YOUR GUIDE TO NEW YEAR’S EVE

FROM family events to late night parties, casual relaxation to island adventures – we’ve got you covered. Read on for the best ways to celebrate, most popular places to eat and the hottest spot for fireworks this New Year’s Eve.

The Ville-resort Casino: DJ Havana Brown will be playing on the poolside lawns with Hot Havana Nights. 8pm-midnight, tickets from $45.

The Strand: Free family entertainment at the New Year’s Eve beach party on The Strand. From 7pm-midnight enjoy movies, live DJ and fireworks at midnight. There’ll also be plenty of food trucks and kids’ amusements.

Riverway: Earlier family fireworks are on offer at Riverway Stadium with movies at 7pm before fireworks at 9pm. There will also be party zone amusements with fun foods, super slide and other games and activities.

The Surf Club Townsville on the Strand: Celebrate with live music from ALIEN8 at the best place to view the fireworks. Enjoy Aussie beers, wines, soft drinks and a twohour food canape between 8-10pm for $125 a head. Bookings essential.

New Year’s Eve at the Civic: Celebrate the people, music and dance that shaped the entertainment industry with NQOMT’S New Year’s Eve variety at The Civic Theatre Comes Alive!

It features a multitude of local Townsville talent as well as a few special guest appearances. Suitable for all ages. Starts 8pm.

Stage Door Theatre Restaurant, Arcadia: The “Best of Stage Door” in three brackets until midnight. Food, fourhour drinks package, countdown to midnight. Put on the glad rags to celebrate “Put on the Ritz” for New Year’s Eve. Starts 7pm.

Watermark: Enjoy a threecourse New Year’s Eve dinner at the Watermark with food, fireworks and fun. Join the after-party in the Beach Bar with free live music.

Mad Cow Tavern: The venue is hosting Double Trouble, celebrating New Year’s Eve and its 22nd anniversary celebrations. There’ll be birthday cake and presents, goodie bags, jelly shots and more. Open from 8pm with free entry until 5am.

Armati: See in the new year from Armati’s on the rooftop of the Rambutan hotel. Overlook Ross Creek and the Marina while enjoying a twocourse meal and beverages. It’s $49 a person, bookings essential.

Base Backpackers on Magnetic Island: There is a bumper line-up of entertainment for the annual Island Life New Year’s Festival, with Thieves (US), Cause N Affect (UK) and Naderi topping a bumper lineup of entertainment starting from 6pm.

Vale Hotel, Aitkenvale: New Year’s Eve Karaoke featuring the best music from all the best decades. Come dressed up and relive your favourite era. Starts from 9pm.

Cowboys Leagues Club: New live show with a big band and the best retro hits to keep you partying all night.

Tickets at carpark reception, $72 for members, $80 for non-members.

Tickets include reserved seating, an all-you-can-eat buffet featuring seafood, a variety of hot and cold dishes and

desserts, one drink on arrival and entry to the lucky door prize giveaway.

There will also be a retro photo wall. Buffet commences 6pm, show runs 8.30pm to 1am.

Kirwan Tavern: Free jukebox. Pool. Good food and drink. From 8pm.

Dalrymple Hotel: Free pool and jukebox in the sports bar with the chance to win buckets of goodies by purchasing an item over the bar. $14.95 mega parmy with chips, salad and sauce. 1kg Smokey BBQ Chicken Wings $14.95 lunch and dinner. Kids eat free with any main menu meal purchase.

Riverview Tavern: Sit riverside and enjoy the view at Riverview Tavern, Douglas with live music from Tim Griffin. Enjoy easy tunes while watching the fireworks across the river. Bookings essential.

Bohle Barn: There is free entry to an ’80s party featuring live music from Vertigo and Zacariah from 5pm until 1am. Get your ’80s clothes on, light up the glow sticks and book a table for a night of celebration.

Nelly Bay fireworks: Celebrate the start of 2020 with the new year family fireworks display at midnight on the Nelly Bay Breakwall area (near the “Eye To The Sky” sculpture).

Best viewing spots are the boat ramp car park (off Kelly St), the northern end of Nelly Bay beach, the Magnetic Harbour Marina and the Peppers Blue On Blue deck.

Peppers Blue on Blue Nelly Bay: Celebrate New Year’s Eve in style with cocktails, delectable dining and live music from Groove. Children dine from a special kids’ menu and receive a complimentary activity pack. The menu has been designed by head chef Damien Reading. Good vantage point for the midnight fireworks on the Nelly Bay headland.

Arcadia Village Hotel: Live music from The Tiny Giants. Dinner available from 5pm. Live music from 8pm and late licence to 2am. Free entry.

Mamma Romas – Picnic Bay: Italian cuisine. Dinner available from 6pm, BYO licence and free entry. Booking is essential.

Sand’s Magnetic Island: A la carte menu and live music with Matt Whitton and Andrea Pacifico from 9pm until late. Three-hour food and drink package available that includes an Aussie-style barbecue, buffet, beer on tap, house wine, basic spirits and soft drinks.

Marlin Bar – Horseshoe Bay. Live music from Clare (Keys) Whitcombe 8pm until late. Free entry.

Transport: Magnetic Island buses will be running its normal service until midnight, with two extra buses from 8pm to 5.30am (depending on demand). A “White Line” service for the early hours means it will only be running the main road from Horseshoe to Picnic Bays on request, with the main stop at the ferry terminal, so allow for delay.

Ferry times

New Year’s Eve (December 31)

Depart Townsville/depart Magnetic Island

5.25pm/6pm

6pm/6.40pm

7.15pm/7.45pm

8.15pm/8.45pm

9.15pm/10pm

10.30pm/11pm

11.30pm/12.45am

New Year’s Day (January 1)

1.30am/2am

2.30am/3am

4am/4.30am

4.30am/5am

5.30am/6.10am

6.30am/7.10am