Castle Hill, Townsville

Sweaty calves, huge views and a history lesson at the top

Townsville really knows how to put on a panorama. On our Queensland paint and sip tour we took the detour everyone tells you to take and climbed Castle Hill. It rises from the city like a giant pink-granite stage and rewards you with the sort of views that make your phone gallery beg for mercy.

The climb and the cardio

Castle Hill is all elevation and attitude. You can drive to the summit car park or join the fitness crowd on the walking tracks if your legs are in the mood. Expect steady gradients, lots of steps and a few sections that will have you negotiating with your hamstrings. Worth it. Every switchback opens up more Coral Sea and more city sparkle.

Views for days

From the top you get a 360 of Townsville, Cleveland Bay and Magnetic Island holding court offshore. Early morning you will catch soft light sliding across the water. Late afternoon goes gold then pastel, which is exactly when the city starts looking smug. On a clear day you will see the curve of The Strand and the patchwork of suburbs wrapping around the hill.

A surprising headstone at the summit

Up at the summit car park you will find a white stone marker linked to Captain Robert Towns, the man after whom Townsville was named. The monument has had a journey and now sits up here as a slice of local history with one of the best backdrops in Queensland. It is a neat stop between selfies to give the calves a breather and the brain a fact.

Why Castle Hill belongs on your list

• Iconic lookout with an easy summit drive or a serious workout on foot

• Big, clean sightlines to Magnetic Island, the city and the bay

• Plenty of spots to sit, rehydrate and appreciate your life choices

• Sunset is spectacular and sunrise is quiet if you like it calm

Practical bits

• The hill tops out at around 286 metres above sea level, so bring water and a hat

• Paths vary from paved steps to rocky sections, so proper shoes help

• It gets busy from late afternoon when the exercise crowd arrives

• Dogs are allowed on leads on some tracks, but check current signage before you start

Photo notes

Go wide from the railings to stack city, sea and island in one frame. A vertical crop works well looking south where the coastline curves away. Blue hour after sunset is gorgeous for long exposures if you are the tripod type.

Mini itinerary

• Hit the hill early for cooler temps and softer light

• Coffee reward back in town along The Strand

• Ocean pool dip if the sweat situation escalates

• Gelato at Juliette’s because you earned it

Castle Hill is Townsville’s shortcut to perspective. Do the climb, touch the headstone, take the photo, breathe the view. Then brag about it at dinner OR come to our Townsville Paint and Sip!