Arriving in Townsville, we settle in quickly. Thereโs an ease to returning somewhere familiar, and our kids waste no time reconnecting with cousins over a spirited game of 10pm street cricket. The evenings are sticky, the air heavy with summer humidity, but there's no shortage of energy. Itโs the kind of chaos that makes holidays feel alive.
We soon find ourselves chasing adventure, heading north to the renowned Crystal Creek region. First up: Big Crystal Creek, home to naturally formed rock slides that send kids and adults alike tumbling into cool, fresh water. Laughter echoes as bellies hit water and limbs flail in the most entertaining of belly flops. Crystal Creek is one of those places where adventure finds you around every bend. The rock slides, smoothed by millions of years of flowing water, are nature's own water park, and a constant source of entertainment. As the older kids pushed the limitsโleaping from high cliff faces with fearless joyโthe younger ones explored gentler pools and waterholes. On one of the hikes further upstream, we came across a particularly steep section near a waterfall and formed a kind of assembly line to lift and pass the smaller kids across safelyโteamwork at its best, and a reminder of the strong family spirit that shaped this whole holiday.
But for all its beauty, Crystal Creek comes with its risks. Each year, tourists lose their lives hereโunderestimating the strength of currents or venturing into unsafe areas alone. It's a place that demands respect. Our group stayed close, moved as a team, and always kept an eye on the youngest adventurers. Itโs a stunning, thrilling part of Queenslandโbut not one to take lightly.
Back in Townsville, we rise early for a 5am hike up Castle Hill. This near-mountain sits in the centre of the city and offers panoramic views of the coast, Magnetic Island, and the city below. This time, a brewing storm adds extra drama to the sunrise. Itโs wild, windy, and exactly the kind of memory you hope your kids remember.
One afternoon, even though it wasn't footy season, we made a special stop at 1300SMILES Stadium, home of the North Queensland Cowboys. Just a few months earlier, we'd attended the Cowboys' historic 2015 NRL Grand Final win in Sydney, so it felt fitting to visit the home of the champions. Even if only briefly, it was a nice way to honour the club and that unforgettable victory.
In between outings, we make the most of family downtime: setting up trampolines, playing table tennis in the evenings, and enjoying the kind of moments that don't need planning. With our caravan parked and life slowed down, Townsville is more than just a destinationโit's a home base.
