What can I do in Townsville? Try the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) This is a FREE activity.

N.B. These Tours occur on Friday ONLY and start at 10am and finish at approximately 
12 Noon. Booking are essential. 24 Hrs prior. Entry is FREE.

The Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) is a leader in tropical marine science.

The Institute is consistently ranked among the top one per cent of specialist research institutions internationally and is known for its unique capacity to investigate topics from broad-scale ecology to microbiology.

AIMS is committed to the protection and sustainable use of Australia's marine resources. Its research programs support the management of tropical marine environments around the world, with a primary focus on the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, the pristine Ningaloo Marine Park in Western Australia and northwest Australia.

Our mission is to generate and transfer knowledge to support the protection and sustainable use of the marine environment through innovative, world-class scientific and technological research.

AIMS:

• Conducts strategic and applied research into marine life, from microbes to whole-of-ecosystems, and the processes that sustain them
• Monitors condition and trends in health of the marine environment
• Builds models and decision support tools to assist interpretation of the data collected
• Develops a broad spectrum of enabling technologies, from molecular sciences to ocean technologies.

AIMS' research is targeted towards priorities of Commonwealth and State Governments and industry

 RV Cape Furguson

RV Solander

Location
AIMS' headquarters, about 50km from Townsville's CBD, is an international landmark in tropical marine science.
Sitting adjacent to the center of the Great Barrier Reef and surrounded by a 207 hectare national park and marine reserve, it is free from development, is bio-secure and has access to clean seawater and a protected harbour.

Where is AIMS?
Leaving Townsville on the south-bound Bruce Highway, you will find the turn-off to AIMS is signposted on the left, approximately 37 km from Townsville city center. After turning left onto the AIMS access road, follow the road for a further 16 km and you will arrive at the Institute. There is no public transport to the Institute.

Public Tours ( must be booked 24 Hrs prior)
Our public tours run on Friday mornings from March to November. The tour begins at 10:00am and ends at approximately 12 noon. It includes presentations on AIMS research and a guided walk around our research facilities.

It is a requirement that you wear sturdy footwear and bring a hat to protect against the sun. 
Bookings are essential and will close at 4:00pm the day before the tour (Thursday). Please advise us of any mobility issues when booking. 
Special tours on other weekdays can be prearranged for groups - contact us for details.
Refreshments are available for purchase on-site (during opening hours). Groups must book in advance.
More information and bookings:
E-mail reception@aims.gov.au 
Phone: +61 (07) 4753 4444 during business hours (8:00am – 4.40pm, Monday to Friday).

For more information or if your after accommodation ask at the reception at Reef Lodge Backpackers Townsville, Queensland Australia. Or, contact us through our website www.reeflodge.com.au or Phone 07 47 211 112  

Some people "Love LEGO. :-D and Some people love "Crack Cocaine" :-( "What can I do in Townsville" "What should I see in Townsville" "Where should I go in townsville" sadly this answer goes a bit like this!

Sadly it's not that easy to answer, as there are many ideas that I have come up with, but not everyone though that the "LEGO" display at the "Perce Tucker Art Gallery" was such a great idea. Through the years I have come up with hundreds of ideas, but, it always comes back to the individual.

Some people "Love LEGO. :-D
Some don't.:-(

Reality is, (and please read all of this) It's a hard question to answer, its not because I don't want to answer the question or I am sick of being asked the same question hundreds, if not thousands times a year. It is simply just a very personnel experience.

I love "aquariums :-D"
other people don't. :-(

So, try looking through the rest of my blogs and see if you can find an activity that tickles your fancy. As I have come up with the idea to put up a whole lot of ideas about what to do while you visit Townsville city.

However I did find the above Lego article above on the internet which may fix the dilemma and make all parties happy. Love Lego, love crack Cocaine.

And don't get me wrong, if i read that right, they were trying to smuggle toys inside drugs. God only knows how you inject, snort or smoke Lego! :-)

Who would have thought!!!

P.S. If you have any great ideas' about Townsville and what to do please let me know by e-mailing enquiries@reeflodge.com.au

For more information or if your after accommodation ask at the reception at Reef Lodge Backpackers Townsville, Queensland Australia. Or, contact us through our website www.reeflodge.com.au or Phone 07 47 211 112  

What can I do in townsville? Try this cheap idea, which will only be the cost of a donation. Try the Army Museum of North Queensland.

"Jezzine Barracks" on "Kissing Point"

The Army Museum of North Queensland

Situated at the the old "Jezzine Barracks" on "Kissing Point" The Army Museum of North Queensland collects and exhibits memorabilia associated with North Queensland, including a geographic area between Rockhampton in the south, Torres Strait in the north and to the Northern Territory border in the west . exhibits cover past and current military units and personnel from these regions.

