About JCU Campuses and maps North Queensland About Townsville
About Townsville
- Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders in Marine Science
- Courses
- Future Students
- Current Students
- Research and Teaching
- Partners and Community
- About JCU
- Reputation and Experience
- Celebrating 50 Years
- Academy
- Anthropological Laboratory for Tropical Audiovisual Research (ALTAR)
- Anton Breinl Research Centre
- Agriculture Technology and Adoption Centre
- Living on Campus
- Advanced Prawn Breeding Research Hub
- Advanced Analytical Centre
- Applying to JCU
- Alumni
- AMHHEC
- JCU Aquaculture Solutions
- AusAsian Mental Health Research Group
- ARCSTA
- Area 61
- Association of Australian University Secretaries
- Australian/NZ Students
- Australian Lions Stinger Research
- Boating and Diving
- JCU-CSIRO Partnership
- Employability Edge
- Career Ready Plan
- Australian Tropical Herbarium
- Careers at JCU
- Careers and Employability
- Australian Quantum & Classical Transport Physics Group
- Centre for Tropical Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology
- CITBA
- Chancellery
- CMT
- CASE
- College of Business, Law and Governance
- College of Healthcare Sciences
- WHOCC for N&M Education and Research
- College of Medicine and Dentistry
- College of Science and Engineering
- CPHMVS
- COVID-19 Advice
- Centre for Disaster Solutions
- CSTFA
- Cyclone Testing Station
- The Centre for Disaster Studies
- Daintree Rainforest Observatory
- Diploma of Higher Education
- Discover Nature at JCU
- Research Division
- Services and Resources Division
- Education Division
- Division of Tropical Environments and Societies
- Division of Tropical Health and Medicine
- Economic Geology Research Centre
- Elite Athletes
- eResearch
- Environmental Research Complex [ERC]
- Estate
- Financial and Business Services Office
- Fletcherview
- Foundation for Australian Literary Studies
- Gender Equity Action and Research
- GetReady4Uni
- Give to JCU
- Governance
- Information for JCU Cairns Graduates
- Graduate Research School
- Graduation
- Indigenous Education and Research Centre
- Indigenous Engagement
- Indigenous Legal Needs Project
- Inherent Requirements
- IsoTropics Geochemistry Lab
- IT Services
- International Schools
- International Students
- Research and Innovation Services
- JCU Eduquarium
- JCU Events
- JCU Global Experience
- JCU Ideas Lab
- JCU Job Ready
- JCU Motorsports
- JCU Prizes
- JCU Sport
- JCU Turtle Health Research
- Language and Culture Research Centre
- CEE
- LearnJCU
- Library
- Mabo Decision: 30 years on
- National Reconciliation Week
- MARF
- Marine Geophysics Laboratory
- New students
- Off-Campus Students
- Office of the Vice Chancellor and President
- Virtual Open Day
- Orpheus
- Outstanding Alumni
- Parents and Partners
- Pathways to university
- Planning for your future
- Placements
- Policy
- PAHL
- Publications
- Professional Experience Placement
- Queensland Research Centre for Peripheral Vascular Disease
- Rapid Assessment Unit
- RDIM
- Researcher Development Portal
- Safety and Wellbeing
- Scholarships
- Contextual Science for Tropical Coastal Ecosystems
- Staff
- State of the Tropics
- Strategic Procurement
- Student Equity and Wellbeing
- Student profiles
- SWIRLnet
- TARL
- TESS
- TREAD
- TropEco
- TQ Maths Hub
- TUDLab
- Unicare Centre and Unicampus Kids
- UAV
- VAVS Home
- Work Health and Safety
- WHOCC for Vector-borne & NTDs
- Media
- Copyright and Terms of Use
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health & Medicine
Townsville (population 190,000) is known as the ‘Capital of the North’ and offers a dynamic and cosmopolitan lifestyle.
A thriving coastal port city, Townsville is the largest city in northern Australia and one of Australia’s fastest-growing regional centres. The region has a strong and diverse economic base including mining, mineral processing, agriculture, manufacturing, tourism and healthcare, government and defence.
Townsville Vacation Travel Guide
Leading hub for marine research
Townsville is renowned for marine research and is home of the headquarters of major marine research and management authorities including The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, The Australian Institute of Marine Science, and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.
The town is home to the world's largest living coral reef aquarium at Reef HQ Great Barrier Reef Aquarium - which boasts a 2.5 million litre exhibition, and a rehabilitation centre for sea turtles.
Take advantage of JCU’s research sites on Orpheus Island and the Daintree Rainforest as part of your studies, and visit amazing beaches and breathtaking rainforests which are full of native wildlife.
Image: Coral spawning 2019 Mandatory photo credit Tourism and Events Qld
Culturally rich
Immerse yourself in Australian arts, dance, music, food and culture by visiting the Museum of Tropical Queensland or attending the Townsville Cultural Festival.
Join the passionate local supporters of the North Queensland Cowboys Rugby League team, and take in a game at Townsville's newest 25,000 seat multi-purpose stadium. Learn more
Image: Dancer Laura Aboriginal Dance Festival Mandatory photo credit Cathy Finch
Vibrant lifestyle
Visit ‘The Strand’, a 2.2km beachfront promenade in the heart of Townsville. Along this palm tree lined stretch are bike and walkway paths, safe swimming beaches, picturesque picnic spots, playgrounds, exercise stations, a water park and restaurants and bars with water views. Townsville offers an eclectic mix of cafes, restaurants, boutiques and bars, as well as fresh food markets.
Image: Townsville waterfront Mandatory photo credit Tourism and Events Qld
Outdoor adventures
There are many stunning beaches within a short journey from the Townsville, Bebegu Yumba campus, Douglas. Grab a snorkel and explore the kaleidoscopic colours of the Great Barrier Reef or jump on a ferry and visit nearby Magnetic Island.
Castle Hill - a giant pink granite monolith - stands proud in the centre of Townsville and offers walking tracks which are frequented by more than 2,500 locals a day! The 360-degree views of Townsville at the top are well worth the journey.
Image: Townsville Castle Hill Photo credit Tourism and Events Qld
Getting around
The JCU campus is a 20-minute drive or bus trip from Townsville city. Buses frequently run to and from the campus. You can even buy a second-hand bike, available from the JCU bicycle store.
Learn more about Public transport information
Climate
Townsville has a dry tropical climate that is dominated by two distinct seasons. The wet season (November to April) and the dry season (May to October). The wet season brings hot and humid weather with day temperatures averaging 29°C to 31°C. The dry season is warm to mild with day temperatures averaging 25°C to 29°C. The average annual rainfall is 1143 mm which occurs mostly during the wet season. Learn more