Minibus Hire Across Australia

Townsville Airport pickups for The Strand, the island and game day

Townsville Airport at Garbutt is only about 9 km from the city, so your group can be on The Strand not long after landing. Travelling by minibus or people mover with its own driver, the family, the team or the wedding party stays together from the terminal onwards.

Pickups in the signed zone

Townsville has no published coach pick-up point. Drop-offs and pickups happen in the signed public zone out front, and the driver has to stay with the vehicle. Before you land, the driver can use a free holding area, with a 30-minute limit, a short drive from the terminal, and come round when you're through.

The car parks are meant for ordinary light vehicles only, and nothing may park in front of the terminal, so a minibus pickup is timed to your flight rather than parked and waiting.

Mercedes-Benz V-Class passenger van, front view
Mercedes-Benz V-Class passenger van, front view

Over to Magnetic Island

The passenger ferry to Magnetic Island takes about 20 minutes from the Breakwater terminal. The vehicle ferry from Ross Street in South Townsville takes about 40 minutes to Nelly Bay and must be booked. Most groups cross on foot and use island transport, so a drop at the Breakwater is often all you need.

The terminals

  • Single passenger terminal

Good to know at Townsville Airport

  • The airport lists local bus, coach, minibus and limousine operators that offer airport transfers.
  • Translink bus route 222 runs hourly between the airport and the Townsville City bus hub; an airport shuttle meets major flights and serves city hotels and the Magnetic Island ferry terminal.
  • The airport's car parks accommodate standard light vehicles only.
  • The airport is a restricted parking zone under Commonwealth security regulations: no parking in front of the terminal, and stopping outside designated areas can bring an infringement notice.

Game day and days out

Off to a match at Queensland Country Bank Stadium? A bus with 22 seats or fewer is allowed into the Dean Street car park to let people off and collect them later, about 500 m from Gate A, and it doesn't need booking. That suits a minibus full of supporters nicely; larger charter buses use a separate zone that must be booked.

Billabong Sanctuary is about 20 minutes south, and Castle Hill's summit lookout has parking for cars and coaches. The road up to Paluma is narrow and steep, and sources differ on whether buses should use it, so the operator confirms the route and vehicle. Wallaman Falls' access road is signed as unsuitable for buses.

Your questions

Is Reef HQ open?

Not at the moment. The Great Barrier Reef aquarium is closed for a full rebuild, with reopening planned for 2029. The Museum of Tropical Queensland on Flinders Street makes a good indoor alternative.

How long is the drive to Cairns?

About 350 km, a full day on the road. For larger buses the driver's work and rest hours under the Heavy Vehicle National Law shape the plan, so allow for breaks or an overnight stop.

We're a team of 20 with kit bags. Will a minibus do?

No. A minibus seats 16 to 19, so twenty players plus gear need a 29 to 35 seat midi coach, so describe the kit when you ask for a quote.

Cities

Vehicles