Walking & Hiking Tracks
Exploring Townsville on foot
Townsville has many great walkways and bikeways throughout the city. Download our guide or find out more about our most popular trails below. To find out more about cycling and hiking trails in our national parks please visit the Queensland Government Parks website.
Download the Townsville Active Travel Guide (below)
Townsville Active Travel Guide (PDF)
Remember, it only takes 6 minutes to burn so make sure you are prepared before you go out in the sun!
Castle Hill
Castle Hill is the most popular walking trail within Townsville City – boasting a number of walking paths it is a great way to get fit and be active. From the circular road (3.3km one way) to the more intensive Cudtheringa or Goat tracks Castle Hill is a great place to work out for any fitness level.
Share the Hill Safely
Castle Hill is an iconic feature and as a popular and greatly utilised area by many people in our community, it is also important to take care and be safe when using it for exercise or recreation. Everyone has a personal responsibility to share the space safely with others in the community.
Signage has recently been installed along the roadway on Castle Hill. These signs are important reminders to all users:
- Cyclists watch your speed, look out for signs, other roads users and do not exceed 40km per hour. Please ensure that you warn pedestrians and reduce your speed.
- Walkers and runners must walk no more than two people across – this allows safe space for all users, including cars and cyclists.
Watch the video to better understand how you can share the hill safely with everyone.
The Strand
Walking or riding along The Strand is one of the best things to do in Townsville.
The Strand beachside promenade with it’s joint bike and walkway runs from the Breakwater Marina at the River End of The Strand, to the Rock Pool at the Kissing Point end, a return distance of 4.4 km.
You’ll often hear Townsville locals talking about “doing The Strand” and judging by the amount of camper-vans and inter-state number plates parked along the side of the road, visitors to the region agree.
Magnetic Island is visible from one end of The Strand to the other and is a permanent backdrop for photos taken on The Strand.
Free exercise stations are spread along Strand promenade, offering a host of different workouts and Strand Fitness Northward offers classes on The Strand. You will find several boot camps working out with a Magnetic Island view too.
December 2019 saw the installation of a sculpture close to The Strand Jetty of a slim human figure standing tall on a pylon that glows irridescent at night. The sculpture is a key piece of the Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA). The muse for the sculpture is a young girl from the Wulgurukaba people, traditional landowners in this area. The Wulgurukaba creation story involves a snake coming out of the Herbert River on the coast near Ingham. On it’s way down to Palm Island and Magnetic Island it created the Hinchinbrook Channel.
It’s best to walk The Strand before 10 am or after 4 pm to beat the mid-day heat. For people who work in Townsville CBD it’s the perfect before and after work walk. Riding is great any time of day.
Mothers with strollers rule The Strand pathways in the morning, before the work crowd return for lunch away from the office. There is a time of day for everyone to enjoy The Strand.
Mount Louisa
Once a popular place to ride dirt bikes and four-wheel drive, Mount Louisa – Aboriginal names “Goo-bal-a-boro” and “Moor-ee-roon” – is now starting to rival Castle Hill. Mount Louisa has also been recently updated, as of October 2020, and now has its very own, well-constructed walking track, which locals are finding to be a new favourite after work fitness activity and great venue for watching the sun set. Indeed, Mount Louisa has been one of the most under-utilised pinnacles within the suburbs of Townsville, perhaps until now!
Mount Louisa is one of the highest points in the heart of Townsville, with its main peak (east peak) rising 193 metres above sea level, overlooking the north and ocean side of the city with views of Mount Marlow, Magnetic Island, Castle Hill, and Mount Stuart. Whilst the elevation at the summit of the new walking track is only 160 metres above sea level, the views are still quite remarkable and worth the walk.
The track loop is over 3.5km long and features more than 1,700 steps. Along the track, you will find viewing areas with panoramic views of the city and interpretive signage to discover. It is a Class 3 walking track containing steep grades, loose surfaces, uneven steps and minimal infrastructure.
