Townsville Tourist and Lifestyle Village – A Budget Travel Review

This week, six months after our move south, we’ve returned to our home-town to visit family and attend the annual Palm Creek Folk Festival. This gave us the perfect opportunity to stay at and review Townsville Tourist and Lifestyle Village.

Townsville is Australia’s largest urban centre outside of the Sunshine Coast some 1300km to the south. It shelters in Cleveland Bay, the home of marine turtles and endangered dugong with Magnetic Island sitting tantalisingly close off-shore. Read about all the fun things to do in Townsville and Magnetic Island here.

Magnetic Island as seen from Townsville’s Strand.
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Townsville Tourist and Lifestyle Village – A Budget Travel Review.

We chose this village because of it’s proximity to family and friends, Willows Shopping Town, Pioneer Park and the walking tracks around Ross River. We booked on-line two weeks before arrival paying one day’s deposit and the remaining 14 days on arrival.

This is not a sponsored post, nor did we receive any discounts or gifts in return for our review.

Kylie, one half of owners Kylie and Nathan Burgers, was extremely friendly at book-in and we immediately felt welcome. Handing us a colour map of Townsville, she explained what shops were available within walking distance, asked if we had a pooch (no) and if we wanted to use their free wifi (yes).

Free Wifi.

We received 4000 mb up front with a new password and further 4000mb after 7 days.  Time was unlimited and the speed fairly good and the signal easily picked up in our van, 50 metres from the office. Unfortunately it was only good for one device at a time.

Amenities.

We lucked out here with recently refurbished amenities that are some of the best we’ve experienced. Immediately inside the ladies block is a well-equipped wheelchair toilet/shower room. Shower rooms are large, with a shower curtain and separate dressing area, bench and three clothes hooks. The water = deliciously hot. The toilets are equally spacious. I wouldn’t be surprised if one shower/toilet combo would equal our whole caravan living space!

The common area has three above counter basins, full length mirror, above basin mirror and airblade hand dryer.

Kitchens.

At the end of the ladies amenities block is an outdoor covered kitchen with a row of solid looking tables and seats, bench space, BBQ’s, gas burners, fridges and electric jugs, with a similarly new facility at the rear of the village.

Pool.

The scene of free sausage sizzles.

Leading off from the kitchen is this beautifully maintained pool area. A bit chilly for us Queenslanders in June, but our neighbours from colder climates jumped right in. There is a selection of pristine sun loungers and assorted chairs. It is easy to stand in the kitchen area and view the pool.

Van Park and Accommodation.

The short stay van area is at the front of the village with spacious grassed sites/concrete pads and individual rubbish tins (emptied promptly). This area is bounded by the amenity block and large grassed clothes hanging area to one side and 1 and 2 bedroom deluxe villas and Standard Ensuite Cabins on the other.

At the rear of the park are lifestyle homes (privately owned), long term sites and campsites.

Storage

Storage is available for caravans, cars, boats or trailers in a well-maintained area at the rear of the park.

Catering to Over Fifties.

Townsville Tourist and Lifestyle Village is billed as an over-fifties lifestyle village but families are welcome in the short-term van section and we had a family with young kids in a neighbouring van. It is fair to say though, that the majority of residents fit the over fifties demographic.

Location.

The Village is located on Hervey Range Road, Kirwan, 15km from Townsville CBD – add an extra .5 km to the Strand on the seafront. It is easy to access from both north and south, without entering the suburbs, as it sits just off the new National Highway A1.

Stay here if you want to be close to:

• Willows Shopping Centre
• Canon Park Entertainment/Dining
• 1300 Smiles Stadium – North Queensland Cowboys home ground
• Riverway Townsville Complex – free swimming pools and walks
• Hospital
• Lavarack Barracks
• James Cook University
• Hervey’s Range Heritage Tea Rooms

Budget Travel Tips.

We booked a powered caravan site for 15 nights in June for $491.00 (approx. $33/night) with an on-line booking fee of $3.16. Pricing is dependent on the time of year and length of stay, powered or un-powered. This price represents great value for money.

Our Verdict.

Location. Townsville Tourist and Lifestyle Village was close to everything we wanted to visit on a daily basis and no more than 25 minutes from everything else.

Facilities and Management. The village runs like clockwork, the amenities are well maintained, the staff friendly and efficient and the landscape attractive.

Ambience. Pool side happy hours seem to happen spontaneously, along with regular free sausage sizzles and events organised by residents.

Negatives. Could the lack of shade trees be a problem in summer?

Read more Australia posts.

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