Ross River

About Ross River

Ross River is a things to do venue in Townsville, Queensland.

The river passes through important suburbs and was named after the first publican and mayor of Townsville, William Alfred Ross. The Ross River has two distinct ecosystems – a fresh water environment above Aplin’s Weir and a salt water environment below the weir.

The catchment area of the river is around 1,340 square kilometres (517 sq mi), including estuarine wetlands. The flow rates of the river are controlled by the Ross River Dam, the largest dam in the catchment.

The river is also joined by three minor tributaries before reaching its mouth southeast of the city. Ross River Parkway is a notable attraction along the banks of the Ross River.

It consists of parks, community facilities, and pedestrian bridges that stretch over 30 kilometres (19 mi) from Douglas to Railway Estate. The parkway offers more than 30 kilometres of shared-use pathways for recreational activities and serves as a safe network of paths connecting various suburbs to the central business district.

It is the result of efforts by the Townsville City Council and the Queensland Government. There are three weirs along the Ross River – Aplin’s Weir, Black Weir, and Gleeson’s Weir.

Aplin’s Weir is the most popular, located at the end of the Ross River Parkway. It features a grassy field and a picturesque bridge over the river.

Ross River fever is a tropical disease caused by a mosquito-borne Alphavirus. It was discovered in 1959 and named after the Ross River.

The fever is not limited to the

Good to know

• Type: Things to Do
• Area: Townsville, Queensland
• Phone: 1800 801 902
• Website: visit ↗

Frequently asked questions

Find more things to do in Townsville or browse the Townsville local guide.