Monday, March 22, 2010

Ghost Tours and Island Luxury – What’s New in Tropical Townsville



An exclusive Magnetic Island beachfront retreat and a ghost tour that’s a real scream are just two of the newest ways to stay and play in and around tropical Townsville.

Magnetic Island continues to live up its barefoot luxury factor with a new luxury retreat on beautiful Horseshoe Bay offering a world of seclusion and pure indulgence. Lotus House is an exquisite beachfront house catering for up to six adults featuring three spacious bedrooms with ensuites, exotic tropical gardens, spa bath, an oceanfront temperature-controlled swimming pool, expansive upper deck offering uninterrupted sea views and in-house chef options. www.lotusonmagnetic.com

Back on the mainland, hear ghostly tales, tour haunted locations by lantern light, detect spirits of the past and stay overnight in a haunted house with Townsville Ghost Tours. Board the ghost bus and discover underground dungeons, secret tunnels, cellars, mineshafts, churches, old hospital sites and cemeteries. With a variety of day and night tours on offer you’ll learn how to use a GMF Ghost Meter, hear ghost tales of the past and see Townsville like you’ve never seen it before. Take your experience to the next level and sped the night in a haunted 1890’s house or participate in a murder mystery night based on real people and events. Townsville Ghost Tours operate on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights and bookings are essential. www.townsvilleghosttours.com.au

For something a little more peaceful, spend Sunday afternoon cruising on the Ross River Dam with Pop Sullivan Tours and Cruises. Relax onboard the MV Kathleen Mary with some nibbles and drinks as you spot turtles and birdlife and take in the beautiful wetlands of Lake Ross. www.popsullivantoursandcruises.com.au

Q Resorts Itara Townsville Apartments are brand new self- contained serviced one-bedroom apartments in the city centre. The four and half star apartments feature contemporary open plan living, swimming pool, BBQ area, secure underground parking and high-speed broadband internet. www.qresorts.com.au/Accommodation/Q_Resorts_Itara_Apartments_Townsville

The Townsville region is also celebrating the recent win of two prestigious 2009 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards. Noorla Heritage Resort, Ingham took out the Best Standard Accommodation category and Hidden Valley Cabins, Paluma was named the best Hosted Accommodation. Noorla is an elegant, fully-restored Italian Art Deco building an hour north of Townsville offering a range of accommodation including heritage rooms, camping sites and backpacker rooms. www.hotelnoorla.com.au Hidden Valley Cabins, located one and half hours north-west of Townsville, is renowned as Australia’s first carbon neutral resort and tour company to operate on 100 per cent solar power. www.hiddenvalleycabins.com.au

For more information on holiday ideas in the Townsville region visit www.queenslandholidays.com.au

Getting There

Townsville is a two hour flight from Brisbane. Virgin Blue offers direct flights to Townsville from Rockhampton, Brisbane and Sydney. Qantas and Jetstar also fly direct from Brisbane and Sydney with connections available from around Australia.

Traveltrain’s Tilt Train also provides two services a week.

Magnetic Island is easily accessible via a 20 minute ferry ride from the Townsville Breakwater terminal. www.sunferries.com.au

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