Townsville Queenspark - North QLD

Castle Hill is a heritage-listed isolated pink granite monolith standing in the heart of the north Queensland city of Townsville.

It rises to a height of some 286 metres (938 ft) above sea level and dominates the city skyline. It is one of the most distinctive natural features on the Queensland coast. There are a number of vantage points from which to view the city below and also across Cleveland Bay to nearby Magnetic Island.

The bitumen "Castle Hill Road" winds for 2.6 kilometres from the northeast slopes to the summit of the second peak, on which the Hynes Lookout platform has been erected.

I headed out with flip flops on and ended up on one of the walking tracks to the top, with nearly 2,000 steps!

I did get some funny looks from all the fitness freaks in their lycra and trainers!

There are several buildings and installations on the hill. On the southern face was a two-storeyed octagonal building of concrete block work, which formerly housed the Panorama Restaurant, which has now been demolished.
A carpark associated with the former restaurant is located nearby to the north. Other structures on the site include several water reservoirs and three radio communication installations. On the northern-most peak of the summit is a 1942 observation post, a low, square, concrete bunker with observation apertures.

Although it wasn't the best day for it, it would be a great vantage point to watch the sunset over the hills

Heading home, I heard some great jazz music, and treated myself to a G&P (gin & pineapple juice) whilst watching the live band perform in an underground bar

Queenspark

The next day, I did some of the historical walks through town and came across a 'botanic Heritage Experience'.

Initiated in 1870 and covering four hectares, Queens Gardens is the oldest and smallest botanic garden in Townville.

It is a fine example of a tropical colonial garden of that era.

Originally established as a trial garden for European settlement, plantings included timber and fruit trees and collections of Dracaena, Codiaeum and Cordyline.

Today the collection is based on desirable and unusual tropical plants along with the most spectacular flowering and foliage specimens.

Palms, flowering trees and Heliconias are particularly impressive. The cacti garden

and a great collection of birds, such as Sulphur Crested Cockatoos

Cockerels

Long Billed Corellas

Lorikeets

Parrots

Peacocks

even a Turkey

Wild Curlews

who have the most haunting call at night time