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Townsville Heritage Centre - Townsville

 

Nestled within the captivating landscape of the Townsville region, where the sea, tropics, and outback converge, lies the Townsville Heritage Centre—an exquisite venue that seamlessly combines natural beauty with rich history. This idyllic setting, steeped in Indigenous heritage, boasts stunning islands and reefs just off its coast, complemented by beautifully preserved architecture that tells tales of the region's past.

For your next celebration, whether it's a wedding or a birthday extravaganza, the Townsville Heritage Centre stands as the perfect choice. Founded in 1978 by the Townsville Branch of the National Trust of Queensland, the Heritage Centre is a testament to the city's cultural legacy. Its collection of heritage-listed buildings, dating back to the late 1800s, serves as a living tribute to Townsville's history.

Among the treasures within the Centre is the iconic 'Currajong,' a villa residence dating back to 1888. This grand, single-storey house, crafted from timber, features spacious rooms that open onto wide decorative verandahs through French doors. Originally built for the affluent bank manager Alfred MacKenzie on the outskirts of Townsville, 'Currajong' later played a vital role as an RAAF Hospital during wartime, adding a layer of historical significance to its elegant charm.

Choose the Townsville Heritage Centre for your special event, and let the enchanting grounds and heritage-listed buildings serve as the perfect backdrop for unforgettable moments. Embrace the allure of the past while creating memories that will last a lifetime in this quintessential Townsville venue.

Plan Your Visit

Address

5 Castling Street, Townsville, Queensland, 4810

Open Hours

Townsville Heritage Centre is available for weddings and special events.
Our picturesque gardens and historic buildings provide a stunning backdrop for weddings and events. Create lasting memories in a timeless setting, surrounded by the charm of a bygone era.

Book your exclusive celebration at Townsville Heritage Centre and make your event truly unforgettable.

Phone

07 4787 3672

Email

townsville@nationaltrustqld.org

Entry Fees

History

Townsville Heritage Centre features three important heritage buildings. The Worker’s Dwelling from 1884 is a low-set typical north Queensland house with one bedroom, an open front verandah and enclosed rear verandah. To date it is the oldest example of a worker’s cottage identified as being built in Townsville. The villa residence of 1888, ‘Currajong’, is a large single-storey house, constructed of timber, with a wide verandah. Both houses have interesting furniture collections, some made in Townsville by well-known local manufacturers. ‘Currajong’ displays items from the Green Collection of Chinese and Japanese artefacts, dating from the era when Townsville was the home of the first Japanese Consulate in Australia over a hundred years ago.

World War II is also commemorated at the Centre. ‘Currajong’ was commandeered to serve as a RAAF Hospital during the war. For that reason the Australian Flag is always flown on the flagpole when the Centre is open to the public. Photographs of the wartime staffs and the medals of the first commandant, Dr Yeates, are always on display.

The 1921 Farmhouse keeps alive the memory of the 19th and 20th-century farms that have now disappeared under modern development. They played a vital role in supplying food before the railway along the Queensland coast opened in the 1920s. It is also typical of 19th and 20th-century houses on the farms surrounding Townsville. Its construction is quite different from that of the other two houses at the Centre. High-set on timber stumps, it had originally only one room on the upper floor, surrounded by a verandah. Later it was divided into two rooms by a passageway, with the verandah partly enclosed.

Location

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