Car Rental in Townsville

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Townsville, Australia
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Driver's country of residence is United States of America (USA) and age is 30-65
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500+ Trusted Suppliers:

Cheapest Car Rental Rates

Townsville Airport Car Rental
Compact
Hyundai Accent or similar
Hyundai Accent
  • 5
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Bargain Car Rentals
$29.15 / per day
Townsville Airport Car Rental
Economy
MG 3 or similar
MG 3
  • 5
  • 1
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Alamo
$29.17 / per day
Townsville Airport Car Rental
Intermediate
Suzuki Baleno or similar
Suzuki Baleno
  • 5
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Routes Car Rental
$44.10 / per day
Downtown Car Rental
Standard SUV
MG HS or similar
MG HS
  • 5
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Europcar
$47.68 / per day

Most Popular Car Rental Deals

Townsville Airport Car Rental
Full-size Elite SUV
Isuzu MU-X or similar
Isuzu MU-X
  • 7
  • 4
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
SIXT
$67.33 / per day
Townsville Airport Car Rental
Full-size
Toyota Camry or similar
Toyota Camry
  • 5
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Budget
$72.03 / per day
Townsville Airport Car Rental
Standard Elite
Polestar 2 or similar
Polestar 2
  • 5
  • 2
  • 5
  • Auto.
Thrifty
$75.64 / per day
Townsville Airport Car Rental
Premium Van
Kia Carnival or similar
Kia Carnival
  • 8
  • 4
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Keddy
$132.83 / per day
The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 10:36 on 2023-12-08. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.

Travel Information

Languages
English
Currency
AUD
Drive on
Left-hand side
Country code
+61
Average car rental price
$62 per day
Average car rental length
5 days
Speed limit within town
50 km/h or 31 mph
Speed limit out of town
100 - 130 km/h or 62 - 81 mph
Acceptable limit of BAC
0.05%
Rating
10.0 / 10
Average gasoline price
$1.29 per liter or $4.90 / 1 gallon
Lowest gasoline price
$1.12 per liter or $4.25 / 1 gallon
Highest gasoline price
$1.45 per liter or $5.50 / 1 gallon

Why rent a car in Townsville?

One of the main cities and regional centre of North Queensland, Townsville is best known for its nearby natural attractions. The cozy city of 180,000 souls offers access to the southern portions of one of the world’s natural wonders, the Great Barrier Reef, as well as the amazing Magnetic Island, the famous Outback and the northern Australian rainforest. There’s no need to be in a great rush to leave the city, though, as there’s also plenty of attractions inside its borders, such as heritage sites, beautiful public beaches, and lots of art and culture. 

One-Way Car Rentals in Townsville

The most popular one-way rental options for pick up in Townsville and drop off in another city include:

  • From Townsville to Cairns - 26 offers from $91.07 per day
  • From Townsville to Sydney - 26 offers from $106.34 per day

Top ways to enter Townsville

  • Townsville Airport. Serving about 1.6 million travelers every year, this cozy airport offers access to Australian metropolises like Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne, as well as more exotic and isolated destinations like Mackay, Toowoomba, and Palm Island. Located about 7 km (4.3 miles) west of the city center, the airport can be reached in ten minutes.
  • Cairns Airport. The biggest airport of North Queensland, it serves plenty of domestic destinations, as well as flights to and from China, Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, and Papua New-Guinea. Located some 350 km (217 miles) north of Townsville, the trip between the two takes about four and a half hours, and most of the drive takes you near the coast, passing attractions like Mission Beach and Hinchinbrook Island along the way.

