North Queensland tertiary hospital guide
Townsville University Hospital appointments, emergency, parking and patient contact guide
Townsville Hospital usually refers to Townsville University Hospital in Douglas, Queensland. This is North Queensland’s major tertiary referral hospital, serving Townsville and patients from Cape York, the Torres Strait Islands, Mount Isa, the Gulf of Carpentaria and surrounding regions.
This guide gives the practical details first: address, phone number, Emergency Department access, outpatient appointment rules, what to bring, parking fees, visitor hours, public transport, interpreter support, private/public billing, feedback and patient contact options.
For a life-threatening emergency in Australia, call 000. For non-urgent health advice, call 13 HEALTH on 13 43 25 84.
Call
Switchboard, ward, clinic or emergency pathway
Confirm
Referral, clinic letter, cards and arrival time
Arrive
Angus Smith Drive, parking, bus or taxi rank
Check in
Reception, admissions, ward or Emergency Department
Quick answer: Townsville Hospital address and contact details
Emergency and urgent help
Emergency Department
Call 000 for life-threatening emergencies
13 HEALTH: 13 43 25 84
Parking and access
Two public car parks
Main entrance car park and Cancer Centre car park
First 60 minutes free
| Primary keyword | townsville hospital |
|---|---|
| Correct hospital name | Townsville University Hospital |
| Street address | 100 Angus Smith Drive, Douglas QLD 4814, Australia |
| Postal address | PO Box 670, Townsville QLD 4810 |
| Main phone | (07) 4433 1111 |
| Feedback phone | (07) 4433 1074 |
| Private Patient Liaison Officer Team | (07) 4433 3445 |
| Visiting hours | 8:00am to 8:00pm every day. Some ward areas may have rest times or temporary care-related restrictions. |
| Non-urgent advice | Call 13 HEALTH on 13 43 25 84 to speak with a registered nurse 24/7. |
| Mental health crisis support | Call 13 MH CALL on 1300 642 255. |
| Interpreter access | Townsville HHS is partnered with TIS. If you speak a language other than English, call 13 14 50 or ask staff when you arrive. |
Townsville University Hospital map, entrance and transport planning
The hospital is located at 100 Angus Smith Drive, Douglas QLD 4814, close to James Cook University. The campus includes the main hospital, Emergency Department, Townsville Cancer Centre, rehabilitation areas, medical imaging, oncology, maternity, children’s services, outpatient clinics and other specialist units.
Official hospital video
This official Townsville HHS video welcomes patients to Townsville University Hospital. It is useful for visitors and patients who want a visual overview before attending the campus.
What Townsville University Hospital is best known for
| Hospital role | What it means for patients |
|---|---|
| North Queensland tertiary referral centre | The hospital treats patients from Townsville, Cape York Peninsula, Torres Strait Islands, Mount Isa, the Gulf of Carpentaria and other parts of northern Queensland. |
| Teaching hospital | It is a major teaching hospital for James Cook University medicine, nursing and allied health, and TAFE Queensland North. |
| High-acuity care | Services include cardiac, obstetric, gynaecological, paediatric, neurosurgical, orthopaedic, cancer, mental health, neonatal, allied health, anaesthetic and intensive care. |
| Research hub | The hospital acts as a regional health research hub with clinical trial partnerships onsite and via telehealth. |
| Nurse navigators | Nurse navigators support eligible patients with complex chronic disease to manage care across different services and providers. |
| Food and campus services | Food and drink options are available inside the main hospital and at the adjacent Medilink Retail Centre, which also features a newsagent and florist. |
| ATMs | ATMs are located on the ground floor of the main hospital building and beside the newsagent at Medilink Retail Centre. |
| Smoke-free campus | Townsville HHS facilities are smoke-free zones, including Queensland hospital boundaries. |
Emergency Department, child emergency care and urgent support
Call 000 immediately for chest pain, stroke symptoms, severe breathing difficulty, major bleeding, poisoning, severe allergic reaction, collapse, major injury or any life-threatening emergency.
