About Townsville Town Common

Park features

Known locally as the Town Common, the conservation park is close to the bustling city centre of Townsville and is a great place to enjoy nature and fantastic coastal views.

Visitors can hike across the Many Peaks Range, enjoy expansive island views while riding the Under the Radar or Smedley's trails or take the trail to the beautiful and secluded Shelly Beach.

Deep-water lagoons, seasonal wetlands, coastal woodlands and sheltered beaches bordered by rocky headlands all feature in this conservation park. Mangrove-lined tributaries of the Bohle River meander across the floodplains that fill each year during the wet summer months.

Up to 280 bird species have been recorded in the area. Magpie geese, brolgas and many other species gather here to feed and nest, particularly as the wetlands dry out and food sources become concentrated in the remaining lagoons.

Learn more about the natural, cultural and historical significance of Townsville Town Common.

Looking after the park

Everything in Townsville Town Common Conservation Park is protected including plants, animals, heritage sites and cultural artefacts. Please appreciate, respect and help care for the outstanding natural and cultural values by leaving things as you find them, and encouraging others to do the same by following these guidelines.

• Respect First Nation peoples culture. Wambuluna (Townsville Town Common) represents thousands of years of living culture of special significance to the Gurambilbarra Wulgurukaba people. This landscape is easily damaged and irreplaceable. We ask that you travel lightly through Country.
• Respect Queensland heritage sites of significance. Cape Pallarenda Quarantine Station and the WWII fortifications are listed on the Queensland heritage register as sites reminiscent of Queensland’s recent past. Please do not damage or deface the sites.
• Do not enter the RAAF Radar Station that shares a boundary with the conservation park.
• Stay on marked trails and formed roads. Do not short cut or form new trails as this will cause erosion and damage the environment.
• Keep trails in good condition and limit erosion by not riding during or immediately after wet weather.
• Stop the spread of weeds, insect pests and soil pathogens. New introductions can spread and displace resident species and alter the local ecology. Soil from your shoes, clothes, bicycles and vehicles can contain weed seeds, ants (and their eggs) and foreign plant pathogens. Before you arrive, check and clean your walking gear, bicycles and vehicle (especially the tyres). If available, use a washdown facility provided in town. Follow the come clean, go clean guidelines, and learn more about pest plants and animals and pathogens.
• Please take your rubbish with you. Rubbish facilities are not provided in the conservation park.
• Toilets are not provided. Bury all faecal matter and toilet paper at least 15cm deep and at least 100m away from the trails, heritage sites and the water. The closest toilets facilities are available at Freemasons Pallarenda Park.
• Leave your pets at home. Dogs and other domestic animals are not permitted. Please observe the before you visit guidelines for dogs and pets.
• Protect the wildlife. Please do not feed or leave food for animals, human food can harm wildlife and cause some to become aggressive.

See the guidelines on caring for parks for more information about protecting our environment and heritage in parks.

Park management

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service manages the Townsville Town Common Conservation Park to protect its natural values as an important wetland habitat for a large diversity of bird species and other animal and plant life.

Tourism information links

Townsville Visitor Information Centre
www.townsvillenorthqueensland.com.au
Bulletin Square, 340 Flinders Street, Townsville QLD 4810
Ph (07) 4721 3660
Email hello@townsvillenorthqueensland.com.au

For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see Queensland Holidays.