Queensland Adventure: Townsville – Sun, Surf & Surprises! ☀️🌴

Just landed in Townsville (North Queensland’s largest city) after flying from Sydney! Here’s the lowdown for fellow travelers: 🚍 Getting to the City (No Rental Car? No Problem!) Airport Shuttle: ~$15 to CBD Taxi/Uber: Same price (no DiDi here!) ⚠️ Pro tip: Rideshare pickup spots are poorly marked—stay alert! 🌞 Welcome to the Tropics! 320 sunny days/year ☀️ (but brace for the humidity—it hits like a wall!) Lush tropical plants everywhere (hello, jungle vibes!) Beach warning: Jellyfish! 🪼 (vinegar stations available—thanks, Friends for the trauma reminder!) 🏆 Must-See Spots ⛰️ Castle Hill Lookout (286m) Drive up for panoramic views of the city + Magnetic Island! 🐠 Great Barrier Reef Aquarium Closed for renovations until 2026 😢 (mark your calendars!) 🏊 Rockpool & Water Park Free entry! Perfect for families with kids. 🐊 Billabong Sanctuary Local taxi driver’s top pick! ("Croc encounters > koalas"—more in my next post!) 🍍 Foodie Highlight Wild Rice Laos & Thai Cuisine Pineapple fried rice served IN A PINEAPPLE! 🍍 (Tropical fruit lovers, rejoice!) Verdict? Townsville = sun-soaked adventures + quirky wildlife + humid hair days. Not as touristy as Cairns—raw and real! Next up: Magnetic Island—koalas, shipwrecks & missed buses! 🐨⛴️ #Townsville #QueenslandTravel #GreatBarrierReef #RoadTripAustralia #HiddenGems #TropicalEscape #AustraliaAdventures #TravelDiaries 🌏📸