsville, the [[Mater Hospital Pimlico|Mater Hospital]] and the [[Mater Women's and Children's Hospital]].
===Transport===
{{See also|Transport in Townsville, Queensland}}
Townsville is the intersection point of the A1 ([[Bruce Highway]]), and the A6 ([[Flinders Highway, Queensland|Flinders Highway]]) National Highways. The [[Townsville Ring Road]], planned to become part of the re-routed A1 route bypass, circumnavigates the city.
[[File:Criterion Hotel, on the street called The Strand, Townsville, Queensland, Australia 1.jpg|thumb|A person crosses the street on an [[e-scooter]] rental in front of the derelict Criterion Hotel, July 2025]]
Townsville has a public transport system contracted to [[TransLink (South East Queensland)|Translink]], which provides regular services between many parts of the city. Public transport is also available from the CBD to [[Bushland Beach, Queensland|Bushland Beach]].<ref>[http://www.hpbs.com.au/ Townsville's Hermit Park Bus Service] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618073041/http://www.hpbs.com.au/ |date=18 June 2012}}. Hpbs.com.au (1 April 2010). Retrieved on 18 August 2011.</ref> Regular ferry and vehicular [[barge]] services operate to [[Magnetic Island]] and [[Palm Island, Queensland|Palm Island]].<ref>[http://www.sunferries.com.au/magnetic_island_ferry/ferry_timetable.php Sunferries Official Website: Magnetic Island Timetable]. Sunferries.com.au. Retrieved on 18 August 2011. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090414063349/http://www.sunferries.com.au/magnetic_island_ferry/ferry_timetable.php |date=14 April 2009}}</ref><ref>[http://www.fantaseacruisingmagnetic.com.au/timetables.aspx Fantasea Official Website: Magnetic Island Timetable] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090912151623/http://www.fantaseacruisingmagnetic.com.au/timetables.aspx |date=12 September 2009}}. Fantaseacruisingmagnetic.com.au. Retrieved on 18 August 2011.</ref>
Construction of railways in the area of Townsville started as early as 1879, and the first railway line was inaugurated in 1880.<ref>Trisha Fielding: ''Queen City of the North History of Townsville'', p. 11. Brisbane 2016</ref> The line to Mount Isa which is used by ''The Inlander'' today was inaugurated in 1929.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://bugaustralia.com/item/townsville-railway-station/ |title=Townsville train station |access-date=5 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190903171639/https://bugaustralia.com/item/townsville-railway-station/ |archive-date=3 September 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> The railway lines to Cairns and Brisbane which are used by the ''Spirit of Queensland'' were inaugurated in 1929 as well. The former train station, a very representative building at the end of Flinders Street, was completed in 1913. The present [[Townsville railway station|train station of Townsville]] was opened in 2003.
The [[QR Tilt Train|Tilt Train]] service connects [[Townsville railway station]] to [[Brisbane]] in the south and [[Cairns]] in the north. Townsville is a major destination and generator of rail freight services. The [[North Coast railway line, Queensland|North Coast railway line]], operated by [[Queensland Rail]], meets the Western line in the city's south.<ref>"Railways of Townsville" Singleton, C.C. [[Australian Railway History|Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin]], July 1954 pp77-84</ref> Container operations are also common and the products of the local nickel and copper refineries, as well as minerals from the western line (Mount Isa), are transported to the port via trains. The [[Port of Townsville]] has bulk handling facilities for importing cement, nickel ore and fuel, and for exporting sugar and products from North Queensland's mines.<ref>[http://www.townsville-port.com.au/content/view/137/110/ Port of Townsville website]. Townsville-port.com.au. Retrieved on 18 August 2011. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060918225012/http://www.townsville-port.com.au/content/view/137/110/ |date=18 September 2006}}</ref> The port has three sugar-storage sheds, with the newest being the largest under-cover storage area in Australia.<ref>[http://www.ghd.com/PDF/Buildings%20and%20Structures%20Mar%202009%20Low-Res.pdf Building and Structures] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140706223529/http://www.ghd.com/PDF/Buildings%20and%20Structures%20Mar%202009%20Low-Res.pdf |date=6 July 2014}}. (23 March 2009). Retrieved on 16 October 2012.</ref>
The city is served by [[Townsville International Airport]].<ref>[http://www.townsvilleairport.com.au/ Townsville Airport Homepage] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051026064432/http://www.townsvilleairport.com.au/ |date=26 October 2005}}. Townsvilleairport.com.au. Retrieved on 18 August 2011.</ref> The Airport handles direct domestic flights to [[Darwin Airport|Darwin]], [[Brisbane Airport|Brisbane]], [[Sydney Airport|Sydney]], [[Melbourne Airport|Melbourne]], as well as direct regional flights to destinations such as [[Cairns Airport|Cairns]], [[Mackay Airport|Mackay]], [[Mount Isa Airport|Mount Isa]], [[Rockhampton Airport|Rockhampton]] and [[Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport|Toowoomba]].<ref>[http://www.townsvilleairport.com.au/RouteMap.php Townsville Airport Route Map] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090913054343/http://www.townsvilleairport.com.au/RouteMap.php |date=13 September 2009}}</ref> Airlines currently servicing the airport include Qantas, Virgin Australia, Jetstar, Regional Express, Qantaslink and Airnorth.
