Pokemon Go fever hits Townsville

IT LOOKED like a smartphone convention with a tropical twist.

Hundreds of people strolling The Strand on Sunday, eyes glued to their screens.

But this was much more than a tech gathering.

Pokemon GO fever swept the city as hundreds of avid players flocked to Townsville’s picturesque strip in search of new characters.

Townsville Pokemon GO group administrator Teniel Chilton said there were more than 250 players locally and more than 100 came from Cairns, Tully, Ayr, Cardwell and Home Hill for the event.

She said there were applications to join the group daily and participation numbers were swelling.

The game has been popular for nearly two years and she said modifications were drawing more new players.

The Strand and Mundingburra’s Anderson Botanic Gardens were popular spots while Aitkenvale was also a known Pokemon GO zone.

Ms Chilton said there was a wide age range of players on Sunday with four- year- olds participating alongside people in their 60s and 70s.

“It gets you out, it gets you walking. It keeps exercise entertaining,” she said.

She said local businesses also benefited from events with Juliette’s Gelateria kept busy over the weekend.

Ms Chilton said the events were a great way for people to socialise too and it was often easier to make connections, as they already had a shared interest, paving the way for lasting friendships.