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Aparthotels & serviced apartments in Townsville

13 stays · 4 aparthotels and 9 serviced apartments

Townsville is a working tropical city on Queensland's north-east coast, and aparthotels and serviced apartments fit the way people use it. Business visitors and project crews stay for weeks, university visitors and families come for longer breaks, and many travellers use the city as a base for Magnetic Island and the Great Barrier Reef. A flat with a kitchen, laundry and separate bedroom is simply more practical than a single room when the stay stretches past a few nights.

13 stays

Where to stay in Townsville

The Strand and North Ward

  • first-time visitors
  • beach
  • families

Wikipedia calls The Strand the most popular park in Townsville, known for its Rock Pool, and says the Tobruk Memorial Baths were inaugurated there in 1950. North Ward sits behind it, so most apartments here are a short walk from the waterfront paths and cafes. It is the most visitor-friendly part of the city and a natural first choice.

Stays in or near The Strand and North Ward

City centre and Palmer Street

  • business travel
  • dining
  • short stays

The central area puts you closest to offices and the port, and the Magnetic Island ferry leaves from the Breakwater. Wikivoyage describes Palmer Street as a dining district. If you want to eat out without driving, this is the practical place to be based.

Stays in or near City centre and Palmer Street

Castle Hill

  • walkers
  • views
  • quiet

Castle Hill is a red granite hill rising 286 metres, with a lookout at the summit giving panoramic views of the city, according to Wikipedia. Wikivoyage notes a road to the top and a steep walking route that is popular in the cooler evening. Staying near its foot suits visitors who want a residential feel while remaining close to the Strand.

Cannon Park and the south-west

  • long stays
  • families
  • car drivers

Wikivoyage names Cannon Park as the dining precinct for the south-western suburbs. It suits visitors with a car who prefer quieter suburban streets over the waterfront. James Cook University, established in 1970, is a major institution in the city, based in the suburb of Douglas, so university visitors may want to check the distance from any apartment they are considering.

Stays in or near Cannon Park and the south-west

Magnetic Island (Nelly Bay)

  • island stay
  • nature
  • couples

Wikipedia places Magnetic Island 8 km offshore, with roughly three quarters of it national park. It lists five settlements (Arcadia, Horseshoe Bay, Nelly Bay, Picnic Bay and West Point) and says the ferry runs from the Townsville Breakwater to Nelly Bay Harbour. Staying on the island suits a slower trip, though you will rely more on the island bus and your own planning for shopping.

Getting around Townsville

Wikivoyage places Townsville Airport 10 km west of the city, served by Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia and Air North with links to cities including Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Cairns and Darwin. The railway station is described as 4 km south of the city centre, served by Queensland Rail long-distance trains from Cairns and Brisbane, while Flixbus and Greyhound coaches run the Brisbane to Cairns route. By road, the Bruce Highway links the city with Cairns to the north and Brisbane to the south.

Kinetic operates the local bus network, which Wikivoyage describes as 16 routes across Townsville plus one on Magnetic Island, running seven days a week. Taxis operate with ranks at the airport, major shopping centres and in town. The ferry to Magnetic Island runs from the Breakwater to Nelly Bay Harbour, according to Wikipedia. The Strand and centre are easy to cover on foot or by bicycle, while suburban dining and shopping areas such as Cannon Park are easier with a car.

Living in Townsville for longer

Because the city is spread out, think about what you will do every day before choosing an area. If your days are in the centre or at the port, a base in the centre or North Ward saves time; if you are visiting the university or working in the southern suburbs, a quieter flat near Cannon Park may be more practical. Wikivoyage describes wet, humid summers, so an apartment with its own washing machine is worth looking for.

Wikivoyage lists the Northern Beaches district, including Bushland Beach, Saunders Beach and Balgal Beach, as seaside communities north of the city. The regional tourism board covers the wider region, including Magnetic Island, Burdekin, Hinchinbrook, Charters Towers and the Great Barrier Reef, so a long stay can be broken up with trips rather than repeated days in the city. See our advice on serviced apartments for relocation if you are moving for work.

When to visit Townsville

Wikipedia describes Townsville as having a tropical savanna climate, with a wet season from November to April and fine weather through winter under south-east trade winds. It gives mean sunshine of about 8.5 hours a day, July as the coolest month and December as the warmest, and the cyclone season as running between December and April.

Wikivoyage describes dry winters and wet, humid summers, and notes that box jellyfish and other stingers can be in the ocean during summer, with two stinger enclosures provided for swimming. The drier months from roughly May to October are the easier time for walking up Castle Hill or exploring Magnetic Island, while summer suits visitors who are happy with heat and humidity.

According to Wikipedia, the city lies about 1,350 km north of Brisbane and 350 km south of Cairns, so it is a genuine regional hub rather than a suburb of either. This page covers the main places to stay, how the airport, rail and bus links work, what long stays involve and when the climate suits you. For background on the format, read what an aparthotel is, or see more options across Australia and in nearby Cairns.

Long-stay tips for Townsville

Of the 13 properties here, 11 offer an in-apartment washing machine, 5 list a laptop-friendly workspace, 6 include some form of housekeeping and 2 have a 24-hour front desk. For longer stays, the facts box on each property page shows exactly what the apartments include.

12 properties list a full kitchen and 1 only a kitchenette, so check the room type if you plan to cook more than simple meals.

Where room sizes are published, the median apartment here is 59 m².

Moving for work? Our guide to serviced apartments for relocation explains what to look for.

Aparthotel brands in Townsville

Several aparthotel brands operate here, including Quest (1).

Other cities in Australia

Travelling further? See aparthotels in Gold Coast, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, Cairns, Port Douglas, Mooloolaba and Perth.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best area to stay in Townsville?

The Strand and North Ward are the most popular for visitors, with the beachfront and water views close by. The city centre suits business travel and ferry access to Magnetic Island, while Cannon Park suits longer stays with a car.

How far is Townsville Airport from the city?

Wikivoyage places Townsville Airport 10 km west of the city; its taxi section lists an airport taxi rank.

How do I get to Magnetic Island from Townsville?

A passenger ferry runs from the Townsville Breakwater to Nelly Bay Harbour, according to Wikipedia. The island is 8 km offshore.

When is the wet season in Townsville?

Wikipedia gives the wet season as November to April, which also covers the December to April tropical cyclone season. Winter is generally fine and dry.

How many aparthotels are there in Townsville?

We currently list 13 aparthotel and serviced apartment properties in Townsville.

Do aparthotels in Townsville have kitchens?

13 of the 13 properties we list have a kitchen or kitchenette in at least one apartment type.

Which aparthotels in Townsville have a washing machine?

11 properties list an in-apartment washing machine. Use the facts box on each property page to check.

Which aparthotel brands operate in Townsville?

Quest.

Sources

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