Top destinations and activities

  • Museums. Despite its relatively small size, Townsville has a decent amount of interesting museums. The standout amongst them is the Museum of Tropical Queensland with its impressive collections of corals, other marine flora and fauna, and artifacts from the wreck of the famous HMS Pandora. Others include the Army Museum of North Queensland, the Maritime Museum (located in the Townsville Harbour area), and the Rolling Stone Park Museum and community markets.
  • The Strand. One of the most famous city beaches in Australia, the Strand is characterized by its golden sands, surrounding gardens, impressive views, and relaxed atmosphere. The ocean is generally very calm here and safe to swim in at many places along it. Located in the suburb of North Ward, The Strand can be easily accessed from anywhere in the city.
  • Reef HQ. While many trips and tours to the Great Barrier Reef depart from Townsville, the first impression of that unique ecosystem can be gained without leaving the city. An impressive aquarium, the Reef HQ has not only corals, but also other mesmerizing ocean dwellers like sea cucumbers, urchins, and stars. Other sections of the aquarium house the impressive blacktip reef and leopard sharks, as well as the Turtle Hospital dedicated to the recovery of injured marine animals. Visit Reef HQ’s official website to learn more about opening hours, tickets, and the conservation efforts of the center.
  • Magnetic Island. A stunning tropical island located just a short 40-minute car ferry away from Townsville. “Maggie” as locals call it, is known for its crystal clear waters, abundant wildlife, and secluded bays. This is often recommended as a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Townsville. Find out more in this great guide to Magnetic Island. 

Traffic and parking

  • As a moderately sized Australian city, traffic congestion is generally not as severe as in larger cities like Sydney or Brisbane. The road network is also well maintained.
  • There is free and paid parking available in the city. Generally, the free parking is found a few streets back from the Strand. There are plenty of spots usually available near the Ross River, within walking idstance of the main attract
  • One of the largest road hazards in Australia is the wildlife. Take extra caution when driving in bad weather or after dark as this is when most of the collisions with wildlife take place.
  • Mobile coverage is very rarely available outside of major highways and population centers, so take extra caution when traveling in rural areas.
  • Another great risk when traveling outside of main highways is the heat. The temperatures can reach extremes very easily, especially during the summer months and in inland areas. Always stay properly hydrated and plan your route in advance to be able to supplement your water supplies.
  • Laws concerning driving under the influence differ from territory to territory in Australia. In Queensland, the legal alcohol limit is 0.05% for experienced drivers and 0.00% for novice drivers and drivers with provisional licenses. Exceeding the limit can lead to large fines and a driver license ban.
  • Proof of insurance and the car’s documentation need to be in the car whenever you’re driving.
  • When driving, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
  • The primary, nationwide emergency number in Australia is 000. 

Toll roads

There are a number of toll roads in Australia, mainly in the states of New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland. In New South Wales, there are nine currently active toll roads, which is more than in the rest of the country combined.

Most toll roads in Australia use an open toll system with mainline barrier toll points. All toll roads in Australia use a cashless payment system. You can purchase a prepaid pass for most toll roads. Some rental cars in Australia are equipped with electronic transponders, the price of which may or may not be included in the rental price. Ask your car rental provider about it in advance. 

Different toll roads are operated by different companies, so there is no nation-wide fee system in place.

The main freeway bypassing Townsville is called the Townsville Ring Road, which forms the new A1 motorway connecting the southern Queensland cities to Cairns. This is a toll-free road, and tolls in general are not found in the Townsville region. 

For more information about the toll roads in the state of Queensland, visit the state’s toll road website.

Car Rental Prices in Townsville

  • Large cars - from $34 per day
  • Medium cars - from $29 per day
  • Vans - from $86 per day
  • Small cars - from $29 per day
  • SUVs - from $31 per day
This information was written, fact-checked, and/or translated by our content creators.

Learn more about our Editorial Policy.
Fact checked by
Olly Gaspar
This article was reviewed and updated by Olly Gaspar, a professional adventure travel photographer and writer. He has spent the past five years documenting his full-time travels around the world on his blog We Seek Travel.

