Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Entertainment
Flynns
(101 Flinders St E; 5pm-late Tue-Sun)
A jolly Irish pub that doesn't try too hard to be Irish.
Wildly popular for its $8 jugs and live music every night except Wednesdays, when
karaoke takes over.
LIVE MUSIC
Consortium
(159 Flinders St E; 9pm-5am Tue & Thu-Sun)
Resident DJs, DJ comps and events like foam
parties and RNB bashes make this big city-style venue Townsville's brashest nightclub.
CLUB
Jupiters Casino
MAP
CASINO
GOOGLE MAP
10am-2am Sun-Thu, to 4am Fri & Sat)
For a waterside
(
www.jupiterstownsville.com.au
;
Sir Leslie Thiess Dr;
flutter.
GREAT BARRIER REEF TRIPS FROM TOWNSVILLE
The Great Barrier Reef lies further offshore than from Cairns and Port Douglas, hence fuel costs push up the
prices. On the upside, it's less crowded (and suffers fewer effects from crowds). Trips from Townsville are dive-
oriented; if you just want to snorkel, take a day trip that just goes to the reef - the
Yongala
is for diving only. The
Yongala
is considerably closer to Alva Beach near Ayr, so if your main interest is wreck diving, you may want to
consider a trip with Alva Beach-based Yongala Dive (
Click here
)
.
The visitor centre has a list of Townsville-based operators offering Professional Association of Diving Instruct-
ors (PADI)-certified learn-to-dive courses with two days' training in the pool, plus at least two days and one
night living aboard the boat. Prices start at about $615; you'll need to obtain a dive medical (around $60). A
couple of popular options:
trips to the
Yongala
(from $220) and Wheeler Reef (from $280), both including two dives. Also offers snorkelling
(from $180) on Wheeler Reef as well as live-aboard trips and dive-certification courses.
Runs day trips (from $220) to Orpheus and Pelorus Islands. Also live-aboard trips and dive courses.
Shopping
