Including the Capricorn Coast.
This part of the Queensland Coast is full of surprises. It encompasses a large area from Townsville in the north to Bundaberg in the South. This is a stretch of coast with miles of great beaches, access to the Islands, great diving, and a thousand other attractions.
Townsville to Proserpine.
Townsville is a fantastic city that is growing every year due to its perfect weather and a lifestyle that we all envy. With a population of 130,000 it is Australia's largest tropical city and has all the facilities of a city double its size. This, combined with the special charm of its inhabitants, Townsville and the surrounding regions have a lot to offer. There are a number of alternative ways of getting out to the Great Barrier Reef. With some of the most exciting diving around, everything from day cruises to full week dive expeditions are available. Townsville is home to many dive operators, and the wreck of the "Yongala" lies just to the south of the city.
Magnetic Island is just a 20 minute boat ride by fast cat from Townsville, or take the car on the ferry. Much of Magnetic Island is National Park and World Heritage listed Rain forest with some 20 kilometres of hiking tracks. There is an abundance of wildlife, including a large native Koala population, and it is affectionately known as the Koala capital of Australia. Magnetic is a large island with loads of accommodation, tours, activities and with many secluded bays and beaches for water sports. The size of the island is what separates it from most of the other resort islands on the coast. It is more like a local community with tiny towns scattered around the place, compared to the solitude of single resorts. This creates a special feeling that is unique in a Queensland holiday. Other islands accessed from Townsville are Bedarra, Orpheus, and Dunk.
Proserpine.
Is the gateway to Airlie Beach and the Whitsunday Islands. Shute Harbour is the jumping off point to many of the surrounding islands such as South Molle, Daydream, Hamilton, Hook, Long and Whitsunday Island. This is a day tripper's paradise. Many travellers stay in Airlie Beach and travel to most of the islands for the entire Whitsunday experience. With the area surrounded by National parks and rain forest, there is plenty to see and do. Sailing charters are very popular with close, safe access to some of the best cruising ground in Australia. With an extremely large fleet of vessels to choose from, bareboat or skippered, it is a great alternative to land lubbing.
There are too many
activities to list, so please e-mail if you need more info.
Diving, sailing, sea-kayaking, water-skiing,
snorkelling, canoeing, fishing, glass bottomed
boat rides, tours,
tours and more tours,
national parks,
hiking, camping, golfing, museums, art galleries,
wildlife parks, scenic drives, etc.
The Capricorn Coast.
A short stretch of coast from Yeppon in the north to Bundaberg in the south, this is the jump off point for great Keppel Island, Lady Elliott Island and Heron Island. Inland from the coast is the famous Carnavon Gorge National Park which has some breathtaking scenery, great walks, and is a Flora and Fauna wonderland. Many other National Parks are in this area, so if you are sick of the coast by now, inland is a great alternative. The usual variety of accommodation and resorts are spotted along the coastline and all budgets are catered for. The hinterland of this region offers the unique feature of gem fossicking. If you want to get dirty, and maybe rich, try it.
Further south is Bundaberg and home to the great Australian Icon, Bundaberg Rum. If you like rum, hang out here for a while.