Castle Hill is a pink granite heritage-listed monolith located in the centre of Townsville. The iconic hill is about 286 metres high above sea level and it certainly dominates the views of the city. The indigenous name is Cootharinga, sometimes written as Cooderinga.
Views of Magnetic Island from the top of Castle Hill. Photo by Author.
From the top, there are sweeping 360 degrees views of Townsville's suburbs, Magnetic Island and Great Palm Island.
Views from Castle Hill. Photo by Author.
Views from Castle Hill. Photo by Author.
Views from Castle Hill. Photo by Author.
Views of Townsville's suburbs from the top of Castle Hill. Photo by Author.
Views from Castle Hill. Photo by Author.
Views from Castle Hill. Photo by Author.
On top of Castle Hill, there is a carpark where you can park your car. On top, there are also a few water reservoirs and three radio communication installations. There is also Robert Towns monument, benches and facilities. Once there was Panorama Restaurant but it's demolished. The carpark associated with the restaurant is still in place.
Flowers on Castle Hill. Photo by Author.
Flowers on Castle Hill. Photo by Author.
Castle Hill has trees, plants and flowers. The flora is prevalent indigenous species. The fauna includes rock wallabies, birds and reptiles.
Flowers on Castle Hill. Photo by Author.
While exploring the trails connecting the three peaks of Castle Hill, I spotted a custard apple. Photo by Author.
Custard apple. Photo by Author.
Custard apples are an amazing, delicious and sweet sub-tropical fruit. The Australian custard apple is a hybrid of the sugar apple (Annona squamosa) and the cherimoya (Annona cherimola).
This delectable fruit was originally native to South America, now Australia has a great production of the unique Custard apple.
View of the carpark and Magnetic Island in the background. Photo courtesy of Terry Brown.
Castle Hill is very popular with locals for regular exercise. There are many trails going to the summit and they are very busy with people. There is a trail called Goat Track Summit Trail. It is a 2.9 km return, very busy with walkers, runners and tourists. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
The Goat track is classified hard as it is very steep and has lots of uneven steps to reach the carpark, about 700 steps.
Map of the Goat Track, starting at Hillside Crescent. There are many other trails on Castle Hill. Photo from Google Maps.
There is also a bitumen road going to the summit. Drive very carefully since runners and walkers also use the road to reach the top.
One of the trails connecting the three peaks of Castle Hill. Photo by Author.
The iconic pink landmark is also a tourist attraction. The views on the top are fantastic and there is a road to reach the top or take one of the trails to the summit.
There are trails on Castle Hill. Photo by Author.
Another point of view from Castle Hill. It is possible to see a bunker from WWII, also called pill box. Photo by Author.
Castle Hill was a strategic place for communication and observation in WWII. Infantry and fields regiment of the 5th Australian Division and American soldiers were deployed on Castle Hill. A bunker is still visible as a reminder of Castle Hill's military history.
Castle Hill is visible from the coast and from many points around Townsville. It certainly defines the sense of identity of the city. Photo by Author.
View from one of the peaks of Castle Hill. Photo by Author.
Starting from the carpark there are very well maintained trails to walk from one peak to another one. Photo courtesy by Terry Brown.
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Reference
www.queensland.com/au/en/things-to-do/attractions/p-56b260ae7b935fbe730e0344-castle-hill
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle_Hill,_Townsville
www.weseektravel.com/castle-hill-townsville
www.horticulturetrade.com.au/fruits-news/custard-apple