==Military facilities==
The [[Australian Army]]'s [[3rd Brigade (Australia)|3rd Brigade]] is based at [[Lavarack Barracks]] in Townsville.<ref>[http://www.armyintownsville.net/ Home Page — 3rd Brigade Community — Forces Command] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121081254/http://www.armyintownsville.net/ |date=21 November 2008}}. Armyintownsville.net. Retrieved on 18 August 2011.</ref> It is a [[light infantry]] brigade consisting of two [[battalion]]s, the [[1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment|1st]] and [[3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment|3rd]] Battalions of the [[Royal Australian Regiment]] (1 and 3 RAR), along with a [[cavalry]] contingent, the [[2nd Cavalry Regiment (Australia)|2nd Cavalry Regiment]].{{cn|date=April 2025}}
In addition to the 3rd Brigade, other major units based in Townsville include the [[5th Aviation Regiment (Australia)|5th Aviation Regiment]],<ref>[http://www.fourays.org/aviation_units/5_avn_regt/5_avn_regt.htm Army Aviation Units: 5 Aviation Regiment]. Fourays.org. Retrieved on 18 August 2011. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080703174357/http://www.fourays.org/aviation_units/5_avn_regt/5_avn_regt.htm |date=3 July 2008}}</ref> equipped with MRH-90 and Chinook helicopters, co-located at the RAAF Base in Garbutt and the [[10th Force Support Battalion (Australia)|10th Force Support Battalion]] based at Ross Island.<ref>[http://www.defence.gov.au/Army/hq3bde/Units_that_Support_3_Bde.asp#_3rdCombatServicesSup Forces Command — 3rd Brigade Community: Units that Support 3 Bdef] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091008031815/http://www.defence.gov.au/Army/hq3bde/Units_that_Support_3_Bde.asp |date=8 October 2009}}. Defence.gov.au (4 August 2011). Retrieved on 18 August 2011.</ref>
The Army also maintains an [[Australian Army Reserve|Army Reserve]] brigade in Townsville designated the [[11th Brigade (Australia)|11th Brigade]]. This formation is similar in structure to the 3rd Brigade, in that it has reserve soldiers only. There were also two active cadet units, 130 ACU located within Heatley Secondary College and 15 ACU located on Lavarack Barracks as of 2010, previously located at [[Ignatius Park College]].<ref>[http://www.defence.gov.au/army/HQ11BDE/ Cadet Units]. Defence.com.au. Retrieved on 18 August 2011. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081017090630/http://www.defence.gov.au/army/HQ11BDE/ |date=17 October 2008}}</ref>
The [[Royal Australian Air Force]]'s [[RAAF Base Townsville]], in the suburb of [[Garbutt, Queensland|Garbutt]], houses the Beech KingAir 350 aircraft from [[No. 38 Squadron RAAF]]. This unit operated the [[De Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou|DHC-4 Caribou]] aircraft until late 2009; it re-equipped in the short term while protracted analysis for a more appropriate Battlefield Transport and Utility aircraft continued. This detachment provides support to the Army units in Townsville. The base is also a high readiness Defence asset and is prepared to accept the full range of RAAF aircraft types and other international aircraft.<ref>{{cite web|title=RAAF Base Townsville|url=http://www.airforce.gov.au/RAAFBases/Queensland/RAAF-Base-Townsville/?RAAF-AQHvg+AI3KO3I5K4KLSAQivFoH44MgHq|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130503222708/http://www.airforce.gov.au/RAAFBases/Queensland/RAAF-Base-Townsville/?RAAF-AQHvg+AI3KO3I5K4KLSAQivFoH44MgHq|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 May 2013|publisher=Royal Australian Air Force|access-date=30 December 2015}}</ref>
Townsville is also the staging point for the movement of personnel and materials to the remote parts of Northern Australia and many overseas locations.<ref>[http://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=672034781582665;res=IELENG Informit — Engineering Conference Darwin: Developing Remote Areas; Printed Papers — Development of Air Transport Facilities in Remote Areas (Engineering Collection)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080816120710/http://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=672034781582665;res=IELENG |date=16 August 2008 }}. Search.informit.com.au. Retrieved on 18 August 2011.</ref>
