Handy Places to Visit in Townsville, Australia

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I thought I would mention several handy services for folks planning on staying in Townsvile since I just spent several weeks there.

The Internet Den
Cheap but fast machines and big screens. Also have a real live person to help and provide local knowledge. 265 Flinders St Central. Walking from the Yacht Club/Marina, go over the vehicle bridge and turn left into Flinders St or if you go over the footbridge, turn right into Flinders St. WARNING: there are other internet places in Flinders St which advertise "From $2 per hr" but I found it was if you purchased about 50 hrs worth. The computers were so slow and glitchy that most of the time I was waiting for it to sort itself out. No wonder they only have a machine there you pay, it doesn't respond to irate customers.


Townsville Hardware
Walking from the Yacht Club/Marina, go over the walkbridge and turn left down Ogden St, 126. It is tucked back a bit on the left hand side and the street does not look inviting, not really a shopping street. However, the hardware store, Mitre 10, has extremely good service and from requests from boaties over the years, they have built up their stock of boat items. Their range of stainless steel parts is great. It is only maybe 5 minutes walk from the marina if you do as the locals do and not wait for the walk signs to cross the roads. I was going in there asking for the odd nuts and bolts and they would happily try and find something to suit, usually only ending up costing me a dollar or so. If on foot, a lot easier to get to than Bias Boating or BCF.

Woolworths for groceries and ice
Going over the footbridge, simply keep heading up the street away from the river for a block. 4 kg bags of ice were $2.65. I would put two in my duffel bag wrapped in a towel and from the checkout it only took me 15 or maybe 20 minutes to be back on board and unloading the ice into the esky.