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Love Street Art in Townsville

Best Kissing Spots in Townsville

February 12, 2016 By Jan Robinson 23 Comments

This post may contain compensated links. We may earn a small percentage if you book through a compensated link, but it won’t cost you any more by doing so. You can read our full disclaimer here.


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.

Blue Love and Kisses for Valentines Day

I’m prepared and willing to share…

 

Townsville’s Best Kissing Spots!
[pinit]

Townsville Street Art in the laneway beside Noddies Coffee and Cake, Tavern St, Kirwan.

Love Street Art in Townsville

 

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.

Kissing Spot - Kissing Point Townsville

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.

Kissing Spot - Rock Pool Townsville

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.

Kissing Spot - Water Park Night Townsville

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.

The Retro Fountain on the Strand opposite the Queens Hotel and the Old Customs House is a grand kissing spot.

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!

Warrina Cinema Townsville is a modern complex with an old world romance

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.

In the tradition of Valentines Day I've chosen the best kissing spots in Townsville. This one is Federation Bridge over the Ross River in Kirwan.

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.

An InLinkz Link-up


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Filed Under: Street Art, Townsville

About Jan Robinson

Jan Robinson writes about travel on her Budget Travel Talk blog. A solo traveller in her teens, for the last 40 years Jan has travelled through Australia, Asia, Europe, Turkey and New Zealand with her husband. They specialise in road trips, caravanning and Independent travel without spending a fortune. Her favourite destination is Turkey and she is currently dreaming of Myanmar and Mexico.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. peregrinationgourmande

    February 12, 2016 at 5:23 pm

    Excellent!!! I’m going to Townsville on monday! xx cathy

    Reply
    • Jan

      February 12, 2016 at 8:04 pm

      Are you holidaying here Cathy? Make sure to go to Magnetic Island!

      Reply
  2. Ruth - Tanama Tales

    February 13, 2016 at 3:50 am

    I like your approach for Valentine’s Day! It would be great to take kissing photos in all these places. We are going to the Palm Springs area tomorrow. There is a Balloon Festival I want to check.

    Reply
    • Jan

      February 13, 2016 at 8:48 am

      I was afraid of asking strangers to kiss for the camera and both of our (grown) children don’t have partners at the moment, lol. But I agree that would have been perfect. Enjoy the balloons Ruth.

      Reply
  3. Kathy Marris

    February 13, 2016 at 11:03 am

    How romantic of you Jan! Valentine’s Day barely rates a mention in my household. You have done an excellent job of selecting some spots for romantic interludes around your city. Great job! If I was to choose a romantic spot on the Gold Coast it would be atop Burleigh Headland with a picnic hamper and a bottle of wine at sunset. Magical!

    Reply
    • Jan

      February 13, 2016 at 1:16 pm

      I concur Kathy. I love the Burleigh Headland and I also love that everyone goes there on a Sunday for the sunset with their picnics, take-aways, beers etc. A lovely atmosphere and the ocean being right there, the views along the coast and the surfers and the walk through the Burleigh Heads Park too. So Good!

      Reply
  4. Pinky Poinker

    February 14, 2016 at 9:21 am

    I live ten minutes walk from that foot bridge. Husband and I should take a little walk at dusk! We will take the insect repellent as suggested!

    Reply
    • Jan

      February 14, 2016 at 2:45 pm

      Should I be there with my camera to snap a “kissing” photo?

      Reply
  5. Marcia

    February 14, 2016 at 11:59 am

    How cute and romantic, especially reduced for quick-sale roses!
    It’s going to be brutally cold here tomorrow for VD so we’re planning to stay in and maybe watch movies.
    Happy Valentine’s Day, Jan!

    Reply
    • Jan

      February 14, 2016 at 2:45 pm

      Stayhing in when it’s so cold outside would be very romantic Marcia.

      Reply
  6. Turkey's For Life

    February 14, 2016 at 5:44 pm

    Ohhh, lots of great spots for kissing in Townsville for the Valentine’s Day romantic types. Good job the pool isn’t closed for cleaning today. 😉 As for us, we’re off out for a friend’s birthday this afternoon. She hates that it falls on Valentine’s Day because it gets overlooked so we’re making a fuss, today. 🙂
    Julia

    Reply
    • Jan

      February 15, 2016 at 11:30 am

      Oh you are good friends Julia, I’m sure she will appreciate the fuss. I have a friend who really loves her birthday celebrations (luckily hers doesn’t fall on a special day).

      Reply
  7. sue elliott

    February 15, 2016 at 10:10 am

    Nothing like a local’s perspective on the best necking spots. I took a group of seniors on holiday to Emerald once and lost a group of girls. Had to call the police and the young fella took me on a tour of all the favourite make-out spots in town…Yep we found ’em making out with some locals. City met country that night.

    Reply
    • Jan

      February 15, 2016 at 11:29 am

      That is hilarious. They weren’t really making out with some locals!?

      Reply
  8. Jan

    February 16, 2016 at 8:46 am

    Thanks Laura. Townsville is a local destination and Magnetic Island is only a twenty minute catamaran trip off shore. 🙂

    Reply
  9. Krista

    February 16, 2016 at 2:22 pm

    Oh this made me grin, Jan. 🙂 What a great post!!

    Reply
    • Jan

      February 16, 2016 at 7:54 pm

      I thought you might like the idea Krista. 🙂

      Reply
  10. Phoebe @ Lou Messugo

    February 17, 2016 at 12:49 am

    What a fun way to visit Townsville and celebrate Valentine’s Day. I was apart from my husband this year, but to be honest we don’t really do anything for it anyway. I do like your story about the 72 roses, no wonder it’s gone down in the annals of family life!

    Reply
    • Jan

      February 17, 2016 at 10:19 am

      Yes I always wonder if I might get another 72 roses one day. Not likely though because my husband played sport late at night back then and that’s how he came upon them reduced in price. I certainly wouldn’t want him to pay full price for 72!

      Reply
  11. Jane

    September 28, 2016 at 8:19 am

    That is such a fun post, Kathy! Great to see a different slant on blogging.

    Reply
    • Jan

      September 28, 2016 at 1:39 pm

      Hi Jane, I’m Jan – Kathy is from 50 Shades of Age. 🙂 Glad you enjoyed this romantic view on Townsville.

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Destination Townsville - 30 Experiences to Suit your Budget | Budget Travel Talk says:
    August 6, 2017 at 11:35 am

    […] Fountain – An old school colour changing fountain and one of our recommended Townsville Kissing Spots. […]

    Reply
  2. BUDGET TRAVEL TIP - WALK THE STRAND, TOWNSVILLE | Budget Travel Talk says:
    August 6, 2017 at 2:41 pm

    […] the Kissing Point end of the Strand is this delightful seawater pool. The Fish Inn restaurant overlooks the rock pool […]

    Reply

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