TOWNSVILLE Townsville is the largest coastal city of the big four on the Qld coast and with that mantle comes an element of confidence and brashness. Townsville is the Sydney of Queensland. Townsville is one of those larger centres that seems to have got their growth strategies right. Heritage protection, lifestyle and services are all on display. Townsville hosts a significant number of governmental, community and major business administrative offices for the northern half of the state. Captain Cook visited the Townsville region on his first voyage to Australia in 1770, but did not actually land there. Cook named nearby Cape Cleveland, During World War II, the city was host to over 50,000 American and Australian troops and air crew, and it became a major staging point for battles in the South West Pacific. Townsville more than most cities gives significant prominence to their War Memorial effort. Given Townsville are an old development and the influence of the war years with the hotel industry were and to this day quite profound. Townsville boasts quite a number of heritage ‘establishments’. The Townsville Cathedrals are approaching their century; the other churches are modern. There are a number of Museums dotted around Townsville. The foreshore and Castle Hill are forefront visit points for the tourist and active local. Allow a week to do justice with this great city. ENJOY