Townsville population: How many people live in North Queensland’s largest city?

The Townsville population is 183,332. This population makes Townsville North Queensland’s largest city, and bigger than Cairns.

Most people assume Cairns to the be the biggest city in northern Queensland, but it isn’t. Cairns is certainly sizable, and it is indisputably the main hub for tourism in the region. But Townsville is the business hub, and has a slightly higher population.

6 Townsville experiences to book in advance

Magnetic Island ferry tickets – head over to one of the most beautiful islands in Australia.
SS Yongala wreck dive – sea how coral and marine life have made the shipwreck home.
Great Barrier Reef and Museum of Underwater Art cruise – witness the extraordinary underwater art project up close.
Helicopter ride along the coast – get amazing views from above.
Sunset sailing cruise – watch the colours over the water, with alcoholic drinks included.
Jetski tour to Cape Pallarenda – whizz past beaches and giant boulders.

Townsville population estimate: Is Townsville or Cairns bigger?

The Townsville population is 183,332. That’s about 28,000 higher than the Cairns population. This Townsville population figure is according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, which releases regional population figures each year.

This figure for the population of Townsville is the estimated figure for 2020, in a dataset released in March 2021. It’s for the greater urban area, which is what most people would instinctively regard as the city. To all intents and purposes, the greater urban area is Townsville plus attached suburbs, such as Magnetic Island.

A Magnetic Island boat tour pulls in at a deserted beach. Photo by Melissa Findley.

Is Townsville the largest city in North Queensland

This makes North Queensland’s largest city one of the biggest cities in Australia. It makes the top 20, coming in 14^th, between Hobart and Cairns.

For visitors, Townsville tends to be a functional stop on the big drive north from Brisbane to Cairns. Those who have got the time to spend a few days around the city will usually head to Magnetic Island. But the city does have a few attractions in its own right – most notably Reef HQ, a magnificent aquarium that will whet your appetite for diving and snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef.

Townsville accommodation recommendations

The best bets for Townsville accommodation are…

For beachside location: Water’s Edge The Strand.
For a good value, well located motel: Yongala Lodge By The Strand.
For a sassy, chic resort: Rambutan Resort.
For families: Discovery Parks Townsville.
For business-friendly apartments: Quest Townsville on Eyre.

7 Magnetic Island experiences to book in advance

Sort out your return ferry ticket from Townsville.
Get the best of the coastline on a five hour boat tour with snorkelling and stand-up paddleboarding.
See the sky change – on a sunset and shipwrecks cruise.
See all the island highlights – on an afternoon island tour combining heritage, culture and nature.
Cram it all in on a five hour comprehensive island tour.
Take to the water on a lunchtime sailing cruise.
See subaquatic creativity – on a Museum of Underwater Art and Great Barrier Reef day trip.