Rent a car in Townsville
Renowned for its picturesque beaches, rich heritage, and close proximity to some of Queensland's most popular attractions, Townsville is a city best explored by renting a vehicle. Whether you're travelling with family or planning a road trip with friends, car hire in Townsville unlocks the best of north-eastern Queensland.
As the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, Townsville is a sprawling coastal city surrounded by must-see attractions best explored behind the wheel of your own ride. Plus, Townsville is a popular road trip destination, with multi-day itineraries connecting you to the Gold Coast, Cairns and even Sydney. With a wide range of cars to choose from and a simple booking process, Turo can help make your trip to Townsville your best trip yet.
Townsville car hire: How it works
Hiring a car in Townsville is your ticket to discovering the best of this tropical oasis. Zip along the coastline, take a day trip to The Wet Tropics or venture to the best beaches and rockpools along the North Queensland coastline. Browse online, book in minutes and set your own custom pick-up location, rather than trekking it to the office of a traditional Townsville car rental company.
Find your car:
Enter a date and location in Townsville (or beyond) and browse thousands of cars shared by local hosts.
Book with Turo:
Book on the Turo app or online, choose a protection plan, and say hi to your host! Cancel for free up to 24 hours before your trip, and get discounts if you book early or for a longer duration!
Hit the roads of Townsville:
Have the car delivered or pick it up from your host. Check-in with the app, grab the keys, and hit the roads of Townsville!
Try car sharing in Townsville
Things to do and places to see in Townsville
Situated in Northern Queensland, Townsville is brimming with incredible things to do and unforgettable places to see. Here are a few to consider visiting when you're in the area.
Book the perfect carBillabong Sanctuary
An 18 minutes' drive from Townsville City, Billabong Sanctuary is a unique wildlife park offering some of the best interactive animal experiences Australia offers. From feeding a crocodile to playing with a dingo, there's much to see and do at Billabong Sanctuary.
The Strand
The Strand is a seaside foreshore in Townsville famous for its relaxed yet energetic vibe, as well as beautiful scenic beach views. A fun combination of natural beaches and custom-built play areas, it's the perfect place to explore with family, as well as take yourself on a solo date to enjoy the seaside wonder.
Magnetic Island
Just a short ferry ride from Townsville, Magnetic Island is a hidden local gem that's an unforgettable place of serenity and natural beauty. Every nature lover's favourite, the island is filled with granite boulders, hoop pines, and sandy beaches that make for a picturesque landscape you can't see anywhere else.
Skip traditional Townsville car rental and book a car on Turo
More bang for your buck
Find deals on all kinds of drives in Townsville and throughout Australia - from the everyday to the extraordinary - complete with a better, more convenient experience versus rental car companies. Find the perfect vehicle for your budget.
Free cancellation
Cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before your Townsville trip starts. Because life happens and it helps to be flexible when it does.
Convenient delivery options, wherever you are in Townsville:
Skip the Townsville car rental line and get your car delivered right to you or wherever you’re going. Many hosts offer delivery to custom locations or popular points of interest in Townsville, like airports, train stations, and hotels.
Browse by make
Top tips for hiring a car in Townsville
About to hire a car in Townsville? Here are a few top tips to keep in mind.
Townsville road rules and driving conditions
The road rules in Townsville are similar to any other city in Queensland - this applies to seat belt and booster seat regulations. Children under seven must be restrained with an appropriate, approved child restraint (such as a booster or baby seat). You can easily add this to your booking with Turo to make it easy to comply with local laws.
As for driving speeds, make sure to stick to the 50km/h speed limit in built-up areas and 100km/h outside of built-up areas.
However, you may need to be wary of roaming wild animals while driving at night (especially in rural and remote areas in Queensland). Slow down and drive cautiously at dawn, dusk and after dark to avoid collisions.
Townsville's rush hour, busiest roads and toll roads
Rush hour in Townsville is usually between 8am to 10am and 4pm to 6pm. Although there are no toll roads in the city, you may need to be mindful of busy and traffic-prone roads such as Townsville Ring Road and Sturt St while driving in the city.
