Our time in Townsville aligns perfectly with the holiday season, turning this tropical getaway into something truly special. Christmas Day is spent at the Mercure Townsville, where we enjoy a full lunch spread, a visit from Santa, and a long afternoon swimming in the resort pools. Shoulder rides, pool games, and a few too many festive drinks create the kind of easy, joyful chaos that makes a family Christmas unforgettable.
The following day, Boxing Day, brings the extended family together at Riverway. Nestled along the Ross River, this sprawling community space offers BBQ facilities, green spaces, and swimming lagoons—ideal for cricket matches, cousin catch-ups, and shady picnics. Multiple generations gather: cousins, aunts, uncles, and even great-uncles and grandparents. It feels like a family festival under the North Queensland sun.
A few days later, we celebrate a significant milestone: Dad’s 60th birthday. True to form, he opts to spend the day on the golf course—Rowes Bay Golf Club, to be exact. With at least four golf carts in convoy and eskies full of refreshments, it becomes less about scorecards and more about shared moments. The tropical heat ensures nobody walks, and a casual goanna sighting adds a little local colour.
Evenings back at the house include competitive rounds of table tennis, laughter over shared meals, and recounting the best (and worst) golf swings of the day. It was a solid way to round out the old man's 60th.
As the days roll on, the caravan remains parked and we soak in every bit of this extended family time. Christmas in the tropics? Highly recommended.
