Sources · Destination Guide

Townsville

Central Great Barrier Reef access for the SS Yongala, underwater art, and island hiking

Updated Jan 23, 2026 • 17 sources

Research Sources

Destination Guide Sources For Townsville

Reference links used to build and maintain this guide.

17 sources • Updated Jan 23, 2026

Written by DiveJourney. Built from public sources and local operator knowledge. Last updated Jan 23, 2026.

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) - Environmental Management Charge (EMC) - Official EMC rates and policy, including scheduled changes from 1 Apr 2026
GBRMPA - Responsible Reef Practices - No-touch guidance and responsible wildlife interaction rules
Queensland Government - Dive guides and permits for historic underwater heritage - Protected zone overview and permit requirement (free permit) for diving protected underwater cultural heritage sites
GBRMPA Outlook Report - Historic voyages and shipwrecks

Research Sources

Reference links used to build and maintain this guide.

17 sources • Updated Jan 23, 2026

Written by DiveJourney. Built from public sources and local operator knowledge. Last updated Jan 23, 2026.

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) - Environmental Management Charge (EMC) - Official EMC rates and policy, including scheduled changes from 1 Apr 2026
GBRMPA - Responsible Reef Practices - No-touch guidance and responsible wildlife interaction rules
Queensland Government - Dive guides and permits for historic underwater heritage - Protected zone overview and permit requirement (free permit) for diving protected underwater cultural heritage sites
GBRMPA Outlook Report - Historic voyages and shipwrecks

- Notes protected zones around historic shipwrecks in the Great Barrier Reef Region, including the SS Yongala

Townsville Hospital and Health Service - Hyperbaric Medicine Unit - Local hyperbaric medicine contact details and unit location information

Divers Alert Network (DAN) - Contact and emergency hotlines - Emergency hotline numbers including 1800-088-200 within Australia

Bureau of Meteorology - Townsville climate averages - Monthly climate normals for Townsville (rainfall, temperature) used for season planning

Queensland Government - Cyclone preparedness - Cyclone season awareness and readiness guidance for Queensland

Townsville City Council - Stinger nets and beach safety - Local stinger net coverage and seasonal safety messaging

Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA) - Official site - Background on MOUA and visitor guidance for the reef installations near Townsville

Adrenalin Snorkel and Dive - SS Yongala wreck dive - Operator briefing notes for Yongala depth range and trip logistics

SeaLink North Queensland - Townsville to Magnetic Island ferry - Ferry options, terminals, and booking information for Magnetic Island transfers

Queensland Parks - Magnetic Island National Park (Forts Walk) - National park overview and walking track guidance for the Forts area

Australian Department of Agriculture - Biosecurity for incoming travellers - Biosecurity declaration requirements and what you must declare on arrival

Destination hero photo by ROMAIN TERPREAU - Photographer profile: https://unsplash.com/@romainterpreau