The natural beauty of the tropics is an obvious drawcard for North Queensland, but Townsville's putting visitors' tastebuds first.

In Townsville Shirley Sinclair pays a visit to an old friend and finds her full of the very best surprises.

She doesn't look her age and stays young by reinventing herself. North Queensland looks to her to set the pace and develop new trends. But she is still conservative at heart and stays true to herself. She offers the best of both worlds: a good-time girl with all the vibrancy and multicultural charm of a big city, but the type of lady you can relax and settle down with.