| Emergency Department | Townsville University Hospital operates one of Australia’s largest and busiest emergency departments. |
|---|---|
| Emergency presentations | The official ED page says the Townsville University Hospital ED saw more than 82,000 patients in the last financial year. |
| Children in ED | Children who present to Townsville University Hospital Emergency Department are treated in a dedicated paediatric space by doctors who specialise in paediatric emergency care. |
| ED team | The multidisciplinary ED team is led by emergency physicians who are fellows of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine and Royal Australian College of Physicians with paediatric emergency medicine specialisation. |
| Interpreter in ED | Free interpreter service is available at emergency departments, including hundreds of languages and AUSLAN. Ask when you arrive. |
| Non-urgent health advice | Call 13 HEALTH on 13 43 25 84, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. |
| Mental health crisis support | Call 13 MH CALL on 1300 642 255. |
Outpatient appointments, referrals and clinic check-in
How outpatient appointments happen
- If you have an appointment with a specialist, you are known as an outpatient.
- Outpatient appointments are arranged after the health service receives a referral.
- You will receive a letter with clinic details and preparation instructions.
- If your condition changes before your appointment, contact your referring clinician.
- If you cannot attend, call the number printed on the front of your appointment letter as soon as possible.
What to bring to an outpatient clinic
- Your appointment letter
- Medicare, pension, DVA or healthcare card
- Test results and X-rays, if applicable
- A medication list with strength and dosage
- Glasses and hearing aids
- Any special items listed on your appointment letter
- Snacks, a drink or money to buy refreshments
- Something to read or do while waiting
Clinic arrival steps
| Step | What to do | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Arrive early | Arrive 15 minutes before your outpatient appointment. | Reception needs time to confirm your contact details and cards. |
| Check in | Go to outpatient clinic reception as soon as you arrive. | Staff will confirm contact details and ask for Medicare and concession cards. |
| Allow waiting time | Allocate at least two hours for your appointment unless the clinic tells you otherwise. | Clinics can be delayed by urgent care, complex patients or service pressures. |
| Ask for certificates during appointment | If you need a medical certificate for work, ask your doctor during the appointment. | It may be harder to arrange after you leave. |
| Check out after appointment | Check in with clinic reception after seeing the doctor. | Reception can organise another appointment if required. |
| If surgery is required | You may be added to an elective surgery wait list and receive a confirmation letter. | Keep contact details updated so you do not miss wait list letters or calls. |
Interpreter rule: The health service uses fully accredited professional interpreters for medical appointments. Family and friends are usually not used to translate complex medical information.
Admission, pre-admission and where to go on arrival
| Patient situation | Where to go or what to do |
|---|---|
| General planned admission | If you are unsure where to go, visit central admissions in the foyer of Townsville University Hospital or ask a hospital volunteer. |
| Women in labour | Proceed directly to the birth suite where you will be admitted. |
| Hyperbaric patients | Present at the relevant hyperbaric unit for admission. |
| Renal patients | Present at the relevant renal unit for admission. |
| Oncology patients | Present at the relevant oncology unit for admission. |
| Pre-admission appointment | If you cannot attend, call the number on the front of your appointment letter as soon as possible. |
| Hospital delay risk | Hospitals triage patients by urgency, not first-come-first-served. Emergencies can delay or reschedule planned appointments or surgery. |
Before travelling: check your letter for the exact clinic, unit, ward, arrival time and any fasting or preparation instructions.
Parking at Townsville University Hospital: costs, passes and drop-off zones
Public car parks
There are two public car parks at Townsville University Hospital: one in front of the main entrance and another next to the Townsville Cancer Centre entrance.
Payment and passes
All cars entering the car park receive a ticket with 60 minutes free parking. Pay stations accept card, Visa, Mastercard, cash coins and notes. You can also tap a credit card at exit for a single exit.