==Sister cities==
Townsville's [[sister city|sister cities]] are:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.townsville.qld.gov.au/about-townsville/sister-cities|title=Sister Cities|publisher=City of Townsville|access-date=23 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181023160716/https://www.townsville.qld.gov.au/about-townsville/sister-cities|archive-date=23 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
*{{flagdeco|Papua New Guinea}} [[Port Moresby]], Papua New Guinea
*{{flagdeco|Japan}} [[Shūnan]], [[Yamaguchi Prefecture|Yamaguchi]], Japan
*{{flagdeco|Japan}} [[Iwaki, Fukushima|Iwaki]], [[Fukushima Prefecture|Fukushima]], Japan
*{{flagdeco|PRC}} [[Changshu]], [[Jiangsu]], China
*{{flagdeco|South Korea}} [[Suwon]], [[Gyeonggi]], South Korea
*{{flagdeco|PRC}} [[Foshan]], [[Guangdong]], China
==Notable people==
===Athletes===
*[[Jarrod Bannister]] (1984–2018), Australian athlete and Olympian<ref name="Townsville Bulletin – 29Dec2011 – Bannister's Olympic dreams on hold ">{{cite news|url=http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2011/12/29/293941_news.html|title=Bannister's Olympic dreams on hold|last=Matheson|first=Ryan|date=29 December 2011|work=[[Townsville Bulletin]]|access-date=13 February 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130703183930/http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2011/12/29/293941_news.html|archive-date=3 July 2013}}</ref>
*[[Glenn Buchanan]] (born 1962), Australian Olympic butterfly swimmer
*[[Lizette Cabrera]] (born 1997), Australian International Tennis Player
*[[Tom Chester]] (born 2001), Australian rugby league player
*[[Brett Clarke (table tennis)|Brett Clarke]] (born 1972), Australian Olympic table tennis player
*[[Natalie Cook]] (born 1975), Australian Olympic beach volleyball player
*[[Mervyn Crossman]] (1935–2017), Australian Olympic field hockey player
*[[Daisy D'Arcy]] (born 2002), Australian rules footballer
*[[Tony David]] (born 1967), professional darts champion
*[[Renita Farrell-Garard]] (born 1972), Australian hockey player and dual Olympic gold medalist
*[[Dennis Firestone]] (born 1944), Australian racing driver
*[[Helen Gray (swimmer)|Helen Gray]] (born 1956), Australian Olympic swimmer
*[[Tom Green (footballer, born 2001)|Tom Green]] (born 2001), Australian rules footballer
*[[Peter Grigg]], Australian rugby union player
*[[Josh Hall (footballer)|Josh Hall]] (born 1990), Australian rules footballer
*[[Robert Hammond (field hockey)|Rob Hammond]] (born 1981), Australian field hockey player
*[[Ellie Hampson]] (born 2001), Australian rules footballer
*[[Jarrod Harbrow]] (born 1988), Australian rules footballer
*[[Lesleigh Harvey]] (born 1960), Australian Olympic swimmer
*[[Valentine Holmes]] (born 1995), Australian Rugby League player
*[[James Hopes]] (born 1978), Australian cricketer
*[[Josh Jenkins]] (born 1989), Basketballer and Australian rules footballer
*[[Corey Jensen]] (born 1994), Australian rugby league player
*[[Mitchell Johnson (cricketer)|Mitchell Johnson]] (born 1981), Australian cricketer
*[[Breanna Koenen]] (born 1994), Australian rules footballer
*[[Laurie Lawrence]] (born 1941), Australian Olympic swimming coach
*[[Summer Lochowicz]] (born 1978), Australian Olympic beach volleyball player
*[[James Mason (field hockey)|James Mason]] (born 1947), Australian Olympic field hockey player
*[[Luke McLean]] (born 1987), Italian Australian Rugby Union footballer
*[[Gene Miles]] (born 1959), Australian rugby league footballer
*[[Jack Miller (motorcycle racer)|Jack Miller]] (born 1995), Australian MotoGP rider
*[[Danny Moore]], (born 1971), Australian rugby league player
*[[Greg Norman]] (born 1955), former golf world number one<ref>[http://www.shark.com/sharkwatch/sharkive/sharkive26.php Greg Norman's official website: Norman Takes State Junior Golf Title] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716053142/http://www.shark.com/sharkwatch/sharkive/sharkive26.php |date=16 July 2011}}. Shark.com (17 December 1972). Retrieved on 18 August 2011.</ref><ref>[http://www.shark.com/sharkwatch/aussierules/aussierules17.php Greg Norman's official website: Reef Love — Adventures along Australia's Great Barrier Reef] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110518211959/http://www.shark.com/sharkwatch/aussierules/aussierules17.php |date=18 May 2011}}. Shark.com. Retrieved on 18 August 2011.</ref>