There’s no water at the summit, so remember to bring a water bottle and fill up at the track entry.
Riverwalk
The Riverwalk overlooks the beautiful Ross River and is a great place to view the prolific birdlife in this area. A 3-metre wide pathway runs along the river and provides numerous opportunities to enjoy its natural beauty. After taking a stroll, all the family can enjoy the nearby barbecue facilities provided or have a game of footy in the beautifully landscaped open space.
Download the Ross River Parkway Guide:
Page one (PDF)
Page two (PDF)
Please Note: Each page is A3 sized to preserve clarity of information. These documents contain images and diagrams, and may be incompatible with interpretive software.
Booroona Trail
The Booroona Trail offers the perfect opportunity for people to get closer to their environment with its attractive boardwalks, peaceful seating areas and harmony with the surrounding environment. The walking trail has improved the local river area dramatically and has also helped to foster a sense of community along the Ross River.
Blending man-made elements into the wetlands environment, the Booroona Trail provides the community with a safe place to experience a unique ecosystem with boardwalks, bridges, seating, plants and trees, overall beautification of the area and importantly, conservation and ongoing protection of native species.
Residents and visitors can enjoy the walking trail by accessing it from Upper Ross River Road at Apex Park or Loam Island.
Magnetic Island Trails
The Magnetic Island Trails Vision Plan is a joint initiative between Townsville City Council and the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services.
The trails plan identifies existing and future pathways and bush walking track connections linking the island’s major hubs and attractions.
Community engagement on the plan was undertaken in mid 2019.
The trails plan will guide future investment in the trails network and target funding opportunities.
Magnetic Island Trails Vision Plan (PDF)
Gabul Way (Magnetic Island)
The 710m walkway is adjacent to Arcadia Road and is made up of 2 sections – suitable for walkers and cyclists.
Geoffrey Bay towards Nelly Bay – is 350m in distance and leads to the first of two viewing platforms. This section is disable access compliant. Nelly Bay towards Geoffrey is 360m in distance and mostly elevated, with several break out areas to enjoy the vistas from.
10,000 steps walkways
Townsville has a number of 10,000 Steps signed walkways or circuits to help you achieve your 10,000 Steps per day – which is the recommended daily step goal for a healthy adult. You can find signed 10,000 Circuits at the following locations:
- Ross River Parkway Aplins Circuit – 5300m/6625 Steps
- Rowes Bay to Pallarenda – 4000m/5000 Steps (one way)
- Wetlands Circuit – 5860m/7325 Steps
- Anderson Botanic Garden Circuit – 1554m/1942 Steps
- Riverway Circuit – 3700m/4625 Steps
Castle Hill Tracks:
- Castle Hill Road Start to top Car Park – Total Distance 2600m / 3250 steps
- Ironbark Track to top Car Park – Total Distance 1744m / 2180 steps
- Cudtheringa Track to top Car Park – Total Distance 1136M / 1420 steps
- Goat Track to top Car Park – Total Distance 1052m / 1315 step
- Dianella Track to top Car Park – Total Distance 1021m / 1276 steps
Heritage & Cemetery Walks
Download Townsville Tours and Trails from the App Store or Google Play.
Download our Heritage and Cemetery walks brochures for self-guided tours around Townsville. A perfect way to see the city and learn about its rich history, architecture and people.
Trail 1 – Civic pride (PDF, 3.2 MB)
Trail 2 – Early Townsville (PDF, 1.4 MB)
Trail 3 – South Townsville and Port (PDF, 3.2 MB)
West End Cemetery Trails 1 – Life, death and memorialisation in early Townsville (PDF, 8.1 MB)
West End Cemetery Trails 2 – Townsville women (PDF, 8.1 MB)
West End Cemetery Trails 3 – Publican’s trail (PDF, 9.3 MB)
Pioneers of Townsville
A brief history of the women and men who helped shape Townsville as we know it today.
English