Townsville ...

We had five nights in Townsville, which gave us plenty of time for a good look around - and book the car for service. 

There was a lot of dog-free nature appreciation after Magnetic Island, when Bandit was still at his pet resort. 

We had a look at Alligator Creek, in a National Park out of town. (It was a place we'd viewed online quite a few years back - when Nick was applying for other Queensland jobs, pre-Victoria). 

Funny to see the scrub turkey so keen on breaching someone's picnic provisions! 

Magpie Geese and Red-tailed black cockatoos were afternoon highlights, spotted when driving in Town Common Conservation Park.

Townsville has three, dog-friendly, Botanic Gardens so we visited those with Mr Dog.  Anderson Gardens was our first choice. It was originally planted as an arboretum. 

It was marvellous! Such magnificent trees - just huge!

We spent time at the heritage-listed Queens Gardens, with more huge trees - and then finished the afternoon wandering through the 17-hectacres of Palmetum. 

After Castle Hill, Mount Stuart is Townsville’s most prominent landmark - 10km from the CBD. Most of the area is a Military Training Area and Nick said it seemed familiar from his earlier years.

We mooched around the local opshops, visited markets and generally relaxed.