Parking in Townsville
Curious about where to park in Townsville? You'll find a lot of timed street parking in Townsville, as well as shopping centre car parks with free (time-limited) parking. The biggest car parks in Townsville are Walker Street Carpark as well as the Wilson Parking stations at 45 Flinders Street and Central Village.
There are also many car parks in suburban neighbourhoods that offer timed parking.
Petrol stations and EV chargers in Townsville
Rest assured, there are many petrol stations and EV chargers littered around Townsville. Head to Palmer Street to recharge at an EV charging station or the Tesla Destination Charger on Woolcock Street Currajong (if you've booked a Tesla car for your trip).
For petrol cars, head to the Caltex West End, Breakwater Marina's petrol station or the Ampol at Railway Estate to refuel.
Do I need to hire a car in Townsville?
Although not completely necessary, a car is the ideal way to explore Townsville, considering its limited public transport. Not only does it make exploring the beaches and attractions of Townsville a breeze, but it also unlocks day trips to the neighbouring sights and suburbs of North Queensland.
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Frequently asked questions and things to know about Townsville car hire
Townsville hire car types
Townsville hire car types
From vintage cars and small convertibles to SUVs and large cars, Turo's local hosts in Townsville have the perfect car type to suit your itinerary, including:
Electric cars: Test drive your dream EV and take the wheel of a sleek electric car. Electric cars (such as a Tesla or Toyota Corolla Hybrid) are the perfect vehicles to hire in Townsville, featuring battery engines, key card access and high torque (to help you get up to speed sooner).
7 seaters and people mover hire: Planning a Queensland road trip with your nearest and dearest? Rather than dividing your group into two cars, why not enjoy travelling in one 8-seater or people mover?
Sports cars: Enjoy a unique driving experience with a premium sports car hire. Perfect for collectors looking to trial out a new car before purchase or enthusiasts who simply enjoy the thrill of driving performance cars, a sports car hire in Townsville is an unforgettable experience.
Vintage cars: Vintage cars are the perfect addition to any special occasion, whether a wedding or formal business event in Townsville.
Van hire: Need a reliable vehicle to help carry equipment, furniture, camping gear or cargo? A van is a perfect ride to consider, with all the room you need and plenty of space for whatever you're transporting. Best of all, you can hire both automatic and manual transmission vans in Townsville on Turo.
Ute hire: Hire a ute in Townsville and tackle the roads of North Queensland behind the wheel of a reliable ute, such as the Ford Ranger or Toyota HiLux.
Townsville car hire for any occasion
Townsville car hire for any occasion
No matter the occasion, you can hire a car for any event or moment on Turo. Our hosts offer vehicles for holidays, weddings, and formal business events, along with long-term booking options available for extended stays.
- Holiday car hire: Experience Townsville like a local behind the wheel of a 4x4 or SUV, ensuring you can enjoy your holiday at your own pace.
- Long-term car hire: Hire a car for weeks or even months at a time with Turo, with discounts available from many hosts too. Simply enter the dates of your trip, pick your ride and tackle the roads of Townsville.
- Formal car hire: Show up to your next formal event with a car to match the occasion, from vintage cars to elegant convertibles.
- Wedding car hire: A wedding isn't complete without a dazzling entrance and exit. Celebrate your big day and splurge on a vintage or luxury car hire.
Expert tips and things to know before hiring a car in Townsville
Expert tips and things to know before hiring a car in Townsville
Before hiring a car in Townsville, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
Be sure to hire the right car type depending on where you're travelling to and what kind of roads you're planning to drive on.
Ensure you have the appropriate license (a full, unrestrictive licence) to drive your hired vehicle in Queensland.
Consider the time of year you're planning to visit Townsville. May to September tends to be a popular choice, with warm days and cooler nights. In contrast, visiting in the wet season (November to April) can bring flash flooding and tricky driving conditions.
Car hire pickup locations throughout Townsville
Car hire pickup locations throughout Townsville
With Turo, you can call the shots and decide where to pick up your ride. Luckily, there are many convenient and accessible locations around Townsville for you to pick up your car hire. Townsville Airport (TSV) and Townsville City are two popular spots, but you can also chat with your local host to arrange delivery to a custom location that works for you.
