No longer Brownsville, Townsville has in recent years thrown off its former uninspiring image and reinvented itself as a pleasant, green, tropical holiday destination and the perfect jumping-off spot for all the delights of northern Queensland. Perched beach-side and with a sparkling new waterfront precinct, the city makes the most of its sea front location and relaxed beach lifestyle. Close to world famous attractions like the Great Barrier Reef and lesser known gems such as Magnetic Island, Townsville makes a great stopover for a few days before heading off into the more remote regions of the north.