Townsville Town Common Conservation Park

Located just a short distance from Townsville's downtown, the Townsville Town Common Conservation Park, better known as the Town Common, is an ideal destination for urban adventurers seeking to explore nature and soak up stunning coastal views.

The park boasts a variety of landscapes, including secluded beaches that are hugged by rocky headlands, coastal woodlands that border seasonal wetlands, and deep-water lagoons. During summer, the park transforms into a massive wetland, drawing in large flocks of waterbirds.

There is something for everyone to explore, from short easy trails to cross-country mountain bike rides. You can hike the Many Peaks Range, ride the Under the Radar or Smedley's trails to enjoy expansive island views, or take the path to the stunning and peaceful Shelly Beach. The park is home to a vast array of birds, making it a paradise for birdwatchers. From bird hides and observation points, you can spot comb-crested jacanas and plumed whistling ducks in the wetlands, double-barred finches and red-backed fairy-wrens in the grasslands. Keep your eyes peeled for magpie geese, brolgas, and many other species that gather here to feed and nest, especially as the wetlands dry out and food sources become concentrated in the remaining lagoons. Make sure you look to the skies, as brahminy kites and white-bellied sea-eagles often scan for prey.

The park is open year-round, but the best time to visit is between April to September when the weather is milder, and the park has more water. Be aware that hiking and cycling in the heat is quite challenging, and the wet season (October to March) can