There are four golf courses in Townsville open to visitors, from Queensland’s oldest club to a 9-hole course on Magnetic Island. Each one offers a different mix of layout, price and setting. This guide covers the key details of each course to help you pick the right one and book your next tee time.
An overview of the golf courses in Townsville
|
No. |
Name |
Overview |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Townsville Golf Club |
8 Lindsay St, Rosslea QLD 4812. Open daily, 6:00am-6:00pm. Queensland’s oldest golf club, on the Ross River, with a redeveloped clubhouse and driving range. |
|
2 |
Rowes Bay Golf Club |
Emmerson St, Rowes Bay QLD 4810. Open daily, 6:00am-6:00pm. An 18-hole course plus Townsville’s only 9-hole par 3 course, beside the conservation parklands. |
|
3 |
Tropics Golf Club |
16 Nineteenth Ave, Kirwan QLD 4817. Open daily, 6:00am-7:00pm. A water-heavy 18-hole layout with a grass-tee driving range and low weekday green fees. |
|
4 |
Magnetic Island Country Club |
2 Hurst St, Picnic Bay QLD 4819. Open daily, 8:00am-6:00pm. A hilly 9-hole island course with separate tees for an 18-hole round. |
Note: The information in this article was last updated on 22 October 2026, based on Google Maps and the official websites of each venue. Green fees, opening hours and other details may change over time, so please contact the course directly to confirm before your visit.
1. Townsville Golf Club
Townsville Golf Club was founded in 1893, which makes it the oldest golf club in Queensland and the fourth oldest in Australia. It has played at its current site on the Ross River in Rosslea since 1924, less than 10 minutes from the CBD. The club is in the middle of a course redevelopment led by Bob Harrison and Karrie Webb, which has reduced the old 27-hole layout to 18 holes. The course plays to a par of 71.
The course is flat and easy to walk. Large, undulating greens and old rain trees along the fairways are its main features. Recent Google reviews praise the variety of holes and the midweek value, with one visitor paying AUD 45. Others note that some bunkers have been marked as ground under repair during renovation. Parts of the course can also sit under water in the wet season.
The redeveloped clubhouse includes a bar overlooking the 18th green. The Swing Cage driving range has 20 undercover bays, and there is a large practice putting green. Lessons and clinics are available, and the club has hosted the Townsville PGA Pro-Am each year since 2018.
Key information:
- Address: 8 Lindsay St, Rosslea QLD 4812, Australia
- Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 6:00am-6:00pm
- Hotline: +61 7 4779 0133
- Website: https://www.townsvillegolfclub.com.au
- Rating on Google Maps: 4.1/5
- Check local rules: Here
2. Rowes Bay Golf Club
Rowes Bay Golf Club sits between the beach and Townsville’s conservation parklands, about 10 minutes from the CBD. It is a 27-hole complex. The main course is an 18-hole layout that plays to a par of 73 at 6,188 metres. Next to it is a 9-hole par 3 course, the only short course of its kind in Townsville.
The main course is fairly flat, with Castle Hill as a backdrop. Recent Google reviews describe it as long and testing. Lateral water hazards line many fairways and appear in places you might not expect. Visitors also praise the greens, the friendly staff and the cheap drinks at the bar. The par 3 course suits a quick warm-up round, beginners, or a short game after work.
Under the club’s current rates, social golfers pay AUD 40 for 18 holes or AUD 30 for 9 holes on the main course. A round on the par 3 course costs AUD 25. Weekday deals for two players with a cart start from AUD 90, and twilight golf from 3pm costs AUD 45 per person with a cart.
Key information:
- Address: Emmerson St, Rowes Bay QLD 4810, Australia
- Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 6:00am-6:00pm
- Hotline: +61 7 4774 1188
- Website: https://www.rowesbaygolfclub.com.au
- Fanpage: facebook.com/RowesBayGolfClub
- Rating on Google Maps: 4.6/5
- Check local rules: Here
3. Tropics Golf Club
Tropics Golf Club in Kirwan was known as The Willows until new owners took over and renamed it in 2018. It sits about 15-20 minutes west of the CBD, next to Queensland Country Bank Stadium. The 18-hole course plays to a par of 71 at around 6,130 metres. Graham Marsh Golf Design has been involved in ongoing upgrades. The course has hosted pro events such as the Queensland Masters and the Australian Legends Classic.