Top 20 Cities near Townsville

  1. Proserpine Car Rentals from $80.62 per day
    231.6 km / 143.9 miles away
  2. Cairns Car Rentals from $24.54 per day
    284.3 km / 176.7 miles away
  3. Mackay Car Rentals from $56.33 per day
    329.9 km / 205.0 miles away
  4. Port Douglas Car Rentals from $58.91 per day
    337.4 km / 209.7 miles away
  5. Rockhampton Car Rentals from $52.20 per day
    598.3 km / 371.8 miles away
  6. Gladstone Car Rentals from $55.90 per day
    689.6 km / 428.5 miles away
  7. Mount Isa Car Rentals from $39.26 per day
    776.4 km / 482.4 miles away
  8. Bundaberg Car Rentals from $45.95 per day
    849.3 km / 527.7 miles away
  9. Hervey Bay Car Rentals from $55.19 per day
    921.8 km / 572.8 miles away
  10. Noosa Heads Car Rentals from $73.88 per day
    1024.8 km / 636.8 miles away
  11. Marcoola Car Rentals from $17.25 per day
    1042.2 km / 647.6 miles away
  12. Toowoomba Car Rentals from $36.10 per day
    1063.4 km / 660.8 miles away
  13. Brisbane Car Rentals from $24.59 per day
    1112.0 km / 691.0 miles away
  14. Ipswich Car Rentals from $50.51 per day
    1113.5 km / 691.9 miles away
  15. Surfers Paradise Car Rentals from $22.55 per day
    1185.6 km / 736.7 miles away
  16. Gold Coast Car Rentals from $19.83 per day
    1204.4 km / 748.4 miles away
  17. Ballina Car Rentals from $59.25 per day
    1268.4 km / 788.1 miles away
  18. Armidale Car Rentals from $30.83 per day
    1345.2 km / 835.9 miles away
  19. Cobar Car Rentals
    1369.3 km / 850.8 miles away
  20. Tamworth Car Rentals from $35.84 per day
    1377.7 km / 856.1 miles away

Top 20 Locations near Townsville

  1. Townsville Airport Car Rentals from $29.15 per day
  2. Whitsunday Coast Airport Car Rentals from $80.62 per day
    231.6 km / 143.9 miles away
  3. Cairns Airport Car Rentals from $24.54 per day
    284.3 km / 176.7 miles away
  4. Mackay Airport Car Rentals from $57.11 per day
    329.9 km / 205.0 miles away
  5. Rockhampton Airport Car Rentals from $52.20 per day
    598.3 km / 371.8 miles away
  6. Gladstone Airport Car Rentals from $55.90 per day
    689.6 km / 428.5 miles away
  7. Bundaberg Downtown Car Rentals from $45.95 per day
    848.4 km / 527.2 miles away
  8. Bundaberg Airport Car Rentals from $50.41 per day
    849.3 km / 527.7 miles away
  9. Hervey Bay Downtown Car Rentals from $55.19 per day
    911.2 km / 566.2 miles away
  10. Hervey Bay Airport Car Rentals from $61.84 per day
    921.8 km / 572.8 miles away
  11. Sunshine Coast Airport Car Rentals from $17.25 per day
    1042.2 km / 647.6 miles away
  12. Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport Car Rentals from $37.49 per day
    1060.6 km / 659.0 miles away
  13. Brisbane Brendale Car Rentals from $50.51 per day
    1097.9 km / 682.2 miles away
  14. Brisbane Airport Car Rentals from $24.59 per day
    1112.0 km / 691.0 miles away
  15. Brisbane Ascot Car Rentals from $37.44 per day
    1113.4 km / 691.8 miles away
  16. Brisbane Fortitude Valley Car Rentals from $65.94 per day
    1113.7 km / 692.0 miles away
  17. Downtown Car Rentals from $35.63 per day
    1113.8 km / 692.1 miles away
  18. Brisbane Tingalpa Car Rentals from $43.72 per day
    1118.4 km / 694.9 miles away
  19. Brisbane Rocklea Car Rentals from $53.54 per day
    1120.7 km / 696.4 miles away
  20. Brisbane Archerfield Car Rentals from $50.91 per day
    1122.6 km / 697.6 miles away

Map of Car Rental Locations

What is the cheapest month to rent a car in Townsville?

Car rental prices in Townsville vary by time of year. This graph shows the average prices per month to help you find the best time of year to rent.
Average rental costs per day in Townsville
$66.24
January
$61.46
February
$76.34
March
$79.76
April
$90.25
May
$90.20
June
$74.21
July
$123.35
August
$61.76
September
$56.96
October
$56.59
November
$76.00
December
The cheapest month to rent a car in Townsville is November (when prices average $56.59 per day). This is 26% cheaper than the yearly average and 54% cheaper than renting in August (when prices average $123.35).

