
Townsville Cruise Port
Townsville, Australia · Pacific
Cruise ships dock at Berth 10 — Main Cruise Berth, Townsville.
Plan my port daysCompact cruise port with a modern terminal, free shuttle to the CBD, and easy access to reef and island experiences.
At a glance
Port summary
Townsville's Quayside Terminal at Berth 10 is modern and well-equipped. A free shuttle runs into the CBD on cruise days, and the city itself is compact and walkable once you're in the centre. The Strand waterfront, Reef HQ Aquarium, and the ferry to Magnetic Island are the main draws. Stinger season (November–April) limits open-water swimming, but stinger nets are in place at The Strand.
Cruise dock
Berth 10 — Main Cruise Berth
The designated cruise ship berth at Port of Townsville. Adjacent to the Quayside Terminal. Accommodates vessels up to 300 metres. Cruise ships have priority berth rights if bookings are made 12 months prior.
Latitude: -19.251421, Longitude: 146.830559
See dock on port map →Getting to Townsville
From the cruise terminal to the city centre
Map & things to do
Money & payments
Cards accepted almost everywhere — carry a small amount of cash for markets only
Build your perfect day in Townsville
Tell us your cruise line, ship and departure date and we'll give you a complete set of full port information and playbooks of how to spend your day.
Inside the Australia & New Zealand collection
Here's a peek at everything waiting for your Townsville cruise day.
Typical weather
Emergency & contacts
Excursions compared
4 comparedTownsville panoramic city tour with Castle Hill and Reef HQ
≈ 4 h · sold by 4 cruise lines
Cruise line
€90$101
Do it yourself
€45$50
Save ≈ €45Save ≈ $50 (50% off)
Free cruise shuttle drops you in the CBD near Reef HQ and Flinders Street East — both walkable from there. Castle Hill summit is the only stop that needs transport: a taxi costs AUD $15–20 each way from the CBD. The Strand and Jezzine Barracks are walkable from the northern end of the CBD. Reef HQ entry is AUD $28 adult. Allow 90–120 min for Reef HQ and 45 min on Castle Hill.
See the DIY plan →
Magnetic Island discovery with Forts Walk and koala spotting
≈ 5 h · sold by 5 cruise lines
Cruise line
€120$134
Do it yourself
€51$57
Save ≈ €69Save ≈ $77 (57% off)
Walk or take the free cruise shuttle to Breakwater Ferry Terminal (about 1 km from port). SeaLink ferry runs up to 17 times daily, AUD $44 return adult. On the island, Sunbus route 250 connects Nelly Bay ferry terminal to Horseshoe Bay via all major bays — a day pass costs about AUD $5. The Forts Walk trailhead is near the Horseshoe Bay bus stop. Snorkelling gear can be hired at Horseshoe Bay for about AUD $20.
See the DIY plan →
Ready-made port days
10 plansTownsville on Foot, for Free
A free museum, heritage gardens and the tropical Strand promenade — a whole day without opening your wallet
Castle Hill: The Goat Track to the Summit
Grind up a pink-granite monolith for a 360-degree view over the city, the bay and Magnetic Island
Magnetic Island: Forts Walk, Koalas & Beaches
A 20-minute ferry to a tropical island of wild koalas, WWII forts and quiet swimming bays
Outer Great Barrier Reef Snorkel & Underwater Art
A full-day boat to the outer reef plus the surreal Museum of Underwater Art — Townsville's big-ticket ocean day
Frequently asked questions
- Where does my cruise ship dock in Townsville?
- Your ship docks directly at the Townsville cruise terminal in Australia.
- Can I walk from the cruise port into Townsville?
- Yes. Townsville is walkable from the cruise port — many cruisers reach the city centre on foot.
- How do I get from the cruise port to Townsville centre?
- Typical options include Shuttle bus, Taxi, On foot, Local bus, Ferry, Ride-hail (Uber/Bolt). Durations and costs are listed in the transport section above.
- How much time do I need in Townsville?
- Plan for at least 3 hours ashore to see Townsville independently and return to the ship with a safe buffer.
- What currency is used in Townsville and are cards accepted?
- Townsville uses the Australian Dollar. Carry some cash for markets, taxis, and smaller vendors — cards aren't accepted everywhere.
- Is there Wi-Fi at the cruise port?
- Free Wi-Fi is available at the Townsville cruise terminal.
- When should I be back at the ship?
- Cruise lines usually require all passengers on board about 30 minutes before scheduled departure. Confirm the exact all-aboard time on your daily programme.
Have something to share about Townsville Cruise Port?
Share a photo, suggest a thing to do, drop a map link, or tell us what you did in port.
Add a contributionAdmin reviews every contribution before it goes live.