Townsville Airport (TSV) car hire
Townsville Airport, also known as Townsville International Airport or Garbutt Airport, is only a 15-minute drive from the Townsville CBD and is an accessible and convenient place to pick up your ride.
After touching down, navigate through to the arrivals halls. Skip the queues at the rental car desks and head straight out of the terminal. If you're picking up your car from the Townsville airport car park, this is conveniently located just steps away from the terminal.
Flying into another Queensland destination? Other airports near Townsville that you may want to hire and pick up your vehicle from include:
Cairns Airport (CNS)
Mackay Airport (MKY)
Proserpine Airport (PPP)
Townsville City Centre
The Townsville CBD strip is well known for its proximity to the Coral Sea and offers a wide selection of trendy retail shops and businesses. It's also the perfect place to pick up and return your car hire.
Arrange delivery of your ride to your accommodation or hotel in Townsville City or pick up your ride from popular CBD spots, including the Flinders Street retail precinct, the Palmer Street precinct or the Railway Estate precinct.
Townsville day trips
Townsville day trips
Townsville is also a convenient drive or ferry away from some of Queensland's top travel locations. Discover the best day trips to add to your Townsville car hire itinerary.
Great Barrier Reef
Widely renowned as one of the earth's most beautiful world heritage sites, the Great Barrier Reef is only a short ferry ride away from Townsville. If you're keen on water sports, you can even snorkel your way to the outer edges of the Great Barrier Reef. There, you'll get to see brilliant, colourful, and vibrant coral reefs and swim with native sea life you can't find anywhere else.
Wallaman Falls
Wallaman Falls is the highest single-drop waterfall in all of Australia and is only a two hours drive from Townsville. A wondrous sight to see, Wallaman Falls is located in Girringun National Park and is considered part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.
Paluma Range National Park
Also part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area in Queensland is Paluma Range National Park. Located just 45 minutes north of Townsville by car, the national park is a great place to explore, with stunning lookouts, shallow creeks that are safe for swimming, and clean barbecue and picnic facilities.
What documents do I need to rent a car in Townsville with Turo?
What documents do I need to rent a car in Townsville with Turo?
To book a car on Turo in Townsville, you must create a Turo account, be 21 years old or older, have a valid driver’s licence, and get approved to drive on Turo. When you’re booking your first trip, you’ll go through a quick approval process by entering your driver’s licence and some other information. In most cases, you’ll get approved immediately, and you’ll be set for every future road trip, business trip, and family holiday!
Do I need my own insurance?
Do I need my own insurance?
No, you don’t need personal insurance coverage to book a car on Turo.
What protection plan options are available on Turo in Townsville?
What protection plan options are available on Turo in Townsville?
When booking a car in Australia, you’ll also choose between the Premier (if available), Standard, and Minimum protection plans. Each plan includes varying limits on financial responsibility for damage to a host’s vehicle. All trips include up to $20,000,000 (per event) in legal liability protection. Legal liability protection protects against damage to other people’s property and death or bodily injury (where the legal liability is not covered or capable of being covered by any statutory or compulsory scheme) as a result of an accident involving the vehicle. All protection is provided by Turo Travels Mutual.*
How do I get discounts and cheap car hire in Townsville?
How do I get discounts and cheap car hire in Townsville?
On your Account page, make sure you’ve checked the box to receive email notifications, and enable push notifications from the Turo app in your phone settings — we’ll send you occasional promotions, discounts, and deals for cheap car hire in Townsville!
When it comes to cheap car hire, frequent travellers on Turo can also get rewarded with the loyalty bonus — earn a promo code for one bonus day when you take trips totalling 10 days in a 90-day period!**
Are there discounts on weekly or monthly trips?
Are there discounts on weekly or monthly trips?
Yes, many Turo hosts in Townsville offer discounted prices when you book trips lasting 3+, 7+, or 30+ days. Additionally, hosts can offer “early bird” discounts for Townsville trips booked a week or more in advance. So, if you are looking for cheap car hire in Townsville, get the best car hire deals and lowest rates possible by booking longer trips, at least a week in advance.
