The Strand & Beaches
Discover The Strand
The Strand is a 2.2km world-class beachfront promenade custom-built for enjoyment. Along this palm tree lined stretch are bike and walkway paths, safe swimming beaches, picturesque picnic spots, playgrounds, exercise stations, a water park and restaurants and bars with to-die-for water views.
You can enjoy the free family fun of The Strand Water Park, fish off the pier, choose to get active with a jog, or simply laze on the beach and enjoy the million-dollar views of Magnetic Island. The Strand offers the best of all worlds.
The Strand Rockpool
The Strand Rockpool is a stinger resistant seawater pool located on the northern end of The Strand. With easy access to a wide range of facilities, The Strand Rockpool is the perfect place to enjoy a picnic or BBQ and cool off for free! The pool is gently sloped with a shallow area suitable for wheelchair access and children, which leads into a deeper pool for swimming.
Facilities
- Toilets (male, female and disabled access)
- BBQ/picnic facilities
- Children’s playground
- Outdoor showers
- Parking available on Howitt Street and The Strand promenade (including four (4) disabled parking bays)
Opening hours
- Lifeguard on duty daily - see schedule below for availability.
- Closed every Wednesday for cleaning, excluding public holidays.
Services may be subject to change.
Rockpool Virtual Tour
Strand Park
Strand Park is a family-friendly space offering something for everyone. With a sprawling grass playing field, half basketball court, playground and accessible beach, Strand Park is ideal for the active beachgoer.
Facilities
- Grass playing field
- Toilets (male, female and disabled access)
- BBQ/picnic facilities
- Half basketball court
- Teenage playground (near the playing field)
- Junior playground on the pier side of the beach
- Outdoor showers
- Beach access mats onto The Strand Beach
- Parking available on The Strand promenade surrounding the playing field (including six (6) disabled parking bays)
The Strand Water Park
The Strand Water Park is ever popular with families with kids. Kids will have a blast cooling off in the water park, with slides, water cannons and much more to enjoy.
Facilities
- Children’s water park
- Junior children’s playground
- Toilets (male, female and disabled access)
- BBQ/picnic facilities
- Outdoor showers
- Parking available along The Strand promenade (including four (4) disabled parking bays)
Opening hours
- Open 9am – 7pm daily (1 December – 31 March)
- Open 9am – 6pm daily (1 April – 30 November)
- Closed every Tuesday for maintenance, excluding public school holidays.
- Lifeguard on duty daily - see schedule below for availability.
Stinger Nets
Stinger nets are installed at many of Townsville's beaches over the stinger season, which runs from November to May. Nets are only removed after the stinger season ends and once no stingers are caught in daily net drags for 14 days.
Stinger nets are installed and they are located at The Strand (north and south), Pallarenda, Balgal Beach, Horseshoe Bay and Picnic Bay.
Beach Access Mats
Wheelchairs, prams and strollers can access Townsville’s beaches on mats in the following locations:
| Beach | Mat Availability |
|---|---|
| The Strand | Every day except Thursday afternoon from 4pm to Friday morning at 9am. |
| Pallarenda | None currently |
For more information on beach access mats visit our Disability page.
Lifeguard Hours and Status
Information has been provided courtesy of Surf Life Saving Queensland.
Alma Bay, Magnetic Island
There is one lifeguard and no stinger nets in use on this beach.
Start time may vary due to lifeguards conducting stinger drags and net checks at other beaches during stinger season 1 November - 31 May.
| Dates | Days | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Every day all year |
Monday to Sunday Christmas School Holidays | 8:15am to 4:15pm 8:15am to 4:45pm |
Services may be subject to change.
Balgal Beach
There is one lifeguard present during Christmas and Easter holidays. Stinger nets are in use on this beach.
| Dates | Days | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 24 December - 2 January Easter Weekend (4 days) | Daily |
9am to 5pm 9am to 5pm |
Services may be subject to change.
Bushland Beach
There are no lifeguards and no stinger nets in use on this beach.
Horseshoe Bay, Magnetic Island
There is one lifeguard and stinger nets are in use on this beach.
Start time may vary due to lifeguards conducting stinger drags and net checks at other beaches during stinger season 1 November - 31 May.
| Dates | Days | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Every day all year | Monday to Sunday Christmas School Holidays | 8:15am to 4:15pm 8:15am to 4:45pm |
Services may be subject to change.
Magnetic Island Roving Lifeguard
Systematic patrols by roving lifeguard of all Magnetic Island beaches by vehicle and jet ski.
| Dates | Days | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| During Public and School Holidays |
Monday - Sunday Christmas School Holidays |
8:15am to 4:15pm 8:45am to 4:45pm |
Services may be subject to change.
Pallarenda Beach
There is one lifeguard present during Christmas and Easter school holidays and on weekends from November to May. Stinger nets are in use on this beach.
| Dates | Days | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 1 November - 31 May |
Weekends, Public Holidays & Qld School Holidays Christmas School Holidays (7 days per week) |
9am to 5pm 9am to 6pm |
Services may be subject to change.
Picnic Bay, Magnetic Island
There is no lifeguard service on this beach, though volunteers patrol from 1 September - 31 May. The beach is covered by the emergency call beacon deployed by Magnetic Island Rove during all Queensland school holidays. Stinger nets are in use at this beach.
Riverway Lagoons
There are 5 lifeguards. Hours will vary due to seasonal requirements. See Riverway Lagoons for lifeguard hours.
Rollingstone Beach
There are no lifeguards and no stinger nets in use on this beach.
Saunders Beach
There are no lifeguards and no stinger nets in use on this beach.
The Strand Net 1
There is one lifeguard.
| Dates | Days | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Every day all year |
Monday - Sunday Christmas School Holidays |
9am to 5pm 9am to 6pm |
Services may be subject to change.
The Strand Net 2
There is one lifeguard. Winter months and public holidays not manned – beacon on site.
| Dates | Days | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Every day all year |
Monday - Sunday Christmas School Holidays |
9am to 5pm 9am to 6pm |
Services may be subject to change.
The Strand Rockpool
There are 1-2 lifeguards present 6 days a week, closed Wednesday for maintenance.
| Dates | Days | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Every day all year | Monday - Sunday Easter & September School Holidays Christmas School Holidays Closed Wednesday | 9am to 5pm 9am to 5pm 9am to 6pm |
Services may be subject to change.
The Strand Roving Lifeguard
Roving Lifeguard commences at 9am and ends when the Strand Water Park closes on weekends, public holidays, and Queensland holidays. All other days conclude at 5pm.
| Dates | Days | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Every day all year |
Monday - Friday Weekends, Public & School Holidays | 9am to 5pm Same time as Waterpark Lifeguard hours. |
Services may be subject to change.
The Strand Water Park
There is one lifeguard present 6 days a week, closed Tuesday for maintenance, excluding Queensland State School holidays and public holidays.
| Dates | Days | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| December - March April - November | Wednesday - Monday Closed Tuesday except during Queensland State School Holidays |
9am to 7pm 9am to 6pm |
Services may be subject to change.
Toomulla Beach
There are no lifeguards and no stinger nets in use on this beach.
