What we love about NQ
We chat with our media team, Katie and Paula to understand what they love most about our region.
Townsville | Katie Brennocks
Kayaking I love how accessible everything is in Townsville. I can slip my kayak into the marina, off the back pontoon and kayak about 300m to The Strand for a coffee. This weekend ritual pretty much sums up our lifestyle – outdoors, active, connected to nature and energising. It’s the best way to earn your morning caffeine.
Maggie Island While our lifestyle in NQ is pretty darn amazing for relaxing away from the office (short commutes, great weather, beautiful natural assets), I look out my window to Magnetic Island and know that a short 20-minute ferry trip and I can switch to holiday mode.
Wine down wine With the best weather in the world for alfresco living, I certainly make use of our back patio overlooking the water Magnetic Island. The best way to enjoy it? With a glass of chilled McGuigan’s wine. It’s how I download after a work day.
Running castle hill We’re spoilt for choice when it comes to free exercise, with The Strand’s free gym, Jezzine’s walking trail and my favourite, Castle Hill. Dominating the goat track or running up the road, Castle Hill is my favourite way to break a sweat and burn calories. The view from the top is spectacular; it’s the best reward.
Townsvilles dining spots As a social person, I love to eat out with friends of family. There are too many spots to pick a favourite, and my answer would really depend on my mood. Mostly, my regular haunts are around the CBD area – Palmer Street, City Lane, The Strand, Flinders Street and all of the little local joints in between.
Cairns | Paula Hill
Trinity Beach Summer holidays spent at Trinity Beach, exploring Palm Cove and Port Douglas, venturing through the Daintree, soaking in the lazy days, discovering new favourites at the cafes and restaurants and sipping wine in the afternoon. Heaven!
Cultural influence Cairns celebrates our indigenous culture better than most regional cities, I believe. There are always exhibitions, festivals and activities for my family to enjoy. It really enriches the city and community.
Active Living Free Fitness Cairns is alive with activity every morning and afternoon, with people running and walking the strip, enjoying activities along The Esplanade, swimming in the lagoon, participating in boot camps and free Zumba. The energy is inspiring.
Morning sunrises The sunrise across the bay in Cairns leaves me speechless every time. And we get it free, every day.
Dining & Cocktails When you think of ‘tropical’ often you imagine beach, palm tree and fruity cocktail. And, of course, Cairns offers the best of all three!
Tropical gardens & flora I think we sometimes take it for granted just how incredibly beautiful our little piece of the world is. And whle we do focus a lot on the reef, I love exploring the tropical flowers and Kuranda by skyrail or by land. There is something very meditative
in surrounding yourself with greenery; it’s instantly calming and the air tastes cleaner!
Sugarworld waterpark Nothing beats a family visit to Sugarworld for water slides, a swim and a picnic lunch. It’s the best way to cool down.