How can I drive unlimited kilometres during my trip in Townsville?
How can I drive unlimited kilometres during my trip in Townsville?
Some hosts offer car hire with unlimited KMs; others set a daily distance limit. On the vehicle pages, you’ll see the total kilometres you’re allowed to drive under the heading “Distance included.” You can find cars offering unlimited mileage with every trip by using the “Unlimited distance” filter.
What payment methods does Turo accept?
What payment methods does Turo accept?
Turo accepts most credit cards issued by major financial institutions, including American Express and Discover cards, as well as debit cards with a Visa or Mastercard logo that are linked to a checking account.
Apple Pay and Google Pay on mobile devices are also accepted, but Turo does not accept cash or checks as valid payment methods.
What is the cancellation policy for guests on Turo?
What is the cancellation policy for guests on Turo?
You can cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours before your trip starts. If you book a trip with less than 24 hours’ notice, you have one hour after booking to cancel free of charge. If you cancel after the free cancellation period ends, you will be charged a small cancellation fee.
What are the cleaning and safety policies on Turo?
What are the cleaning and safety policies on Turo?
Under the enhanced cleaning policy, hosts are required to clean and disinfect their vehicles thoroughly before every trip, so you can feel safe and comfortable behind the wheel. Turo hosts have access to training materials on enhanced safety measures and cleaning practices to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 or other viruses.
Is Turo a car rental company?
Is Turo a car rental company?
No. Unlike car rental companies, Turo is a peer-to-peer car sharing marketplace where you can book directly from trusted local car owners in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. Turo does not own any vehicles — Turo hosts share their own personal cars and set their own prices, discounts, vehicle availability, and delivery options.
Is there a fee to add additional drivers to my trip?
Is there a fee to add additional drivers to my trip?
There is no fee or additional charge for adding a driver to your trip on Turo. Only the guest who booked the trip can request to add drivers; Turo hosts cannot do it for you. We encourage you to request to add any additional drivers before your trip starts, though guests in Australia can request to add a driver while a trip is in progress.
To speed up the process, have your additional driver create a Turo account and get approved to drive before you request to add them. All drivers must have a valid driver’s licence and meet the age requirements for the car you’ve booked. You can request to add drivers via the “Trips” tab in the Turo app without additional driver charges or extra costs.
How much does it cost to hire a car in Townsville?
How much does it cost to hire a car in Townsville?
The cost of hiring a car in Townsville depends on a number of factors, including how long you're planning on hiring the car for and what type of car you hire. For example, premium car types such as luxury cars and sports cars may be more expensive to hire than a regular hatchback. Likewise, the longer you hire a car for, the more it may cost. Luckily, Turo offers discounts for long term car hires.
Do I need to be a certain age to hire a car in Townsville?
Do I need to be a certain age to hire a car in Townsville?
The minimum age to rent a vehicle on Turo is 21 years of age, with all drivers under 25 years old being subjected to an extra cost of $15/day (a.k.a the Young Driver Surcharge). Plus, if you're looking to hire certain vehicle classes, you must be 25 or older to book a Deluxe Class vehicle, and 30 or older to book a Super Deluxe Class vehicle.
Can you hire a car on your Ps in Townsville?
Can you hire a car on your Ps in Townsville?
You must have a full and unrestricted license to hire a car in Townsville on Turo - you can't hire a car on your Ps.
* The guest protection plans offer discretionary protection (protection) issued by Turo Travels Mutual Limited (the Mutual). The plans are offered and distributed on behalf of the Mutual by Turo Australia Pty Ltd and Turo Inc., who are both authorised representatives of Picnic Licensing Pty Ltd (AFSL No 532540). Discretionary risk protection is not insurance. Relevantly, the Board of the Mutual has absolute discretion to accept or reject a member’s claim.
Review the Guest Product Disclosure Statement for more information.
The Board’s discretion will be exercised fairly and consistently, and with all due consideration to the merits and circumstances of each claim and the terms and conditions set out in the Guest PDS.