BIG4 Townsville Gateway Holiday Park

Mornings at BIG4 Townsville Gateway Holiday Park start best with a coffee run. We like heading to The Hoi Polloi Cafe in Townsville CBD (about a 10-minute drive). It’s a small hole-in-the-wall cafe but well worth it for their cold brews, flat whites, and seasonal ‘light eats’ menu. They also serve up brilliant Vietnamese iced coffee.

If you’re spending the day around town - head back to the Park’s camp kitchen. As the tropical heat sets it, you can make yourself at home in this fully-equipped space with plenty of BBQs to go around. It is a great setting for a lunch hanging by the pool. The onsite kiosk is great for the basic supplies you always forget.

However, if you’re out and about, City Lane in the CBD is our go-to. It’s a small laneway filled with eateries and street art. It’s the kind of place you wander through and end up ordering bao buns, fresh sushi, or a woodfired pizza purely to avoid having to decide. The calibre of food is definitely a level up on your usual food court but there’s plenty of options to please everyone.

For dinner, The Watermark on the The Stand is hard to beat. Sitting right on the waterfront, you can enjoy freshly caught reef fish, a crisp glass of white wine, and the sound of the Pacific Ocean just metres away.

If you’re up for a post-dinner nightcap, you may choose to follow our lead and hit up the Heritage Exchange, arguably the most atmospheric pub in Townsville. Another option for a more quiet cocktail is Hooch and Fellow. Like almost every recommended eatery and drinking spot we’ve mentioned it is also located on the iconic Flinders Street. It’s well and truly the restaurant and nightlife precinct. 

At the Park

AS mentioned, the swimming pool is the perfect escape from the midday heat. Kids can make the most of the playground or roam the shaded grounds.

In Townsville CBD

Just a 15-minute drive from the park, The Strand is a beautiful beachfront promenade lined with parks, swimming spots, and cafés. It is ideal for a relaxed walk, a dip in the ocean, or a family picnic.

Magnetic Island Day Trip

The ferry departs from the Breakwater Terminal in the CBD, and in just 20 minutes you’ll feel like you’re stepping into another world. Think palm-lined bays, massive granite boulders scattered along the shore, golden sandy beaches, and vibrant reefs. It’s a true untouched tropical paradise. Animal lovers will appreciate the fact that the Island is home to Northern Australia's largest colony of koalas.

Great Barrier Reef

We thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to combine art, science and culture by exploring the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef and Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA) in Manbarra Sea Country. It’s a unique tour offered by Sealink North Queensland. You’ll snorkel the pristine John Brewer reef and swim through the 20 reef guardian sculptures that propagate coral and spread the message of reef conservation.

If Magnetic Island or a Great Barrier Reef trip is on your agenda, book your ferry and tours ahead, especially in school holidays.