Mount Stuart

Townsville
Mount Stuart featuring mountains, landscape views and a sunset
Feel like you’re on the top of the world as you stand on Townsville’s highest peak to enjoy the outstanding views of the city, the ocean and Magnetic Island.

Mount Stuart is 1,916 feet (584 meters) high, providing Townsville’s highest lookout point. Townsville residents regularly come here to jog, hike or ride up to the summit. Join them on the winding road to the top and stand on the viewing platform for magnificent vistas.

You can drive up the mountain along Mount Stuart Road, which takes less than 15 minutes. If you decide to go on foot, follow the same road until you reach the telecommunications towers at the top. Allow 3-4 hours for the return trip and remember that this is the tropics, so bring plenty of water and wear protective clothing.

Experienced mountain bikers will enjoy the mountain’s rocky and downhill bike trails, with varying grades to choose from. Avid rock climbers can tackle the climbing routes, which have enticing names and require different skill levels. Get local advice before you go and make the most of the cooler conditions during the shade of the afternoons.

Once you reach the Rotary Lookout, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views across Townsville. Beyond the city’s central Castle Hill you can see Magnetic Island in Cleveland Bay.

The mountain was named after the area’s first district surveyor, Clarendon Stuart, and you can just imagine him standing here, mapping out the land and bays. Take some lunch with you and have a picnic near the lookout. Native brush turkeys may appear, in search of food scraps.

If you are up for a short walk, follow the Loop Trail. This narrow bush track runs all around the summit. On the westside, look down on the blue waters of Ross Dam, Townsville’s flood mitigation and water storage facility.

Mount Stuart lies southwest of Townsville, just off the Flinders Highway. Facilities at the top are limited, so cover yourself against the sun and bring water to prevent dehydration. Be aware that part of the mountain is Army Training Ground, with the Lavarack Barracks set in its foothills, so stay on the marked tracks at all times.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Mount Stuart Hotel Deals

Madison Plaza Townsville
Madison Plaza Townsville
4 out of 5
409 Flinders St., Corner Of Stanley And Flinders St., Townsville, QLD
The price is ¥8,828 per night from Apr 5 to Apr 6
¥8,828
per night
Apr 5 - Apr 6
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Townsville. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and an in-room DVD player. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7.2/10 Good! (1,010 reviews)
"Great hotel for a quick stopover. Cheap. Very basic, no restaurant and no pool. Surrounding area very dirty with lots of drunks."

Reviewed on Mar 24, 2024

Madison Plaza Townsville
The Palmer Collective
The Palmer Collective
4 out of 5
12 14 Palmer Street, South Townsville, QLD
The price is ¥12,268 per night from Apr 22 to Apr 23
¥12,268
per night
Apr 22 - Apr 23
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Townsville. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (553 reviews)
"The service was great and I appreciated the accessibility - I'll definitely stay here on my next visit to Townsville :)"

Reviewed on Mar 19, 2024

The Palmer Collective
Aquarius on the Beach
Aquarius on the Beach
4 out of 5
75 The Strand, North Ward, QLD
The price is ¥13,760 per night from Apr 9 to Apr 10
¥13,760
per night
Apr 9 - Apr 10
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Townsville. Enjoy free parking, WiFi, and a business center. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,008 reviews)
"Really happy with our stay. Nice clean, good location. Nice view."

Reviewed on Mar 24, 2024

Aquarius on the Beach
The Ville Resort - Casino
The Ville Resort - Casino
4.5 out of 5
Sir Leslie Thiess Drive, Townsville, QLD
The price is ¥19,281 per night from Apr 24 to Apr 25
¥19,281
per night
Apr 24 - Apr 25
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Townsville. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
"It was amazing staff were so friendly and super nice. Food was amazing so good. The rooms are so comfortable and clean ."

Reviewed on Mar 6, 2024

The Ville Resort - Casino
Grand Hotel and Apartments Townsville
Grand Hotel and Apartments Townsville
4.5 out of 5
8-10 Palmer Street, South Townsville, QLD
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ¥13,919 per night from Apr 1 to Apr 2
¥13,919
per night
Apr 1 - Apr 2
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Townsville. Enjoy a fitness center, onsite parking, and dry cleaning or laundry services. Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (987 reviews)
"Good"

Reviewed on Mar 21, 2024

Grand Hotel and Apartments Townsville
The Robert Towns
The Robert Towns
4 out of 5
261 Stanley Street, Townsville, QLD
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ¥11,282 per night from Apr 1 to Apr 2
¥11,282
per night
Apr 1 - Apr 2
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly hotel in Townsville. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a children's pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
7.2/10 Good! (704 reviews)
"The rooms are a bit dated and because we went to the pink concert it was way overpriced"

Reviewed on Mar 24, 2024

The Robert Towns
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighborhoods around Mount Stuart

Palmetum Gardens is one of Townsville’s four Botanical Gardens. It’s a 17 hectare botanic garden displaying one of the largest and most diverse public collections of palms in the world – 300 species of palm, many rare and threatened, and includes most Australian palms.

Annandale

While visiting Annandale, you might make a stop by sights like Murray Sporting Complex and Townsville Palmetum.

Annandale
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Douglas

While there might not be top attractions in Douglas, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Riverway Lagoon and Willows Shopping Centre.

Douglas
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Aitkenvale

Shopping and restaurants are some things travelers note about Aitkenvale. Check out Townsville Palmetum or Murray Sporting Complex while you're familiarizing yourself with the larger area.

Aitkenvale
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Mundingburra

Mundingburra is noteworthy for its restaurants, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Anderson Park Botanical Gardens and Bush Garden Landcare Site.

Mundingburra
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Thuringowa Central

Unique features of Thuringowa Central include the river views and shopping. Make a stop by Willows Shopping Centre or Riverway Lagoon while you're exploring the area.

Thuringowa Central
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Kirwan

If you're spending some time in Kirwan, 1300SMILES Stadium and Aboriginal Reserve are top sights worth seeing.

Kirwan

Mount Stuart