Townsville is a town of 164.955 inhabitants, on the coast of Northern Queensland, home to Australia's largest military base. The only reason I've been there twice is the airport, which closes at midnight and is quite far from the center, which can be reached in half an hour by bus (3,50 AUD) or ten minutes by car. taxi (20 AUD).
An elegant town with 165.000 inhabitants, a meeting point between the Coral Sea, the outback and the rainforest. Speaking with some locals, I discovered that it is better to avoid swimming in the sea because of the saltwater crocodiles.
Townsville's nightlife is defined by Lonely Planet as lively. The claim may be true on the weekend, when Flinders Street, with its pubs, restaurants and clubs, is filled with young Australians. The first time I arrived in town at 9pm and, without a reservation, I struggled to find an open hostel. Which ones have I tried?
All 'Adventurers Backpackers i only stayed for a few hours, as my bus left early in the morning. For 25 AUD I was able to sleep in a 6-bed dormitory, which I cannot define clean: it seemed that no one had opened the windows to air it for years, dirty clothes piled up here and there, provisions and dirty dishes of the two girls who lived there scattered between the floor and bedside tables. Fortunately, the shared bathrooms, dilapidated and certainly not of the latest generation, were large and clean.
On my return I managed to find a place at the Reef Lodge Backpackers, on Wickham Street, which is very convenient if you arrive in Townsville by coach, as it is very close to the Greyhound terminal. For a double room without bathroom we paid 30 AUD per person and it was worth them all! Fridge, kettle, free tea and instant coffee, television and fan, all very clean and tidy, as in the bathrooms. The reviews you can find online are very positive.
THEonly drawback it concerns the experience I had upon arrival: I tried to call before 21pm and no one answered me. When I got there I tried to contact the emergency number posted on the front door but, instead of talking to the hostel manager, the phone started ringing in the deserted reception. Therefore, remember to report your arrival a little in advance.
