QLDPort & river
Townsville
North Queensland’s cattle country needed a port.
1864Port settlement established
WHAT STARTED IT
The settlement began as a shipping outlet for pastoral properties inland. A harbour near the mouth of Ross Creek offered a way to get products to market and bring supplies into the district.
WHAT SUSTAINED IT
Gold discoveries expanded its hinterland trade. Railways, defence activity, services and industry helped turn the early port into a major regional city.
TURNING POINTS
1864The port settlement begins.
1866Townsville becomes a municipality.
Late 1860sGoldfields traffic adds to the port’s trade.
2003The present Townsville railway station opened, moving passenger services into a new city facility.
WHAT IT DOES NOW
A North Queensland centre for defence, education, health and port-related industry. Its maritime role still connects inland production with overseas markets.