Car Rental in Townsville
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The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 08:32 on 2021-05-11. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.
Travel Information
Language
English
Currency
AUD
Country code
61
Traffic direction
Left-hand
Speed limit out of town
80 - 100 km/h
50 - 62 mi/h
Speed limit within town
50 km/h
31 mi/h
Acceptable limit of BAC
0.05%
Why rent a car in Townsville?
One of the main cities of northern Queensland, Townsville is best known for its 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 famous Outback and 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 US$ 102.52 per day
- From Townsville to Sydney - 26 offers from US$ 119.71 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 along or near the coast.
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.
Traffic and parking tips
- 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.
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 $60 per day
- Medium cars - from $68 per day
- Small cars - from $62 per day
- SUVs - from $71 per day
Top 12 Cities near Townsville
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Cairns Car Rentals from $51.26 per day284.3 km / 176.6 miles away
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Proserpine Car Rentals from $38.02 per day231.6 km / 143.9 miles away
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Mackay Car Rentals from $47.98 per day329.9 km / 205.0 miles away
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Rockhampton Car Rentals from $35.17 per day598.3 km / 371.7 miles away
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Bundaberg Car Rentals from $35.73 per day849.3 km / 527.8 miles away
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Hervey Bay Car Rentals from $31.58 per day921.8 km / 572.8 miles away
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Gladstone Car Rentals from $34.20 per day689.6 km / 428.5 miles away
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Roma Car Rentals from $59.52 per day836.4 km / 519.7 miles away
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Emerald Car Rentals from $37.19 per day501.4 km / 311.5 miles away
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Port Douglas Car Rentals from $44.72 per day337.4 km / 209.7 miles away
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Thangool Car Rentals from $34.55 per day702.3 km / 436.4 miles away
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673.2 km / 418.3 miles away
Top 20 Locations near Townsville
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Townsville Airport Car Rentals from $51.26 per day
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Whitsunday Coast Airport Car Rentals from $38.02 per day231.6 km / 143.9 miles away
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Cairns Airport Car Rentals from $51.26 per day284.3 km / 176.6 miles away
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Mackay Airport Car Rentals from $47.98 per day329.9 km / 205.0 miles away
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Emerald Airport Car Rentals from $37.19 per day501.4 km / 311.5 miles away
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Rockhampton Airport Car Rentals from $35.17 per day598.3 km / 371.7 miles away
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Gladstone Airport Car Rentals from $34.20 per day689.6 km / 428.5 miles away
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Thangool Airport Car Rentals from $34.55 per day702.3 km / 436.4 miles away
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Roma Airport Car Rentals from $59.52 per day836.4 km / 519.7 miles away
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Bundaberg Airport Car Rentals from $35.73 per day849.3 km / 527.8 miles away
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Hervey Bay Airport Car Rentals from $31.58 per day921.8 km / 572.8 miles away
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Sunshine Coast Airport Car Rentals from $63.44 per day1042.2 km / 647.6 miles away
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Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport Car Rentals from $57.47 per day1060.6 km / 659.0 miles away
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Brisbane Brendale Car Rentals from $57.47 per day1097.9 km / 682.2 miles away
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Brisbane Virginia Car Rentals from $57.47 per day1107.3 km / 688.1 miles away
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Brisbane Airport Car Rentals from $43.14 per day1112.0 km / 691.0 miles away
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Brisbane Domestic Airport (BNET02) Car Rentals from $43.14 per day1112.3 km / 691.1 miles away
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Brisbane Ascot Car Rentals from $57.47 per day1113.4 km / 691.8 miles away
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Brisbane Tingalpa Car Rentals from $57.47 per day1118.4 km / 694.9 miles away
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Brisbane Rocklea Car Rentals from $57.47 per day1120.7 km / 696.3 miles away
Map of Car Rental Locations
Which is the cheapest month to rent a car in Townsville?
Car rental prices in Townsville vary a lot according to the time of year. This graph compares month-to-month price changes to help you find the best offer.
Average Rental Price in Townsville
The best month to rent a car in Townsville is May (when prices for an Economy class start from $25.50). This is 47% cheaper than the yearly average and 55% cheaper than renting in November (when rental prices start at $56.30 for a Compact class). Knowing this can help you find the best price.
What’s the usual rental length in Townsville?
Travel lengths vary from month to month: in January, travelers rent a car for an average of 7 days in October, the average rental period is 5 days.
Average Rental Length in Townsville
What's the most popular month to rent a car in Townsville?
While travelers visit Townsville year-round, the most popular month for renting a car is December, and the least popular is August.
Popularity of Car Rental in Townsville by Monthly Searches
Most Popular Car Models of Rental Suppliers
| Rental Agency | Model | Doors | Luggage | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alamo | Mitsubishi ASX | 4 | 2 | SUVs |
| Thrifty | Toyota Yaris | 4 | 1 | Small cars |
| Alamo | Toyota Corolla | 4 | 2 | Large cars |
| Thrifty | Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross | 5 | 2 | Station wagons |
| Thrifty | Toyota Corolla | 4 | 2 | Medium cars |
| Thrifty | Kia Cerato | 4 | 2 | Large cars |
| Alamo | Mitsubishi Outlander | 5 | 2 | SUVs |
| Alamo | Toyota Yaris | 4 | 2 | Medium cars |
| Alamo | Kia Rio | 4 | 2 | Small cars |
| Thrifty | Toyota Corolla | 4 | 4 | Large cars |
Top 8 Suppliers in Townsville in 2021
National
+61747793891
Townsville Airport In terminal, Coral Sea Dr, Garbutt QLD 4814
Enterprise
+61747793891
Terminal Building, Coral Sea Dr, Garbutt QLD 4814
Europcar
+610747601380
Terminal Building Townsville Airport, Townsville QLD 4810
Working hours
Mon:07:30-17:00
Tue:07:30-17:00
Wed:07:30-17:00
Thu:07:30-17:00
Fri:07:30-17:00
Sat:08:00-14:00
Sun:08:00-14:00
Keddy
+610747601380
Terminal Building Townsville Airport, Townsville QLD 4810
Working hours
Mon:07:30-17:00
Tue:07:30-17:00
Wed:07:30-17:00
Thu:07:30-17:00
Fri:07:30-17:00
Sat:08:00-14:00
Sun:08:00-14:00
Avis
0747627400
Terminal Building
Working hours
Mon:07:30-20:30
Tue:07:30-20:15
Wed:07:30-20:15
Thu:07:30-20:30
Fri:07:30-20:30
Sat:07:30-12:30; 15:45-20:00
Sun:07:30-20:00
Alamo
747793891
Terminal Building Garbutt
Working hours
Mon:07:30-16:30
Tue:07:30-16:30
Wed:07:30-16:30
Thu:07:30-16:30
Fri:07:30-16:30
Budget
0747627433
Terminal Building Townsville Airport
Working hours
Mon:07:30-20:30
Tue:07:30-20:15
Wed:07:30-20:15
Thu:07:30-20:30
Fri:07:30-20:30
Sat:07:30-12:30; 15:45-20:00
Sun:07:30-20:00
Alamo
+61747793891
Coral Sea Dr, Garbutt QLD 4814