Water and well-placed bunkers are the main challenges here. The closing holes are generally seen as the toughest stretch, including a par 3 17th that requires a full carry over water. Recent Google reviews praise the course condition and the wildlife on course. One first-time visitor found it harder to navigate because there is no hole layout at the tees, and another described the bunker sand as gravel-like.
The club has a grass-tee driving range, PGA lessons, and a bar with golf simulators called the 19th at Tropics. Green fees are among the lowest in the city. Under the current rates, 18 holes cost AUD 40 from Tuesday to Thursday and AUD 49 on Friday and Saturday. Mondays are AUD 20, and twilight golf from 3pm starts at AUD 20 for unlimited holes. Cart hire costs AUD 20-25 for 18 holes.
Key information:
- Address: 16 Nineteenth Ave, Kirwan QLD 4817, Australia
- Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 6:00am-7:00pm
- Hotline: +61 7 4773 4777
- Website: https://www.tropicsgolfclub.com.au
- Rating on Google Maps: 4.3/5
4. Magnetic Island Country Club
Magnetic Island Country Club is the only golf course on Magnetic Island, a short ferry ride from Townsville. It is a 9-hole course in the hills of Picnic Bay, with national park as the backdrop. Most holes have a second tee, so you can play a full 18-hole round on different lines.
The course is hilly, and recent Google reviews describe it as “not easy, not difficult”. Several visitors say the layout can catch out better players. Reviewers also praise the welcoming staff and the course condition, though one noted that the greens had been sanded and were slow. Koalas are sometimes seen in the trees around the course.
The clubhouse has a fully licensed bar that opens daily and a small café called The Bunker. Club and motorised cart hire are available, and holidaymakers are welcome to join social play. Green fees are not published online, so call ahead to confirm current rates.
Key information:
- Address: 2 Hurst St, Picnic Bay QLD 4819, Australia
- Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 8:00am-6:00pm
- Hotline: +61 7 4778 5188
- Website: https://www.magneticislandgolf.com.au
- Rating on Google Maps: 4.7/5
- Check local rules: Here
Frequently asked questions
1. Which golf course in Townsville is best for visitors?
Answer: Rowes Bay Golf Club suits most visitors, with a full course, a par 3 course and the highest Google rating of the city courses. Tropics Golf Club offers the lowest weekday rates. Townsville Golf Club is the choice if you want to play Queensland’s oldest club.
2. How much does a round of golf cost in Townsville?
Answer: Most visitors pay around AUD 40-49 for 18 holes, with cart hire extra. Tropics charges AUD 20 on Mondays and offers twilight golf from AUD 20. Rowes Bay’s par 3 course costs AUD 25.
3. Is there a short course in Townsville?
Answer: Yes. Rowes Bay Golf Club has a 9-hole par 3 course next to its main 18 holes. It suits beginners, juniors and anyone short on time.
4. Can you play golf in Townsville during the wet season?
Answer: Yes, all four courses mentioned above open year-round. However, heavy rain between roughly December and April can leave low-lying areas waterlogged, especially at Townsville Golf Club near the Ross River. Call the pro shop to check course conditions before you go.
5. Do Townsville golf courses have their own Local Rules?
Answer: Yes. Each club sets Local Rules for its own conditions. For example, during renovation work, a club may mark areas such as bunkers as ground under repair, which allows free relief. Check the scorecard or clubhouse notices before your round, as these rules can change.
The golf courses in Townsville cover a wide range, from a historic riverside club to a relaxed island 9-holer. Rowes Bay and Tropics offer good value, while Townsville Golf Club brings over a century of history. Before you go, confirm green fees with the pro shop and check the Local Rules for the course you plan to play.
Not sure how a Local Rule applies, or facing a tricky ruling during your round? Download the Golficial app, describe the situation, and get a step-by-step answer based on the Rules of Golf, with your options and penalty strokes laid out clearly.