*[[Aaron Payne]] (born 1982), Australian Rugby League player
*[[Russell Perry (weightlifter)|Russell Perry]] (born 1938), Australian Olympic weightlifter
*[[John-Patrick Smith]] (born 1989), Australian tennis player<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.atptour.com/en/players/john-patrick-smith/sj55/overview |title=John-Patrick Smith |website=atptour.com |publisher=[[Association of Tennis Professionals]]}}</ref>
*[[Braydon Preuss]] (born 1995), Australian rules footballer
*[[Sam Scott-Young]], Australian rugby union player
*[[Gehamat Shibasaki]] (born 1998), Australian rugby league player
*[[Jamal Shibasaki]] (born 2005), Australian rugby league player
*[[Jake Spencer (footballer)|Jake Spencer]] (born 1989), Australian rules footballer
*[[Andrew Symonds]] (1975–2022), Australian cricketer, played for the Wanderers club in Townsville
*[[Gorden Tallis]] (born 1973), Australian rugby league footballer
*[[Sam Thaiday]] (born 1985), State of Origin and Australian rugby league player
*[[Pud Thurlow]] (1903–1975), Australian test cricketer in the 1930s
*[[Johnathan Thurston]] (born 1983), first North Queensland Cowboys NRL Premiership winning co/Captain with [[Matthew Scott (rugby league)|Matthew Scott]]
*[[Adrian Trevilyan]] (born 2001), Australian rugby league player
*[[Libby Trickett]] (née Lenton; born 1985), Australian Olympic swimmer
*[[Jay Vine]] (born 1995), Australia road cyclist
*[[Breiana Whitehead]] (born 2000), Australian Olympic kitefoiler<ref>{{Cite web |title=Breiana Whitehead shows she's a strong contender for Paris 2024 |url=https://www.sail-world.com/news/274889/Breiana-shows-shes-a-strong-contender-for-Paris |access-date=2024-05-30 |website=www.sail-world.com |archive-date=29 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240529155746/https://www.sail-world.com/news/274889/Breiana-shows-shes-a-strong-contender-for-Paris |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Zaria (wrestler)|Zaria]], professional wrestler
===Journalists===
*[[Julian Assange]] (born 1971), editor-in-chief of [[WikiLeaks]]<ref name="Courier-Mail – 29Jul2010 – Wikileaks founder Julian Assange a born and bred Queenslander">{{cite news|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/wikileaks-founder-julian-assange-a-born-and-bred-queenslander/story-e6freoof-1225898281283|title=Wikileaks founder Julian Assange a born and bred Queenslander|date=29 July 2010|work=[[The Courier-Mail]]|publisher=[[News Limited]]|access-date=13 February 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418180126/http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/wikileaks-founder-julian-assange-a-born-and-bred-queenslander/story-e6freoof-1225898281283|archive-date=18 April 2012}}</ref>
*[[Clem Christesen]] (1911–2003), journalist and editor of the Australian literary magazine, Meanjin
*[[Yvonne Sampson]] (born 1980), [[Foxtel]] sports journalist<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nrl.com/celebrity-poll-who-will-win-the-gf/tabid/10874/newsid/90282/default.aspx|title=Celebrity poll: Who will win the GF?|first1=Chris|last1=Kennedy|first2=Jack|last2=Brady|publisher=NRL.com|date=2 October 2015|access-date=2 October 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002170209/http://www.nrl.com/celebrity-poll-who-will-win-the-gf/tabid/10874/newsid/90282/default.aspx|archive-date=2 October 2015}}</ref>
*[[John Vause]], CNN reporter and anchor
===Artists===
*[[Ben Bennett (singer)|Ben Bennett]], Australian singer<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/ben-bennett-17-of-sydney-for-team-delta-on-the-voice/story-e6frewyr-1226348564073|title=Ben Bennett, 17, of Sydney for Team Delta on The Voice|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|The Daily Telegraph]]|first=Holly|last=Byrnes|date=7 May 2012}}</ref>
