North Queensland’s first Aldi opens in Townsville

Aldi’s grand opening in Townsville was not for the faint of heart, with one dedicated man who arrived at 3.30am for a vacuum cleaner.

Aldi opening at Willows. Aivan Bayaua and Isobel Collins. Picture: Evan Morgan

Aldi’s grand opening in Townsville was not for the faint of heart, with one dedicated man lining up for five hours for a vacuum cleaner.

A crowded queue of hundreds, stretching from the new store’s front door back a hundred metres through the closest entrance at Willows Shopping Centre waited with bated breath, trolley tokens in hand, in order to be the first to pick through the shelves of Townsville’s newest store.

The store is the first carrying the Aldi brand to serve customers in North Queensland, but likely won’t be the last, with long-held plans to open a second store now on the horizon.

Before this store opened, the closest was in Rockhampton, with another in the works in Mackay.

Devoted Aldi shopper Simon Hunt camped outside the store for five hours in order to be first through the doors when it opened.

Having recently moved from Kangaroo Valley, New South Wales, to Kelso, Mr Hunt didn’t want to miss out.

Aldi opening at Willows. First in line Simon Hunt with his purchases. Picture: Evan Morgan

“It’s good, different. I’m very happy to be here, I’m feeling fantastic. I’m here for a couple of the special buys this morning, I’m here for the vacuum cleaner,” Mr Hunt said.
“It’s very good pricing, I’ve been searching for three weeks for a vacuum cleaner and $49, you can’t beat that.
“I bought a log-splitter down in Kangaroo Valley and it served me well for five years. I just love Aldi, every time I’m looking for something, they come through with special buys.”

Aldi opening at Willows. Taran and Vanessa Watson with Casey, 7 months, wait in line. Picture: Evan Morgan

Aldi opening at Willows. Picture: Evan Morgan

Aldi opening at Willows. Shaun Schostakowshi and Andrew Harrison from Tip Top. Picture: Evan Morgan

Aldi opening at Willows. Maureen White, Hay Richter and Fay Durisin wait in line. Picture: Evan Morgan

Aldi opening at Willows. Ashka Thorn waits in line. Picture: Evan Morgan

Mr Hunt trekked from his home and arrived at the Willows at 3.30am, waiting in line for five hours in order to get his hands on the new vacuum.

Young family Taran and Vanessa Watson brought along baby Casey as they queued behind the bulk of the line to get inside the store around 8am.

“We had the day off and we figured we might as well come down, we’ve been waiting for Aldi to come for ages,” Ms Watson said.

Aldi opening at Willows. Gordon Sheedy is set to grab a washing machine. Picture: Evan Morgan

“Taran’s from down south, Bundaberg, and his mum has one there and she loves it. We need a new television, and I saw there was a few in the previews. I’m from Canada, so there’s a lot of interesting North American foods, they always seem to have those.

“We’re from the Upper Ross, so this is our neighbourhood shopping centre.”

Electronics were in hot demand during the opening hours, with one shopper dragging up a hand trolley, ready and raring to go in order to replace his damaged washing machine.

A smoking ceremony and a welcome to country were performed by the Wulgurukaba Walkabouts dance troupe in the lead-up to the store’s opening.

The new store is located within the Willows Shopping Centre, between TJ MAXX and Planet Fitness.

Originally published as North Queensland’s first Aldi opens in Townsville