Townsville Customs House

Townsville Customs House is a two-story colonial building with red brick walls, sandstone details, and broad colonnaded verandahs designed for tropical conditions. The structure contains multiple offices, storage rooms, and a central Long Room that once served as the main space for public customs transactions.

The building was completed in 1902 and served as a customs facility for almost a century, managing trade operations in Queensland. It operated through the period around Australian Federation, playing a key role in regional commerce during this important transition.

The building uses local materials including granite from Magnetic Island and timber from North Queensland forests, which reflects regional construction practices of the time.

The building sits at the corner of Wickham Street and The Strand, making it easy to locate in the city center. The covered verandahs offer shelter during tropical downpours, and the high ceilings keep interior spaces comfortable in warm weather.

The building features a semi-circular corner entrance and an observation tower built specifically to monitor shipping movements in the harbor. This tower allowed customs officers to spot arriving vessels early and manage trade operations with greater efficiency.

Location: Queensland

GPS coordinates: -19.25560,146.82190

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:21