Victoria Street offers many glimpses of a bygone era, with a wide variety of traditional Queenslander houses, many of these being heritage listed

"Maida Vale", located directly across the road from the Summit Motel is a classic example, where the house sits close to the boundary providing clear vision of the property. Next door to this property, on the intersection with Murray Street, sits a very large, grand old Queenslander built for D J Brownhill. Next door to the Summit on the intersection of Stokes Street, there is another very large Queenslander, although the gardens limit the view of this particular property.

As you progress along Victoria Street "Karinda" s a property with a particularly intersting history. Built for the Explorer J C McDonald in 1886, it subsequently became home to the first Japanese Consulate to operate in Australia. This was in the late 1800's when North Queensland had strong trade links with Japan and in fact much of Asia. Ultimately the embassy closed and the property fell into private hands, becoming Officers Quarters for the troops during the Second World War, then passed into the hands of the family who ran the local newspaper for many years before selling to the Murdoch group.

Across the road at No14 the Presbyterian Manse was built in 1890 by architects Turnbridge & Turnbridge. On the same side just a little further down, No22 is another property built in the 1890's, this was once the home of the surveyor E H Greenhill.

Further down and across the viaduct over Stanley Street stands "Hillcrest" at No25. This property has undergone major renovations of late, including the addition of a swimming pool, but in spite of these modern touches it remains a magnificent example of a past life style.

The area is rich in the history of Townsville and for those who enjoy this aspect there are many areas to explore with many fine buildings along Flinders Mall & Flinders Street East & at the Casino end of the Strand, the Customs House & old Queens Hotel are outstanding examples of past craftsmanship.