HMAS Townsville docks for the final time
The crest of HMAS Townsville. Image courtesy of Maritime Museum of Townsville.
A significant part of Townsville’s military history will be preserved for generations to come, with the Port of Townsville partnering with the Maritime Museum of Townsville to put HMAS Townsville on public display.
HMAS Townsville was one of 15 Fremantle-class patrol boats operated by the Royal Australian Navy, and is typical of this maritime technology of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. HMAS Townsville is an example of a 1980s-model patrol boat, which was an improvement on the previous Attack-class and preceded the Armidale-class.
HMAS Townsville during its time as an operational vessel. Image courtesy of Maritime Museum of Townsville.
Following in the footsteps of the dry-docking of HMAS Gladstone in 2014, this will be the second and last of the Fremantle class to be preserved for future generations.
From 22nd-23rd July 2025, HMAS was relocated from the Townsville Marine Precinct where it had undergone marine hull remediation works during 2024-2025.
HMAS Townsville undergoing relocation. Image courtesy of Maritime Museum of Townsville.
HMAS Townsville undergoing relocation. Image courtesy of Port of Townsville.
The vessel was moved to the former Curtain Brothers slipway on Ross Street, South Townsville, where it has now been dry-docked permanently. Established in the early 1880s, this is Townsville’s oldest slipway and a historically significant place for the vessel to remain. This slipway is also approximately 500 metres from the Maritime Museum of Townsville.
Maritime Museum of Townsville Managing Curator Robert De Jong said HMAS Townsville has an historic naval connection with the city. “Named after the City of Townsville, often visiting the port and occasionally crewed by [Royal Australian Navy] members originating from Townsville, the vessel holds special memorial, spiritual and social significance” Mr De Jong said.
“The vessel was decommissioned in Cairns in 2007 and gifted to the Maritime Museum of Townsville by the Commonwealth Department of Defence the same month.
“To have the vessel nearby the museum for the first time is an exciting milestone, not only for myself and the museum’s volunteers, but importantly for the sailors who proudly served on board HMAS Townsville and have deep links to her history.”
Artist’s impression of HMAS Townsville’s new location, including plans for a viewing walkway.
Viewing and eventual access methods for the vessel are still in planning stages, and likely to be realised by means of a 1km pedestrian walkway between Townsville’s cruise ship terminal and the Neville George Memorial Park (which borders the Maritime Museum of Townsville). This walkway will incorporate a viewing platform next to the vessel, and is part of an urban improvement and regeneration project covering the south bank of Ross Creek.
Information in this article provided courtesy of Robert De Jong, Managing Curator, Maritime Museum of Townsville.