Townsville’s hidden treasures revealed

DO you want to experience what the Townsville region offers but not sure how to go about it or what is available?

New Townsville business North Queensland Tours is your answer.

The tour co- ordinator has opened at backpacker resort Rambutan Townsville and has more than 30 tours from which to select.

The business is the venture of Alicia Masters, who has left behind a relatively steady career in human resources, finance and building services in some of the city’s largest enterprises to take the leap into world of tourism adventure.

Ms Masters said she had often heard people say there was nothing to do in Townsville but can vouch for the fact that this is far from the case.

To familiarise herself with what is on offer, she and her husband Josh have taken most of the tours being offered and both are now something of experts in having fun.

“We’re here to help locals and people new to town experience what our region has to offer,” Ms Masters said.

“I’m Townsville- born and bred and my husband Josh is from Ingham, now living in Townsville.

“We’ve heard that people feel there is nothing to do here but it’s so not the case.

“We really want to share experiences with others.”

The business has leased premises at Rambutan in Flinders St East and has 34 tours on its books with that number growing by the day as more operators join up. Most are day tours with a sprinkling of overnight adventures sailing to Magnetic Island or staying in the historic and working gold mining town of Ravenswood.

Ms Masters said tours that ranged from arts and culture experiences such as a city lights, dinner and art gallery tour to adventures in the outdoors on jet skis, trips to waterfalls, paddle boarding, floating yoga and ferry tours to Orpheus Island and Cape Cleveland Lighthouse.

“Having done so much ourselves locally, we realise the value of having this business,” Ms Masters said.

“We help people work out what they want to do and book it for them.

“We provide a one- stop shop, a personalised service, and we want to leave people feeling like they’ve done the right thing, that we’ve given them the right option, provided them with convenience and that they have had an amazing time.”

To find out more, go to Rambutan or visit www. northqueenslandtours. com. au.