The Best Hotels in Townsville for a Tropical Winter Break

This iconic hotel is known locally as “the Sugar Shaker”, due its unusual shape. It’s the tallest building in Townsville’s business and shopping district, meaning guests get the best views of the city, the majestic Castle Hill and Magnetic Island lying offshore. Unfussy rooms are designed with understated colour, but best of all is the rooftop pool where you can swim or sunbathe to your heart’s content.

A stay at Oaks Metropole will put you on the doorstep of many of Townsville’s best sights, including Anzac Memorial Park, the Townsville Entertainment Centre and several diving hotspots. Bustling bars and restaurants are also nearby, and the hotel has its own eatery for when you’d rather not stray too far. There’s also a pool and a gym for working off the calories from all the great food you’ll likely be eating – whether out in town, or courtesy of your spacious suite’s own kitchenette.

Expect simple rooms with splashes of colourful, nature-inspired wall art at Beach House Motel, the perfect base for a few days of seaside fun. The family-owned business sits on the sunny, palm-lined Townsville Strand, so you’re only ever steps away from the sea and sand. Head down to the 2.2km (1.5mi) palm-lined beachfront promenade, and stroll along the pier to watch the sunset paint the sky a warm orange over Cleveland Bay and Magnetic Island.

Minutes from central Townsville, this relaxing retreat sits in 11 acres (4.5ha) of lush tropical gardens overlooking Curralea Lakes Park. The resort is home to the city’s largest free-form outdoor swimming pool and spa, plus tennis and basketball courts. Rooms are contemporary with soothing colour palettes and leafy views, and come with all the familiar mod cons like speedy wifi and flat-screen TVs. The hotel restaurant offers al fresco dining beside the shimmering pool, serving food put together with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

At this stylish ApartHotel, every unit boasts its own balcony for soaking up the north Queensland views, a minibar stocked with Townsville Brewery drinks, high-speed wifi and complimentary use of the on-site gym, enclosed pool courtyard and spa. You won’t need to wander far to experience Townsville’s most notable sights, including the Strand and Reef HQ, and the hotel staff can advise on the best local restaurants to try out, or to order delivery straight to your door.

City Oasis offers travellers a range of accommodation options, from simple rooms with kitchenettes to a 19th-century miner’s cottage with shuttered windows and gardenside verandahs. The family-owned hotel has a restaurant with impressive eco credentials; it operates a zero-waste policy, and chefs use mainly organic herbs and vegetables grown in “Nonna’s garden”. Before lunch, make time for a few laps in the hotel’s award-winning lagoon-style outdoor pool – complete with a waterfall and tropical gardens.

Park Regis is a popular base for the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, Magnetic Island and acres of tropical rainforest. You can choose from one- and two-bedroom apartments, most including private balconies, a full kitchen, and laundry facilities for a homely stay to supplement your exploring. The on-site restaurant, Table 51, serves modern Australian cuisine to keep meal times traditional, and there are two outdoor pools to lounge in or around when you need some down time.

Oaks Gateway Suites is a hotel, with both stylish hotel rooms and self-contained one- and two-bedroom apartments. It’s located just off Palmer Street in South Townsville, which is home to some of the city’s best restaurants and bars, including Cactus Jack’s and Jam Corner. Oaks Gateway Suites has a gym, hot tub, and an infinity pool with river and city views.

Located directly on Townsville’s most popular tourist attraction, the Strand, Aquarius on the Beach is a 130-room hotel. The four-star property towers over the beach and features an outdoor pool and business centre. The rooms include kitchenettes with fridges and microwaves as well. The hotel is in a great location in Townsville, as guests are within walking distance of the city’s best restaurants, bars, and cafes, such as Watermark, Longboard Bar and Grill, and Oliver Brown.