Parking costs as of 30 March 2026
| Parking item | Cost | Important note |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 1 hour | Free | Every entered car is issued a ticket that gives 60 minutes free parking. |
| Daily ticket, 24 hours | $5 | Multi-use day ticket available from the hospital’s main entrance. |
| Weekly ticket | $10 | Multi-use weekly ticket available for people who need repeated access. |
| Lost ticket | $5 | Ask the car park/pay station process if your ticket is lost. |
| Tap credit card at exit | Single exit only | This skips the pay station but does not allow visitors to return on the same ticket. |
Drop-off zones and disability parking
| Drop-off / parking location | Use it for |
|---|---|
| In front of the main entrance | Main hospital drop-off and pick-up. |
| In front of the public car park | Short stop before parking or collecting a patient. |
| In front of the Townsville Cancer Centre | Cancer Centre appointments and oncology access. |
| In front of the rehabilitation unit | Rehabilitation unit drop-off. |
| In front of the Emergency Department | Emergency Department access when not using ambulance/000. |
| Opposite the helipad | Designated campus drop-off point. |
| Main entrance disability parking | Three drop-off spaces for disability parking are available outside the main entrance. |
Concessions: concessions are available for patients who regularly attend for treatment, extended inpatient admissions, immediate family/carers, people experiencing genuine financial hardship, or people with special needs requiring assistance. Application forms are available at central admissions, units, or from the official parking page.
Public transport, taxi rank and campus wayfinding
| Transport or wayfinding item | Townsville University Hospital detail |
|---|---|
| Bus service | Sunbus provides a regular bus service to the hospital, with buses travelling from Stockland to the hospital approximately every 30 minutes. |
| Bus stop | A bus stop is located near the main entrance of the hospital. |
| Taxi rank | A taxi rank is located at the front of the main building near the front entrance. |
| Taxi phone | Call 13 10 08 for taxi service. |
| Finding a unit | If unsure, start at central admissions in the main foyer or ask hospital volunteers. |
| Common ground floor destinations | Emergency Department, Medical Imaging, Oncology Reception, Patient Admissions, Patient Feedback, Patient Travel, Pharmacy, Pathology, Rehabilitation Ward, Social Work, Radiation Therapy and Townsville Cancer Centre are listed on the ground level map. |
Visiting hours and contacting patients
| General visiting hours | 8:00am to 8:00pm every day across Townsville HHS facilities. |
|---|---|
| Rest times | Some ward areas may have rest times when lights are dimmed and visitors are asked to keep noise low. |
| Patient choice | Patients may request no visitors at times, and this will be respected. |
| Temporary visitor pauses | Visitors may be asked to leave the area for short periods during complex care, procedures or clinical activity. |
| Contact a patient | Call the switchboard on (07) 4433 1111 and ask to be connected to the patient’s ward. |
| Bedside phone format | The bedside phone uses (07) 4433 followed by ward area and bed number. |
| Ward area phone code examples | Oncology, maternity and children’s ward = 70; medical ward area = 71; surgical ward areas = 72. Example listed: bed 37 in surgical = (07) 4433 7237. |
Services and departments at Townsville Hospital
Townsville University Hospital provides a broad range of specialist care. Exact access depends on referral, urgency, triage, clinic availability and the service pathway.
