With the Easter holidays just around the corner, here is the complete list of ‘How to do Easter in Townsville North Queensland’ covering everything from local spots for chocolate sustenance, to cute Bilby encounters.

Positioned within 90-minutes’ drive of all of Australia’s most iconic landscapes of the rainforest, reef and Outback, Townsville North Queensland is the gateway to some of the most unique and unexpected experiences available, and it’s just waiting to be explored. So, what are you waiting for?

Easter breakfast

Trust us, we know Easter is probably the only day of the year it is socially acceptable to eat chocolate for breakfast, but if you are looking for something more to make you really ‘hop’ out of bed, then you’re in luck because we’re blessed with a number of stunning restaurants and cafes that you should get egg-cited about! If you’re after a brekky with a view – check out The Strand with a number of cafes that will WOW you! For some of the best breakfast options - check out this list from the Australian Traveller!

Chocolate

An Easter holiday is not complete without your fair dose of the sweet stuff – chocolate! The kids might have raced around on their morning egg hunt, but for the adults in the room, there are plenty of places to get your cocoa-hit (with a side of caffeine, if you are that way inclined). A safe bet for anything sweet is Otto’s (at any, or all, of their locations). One of Townsville’s favourite foodie destinations – the pastry cabinet alone will be enough to whet any sweet appetite, and rest assured, the berliner special will be a must-have chocolate-infused creation!

On the road for Easter – no worries! A quick trip North to Little Italy – Ingham – and a visit to JKs Deli will have you covered. Offering quintessential Mediterranean fare (salami, pasta), the family-owned business will also welcome you with traditional sweets, including a pastel parade of macarons, pistachio nougat, and Easter-inspired shortbread treats.

Bilby

While we love the Easter bunny in all his fuzzy-tailed, chocolate-couriering cuteness, we cannot forget our own Aussie alternative – the Easter Bilby. This endangered native Australian marsupial has a long connection to the Easter tradition, dating back to a 9-yo girls’ imaginings in 1968. And while kids would argue they have never met an Easter bunny they did not like (because they are typically the foiled encased chocolate variety), we think the Bilby deserves a bit of love! Make tracks to our own Billabong Sanctuary to get up close to a real-life Easter treasure at the Bilby exhibit. 

Seafood

Our location in Townsville North Queensland means we have access to some of the best and freshest seafood on the market. If you’re the type that prefers to catch your own dinner, then head out on a reef fishing charter for the best from the Great Barrier Reef or drop in a line from one of the region’s many jetties including Picnic Bay Jetty, Lucinda Jetty, The Strand. No boat? No problem – onshore fishing, be that salty or fresh, also offers enticing opportunities. Try the banks of the Burdekin River from Charters Towers or the Burdekin, or any of the coastal oases from Ingham to Ayr.  If you'd prefer someone else land the catch - Wild Local has the goods with some of the freshest - and biggest - prawns swimming the salty seas.

Kid-friendly

We get it – keeping the kids busy while on school holidays is often the biggest challenge of being a parent. Rest easy though - we’ve got you covered with some of the best activities and school holiday programs to keep the kids entertained! Let active minds explore on nature’s paradise on Magnetic Island – check out Alma Bay, encounter rock wallabies at Geoffrey Bay, or take a guided local tour with Aquascene Charters to learn the wonders of the underwater world – and the best bit, it’s only a 20-minute Sealink Queensland ferry from Townsville; or take your car with Magnetic Island Ferries for freedom to explore!

If you're after programmed activities - check out the latest school holiday guide for classes, activities and events. 

Camping & the great outdoors

A long-weekend is usually code for “camp trip”, and there really is no excuse not to play in the great outdoors when visiting this part of the world. If you’re a fan of camping, then take your pick from a basket-full of pristine natural hideouts, but ‘hop to it’ because camp sites do book quickly!

The lush forests and swim holes in the Hinchinbrook are perfect for a refreshing stay – Broadwater State Forest, Wallaman Falls camping area, Jourama Falls camping area, Orpheus Island and Hinchinbrook Island.

Charters Towers has some of the best bush camping you can find – check out Fletcher Creek, a great site with all the amentities.  Or the mighty Burdekin River is Big Bend to the north, with great 4WD tracks, fishing and plenty of room to play.

Burdekin offers the best of both worlds – bush escapes, and coastal breezes. The local pick would be Wunjunga, complete with it’s very own Funny Dunny!

Townsville and surrounds include rainforest stays in the Paluma Range National Park, and beachfront sites at a number of caravan parks including Rollingstone, Saunders Beach and Rowes Bay. 

For more information or to book your next holiday package in Townsville North Queensland, visit https://www.townsvillenorthqueensland.com.au/