Opening hours are:-

Wednesday - 9:00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.

Friday - 9:00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.

Sunday - 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Entry by Donation

Gallery One:- focused on the Pre Federation and Boer War highlighting the history of the Australian Army within North Queensland from the late 1800's till the end of the Boer War.

 WW1 Light Horsemen. WW1

During the 1st World War minners where enlisted from areas like charters Towers to dig tunnels under enemy line. The move "beneath Hill60"

Interesting story" To tell tell "Furphy" was an expression from WW1 when the troops would gather around the Furphy water tanks and have a chat. It was during this time stories would be made up and told to keep each other amused. All lies! Hence 

Australian Slang: To tell a "Furphy" is to tell a lie!

Gallery Two:- focused on World War I and II to showcase the Australian Army during these two conflicts. This gallery is also currently under construction and will officially open to the public in 2012. However, you can still see the impressive Townsville Honor Boards for both World War I and II in this gallery.

 WWII Display guns, bayonets, helmets.

 WWII Display Samurai swords, surrender papers.

Gallery Three:- focused on more recent and contemporary conflicts like Vietnam, Korea, East Timor, lraq and Afghanistan.

 Bunker display from the Korean war.

For more information or if your after accommodation ask at the reception at Reef Lodge Backpackers Townsville, Queensland Australia. Or, contact us through our website www.reeflodge.com.au or Phone 07 47 211 112   

Or check out their website: http://armymuseumnorthqueensland.webs.com/

What to do in Townsville! Well here is a cheap Option for a beatifull sunrise breakfast on our Beautuful beach front "The Strand" All you Backpackers on a budget should love this!

While your staying at Reef Lodge backpackers in Townsville a very cheap breakfast option is an early morning breakfast BBQ to watch the sunrise over the glorious Coral sea and "Magnetic Island." With sunrise at any time between the hours of 5-30 to 6-30 pending on the time of the year, it makes for a wonderful time of the day no matter what day of the year.

On "The Strand" there are many FREE public BBQ's or cooking plates. These are electric and just require you to push a button to start the heating element. (Just one thing, keep an eye on them as the heater turns off after about 10minutes and you just need to push  it again.)

This is one of the many BBQ's available all along "The Stand" Not sure how many there are but at a guess it would have to be at least 25.

Here is my idea of a great breakfast and all you will need for your BBQ for 2 people. First of all you don't want to be doing a lot of clean up, so as an idea, I would try to get paper plates and / or paper towel before you leave and all carried in a couple of plastic bags. You can then use the extra plastic bag to have some where to sit your food without putting it on the bench and then bin it later.

2 Eggs
2 Bread Rolls cut and buttered.
2 strips of bacon or steak.
1 Medium tomato / sliced in 2.
2 Drinks, maybe a coffees or 2 or a tea! In travel / paper cup.

Bonus extras would be:
4 Mushrooms sliced.
1 small Onion sliced.

You will need 1 BBQ spatula or egg flip.

With about 4 teaspoons of butter on your bread roll.. Toast this buttered side down on the BBQ plate to help stop the eggs from sticking to the plate! And toast your bread. This is why you put the butter on the roll before you left!

Also, you may want a bit of butter to help cook your mushrooms and onions. Start cooking these first.You could use a bit of the butter you put on your bread rolls before you left!

If you want to go a bit up market you can do the whole 10 yards and take plates as well knives and forks. I would tend to use the paper towels and make myself a breakfast burger on a couple of paper towels which I can then through in the bin next to the BBQ. This will leave only an egg flip / spatula to clean which you can wash with the tap next to BBQ.

At the end of all this all you end up with is a spatula or egg flip to take home and the rest is in the bin or in your belly. :-D

P.S. There are more  ideas of what to do in Townsville on the Reef Lodge Backpackers other blogs as well as our face book.

For more information or if your after accommodation ask at the reception at Reef Lodge Backpackers Townsville, Queensland Australia. Or, contact us through our website www.reeflodge.com.au or Phone 07 47 211 112  

What can I do in Townsville. try a day trip to visit the Venus Gold Battery in the township of Charters Towers.

The Venus Gold Battery is located on the outskirts of Charters Towers, which is about 1 1/2 hour car ride west of Townsville.

This fascinating gem from our colorful gold mining heritage offers an insight into an amazing real-life gold rush of the late 19th century. The battery is a part of the National Trust and is of cultural significance as the largest surviving ore crushing battery of its type in Australia and the oldest surviving battery in Queensland.

Originally constructed in 1872, it was a public / custom mill at the height of the gold rush later to  became a State Battery in 1919 to allow ore crushing facilities for the smaller miner operations in the area and continued operating long after other mills had closed. By 1973 it ceased commercial operations after a century of service. 

