Castle Hill via the Goat Track

Starting from Hillside Crescent, Townsville, this walk takes you to the summit of Castle Hill and back via the Goat Track, which includes 1300 steps(one way). A great way to view the city of Townsville whilst getting in your daily cardio workout, this track features 360-degree views all over the hinterland and the coast. No matter how experienced you are, the sheer number of steps and the steepness are bound to make you feel your calves and quads. Although it’s demanding, the aforementioned views make this challenge quite worthwhile in the eyes of many. You’ll be able to see the Magnetic Island and beyond to the east as you catch your breath. Speaking of, a local legend says the American soldiers that were here during WWII offered to blow up the hill and use the debris to build a bridge all the way over to Magnetic Island. Keep in mind that you can also drive up to the summit and make this a one-way walk, if you arrange transport. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Downloads GPX PDF

Safer Bushwalks Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There Transport options and directions

Start	At the intersection of Hillside Crescent & Goat Track (-19.2598872,146.8097856)
Mode	Car
Directions	From University Road, A1 Turn on to then drive for 45 m Turn left onto Bowen Road, 17 and drive for another 950 m At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Bowen Road, 17 and drive for another 5.2 km Turn left onto Morris Street and drive for another 180 m Turn right onto Sturt Street, 9 and drive for another 1.4 km Turn left onto Stokes Street and drive for another 540 m Turn left onto Victoria Street and drive for another 540 m Turn right onto Hillside Crescent and drive for another 45 m

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From Hillside Crescent, Townsville(across house no:5), head along the gravel track(Goat Track) gently uphill as you pass by little informative signposts to your right, moving directly away from the road. In about 55 metres, keep right at the 3-way intersection and pass by a water tank to your left to continue along Castle Hill via the Goat Track.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	At the intersection of Hillside Crescent & Goat Track Start heading along Goat Track (a footpath).
	After another 55 m (from the Goat Track) veer right, to head along Goat Track. After another 65 m (at the intersection of Goat Track & Maidenhair Track) continue straight, to head along Goat Track.
	After another 55 m (from the Goat Track) veer right, to head along Goat Track.
	After another 250 m (at the intersection of Goat Track & Cudtheringa Track) turn left, to head along Goat Track. After another 15 m (at the intersection of Widowmaker Track & Goat Track) continue straight, to head along Goat Track. After another 85 m (from the Goat Track) continue straight, to head along Goat Track. After another 120 m (from the Goat Track) continue straight, to head along Goat Track.
	After another 45 m (at the intersection of Castle Hill Road & Goat Track) continue straight, to head along Castle Hill Road (a road). After another 10 m pass the car park (25 m on your left). After another 35 m come to the "Hynes Lookout Hill Castle" (50 m on your right). After another 75 m pass the shelter (10 m on your left). About 125 m past the end is "Castle Hill". About 70 m past the end is a water tap. About 65 m past the end is a toilet. About 65 m past the end is "Jenkinson's Post".
	Turn around here and retrace the main route for 830 m to get back to the start.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Castle Hill via the Goat Track

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	1.7 km
Time	45 min to 1 h 15 min

Quality of track	Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
Signage	Clearly signposted (2/6)
Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (2/6)
Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (2/6)

Some facilities on route

Shelter: There is one 820 m from the start.

Toilet: There is one 850 m from the start.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Shelter	820 m	[shelter]
Toilet	850 m	[toilet]

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Townsville Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu
  
  Friday 17 January
  
  37°C
  Mostly sunny.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower in the late morning and afternoon. The chance of a thunderstorm from late this morning. Winds west to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h tending south to southwesterly in the early afternoon then becoming light in the evening. Daytime maximum temperatures 35 to 40.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: Moderate
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 8:20am to 4:20pm, UV Index predicted to reach 12 [Extreme]
  
  Saturday 18 January
  
  26°C → 35°C
  Partly cloudy.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Slight chance of a shower near the coast, near zero chance elsewhere. The chance of a thunderstorm. Light winds becoming southeast to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h in the late afternoon then tending northeast to southeasterly in the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to the low to mid 20s with daytime temperatures reaching 34 to 39.
  
  Sunday 19 January
  
  26°C → 34°C
  Shower or two.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 6mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening. The chance of a thunderstorm. Light winds becoming east to northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the afternoon then becoming light during the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to the low to mid 20s with daytime temperatures reaching the low to high 30s.
  
  Monday 20 January
  
  25°C → 31°C
  Shower or two.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 9mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. The chance of a thunderstorm. Light winds becoming east to northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the afternoon then becoming light during the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to the low to mid 20s with daytime temperatures reaching the low to mid 30s.
  
  Tuesday 21 January
  
  25°C → 30°C
  Shower or two.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 8mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Wednesday 22 January
  
  25°C → 31°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  Possible shower.
  
  Thursday 23 January
  
  26°C → 32°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
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Weather Forecast

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