| Service area | What patients should know | Practical next step |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Department | One of Australia’s largest and busiest EDs, with dedicated paediatric emergency space. | Call 000 for life-threatening emergency; use ED for urgent hospital-level care. |
| Medical Services | Medical Clinics phone: (07) 4433 2500; fax: (07) 4433 2501. Medical clinics are on the first floor at TUH. | Use referral/appointment letter to confirm exact clinic and arrival time. |
| Cardiac Clinics | Cardiac Clinics phone: (07) 4433 1205; fax: (07) 4433 1221. | Confirm clinic location, tests, fasting and medication instructions. |
| Diabetes and Endocrinology | Adult and paediatric endocrinology service. Phone: (07) 4433 2235; fax: (07) 4433 2239. | Check referral, pathology needs and appointment details. |
| Intensive Care Unit | Second floor, TUH. Phone: (07) 4433 2600; fax: (07) 4433 2601. | Visitors are welcomed outside medical rounds, which occur daily 8:00am to 12:00pm. |
| Palliative Care | Townsville Palliative Care Service is based at TUH. Main phone: (07) 4433 4242; referral phone: (07) 4433 4260; fax referrals: (07) 4433 4261. | Referral is needed; ask the treating team or GP. |
| Oncology and Cancer Centre | Townsville Cancer Centre is on the campus and has its own nearby public car park and drop-off area. | Use oncology appointment letter for reception and unit instructions. |
| Women’s and children’s services | Includes maternity, children’s health, paediatric care, neonatal care and related clinics. | Women in labour should proceed directly to the birth suite. |
| Medical Imaging | Listed as a ground level destination and hospital service. | Confirm referral, preparation instructions and appointment time. |
| Rehabilitation | Rehabilitation Ward and Townsville Rehabilitation Unit are listed on hospital service pages. | Ask the referring team about admission or program pathway. |
| Allied health and support | Includes occupational therapy, physiotherapy, pharmacy, podiatry, prosthetic/orthotic services, psychology, social work, speech pathology and stomal therapy. | Ask whether service is inpatient, outpatient or referral-based. |
| Public Health Unit | Includes public health services and the Dengue Safe Project. | Use public health contact pathways for community/public health queries. |
Medicare, private patient billing and hospital costs
Public patient
If you are Medicare eligible and treated as a public patient in a Queensland public hospital, hospital care is generally handled through the public system. Bring your Medicare card to appointments and admissions.
Private inpatient option
Medicare-eligible patients with current private hospital insurance may elect to be private inpatients. Townsville HHS says it supports hassle-free billing and, in most cases, submits accounts directly to Medicare and your health fund.
Private inpatient benefits listed by Townsville HHS
| Private patient item | Townsville HHS note |
|---|---|
| Excess or co-payment | The HHS says it will cover any excess or co-payment for a single room. |
| Out-of-pocket hospital expenses | The HHS says there are no out-of-pocket expenses for hospital accommodation, theatre fees, diagnostic services, prostheses, pathology and pharmaceuticals, excluding discharge medications. |
| Single room | You may request a single room, but rooms are provided where possible and allocated on clinical need. |
| Specialist choice | You can choose your staff specialist and treating team if they have Right of Private Practice at the hospital. If unavailable, you can choose the on-call hospital specialist. |
| More information | Private Patient Liaison Officer Team: (07) 4433 3445. |
Cost safety: Always confirm personal billing details directly with the hospital, your health fund or the Private Patient Liaison Officer Team, especially if you are private, non-Medicare eligible, using DVA/WorkCover, or expecting discharge medication or external service costs.
Patient travel, interpreter help and support services
| Support need | What to do |
|---|---|
| Interpreter support | Ask when you arrive or call TIS on 13 14 50 if you speak a language other than English. |
| AUSLAN or other interpreting in ED | The Emergency Department can arrange interpreters in hundreds of languages, including AUSLAN. |
| Family/friend translation | Professional interpreters are preferred for medical appointments because family and friends may not accurately translate complex medical information. |
| Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme | Patients travelling long distances for specialist care may need to check the PTSS pathway and forms before travel. |
| Social work | Social Work is listed as a hospital service and ground level map destination. Ask the ward, clinic or admissions team if support is needed. |
| Patient feedback | Patient Feedback is listed on the ground level map and feedback can also be handled through the Patient Feedback Service. |
| Nurse navigators | Eligible patients with complex chronic disease may be supported by nurse navigators to coordinate care and link with providers. |
Feedback, complaints and patient contact options
| Talk directly during care | Talk to your nurse or ask to speak to the manager of the area. |
|---|---|
| Written feedback | Complete the “please tell us” form located throughout the health service, place it in a feedback box, hand it to a staff member or post it. |
| Postal feedback address | Patient Feedback Service, Townsville University Hospital, PO Box 670, Townsville QLD 4810. |
| Feedback phone | (07) 4433 1074 |
| Contact a current patient | Call (07) 4433 1111 and ask to be connected to their ward. |
Questions to ask before going to Townsville Hospital
Appointments and admission
- “Which clinic, ward, unit or building should I attend?”
