TOWNSVILLE (18 - 20 JULY)

What an odd feeling having 'a holiday within a holiday' is but that is how we both felt as we boarded Fantasea to return to the mainland.  What a wonderful time we had on Maggie and what wonderful hosts we had in Jenny and Steve. 

Our return crossing could not have been more different from the first....warm weather and no rain!  Townsville took on a whole different look.

Of course, retrieving the little black beast from his incarceration was the first job on the return agenda.  True to previous form, we found Max prancing around the cattery when we arrived...lord of all he surveyed!  He is nothing if not adaptable.

Finally, the following morning, we hit the tourist trail in Townsville.  We had previously driven around the city centre on the way to and from the boat, but this time we were on foot, the only way to really see anything.

The Strand, the renowned Townsville seafront area, was our first destination.  What a wonderful strip it is.  Extending some 2.5 kms from a marvellous rock swimming pool at one end to Anzac Park at the other, The Strand provides a delightful venue for a good walk.

A short jetty midway along the strip was well populated with fishing hopefuls, one of whom had just landed a fine mackerel as we approached.  We were told that many good piscatorial captures are made from here....next time!

Apart from the rock pool, a series of swimming beaches, two of which host surf lifesaving clubs, are features of The Strand.  Mind you, there are constant reminders posted on signs all along this area warning of the dangers of various stinging jelly fish which also make these waters their home for many of the warmer months.  For us antipodeans, it was quite strange to see vinegar stations (the white barrel) at every set of steps down onto the sand. (and yes, that's Maggie in the background). 

 

I found the warning signage particularly notable.  Full descriptions of the six most toxic nasties which make these waters their summer home were complemented by broad detail relating to the signs and symptoms of stings inflicted by each, together with immediate and longer term first aid and medical treatment advisable.  As you would gather, washing with vinegar is a universal first step.

As one would expect of a venue like this, a number of restaurants, where one needs plastic or a large cheque book to avoid having to do the dishes at the end of a meal, feature along the strip.  At the other end of the culinary scale, those wishing to be somewhat more circumspect in the cost of their dining can make use of the many very well appointed BBQ areas.  Covered children's playgrounds and other areas in which to just sit and relax cater to the leisure needs of all.  Impressive.

Equally impressive is the determined manner in which this area is kept free of the usual assortment of hoons, drunks and ratbags often attracted to such places.  The local constabulary have a group of seven based in  an appropriately colourful local station.  This sergeant and six are dedicated solely to ensuring that The Strand remains crime free and inviting to all.  What a beat! 

 In common with so many beach front areas, holiday accommodation is another feature of The Strand, some old, some new,

 

with Castle Hill ever present in the background.

At the city end of The Strand our service men and women are honoured in the beautiful Anzac Park to which unfortunately my limited photographic skills and equipment do not do adequate justice.

A few short steps from here brings us to 'old' Townsville and reminders of some of the grandeur of the past.  The old Customs House

 

and the office block (which was originally a hotel of significance) on the opposite corner are two examples.

Within sight of this corner we could see another grand old building with which we discovered we had a 'travelling connection'.  We first came across the name of the trading company Burns Philp in Normanton where they operated for many years out of what remains one of the largest buildings in that small town.  And here we are, six weeks later, standing in front of what was the headquarters building of that same company.

Built in 1895, this grand edifice housed the administrative and management sections of the company for many years as it traded throughout the top end and the Torres Strait Islands.  We were somewhat dismayed to discover that it now serves as a venue for 'gentlemen's mornings' and the like...this would have to be the flashest strip joint in the country, well, in terms of its venue at least. (I can make no comment on the standard of either the interior or the presentations of its occupants).

The nearby (seemingly mandatory these days) Irish Pub is also elegantly housed,

but it was the sign over the door of its predecessor which really caught my eye. 

Unfortunately it was very difficult to capture....for those of you like me who may be struggling in the optical department, the sign reads "we're open till we're closed".  What impeccable Irish logic.   I loved it. 

The old section of the Townsville CBD is relatively small and compact. The entire city is built generally around, but sometimes on, a number of hills, the largest of which is, of course, Castle Hill.  This rock really dominates the Townsville landscape.  Unfortunately our trip to the top was undertaken on a day on which the cloud cover and rain sweeps were such that good photography from the top was a non-event. This shot attempts to capture the old and the new Townsville with Castle Hill in the background.


The Ross River, a largish stream which empties into the sea at the docks area, runs quite close to the old section of the city.  As could be expected, developers have not missed their opportunity....the city stretch boasts a boat harbour and apartments all located a stone's throw from the old section.  As with so many places, the rich of Townsville have not been denied the opportunity to descend from their penthouses and board their  'stinkies' moored conveniently below.

The main street through the old section leads directly to the main shopping and commercial precinct in which all the usual suspects can be found.  The streetscape is lush with large trees and garden plots along the centre of the road which complement wide footpaths.

Something of a far cry from Rundle Mall!

I mentioned previously that many citizens of Townsville have taken good advantage of the hills which are a feature of their city. This shot shows houses perched on that which overlooks the intersection of the old and new sections of the city and across to the Ross River boat harbour,

 
whilst this, sitting so proudly atop the cliffs backing a section of The Strand, affords the lucky owners magnificent views across the sweep of the Coral Sea out to Maggie and across to Cape Cleveland.

 
I could not move on from Townsville without one final photo.  Now, as you would probably guess, I am no fan of graffiti, but I do admire enterprise and daring.  This depiction of 'The Saint' (who will admit to being able to remember Roger Moore in the role?)  is very high up on a very steep cliff face.

We can but hope that the bold souls responsible for this art work high on the side of Castle Hill have gone on to use their undoubted skills in a more productive way.

And so, with some chagrin that our schedule, the weather and our required logistical commitments did not allow us more sightseeing time in Townsville, we prepared to move on further north in the knowledge that a return visit will see us with plenty still to experience in what we found to be a city of interesting contrasts.