Townsville

Australia

Don’t call it a town: Queensland’s underrated tropical city

It’s one of Australia’s largest cities, in a beautiful location, but it remains in the shadow of its more high-profile neighbours.

by Craig Platt

The rooftop pool and bar look across to the Coral Sea and Magnetic Island.

Beach and island holidays

A billionaire has turned this Aussie city into a luxury playground

Computershare founder Chris Morris has transformed this once-industrial Queensland city into one of the most luxurious hangouts in the tropics.

by Craig Tansley

Captain Cook believed the island’s large boulders somehow had a magnetic effect.

Beach and island holidays

Captain Cook gave this island the wrong name, but somehow got it right

This Queensland island seems a likely candidate to revert to its original name, even if its current name does (unintentionally) seem fitting.

by Craig Platt

An artist’s impression of the Mondrian Gold Coast.

Brisbane

Queensland hotel boom as cool new properties prepare to open

The Sunshine State is set for a busy year of hotel openings with a handful in Brisbane alone, thanks in part to the $3.6 billion Queen’s Wharf development.

by Julietta Jameson

Magnetic Island is an easy day trip from Townsville.

Beach and island holidays

This underrated town offers the best of Queensland

Rooftop pools, bars and breweries, a fascinating underwater gallery and Magnetic Island a 20-minute ferry ride away – there’s plenty to see and do in Townsville.