HMAS Townsville

Background

HMAS Townsville is one of 15 Fremantle Class Patrol Boats (FCPBs) built and operated exclusively by the Royal Australian Navy.

Named after the city of Townsville, often visiting the port and occasionally crewed by RAN members originating from Townsville, the vessel holds special memorial, spiritual and social significance.

The vessel was commissioned in July 1981 and decommissioned in Cairns in 2007 before being gifted to the Townsville Maritime Museum by the Commonwealth Department of Defence. She is owned by the museum. 

The vessel’s hull was refurbished in Cairns during 2015 and 2016 before being relocated to Townsville where it was moored at the Townsville Marine Precinct (TMP).

Public Display

Port of Townsville partnered with the Maritime Museum of Townsville to relocate the vessel to a disused slipway on Ross Creek where she was put on permanent public display from July 2025.

The vessel enhances the Museum’s existing HMAS Townsville display, with an exhibit inside the Palmer Street museum detailing her rich history.

Upcoming Works

The Port of Townsville is also preparing to carry out additional public space improvements in the area.

These works are intended to make it easier and safer to move through the area on foot and by bike, while creating a place where residents and visitors can stop to view the vessel and learn more about its history and Townsville’s maritime story.

The proposed works in the area are expected to include, but are not limited to:

• Two viewing decks at either end of the vessel to improve access and the visitor experience;
• Storytelling signs about the history of the vessel and the surrounding area;
• Additional lighting, CCTV, seating, a water fountain and a rubbish bin;
• About 271 metres of new footpath along Ross Street between the HMAS Townsville and the Magnetic Island Ferries vehicle and passenger service;
• New landscaping and lawn;
• Bike lanes; and
• Removal of some informal parking spaces on Ross Street.

Construction is expected to start in mid-June 2026 and continue for up to 12 weeks, depending on weather and site conditions.

There will be partial road closures on Ross Street during construction to keep the community and work crews safe.  Traffic control will be in place, and access to the Magnetic Island Ferries vehicle and passenger service via Creek Street will remain available at all times.

If you usually park in the work area, please make sure vehicles are moved before construction starts in mid-June 2026.  Signs and notices will be placed in the area closer to the start date.

Please see indicative plans of the works planned for the area, that also includes the contractor’s site establishment opposite the works site on Ross Street.

Further information including updated construction timings and potential impacts will be shared with the community following the tender process.  

Updated construction timing and information about possible impacts will be shared once the tender has been awarded.

We appreciate the community’s patience while these improvements are delivered and will continue to share updates as the project progresses.