The Shopping Bus Tour

Kay has been busy planning a unique shopping experience for the SCQ Retreat Townsville 2012 Monday 2^nd July 2012. The Shopping Bus Trip will take in, not only FNQ patchwork shops, but the gorgeous vista of outback Queensland.

Last year's SCQ Expedition through the highlands!

How can we manage this?  Kay resides in nearby Charters Towers, where we will rest up from our retail extravaganza, for lunch. After lunch Kay has organised for us to be treated to a tour extraordinaire of this fascinating town by an amazing local tour guide.

Charters Towers is a montage of Australian heritage, and once the second largest city in Queensland, it is as rich in history as it is in gold.

Charters Towers  promises gold, greed, ghosts and grandeur.  Indeed this is a destination that deserves more than a day.

And to recover from all this action there will be further opportunity for patchwork related retail on the return trip to Townsville.

Kay relaxing after all that hard work organising the tour!

What else can I do in Townsville?

‘What can I do in the city precincts?’  

We mentioned stuff to do if you are making a holiday of your time in FNQ (that's Tropical Speak for Far North Queensland) and want to visit the regional precincts.  But what if you are flying in and flying out of Townsville for a quick, fabulous laid back, relaxing retreat weekend?  The question you are probably asking yourself is: ‘What can I do in the city precincts?’ Heaps!

www.freedigitalphotos.net

Flinders Street Central is the traditional heart of Townsville, with a variety of retail shops and especially hosts the award winning Cotters Markets, every Sunday morning.

Flinders Street East is a mix of restaurants, nightclubs, pubs and wine bars if this is what you are seeking.

Palmer Street is located on the South Bank of the Ross River, and is the premium eat street with award winning international cuisine: Indian; Asian; Italian; Greek; French; Mexican; modern Australian and of course locally-caught seafood. It also offers gorgeous views across the Ross Marina.

The Strand is a spectacular waterfront promenade, perfect for those wanting to soak up the laid back tropical atmosphere. This 2.2km palm tree studded stretch is adorned with bike and walkway paths, safe swimming beaches, picturesque picnic spots, a water park and chic restaurants and bars with breath taking views, great way to start your day for breakfast.  Here's a list of 10 Things To Do On The Strand

Gregory Street adjoins The Strand and offers a cosmopolitan village atmosphere with boutique shopping, open air cafe dining great for coffee. I had the best ice-cream ever here, while there in May scoping this retreat!

These were mentioned before as city sights and are not to be missed:

Reef HQ Great Barrier Reef Aquarium

Museum of Tropical Queensland

Castle Hill

If you are really fit and want a good workout this walk is for you.  Alternatively, hire a cab and take in the gorgeous views from the top of Castle Hill at your leisure. It is not to be missed!

Thursday night dinner

Thursday night Dinner

Aqua Restaurant

http://www.jupiterstownsville.com.au/Dining-Aqua.htm

You are invited to join us for dinner Thursday 28^th June 2012 at Aqua. This is on the ground floor of Jupiters and is renowned for seafood. A full menu is available including scrumptious desserts.

We will gather bookings from you closer to the date.

More about our venue.....

Lots of retreaters have been asking about the venue so here is a little précis of our current plans. Things can change due to unforeseeable circumstances and we will keep you posted as needed.

Retreat Registration will be Friday afternoon at Jupiters Townsville Hotel. We have access to the ballroom from 2pm to gather, plan and play together. We will dine there that night.

This luxurious hotel offers modern accommodation and a lagoon-style pool along with views of Coral Sea and Magnetic Island in Townsville. It is less than 10 minutes’ walk to Reef Aquarium a wonderful venue to visit.

Jupiter's Townsville

On Saturday and Sunday we will stroll through Jupiter’s lagoon garden to the Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre (seen to the right in the above photo) for our workshops, sit and sew, lunch and relaxation.

We will be using only a small part of the TECC; the Palm Room located overlooking the palms seen to the right in the photo below. We will access workshop rooms as required.

We will take Refreshment breaks in the Queensland Foyer

The Queensland Foyer overlooks the expansive Palm Lawn and out over the Coral Sea. It is the main entry and exit point for guests.

Townsville Entertainment & Convention Centre

Tropical flexible functional

…the answer in one stunning location

Saturday night dinner is still in the planning. A surprise, so watch this space for what we hope will be something very special.