On January 1, two days after our arrival in this country, Vilis and I walked the road up Castle Hill, stepping over squashed cane toads, noting the grey, dessicated grasses and sparse tree cover of the savannah cloaking the steep slopes of the pink granite peak that rears 298 metres¹ into the sky behind Townsville’s Central Business District and looms above the city. Friendly runners and walkers greeted us with “Happy New Year to you both!” Since then, we’ve watched the tropical sunset from the Hill and attended a sunrise Easter service on its summit. Countless times, we’ve noted the peak during our errands within the city, and from loftier vantage points during explorations of Townsville’s surrounding peaks and plains.

Today’s issue of the Townsville Bulletin carried a two-page spread featuring Castle Hill and its place in the hearts of Townsvillians.¹ The article stated that ascending this city’s granite icon has become almost a rite of passage for city dwellers and a must-do hike for tourists.¹ In view of the prominence of Castle Hill within Townsville’s landscape and persona, I’ve designated this post as a photo tribute to this most Townsvillian of Townsvillian natural features – Castle Hill.

Reference:

1. Emily MacDonald. Our home is our Castle. Townsville Bulletin, Saturday, October 23, 2010, pp. 48, 57.