Townsville Airport is at Garbutt, around a 10-minute drive from the city centre, and lists seven car rental companies. The Magnetic Island question trips people up: SeaLink's ferry is passenger-only, and Magnetic Island Ferries is the only vehicle ferry, so decide before you book whether you need the car on the island or will hire one there.
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Prices are shown in Australian dollars. Before you book, open the offer and check where that company's desk or depot is, the bond, and what the agreement says about the roads you plan to drive.
Preparing live car hire search
These seven companies operate at the airport. Your booking confirmation gives each company's desk.
| Company | Where |
|---|---|
| Avis | Desk in the terminal |
| Budget | Desk in the terminal |
| Europcar | Desk in the terminal |
| Hertz | Desk in the terminal |
| Sixt | Desk in the terminal |
| Bargain Car Rentals | Desk in the terminal |
| Redspot | Desk in the terminal |
The airport's page lists brand names but not desk positions, so ask your rental company for the exact pickup point.
Note that the airport is running a car park expansion project with temporary changes to parking and access, so allow extra time around the terminal.
Follow your rental company's return instructions at Garbutt, as each company sets its own return area.
If you are returning after a Magnetic Island trip, note the Magnetic Island Ferries terminal at 42 Ross Street, South Townsville is separate from the SeaLink passenger terminal at Breakwater.
Leave extra time while the airport's car park expansion project is under way.
Distances are approximate and measured along the road.
About 40 minutes by vehicle ferry
Magnetic Island Ferries is the vehicle ferry, to Nelly Bay from South Townsville (about 40 minutes). SeaLink says some island locations such as Arthur, Florence and Radical Bays restrict vehicle access, and some roads to secluded beaches are unpaved and need 4WD.
About 348 km
North on the Bruce Highway, around four hours by car. The Great Green Way route is best spread over a couple of days.
About 91 km north
Take the Bruce Highway towards Ingham and turn off onto a 4.5 km unsealed access road that suits most conventional vehicles. The swimming area sits just past the first causeway, which can be impassable after heavy rain.
Turn off the Bruce Highway onto Barrett Road, then follow Spiegelhauer Road for 5 km to Big Crystal Creek, or Mount Spec Road for 6 km towards Little Crystal Creek. Creeks rise in wet weather, and Little Crystal Creek day-use area is temporarily closed until 6 December 2026.
About 165 km, around two hours
The first overnight stop on the Great Green Way, reached along the Bruce Highway past Ingham. Jourama Falls is a convenient break on the way.
SeaLink's service is passenger-only (20 minutes, up to 17 services daily from Breakwater Terminal). Magnetic Island Ferries calls itself the only vehicle ferry connecting Townsville to the island, and says vehicle bookings are essential. Neither operator's page says anything about hire cars, so ask your rental company before booking.
SeaLink sells packages that combine the ferry with a vehicle hired on the island, from open-top jeeps to sedans, as an alternative to taking your own car.
Cairns is about 348 km north of Townsville, roughly four hours by car.
Rental terms differ by company. Where an answer depends on your agreement, we say so.
Townsville Airport is around a 10-minute drive from the CBD, and the airport lists taxis and shuttles. A car becomes more useful if you plan Bruce Highway trips such as the drive north to Cairns.
Magnetic Island Ferries runs the only vehicle ferry, from 42 Ross Street, South Townsville to Nelly Bay in about 40 minutes, and says vehicle bookings are essential. Hire car rules are set by your rental company, so ask them first. SeaLink's ferry is passenger-only.
The airport does not list a ferry-terminal depot. SeaLink's Breakwater terminal is 8 km from the airport; Magnetic Island Ferries departs from 42 Ross Street, South Townsville.
The airport's Car Rentals page lists Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Sixt, Bargain Car Rentals and Redspot.
About 348 km on the Bruce Highway, around four hours. Drop-off options and any one-way fee depend on the rental company, so check them at booking.
Search live prices in Australian dollars, then check the pickup point and conditions on the offer.