Best Kissing Spots in Townsville

When the Christmas parties are over and Easter Bunny has prematurely offloaded his eggs, February 14th looms fast and our thoughts turn to romantic things to do in Townsville.

I’m prepared and willing to share…

 

Townsville’s Best Kissing Spots!
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Street Art in the laneway beside Janine’s Cake Art, Tavern St, Kirwan.

 

Kissing Point – The Strand

It’s true! Townsville has it’s own official kissing landmark. It used to be a military compound, housing guns, trucks and munitions, but in 2014 a 40 million dollar make-over turned Jezzine Barracks at Kissing Point, into a public park.

John Mathew in his book “Highways and Biways” suggests the name comes from the Kissing Point area on Sydney Harbour, and as there were only four European women (all married) in Townsville in 1864, I think we can discount the “courting couples” theory. Thanks to Trisha Fielding for helping me out with that one.

Did I mention that Kissing Point has extensive views to Magnetic Island and seductive mood lighting!

P.S. Use insect repellent before or at least have some to hand.

The Rock Pool at night – The Strand

This Summer we had visitors from London. The poor things were melting, so I suggested a visit to the Rock Pool, an ocean pool at the base of Kissing Point. As it was school holiday time, it was full of families and about as romantic as a back yard barbie. But romance, they say, is in the eye of the beholder and there, smack bang in the middle of the kids, were a couple of middle aged lovers. They were stayers – marathon kissers – in depth French Kissers. The Londoners are still reminiscing about Townsville’s rock pool kissers.

Pucker up – the trail has been blazed.

Rock Pool is closed on Wednesday for cleaning.

Water Park  – The Strand

The thing about planning romance is the ability to choose the location and time.  During the day this Water Park is full of kids screaming in anticipation of the big bucket dumping on them, but in the hour leading up to closing at 8 p.m. December through March, it is more like a deserted island.  This mushroom shower could well be the waterfall from Blue Lagoon.

Plan B. The moon-lit beach is only steps away.

ps Lifeguards on duty.

Leave the shower behind and follow the beach-side path near Tobruk Memorial Baths; cross the service road and follow the Marina’s bollard lighting. I’m a sucker for harbour lights and this marina commandeers the Casino, changing colour with the vigour of a Moulin Rouge star, as it’s backdrop. Romantic as all this sounds, we’ve yet to turn right through the Coral Sea memorial, toward my final “Strand” kissing spot.

Retro Fountain

As a little girl I thought the way this fountain changed colour was magical. I still do. The Queens Hotel on the left and Customs House opposite provide more kissing spot potential. Walking by this Retro fountain is one of my favourite romantic things to do in Townsville.

Kissing Spot – by the side of the Retro Fountain changing colour on the Strand.

Cinema in the Suburbs.

Warrina Cinema, in Currajong, is modern yet loaded with old-world romance. Ask which movie is showing in the small theatre room (5) with it’s chandeliers, red curtains and theatre boxes. They’re sticklers for rules here, so choose the back row, keep your feet off the chairs, and guys – you even have to dress properly – no singlets or sleeveless shirts.

Man up. Who said romance was meant to be easy!

Pssst.  The Candy Bar is reasonably priced so you can stock up on Choc. Tops, Mint Patties and Popcorn, before getting all cosy in the comfy seats.

Federation Foot Bridge – Ross River – Kirwan

This bridge forms a cross river link between the Weir School and Riverside Tavern in the suburb of Douglas.  The river views are pretty damn good whenever you choose to visit, but my favourite time is late afternoon when the sun is mellowing and a brilliant sunset is in the making. The large timber deck, cold drinks and river sunset views at the Tavern are inviting.  For romantically inclined walkers the bridge forms part of the Circle Walk at Riverway.

Human street lamp lighters don’t walk Federation Bridge every evening, like they do in the old town of Romantic Zagreb but the lamps do have a certain olde world aesthetic.

Suggestion: Feeding bread to the turtles provides a handy reason to linger mid-bridge.

Marty and I don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day with gifts as a rule.

Well, there was that one time that our kids (who were still in primary school at the time) still talk about, when Marty came home with 72  S e v e n t y – T w o Red Velvet Roses. I kid you not. The romance wasn’t diminished, well maybe only a little, by the reduced for quick sale stickers. He even got the checkout girl to throw in the bucket – for ease of transport you understand! Still it was a grand gesture and not one that is about to be repeated in our household.

Luckily for me kisses are free and available year-round. 🙂

DID YOU ENJOY MY EXPOSÉ OF TOWNSVILLE KISSING SPOTS?

WHERE WOULD YOU TAKE YOUR LOVE ON VALENTINE’S DAY?

Townsville is a city in Queensland Australia. Read our extensive post on fun things to do in Townsville here.

 

I am co-hosting Nancie’s Travel Photo Thursday with Ruth from Tanama Tales and  Rachel from Rachel’s Ruminations. Add your link to a travel inspired post below.