Thursday, April 15, 2010

You Wont Want To Miss Visiting Tropical North Queensland

By Jerry Duncan

Townsville, Queenslands third largest city, provides a large coastal position, park lands, attractions, a cafe and restaurant scene, as well as a lofty Castle Hill.

Townsville is home to many fun and exciting attractions. For starters, the Barrier Reef Headquarters are located here. They also have an armed forces base and James Cook University, which increases the night life around town. With numerous restaurants and activities to choose from you will be up till all hours. Some note worthy places are Jupiter's Casino, C Bar and Naked Fish.

The historic buildings around Cleveland Bay are a reminder of the heritage related to Robert Towns, form the year 1864. Robert Towns began kidnapping kanakas from their homeland and bringing them to Australia for cheap labor The Kanakas were used in the Sugar Industry and were paid a pittance. The kidnapping was outlawed in 1868 and but only in 1901 was the use of island labor completely stopped.

Magnetic Island is 8km offshore, was named by Captain Cook who believed that magnetic fields generated from the granite boulders were causing problems with his compass. It has 12,000 acres of mountainous terrain and is a great place for a day trip here or overnight stay. Sandy bay, great for swimming and snorkeling, has spectacular views from old WWII forts.

Bowling Green Bay National Park is a coastal park catering to it's self-sufficient visitors. Granite Mountains blend with a landscapes including saltpans and mangrove country. Alligator Creek has cascading waterfalls. It is possible to stay overnight on the campsite and go spotlighting for brush tail possums and sugar gliders.

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