If we were young and looking for a place to settle I think it would be Townsville - for the moment anyway! It's laid back, tropical, just populated enough and easily managed in a car or on a bike. It has brilliant cycle tracks all over the city. It is on the ocean and surrounded by mountains. (Not sure how it is in the wet season though. Doesn't appear to be cyclone proof or have cyclone warning signs in evidence!)
We discovered a wonderful cycle track along the Ross River that wound its way through beautiful park lands with the most amazing trees and trunks we have ever seen. The track was about 10 mins from our caravan park - The Walkabout Palms, which just managed to give us a site for a few days as everyone in Townsville is preparing for the V8 super cars on the weekend. All accommodation is fully booked. Nice V8 super car weekend prices too - $40.00 per night!! The most we have ever paid for a site.
All the buildings and houses are a mumble jumble of eclectic styles and colours. The rows of shops too! I felt sorry for the people in the house whose lawn is completely petal covered - though absolutely beautiful, I thought!
We have had a lovely time here living mostly on pineapple, paw-paw, corn - and hot chips!!! (Just kidding!)
We are packing up early tomorrow morning on our way to Mount Surprise. Who knows what that will bring?!
