Community services

The Townsville City Council website has information about facilities, events and recreation and a community and events page with a variety of services.

Some services include:

• Townsville Multicultural Support Group for international families or individuals (including students).
• Townsville Intercultural Centre: advice on employment, health, cultural activities, legal aid, education and other services.
• Multifaith Chaplaincy Service: assistance from JCU to connect you with your faith or support group.
  JCU Counselling or Lifeline: professional counselling services.
• Find an extensive list of Townsville services in the Community Directory.

Food

There is an extensive range of restaurants and cafés in Townsville. Cultural cuisine, typically Aussie meals and fine dining can be found on Flinders or Palmer Streets in the city or at Cannon Park, 10 minutes from JCU campus. Ask other students for their recommendations.

Shopping

Shopping centres and supermarkets

Shopping centres conveniently located near JCU campus are Stockland Shopping Centre and Willows Shopping Centre - it takes about 10-15 minutes to reach either centre from campus and are accessible via public transport. For more options, there are other Shopping Centres available in Townsville.

Markets

Markets in Townsville are held regularly throughout the week and have a range of entertainment, food, fashion, arts, crafts and fresh produce.

Second-hand shops

There are a variety of Second Hand Shops in Townsville that may be useful for buying goods such as furniture, clothes, kitchen utensils and books.

Postal service

An Australia Post Office (open weekdays 9:00am – 5:00pm) is located on campus within the Student Bookshop. Locations and Hours on the Australia Post website will direct you to the location of other post offices.

Entertainment

Townsville is diverse in its entertainment and events. The tropical weather allows for many outdoor activities to be enjoyed for much of the year.

See what’s on:

• For events and entertainment around the region: Townsville Enterprise.
• For sporting events, dinner and a show, concerts and live performances: Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre.
• For everything from art exhibitions, concerts, festivals and sporting competitions: Queensland Holidays- Townsville Events.
• For regular community events, such as markets, and more: Townsville City Council Calendar.
• For movies at the cinema: Warrina Cineplex in Currajong, Event Cinemas in the city and Reading Cinemas at Cannon Park.
• All cinemas offer student concession prices when you present your JCU student identification card.

Proof of age

In Australia you must be over the age of 18 to enter venues that sell alcohol. When entering a bar or nightclub Queensland State Law requires venues to sight identification for age verification before allowing you on the premises. Your JCU student card or International Student Card (ISIC Card) are not acceptable as proof of age.

If you have a driver’s licence that has your photograph, date of birth and is in English you can use this as proof of age. By carrying your passport as your only form of identification you can risk it being stolen or lost. To prevent this apply for an Adult Proof of Age Card (18+ Card) through the Queensland Government.