Today tours are available daily at the battery and cost. 

  Adults          $15-00

  Child            $  7-50  Aged 4-14

  Concession  $12-50

  Family         $32-00

One of the fascinating highlights is a film presentation that details not only the process of extracting gold from ore,  the story of the Venus Gold Battery's working life and as well a few stories of it's non-living residents.

Below is a replica of the poppethead at Columbia mine in Charters Towers. The headframe is built over the real shaft extending to some 1768 feet in depth. It was from mine shafts such as this that much of the ore to be crushed came from. 

Loss of silver refereed to the "Quick Silver" they used to help extract gold from the ore. Ore containing gold was washed with quick silver which dissolved the gold. The Quick silver was evaporated leaving behind the gold.

Once the Gold was extracted from the ore the gold was melted in "crucible" (pottery jars situated in the bench.) and heated in the holes in the furnace bench top. these were removed using the "tongs" also on the bench and the liquid gold (NOT THE BEER XXXX) was poured into molds to make ingots.

For a great short article "The Venus Battery is a golden Oldie" by ABC Winsome Denyer on the venus Battery in Charters Towers try this link:

http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2008/10/14/2389658.htm

 There are more  ideas of what to do in Townsville on the Reef Lodge Backpackers other blogs as well as our face book.

For more information or if your after accommodation ask at the reception at Reef Lodge Backpackers Townsville, Queensland Australia. Or, contact us through our website www.reeflodge.com.au or Phone 07 47 211 112  

ocated on the outskirts of the city, the Venus Battery offers an insight into the city's incredible real-life gold rush of the late 19th century. The battery is of national cultural significance as the largest surviving battery relic in Australia and oldest surviving battery in Queensland.

Constructed in 1872, it was a public or custom mill in its heyday and became a State Battery in 1919 to provide ore crushing facilities for small miners long after other mills had closed. It ceased commercial operations in 1973 after a century of service.

- See more at: http://www.charterstowers.qld.gov.au/visitors/ghosts_of_gold.shtml#sthash.qIQWsq8c.dpuf

The Venus Battery

Located on the outskirts of the city, the Venus Battery offers an insight into the city's incredible real-life gold rush of the late 19th century. The battery is of national cultural significance as the largest surviving battery relic in Australia and oldest surviving battery in Queensland.

Constructed in 1872, it was a public or custom mill in its heyday and became a State Battery in 1919 to provide ore crushing facilities for small miners long after other mills had closed. It ceased commercial operations in 1973 after a century of service.

Guided tours are available daily at the battery, with one of the highlights being a holographic film presentation that shows the process of extracting gold from ore and the story of the battery's working life.  Come and meet the ghost of Mr E.H.T Plant, who built the battery.  He has some interesting tales to tell of some of the ghosts you may just meet at the other sites around town.

- See more at: http://www.charterstowers.qld.gov.au/visitors/ghosts_of_gold.shtml#sthash.qIQWsq8c.dpuf

The Venus Battery

Located on the outskirts of the city, the Venus Battery offers an insight into the city's incredible real-life gold rush of the late 19th century. The battery is of national cultural significance as the largest surviving battery relic in Australia and oldest surviving battery in Queensland.

Constructed in 1872, it was a public or custom mill in its heyday and became a State Battery in 1919 to provide ore crushing facilities for small miners long after other mills had closed. It ceased commercial operations in 1973 after a century of service.

Guided tours are available daily at the battery, with one of the highlights being a holographic film presentation that shows the process of extracting gold from ore and the story of the battery's working life.  Come and meet the ghost of Mr E.H.T Plant, who built the battery.  He has some interesting tales to tell of some of the ghosts you may just meet at the other sites around town.

- See more at: http://www.charterstowers.qld.gov.au/visitors/ghosts_of_gold.shtml#sthash.qIQWsq8c.dpuf

Located on the outskirts of the city, the Venus Battery offers an insight into the city's incredible real-life gold rush of the late 19th century. The battery is of national cultural significance as the largest surviving battery relic in Australia and oldest surviving battery in Queensland.

Constructed in 1872, it was a public or custom mill in its heyday and became a State Battery in 1919 to provide ore crushing facilities for small miners long after other mills had closed. It ceased commercial operations in 1973 after a century of service.

Guided tours are available daily at the battery, with one of the highlights being a holographic film presentation that shows the process of extracting gold from ore and the story of the battery's working life.  Come and meet the ghost of Mr E.H.T Plant, who built the battery.  He has some interesting tales to tell of some of the ghosts you may just meet at the other sites around town.