This information can help you identify the low season. But these are only average numbers. How much your car rental will cost will depend on the type of vehicle you rent, how long you’ll rent it for, and how far ahead you book. Simply enter your dates in the form at the top of the page to see the exact prices.

What’s the usual rental length in Townsville?

How long travelers keep their rental cars for varies from month to month: in July, the average renter keeps their car for 8 days, and in January, they keep their car for 4 days.
Average number of rental days in Townsville
4
January
4
February
4
March
4
April
4
May
5
June
8
July
6
August
5
September
5
October
7
November
6
December

What's the most popular month to rent a car in Townsville?

Based on the number of searches by our customers, the most popular month for renting a car in Townsville is November, and the least popular is April.
Monthly searches in Townsville by pick-up date relative to the average
76%
January
54%
February
81%
March
38%
April
65%
May
103%
June
92%
July
60%
August
109%
September
174%
October
261%
November
87%
December

Car Rental Information

Car rental locations 2
Airport locations 1
Popular suppliers Alamo, Europcar, Bargain Car Rentals, SIXT, Thrifty
Popular car categories SUVs, Medium cars, Large cars, Small cars
Lowest price $29 per day
Cheapest supplier Bargain Car Rentals

Most Popular Car Models of Rental Suppliers

Rental Supplier Model Doors Luggage Type
Alamo MG 3 4 1 Small cars
Alamo Hyundai i30 5 2 Large cars
Alamo Toyota Yaris 4 2 Medium cars
Europcar Ford Puma 5 2 Large cars
Europcar MG 3 4 2 Medium cars
Bargain Car Rentals Hyundai Accent 4 2 Medium cars
Europcar Suzuki Baleno 4 2 Large cars
Europcar MG HS 4 2 SUVs
Alamo Skoda Kamiq 5 2 SUVs
Dollar Hyundai Grand i10 Sedan 4 2 Medium cars

Our Customers' Reviews

Because we want to make sure each review listed here is left by a real customer, we don’t have an option to post a review here. Instead, we ask each and every customer to leave a review after they return their rental car. This way, you know that all reviews are authentic, verified, and trustworthy.

Australia
Kia Picanto
October 2, 2021
Went all over the area it was so good to have the freedom to drive where and when we wanted

Car Rental Statistics

Highest rated company
Thrifty
9.2 / 10
)
Lowest rated company
Firefly
8.4 / 10
)
Total number of reviews
2
Total rental companies
13
Average daily price
$62.59
Lowest daily price
$33.21
Total cars available
100

Top 13 Suppliers in Townsville in 2023

Alamo
Alamo
Exceptional 9.2 / 25 reviews
1 location
$33 - $42
Thrifty
Thrifty
Exceptional 9.2 / 11 reviews
2 locations
$99 - $118
SIXT
SIXT
Exceptional 9 / 7 reviews
2 locations
$42 - $91
Budget
Budget
Very good 8.9 / 3 reviews
1 location
$75 - $117
National
National
Very good 8.9 / 2 reviews
1 location
$128 - $193
Hertz
Hertz
Very good 8.9
1 location
Europcar
Europcar
Very good 8.8 / 15 reviews
2 locations
$36 - $103
Bargain Car Rentals
Bargain Car Rentals
Very good 8.8 / 1 reviews
1 location
$35 - $160
Dollar
Dollar
Very good 8.8 / 1 reviews
2 locations
$54 - $170
Avis
Avis
Very good 8.7 / 1 reviews
1 location
$69 - $179
Enterprise
Enterprise
Very good 8.7
2 locations
$37 - $47
Keddy
Keddy
Very good 8.6
1 location
$54 - $114
Firefly
Firefly
Very good 8.4
1 location
Why book with us?
Special offers
As a market leader (see SimilarWeb), we get special offers like contactless pick-ups, great prices, and free upgrades.
Award-winning
World's Leading Car Rental Booking Website in the World Travel Tech Awards (3 years in a row).
Highly-rated
A combined rating of 4.5 with 90k total reviews on platforms like Trustpilot, Google, and Review Center.
4M users
Have already booked on one of the fastest-growing car rental booking websites.

Highly recommended by our customers

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Townsville

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Driver's country of residence is United States of America (USA) and age is 30-65
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