Townsville is the gateway to the north of Queensland. Easily accessible with an international airport, it has almost 150'000 citizens. The city center is located between The Strand (a beachside promenade), the harbour, Ross Creek (shown above, a dead arm of Ross River) and Castle Hill, a large hill surrounded by the city. Townswille is also the  basis for excursions to the Great Barrier Reef, starting at a quai on the river.