- See more at: http://www.charterstowers.qld.gov.au/visitors/ghosts_of_gold.shtml#sthash.qIQWsq8c.dpuf

Crikey Trikey Tours. This is GREAT FUN! And the best way to see townsville city sites. Currently doing an $80-00 special rate,

Crikey Trikey Joy Rides 
I love motor bikes, have a classic 87 custom Softail and love ridding around the city day and night. Sadly when you have to ride you don't get to take in the sights without interruption of some crazy @#$% trying to kill you. SO! When I was offered a ride on the back of Steve's Crikey Trike it was awesome. All the fun of being in the fresh, open air, of which you can only experience on a motor bike, with out the problem of that  @#$% trying to run you over.

thanks Steve.

You can get Steve to pick you up from the front of Reef Lodge Backpacker here in Townsville and he will drop you off at the finish of the ride. Steve has special for you just tell him your staying at the Reef lodge for the $80-00 special rate.





http://www.crikeytrikeyjoyrides.com.au/joyrides.html

 City Trike Cruise

We will pick you up from your accommodation in the (City Area), approximately about 1hr 30 mins

Price is $150. The Trike takes 2 passengers price is the same for 1 or 2 persons

 

 cruise through the City Center, up Castle Hill and enjoy the views from the lookout,

out to Cape Pallarenda and along The Strand, then back to your accommodation

City Lights Night Cruise

Experience Townsville's Night views via a relaxing Trike cruise through the city. We will pick you up from your accommodation in the (City Area), cruise through the City Centre, up Castle Hill, along The Strand and back to your accommodation.

Night time views from the top of "Castle hill" take in the 360' view of Townsvilles night lights!

Night life strip is "Flinders St" and is where many the great bar and clubs are.

Townsville and the iconic "Castle Hill" at twilight is one thing you must drive up to have at Townsville and the magnicent veiw over the "Coral sea" and "Magnetic Island."

The Strand at night is beautiful and once a month we have the "Night Markets."

 Please allow around 1 hour 30 mins. Joy rides from 7pm to 11pm. Not available Sunday nights.

Price is $150. The Trike takes 2 passengers so find a friend at it only cost 1/2 each.

Mount Stuart  Cruise

Take a ride on the wild side. Experience the freedom of riding in the open air. Be picked up from you accommodation, and enjoy the ride to Mount Stuart lookout and back. 

 

This photo does not do justice to the view from this iconic mountain. Enjoy the thrill of 360 degrees views while sitting on the back of the trike.

Steve looking very cool on his very red trike!

 Looking over the "Coral Sea" and the beautiful "Magnetic Island"

 You may very well get to see one or many of these "Fowl" creatures. The whole place is awash with "Peacocks"

You will be able to see this tower from the city center ask Steve to point it out for you before you go up Mt. Stuart. Also it is much cooler up the mountain so if you are heading up there in the late afternoon or winter take a coat.

Price is $140. The Trike takes 2 passengers price is the same for 1 or 2 persons

All Trike rides must be paid for prior to departure. 

Heritage Tea Rooms Cruise

Pick up from your accommodation, cruise on up to Herveys Range stop and enjoy morning tea (not included) and return to your accommodation.

Allow a minimum of 2 hours

 

We are open 9am - 4pm every day of the year excluding Christmas Day. 

 

 Relax in the cool relaxing gardens surrounding North Queensland's oldest heritage listed building Built in 1865, and was the former Eureka Hotel and now known as "The  Heritage Tea Rooms", they offer all day breakfast, delicious scones, cakes and lunches.

You can sit inside or outside in the gardens.

While your there you can try their "High Tea" or maybe the "Cat Poo" coffee.

Price is $220. The Trike takes 2 passengers price is the same for 1 or 2 persons.

This price includes pick ups in the Townsville CBD area, suburbs closer will be less. 

Billabong Sanctuary Express

Turn your day at Billabong Sanctuary into a day you'll never forget. Crikey Trikey Joy Rides will pick you up from your accommodation, cruise on out to Billabong Sanctuary.

"Billabong Sanctuary" is one of those unique experiences everyone who is coming to Townsville should  visit. With the many iconic Australian animals which you will get to touch or even hold.

Feeding one of the many "Wallabies or Kangaroos.

Remember that cute "Koala" you always wanted to hold. well here he is!

Feed the turtles in the Billabong.

And pat a not so cuddly little guy like this Echidna.

Prices start from $70 one way for 1 or 2 passengers or $130 return, from Townsville CBD area.

 *Does not include entry fees into "Billabong Sanctuary"

There are more  ideas of what to do in Townsville on the Reef Lodge Backpackers other blogs as well as our face book.

 For more information or if your after accommodation ask at the reception at Reef Lodge Backpackers Townsville, Queensland Australia. Or, contact us through our website www.reeflodge.com.au or Phone 07 47 211 112