- “Should I arrive at central admissions, outpatient reception, Emergency, birth suite or a specific unit?”
- “Do I need to bring X-rays, test results or a medication list?”
- “How early should I arrive for this appointment?”
- “Do I need to fast or stop any medicine before the procedure?”
- “What number should I call if I cannot attend?”
Parking, support and billing
- “Which car park or drop-off zone is closest?”
- “Am I eligible for a parking concession?”
- “Can I arrange a professional interpreter or AUSLAN support?”
- “Should I call the Private Patient Liaison Officer Team?”
- “Could discharge medication or external services cost extra?”
- “Is Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme support relevant for my situation?”
Official Townsville Hospital links used for this guide
| Need | Official page |
|---|---|
| Main hospital page | Townsville University Hospital official page |
| Contact details and feedback phone | Townsville HHS contact page |
| Emergency Department | Emergency departments |
| Outpatient appointments | Appointments outpatients |
| Admission | Admission to Townsville University Hospital |
| Pre-admission | Pre-admission clinic |
| Parking | Parking at Townsville University Hospital |
| Visiting and contacting patients | Visiting hours and contacting patients |
| Private and public patients | Private and public patients |
| Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme | Townsville PTSS |
| Feedback | Townsville HHS feedback |
| Official YouTube channel | Townsville Hospital and Health Service YouTube |
Townsville Hospital FAQs
What is the address of Townsville Hospital?
Townsville University Hospital is located at 100 Angus Smith Drive, Douglas QLD 4814, Australia.
What is the main phone number for Townsville University Hospital?
The main phone number for Townsville University Hospital is (07) 4433 1111.
Does Townsville Hospital have an Emergency Department?
Yes. Townsville University Hospital has one of Australia’s largest and busiest Emergency Departments. For life-threatening emergencies, call 000.
How do outpatient appointments work at Townsville Hospital?
Outpatient appointments are arranged after the health service receives a referral. Patients receive a letter with clinic details and preparation instructions.
What should I bring to a Townsville Hospital outpatient appointment?
Bring your appointment letter, Medicare card, pension, DVA or healthcare card, test results or X-rays if applicable, medication list, glasses, hearing aids and any special items listed on your letter.
How early should I arrive for an outpatient appointment?
The official outpatient guidance says to arrive 15 minutes before your appointment and allow at least two hours unless the clinic gives different instructions.
How much is parking at Townsville University Hospital?
Parking costs listed as of 30 March 2026 include up to one hour free, a 24-hour daily ticket for $5, a lost ticket fee of $5 and a weekly ticket for $10.
What are the visiting hours at Townsville Hospital?
General visiting hours across Townsville HHS facilities are 8:00am to 8:00pm every day. Some ward areas may have rest times or temporary restrictions.
How can I contact a patient at Townsville University Hospital?
Call the switchboard on (07) 4433 1111 and ask to be connected to the patient’s ward. Some bedside phones use (07) 4433 followed by the ward area and bed number.
Does Townsville Hospital provide interpreter help?
Yes. Townsville HHS provides interpreter support through professional interpreters and TIS. If you speak a language other than English, call 13 14 50 or ask staff when you arrive.
Source and update note
This guide is based on official Townsville Hospital and Health Service pages for Townsville University Hospital contact details, Emergency Department, outpatient appointments, admission, parking, visiting hours, interpreter support, private/public patient billing, patient travel support and feedback. Hospital phone numbers, parking fees, visiting rules, clinic instructions and service contacts can change, so confirm urgent or personal details directly with Townsville HHS before travelling.
This page is an informational hospital guide only. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment recommendations.