Townsville Town Common Conservation Park Townsville

Photo credit: Briony Masters © Queensland Government

Be inspired: Grab your boots and adventure outdoors—7 short walks around Cairns and Townsville

‘These boots are made for walkin’ and that’s just what they’ll do…’ If you like the sound of rambling through ancient rainforests, wandering along palm-fringed beaches and clambering around tropical islands, not to mention, spotting awesome wildlife, read on! Photo credit: Maxime Coquard © Queensland Government

About Townsville Town Common

    Park features

    Known locally as the Town Common, the park is close to the bustling city centre of Townsville and is a great place to enjoy nature and fantastic coastal views.

    Visitors can hike across the Many Peaks Range, enjoy expansive island views while riding the Under the Radar or Smedley's trails or take the trail to the beautiful and secluded Shelly Beach.

    Deep-water lagoons, seasonal wetlands, coastal woodlands and sheltered beaches bordered by rocky headlands all feature in this park. Mangrove-lined tributaries of the Bohle River meander across the floodplains that fill each year during the wet summer months.

    Up to 280 bird species have been recorded in the area. Magpie geese, brolgas and many others gather here to feed and nest, particularly as the wetlands dry out and food sources become concentrated in the remaining lagoons.

    Looking after the park

    • Respect First Nation people’s culture. Wambuluna (Townsville Town Common) represents thousands of years of living culture of special significance to the Gurambilbarra Wulgurukaba people. This landscape is easily damaged and irreplaceable. We ask that you travel lightly through Country.
    • Respect Queensland heritage sites of significance. Cape Pallarenda Quarantine Station and the WWII fortifications are heritage sites reminiscent of Queensland’s recent past. We ask that you look, learn and enjoy. Please do not damage or deface the sites.
    • Do not enter the RAAF Radar Station that shares a boundary with the park.
    • Stay on marked trails and formed roads to prevent damage to native vegetation  and erosion.
    • Limit the spread of pests and soil pathogens. Ensure your shoes, bikes, clothes and all equipment is clean and free of seeds, soil and insects (including ants and their eggs) before you arrive.
    • Keep tracks in good condition and limit erosion by not riding during or immediately after wet weather.
    • Please take your rubbish with you. Rubbish facilities are not provided in the park.
    • Toilets are not provided. Bury human waste at least 15cm deep and at least 100m away from the trails, heritage sites and water.
    • Leave your pets at home. Domestic animals are not permitted in the park.
    • Keep wild animals wild. Please do not feed them.

    See the guidelines on caring for parks for more information about protecting our environment and heritage in parks.

    Park management

    Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service manages the Townsville Town Common Conservation Park to protect its natural values as an important wetland habitat for a large diversity of bird species and other animal and plant life.

    Tourism information links

    Townsville Visitor Information Centre
    www.townsvillenorthqueensland.com.au
    340 Flinders Street, Townsville QLD 4810
    Ph (07) 4721 3660 or 1800 801 902
    Email hello@townsvillenorthqueensland.com.au

    For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see Queensland Holidays.