New to Townsville

[billyjean45]

G'day,

I've just moved up to Townsville and have started looking into what walks are around. Is anybody on here from Townsville or know it pretty well? I've spent the past couple of weekends checking out places close to town, what I'm trying to find is somewhere close to town where you can hike and camp overnight. I.e. if you could hike up Mt Cleveland and camp that would be ideal. Any tips?

Cheers!

[mountnman]

I have visited Townsville for holidays, but the only walks I know of are the Goat Track up Castle Hill, and the walks on Magnetic Island. I'm sure there would be other walks, hopefully someone else can shed some light.

[nq111]

Townsville has lots of country and disappointingly few walks it seems. Some close options maybe:

- Apparently Cape Cleveland can be done - over the ridgeline or around the northern base;
- Pinnicles (turn just before Rupertswood) is the best closish walk IMO - do all three pinnicles and you have an easy overnight or a full day (you get some nice peaks / exposure feeling on the second and third pinnicles);
- Bluewater hills - access keeps getting shut so long walk in - maze of logging tracks up top that you could probably walk to Paluma - also access to some gorges on the western fall?
- Aligator creek falls - easy daytrip but there is a campground at the falls and it is possible to scramble up beside the falls and keep going (would need a hammock - i doubt there are tent sites above the falls)

There is a local bushwalk club that would know much better the options - seems local knowledge and access permission through private land features for walking around Townsville. There are other options (apparently). The Townsville region desparately needs a guidebook for serious walkers. 5,000 new residents a year and virtually no significant walks in the public domain.

[billyjean45]

Hi,

Thanks! Thats the sort of info I'm after. I'll send you a PM with some questions.

[bauplenut]

There is very little track walking around Townsville. There are many good spots around Townsville to walk to but need local knowledge, often private property access, and off-track walking.

There are tracks in Paluma region that are not marked on maps.

Townsville Bushwalking Club is very active and does walks in the region including Mt Elliott area, Cape Cleveland, Bluewater area, Paluma / Mt Spec, and Hidden Valley / Running River areas. Suggest try their website and contact them.

[Joan Wharton]

Hello

I have just found, through googling, a Meet Up group in Townsville who are going on a 2hr bushwalk at Paluma on Sun 4 Nov. Carpooling possible from Townsville at 8am on sunday morning. I am going and the group is welcoming. Paluma is much cooler for walking than in Townsville at the moment.
JW

[nq111]

Sounds nice.

I assume you'll be walking to Cloudy Creek. The cyclone damage to the forest in some parts is pretty impressive! A few small holes in the creek for a dip as well.

I must say though, by local standards last few weeks have been pretty cool and good for walking even in the lowlands