Before you pen in the dates for next trip to Townsville, read this guide.
Struggling to get your head around the top time of year to visit Townsville? Here’s a handy guide to the weather and the peak times for everything from diving to sightseeing.
Best time to visit Townsville
May to October.
Why?
Townsville experiences 320 days of sunshine a year. But between November and April temperatures start to spike up to the 27°C mark and humidity soars.
In May, the mercury settles down to daytime averages of around 23°C. Between June and August daily lows of 16°C can occur, which makes for great sightseeing weather.
Visit at this time of year and you'll also dodge Townsville’s cyclone season, which is at its peak in April.
Overview
Townsville's climate is tropical, but due to its position it doesn’t experience quite as much rainfall as other tropical regions.
Winter runs from June to August when daily highs reach between 20 and 23°C and lows sink to 16°C.
In summer – September to May – temperatures are higher, with the hottest months clocking up tops in the high 20s and early 30s.
The humidity leads to thunderstorms in October and November, and cyclone season takes place from November to April. Severe cyclones are rare, however.
Weather and prices
Best time to visit Townsville, weatherwise: May to October
Cheapest time to visit Townsville: January to March
Best time to visit Townsville for...
- Sightseeing: With the exception of the Reef HQ museum, most of Townsville’s attractions are outside, so it’s best to visit when it’s dry and not too hot. The months of May to October fit these criteria.
- Scuba diving: It’s possible to scuba dive on the Great Barrier Reef year round. However, the best visibility is to be had between August and December. If you want a better chance of seeing manta rays and hammerheads, head to the reef between April and September. For minke whales, make it June or July.
- Snorkelling: The sea temperature off the Townsville coast is warm all year round so there’s not really any bad time to go snorkelling when you are here. If you feel the chill easily, visit in May or October when temperatures are around 25°C.
- Beach: If your reason for visiting Townsville is to bake on the beach then head here between December and February, You’ll have to share the sand with other holiday-makers on their Christmas breaks, but you’ll bask in 31°C heat.
Latest Townsville travel deals
RedBalloon
Up to 20% off winter activities and experiences
Valid for use on select dates until August 2019. Destinations include New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia and more. T&Cs apply.
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RedBalloon
Up to 50% off Queensland experiences
Valid for travel on select dates in 2019. Destinations include Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Whitsundays and more. Activities include jet boating, hot air ballooning, rally car drive and more. T&Cs apply.
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Hotels.com
Up to 60% off Queensland hotels
Valid for travel on select dates until December 2019. Destination includes Surfers Paradise and more. T&Cs apply.
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MyQueensland
Queensland: 5-night stay with flights from $940 + kids stay free
Valid for travel on select dates from June - October 2019. Includes accommodation at Whitsunday Apartments in Queensland, return flights to Hamilton Island, return airport transfers, views over Catseye Beach and more. T&Cs apply.
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MyQueensland
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Valid for travel on select dates from June - December 2019. Destinations include Cairns, Hamilton Island and more. Includes return private car transfers, kid eat and stay free and more. Sample fare is for a 5-night Sofitel Gold Coast stay. T&Cs apply.
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MyQueensland
Up to $2,250 free in extras Queensland packages with flights
Valid for travel until December 2019 including Christmas season. Includes accommodation, return flights, daily buffet breakfast, kids stay and eat breakfast for free and more. T&Cs apply.
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Hamilton Island
Hamilton Island stays from just $150 per person, per night
Valid for local Queensland residence living as far north as Port Douglas and as far south as Gladstone. Price includes transfers from Airlie Beach, Wi-Fi access, shuttle service and use of some water and sports equipment.
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Popular Travel coupon codes
| Last checked | Code description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| 24 Jun 2019 | Extra 15% off with code | FIN**** |
| 19 Jun 2019 | Extra $10 off with code | FIN**** |
| 19 Jun 2019 | Summer sale: $130 off train tickets with code | 1SU**** |
| 19 Jun 2019 | Extra 10% off whale watching with code | FIN**** |
| 13 Jun 2019 | Up to 50% off hotels + extra 10% off with code | FIN**** |