*[[Billy Doolan]] (born 1952), Australian Indigenous artist<ref>[http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2011/02/17/208381_news.html Artist's creations tour Italian cities |Townsville Bulletin News] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110302012206/http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2011/02/17/208381_news.html |date=2 March 2011}}. Townsvillebulletin.com.au (17 February 2011). Retrieved on 18 August 2011.</ref>
===Military personnel===
*[[James Cannan]] (1882–1976), former Australian major general
*[[Charles Raymond Gurney]] (1906–1942), Australian aviator
*[[Ellis Wackett|Air Vice Marshal Ellis Wackett]] (1901–1984), Australian military aviation pioneer
*Sir [[Lawrence Wackett]] (1896–1982), Australian aircraft industry pioneer
===Lawyers and politicians===
*[[Bill Heatley]] (1920–1971), former Liberal senator
*[[Patricia Staunton]] (born 1946), Australian magistrate and former NSW politician
*[[Russell Skerman]] (1903–1983), Supreme Court judge
===Scientists and mathematicians===
*[[Joe Baker (marine scientist)|Joe Baker]] (1932–2018), marine scientist and rugby league footballer
*[[Terry Hughes (biologist)|Terry Hughes]] (born 1956), marine biologist specialising in the study of coral reefs
*[[Helene Marsh]] (born 1945), environmental scientist, specialising in the study of dugongs
*[[Ralph Douglas Kenneth Reye]] (1912–1977), Australian [[pathologist]] who first described [[Reye's syndrome]].<ref>{{Cite Australian Dictionary of Biography |volume=16 |year=2002 |title=Ralph Douglas Kenneth Reye (1912–1977) |id2=reye-ralph-douglas-kenneth-11511 |first1=Brenda |last1=Heagney |first2=G. N. B. |last2=Storey|access-date=29 August 2025}}</ref>
*[[Peter Ridd]], physicist and author
*[[John Veron]] (born 1945), specialist in the study of corals and reefs
*[[Edwin C. Webb]] (1921–2006), Biochemist, Vice-Chancellor of [[Macquarie University]]
*[[Nicole Webster]], marine scientist
*[[William J. Youden]] (1900–1971), statistician
===Others===
*[[Lyn Ashley]] (born 1940), actress, daughter of [[Madge Ryan]]
*[[Harriet Dyer]] (born {{circa|1988}}), Hollywood film actress
*[[Rick Farley]] (1952–2006), Australian activist for Indigenous Australians’ rights and former CEO of the National Farmers Federation
*[[Rachael Finch]] (born 1988), [[Miss Universe Australia]] 2009 and 3rd runner-up at [[Miss Universe 2009]]
*[[Madge Ryan]] (1919–1994), Hollywood, Broadway, and British ([[Witness in the Dark]]) stage and film actress<ref>[http://www.allmovie.com/artist/madge-ryan-62386 Allmovies: Madge Ryan] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100206123210/http://www.allmovie.com/artist/madge-ryan-62386 |date=6 February 2010}}. Allmovie.com. Retrieved on 18 August 2011.</ref> – ([[Vide supra]], daughter, [[Lyn Ashley]])
*[[Francis Stuart]] (1902–2000), Irish writer
*[[Natalie Weir]] (born 1967), Australian choreographer
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Council |first=Townsville City |date=2021-03-24 |title=TheatreiNQ to celebrate 10th anniversary with Council grant |url=https://www.townsville.qld.gov.au/about-council/news-and-publications/media-releases/2021/march/theatreinq-to-celebrate-10th-anniversary-with-council-grant |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=www.townsville.qld.gov.au |language=en-AU |archive-date=6 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240106073612/https://www.townsville.qld.gov.au/about-council/news-and-publications/media-releases/2021/march/theatreinq-to-celebrate-10th-anniversary-with-council-grant |url-status=live }}</ref>
==External links==
{{Portal|Queensland}}
{{Commons category|Townsville, Queensland}}
{{Wikivoyage}}
*[http://queenslandplaces.com.au/townsville University of Queensland: Queensland Places: Townsville]
*[http://www.townsville.qld.gov.au/ Townsville City Council]
{{Queensland cities}}
{{Suburbs of Townsville}}
{{North Queensland}}
{{Cities of Australia}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Townsville| ]]
[[Category:Coastal cities in Australia]]
[[Category:North Queensland]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1865]]
[[Category:Port cities in Queensland]]
[[Category:Queensland in World War II]]
[[Category:1865 establishments in Australia]]
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