Transport in Townsville, Queensland

This article is about Transport in Townsville, Queensland.

Road

The Bruce Highway (A1) bypasses the city and runs through the western suburbs, and the Flinders Highway (A6), the main highway to western localities such as Mount Isa and the Northern Territory, meets the Bruce Highway just south of Townsville. The Bruce Highway links Townsville to all of the State's major cities along the eastern seaboard, including Cairns, Proserpine, Mackay, Rockhampton, Bundaberg and Brisbane, the state capital.

Townsville will eventually have an orbital motorway, and it will be called the Townsville Ring Road which will be the new Bruce Highway link that bypasses Townsville city and will eventually link the Bruce Highway south of Townsville to the Bruce Highway in the north-west urban area. The first stage of the motorway, Douglas Arterial Road opened in 2005.

In addition to the city's highways and motorway, it is serviced by a system of state and local gov routes, mainly suburban and arterial roads which span to all parts of the metropolitan area.

Rail

The North Coast railway line operated by Queensland Rail passes through the city, and the Western line meets it in the city's south. Rail services from Brisbane pass through Townsville and continue through to Cairns. Townsville also has a regular Tilt Train service to and from Brisbane and Cairns. The Tilt Train commenced operations in mid-2003. However, due to the destruction of a train set in a high-speed derailment in 2004 near Bundaberg (Ironically, the train in question was named the City of Townsville), services were temporarily suspended. Townsville is a major destination and generator of rail freight services. Container operations are run by both QR in South Townsville and PNQ at Stuart. The local nickel and copper refineries as well as minerals from the western line (Mt Isa) are transported to the port for trans-shipment to other destinations.

Public Transport

Townsville's public transport system consists of bus services operated by Sunbus. Sunbus provides regular services to and from many parts of the city, and also operates several express routes. For example, routes 1, 1A, 1B, 1C and 1X link the CBD to the Townsville Hospital via Stockland and to the suburb of Kelso. A public transport route is also available from the CBD to Bushland Beach, a route run by Townsville's Hermit Park Bus Service, also Townsville's biggest Charter Bus Service.

In addition to the bus system, Taxis operate 24 hours a day and service all parts of the metropolitan area.

There has also been calls to create a local commuter-rail network and extend the line into the newer suburbs, eventually encompassing all areas of Townsville and the Burdekin, although this is not expected for many years.. [ [http://img149.imageshack.us/my.php?
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Townsville has a significant port at the mouth of Ross Creek.The Port of Townsville mainly handles cargoes of cement and nickel ore, for processing at the Yabulu Nickel Refinery, 30 km north of the port. The port also serves as an export point for sugar and for products from north Queensland's mines. The port has three sugar storage sheds, with the newest being the largest under-cover storage area in Australia.

Regular ferry services operate to Magnetic Island and Palm Island. The service to Magnetic Island is operated by Sunferries.

Air

Townsville International Airport (which incidentally hasn't handled international flights since 2002) at Garbutt was greatly expanded by U.S. forces during World War II. These expansions made Townsville's airfield the largest in the southern hemisphere for some time. The airport has since been rebuilt several times. Townsville International Airport serves as the hub for Queensland regional airline Macair Airlines, which operate scheduled and charter services to major mines located in outback Queensland. The airport land is also shared with the Townsville RAAF Base. The airport was upgraded in 2003 to include new terminal departure and arrivals areas, and three new aerobridges. Townsville International Airport hosts all three major domestic trunk carriers and has direct flights to Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane as well as direct connections to many regional centres in Queensland including Cairns, Mackay, Hamilton Island and Mt Isa.

The Airport is served by all three Major Australian Domestic Carriers, Qantas, Jetstar, and Virgin Blue, as well as regional carriers QantasLink, Macair Airlines, Alliance Airlines and Skytrans

ee also

*Townsville, Queensland
*Thuringowa, Queensland
*Townsville International Airport
*Sunbus Townsville
*Port of Townsville
*Townsville Ring Road

References

* [http://img149.imageshack.us/my.php?
] Dr Douglas Goudie article published in the Townsville Bulletin.

External links

* [http://www.sunferries.com.au/ Sunferries] Townsville - Magnetic Island Ferry Service