gosha83

My buddies and I have decided that we would like to hit up Townsville for a few days, then spend a day/night in Cairns before going back to Sydney.

Reason we want to stay in Townsville is that it seems to be more chill, less touristy, and still pretty fun. But a quick Google search for hotels did not return anything inspiring. I don't think we want to stay in the CBD. I'd rather be close to the city but on the beach somewhere. Any suggestions? We can do hotels or hostels in any category as long as it doesn't exceed $200USD/night total.

And in Cairns we want to be in the middle of the nightlife. Any suggestions?

tom911

Have you thought about Magnetic Island instead of Townsville? The two times I've been through there I stayed on Magnetic Island at a quiet hostel, but there was one partying hostel with a bar right on the beach, so you might google and see what you can turn up there.

Crocodile

Townsville is a unique kind of place, in my opinion. It is okay, but not my cup of tea. I have lived there and will be visiting there at the end of the month. As for hotels, would have to agree, not much there. I am staying at the casino, for lack of a better (and cheaper) option.

I have also lived in Cairns and find it a more dynamic place - much more to do (yes, more touristy also, but also not as sleepy). Doing Cairns and Townsville only adds extra flights and inconvenience. If you want nightlife, do Cairns - any hotel close to/on The Esplanade (use wotif.com to find a suitable hotel).

I would then go north of Cairns to one of the beaches for a few nights such as Palm Cove or Trinity Beach (about 15-25mins drive north). Very relaxed, some reasonable restaurants/bars and great beaches. Or, an hours drive north is Port Douglas, which gives you a wide range of everything.

LegalEagle

The Holiday Inn was available last April as a Priority Club Point Break hotel for only 5,000 points so I stayed for five nights on a round-the-world trip. Townsville has the Townsville Cowboys, and their casino/club is right across the pedestrian mall from the Holiday Inn. Late bar. The pedestrian mall has a couple of internet cafes on it, but as a retail center, it seems to be dying.

Lots of good bars that are hopping after a game down from the pedestrian mall, however.

Took the ferry over to Magnetic Island and went to a secluded beach for the day. Magnetic Island is a lot quieter than Townsville. Also took the ferry to the Great Barrier Reef but unless you snorkel or scuba there is nothing there for you.

The city has a salt water pool that is stinger free and a Coral Sea beach next to it that has nets to keep out the stingers. There is a real danger even out-of-season of stingers. Also there is a very very very remote danger of crocks. So if you are super worrier, don't fall asleep on a deserted Magnetic Island beach.

gosha83

Hmm interesting and useful feedback. Thank you. We are now thinking of just doing Cairns, since it seems that Townsville would not be an ideal destination. Let's Go/Lonely Planet described it as a cool alternative to Cairns, but it seems that it might not be all that cool.

fifa

I second staying along the Esplanade in Cairns but make sure you are only a few streets from Shields Street which is in the centre of town.

dannyr

I'd happily stay at 'The Sugar Shaker' again. Great hotel for what it costs... Not the worst hotel in the HI Chain, but not the best either.

uncertaintraveler

Portions of the post that previously appeared in this space has been deleted. I would provide you with a reason why, but doing so would likely be against the TOS.

QF Lad

Hey Gosha83,

I disagree with the comments about Townsville. It is actually a really great place (I travel there frequently for work). The place to stay in Townsville is Jupiters casino (try to book Ocean view - the view is quite something). The casino was originally the Sheraton built in the late 1980s - you can get it for about AUD 150, but it is worth paying up to about AUD 180 - it will depend on the season you are going. Wet season (Nov through March) will obviously be cheaper.

The place to hang out in Towsville is the Watermark Bar down on the Strand. Very cool Townsville hang out. Classly bar, with a view to die for looking out over Magnetic Island.

You can catch the ferry over to Magnetic Island. For a group of guys you might also consider hiring jet skis and skiing around it. Perhaps stay over there a night or two, or you can commute - whatever is more convenient for you.

Cairns is a really top place as well - for tourists it is a point to travel out to the Barrier Reef (as is Port Douglas). I always stay in the Shangri-La hotel (very well situated for nightlife - there is a very popular bar at the end of the centre that the hotel is part of fronting onto the esplanade), but it may be a bit expensive for a group - perhaps try the Rydges or the Sebel Harbourview. But try to stay down towards the centre of Cairns where the Esplanade is (very nice commual area with great swimming pools) and the nightlife is.

Palm Cove is very nice, very pretty, but quiet and probably not where a group of young people would want to hang out. But consider Port Douglas - it really rocks with young people from all over the world, particularly in the dry season (Mayish to October). Very picturesque again. Cairns is the larger centre - it is a regional centre for north Queensland. Port Douglas is smaller and much more tourist oriented.

I hope this helps. QF Lad.