James Cook University

Angus Smith Drive
Townsville
Queensland 4811
Web address: www.jcu.edu.au/international
ADS contact phone: +61 (7) 4781 5766
ADS contact fax: +61 (7) 4781 5988
Relevant campuses: Townsville, Cairns.

Community and surrounds

James Cook University has campuses in the cities of Townsville and Cairns. Townsville is Australia’s largest tropical city, and the administrative centre of northern Queensland. It provides the main port and other infrastructure support for agricultural, grazing and mining industries throughout the northern and western regions of the State.

Townsville has a relaxed tropical lifestyle, a dynamic city life and a culturally diverse and young population approaching 150,000. The city is recognised as the sporting centre for North Queensland. Local attractions include Magnetic Island, and the Great Barrier Reef and its tropical islands.

Cairns is situated in the wet tropics of north Queensland and has a population of approximately 120,000. Cairns is a major international tourist destination and the main gateway for visitors to the Great Barrier Reef, and is surrounded by World Heritage listed rainforest.

Climate

Townsville and Cairns have a tropical climate, with two main seasons: the wet season (December to April) and the dry season (May to November). Maximum temperatures during the wet season are around 34 degrees Celsius. Maximum temperatures during the dry season are around 25 degrees. There is little rain during the dry season. In the coldest months (June and July) the temperature can drop to around 13 at night.

Cost of living and accommodation

Accommodation for single students in Townsville is available on campus at seven residential colleges with costs ranging from $125 (self-catering) to $180-222 (full board) a week. On the Cairns campus, the cost for accommodation at the Cairns Student Lodge is $190 a week.

Rental accommodation in Townsville ranges from $90 to $125 a week for a one-bedroom unit or flat, and $95 to $200 a week for a two or three-bedroom unit or house. Sharing a unit or house with other students is a popular option and costs from $60 to $125 a week. There are plenty of residential properties available within commuting distance of each campus. Homestays are another popular option. Friendly families open their homes to students from $70 to $120 a week depending on your requirements.

In Cairns, a single room in a share house costs $75 a week, a two-bedroom flat costs $130 to $180 a week, a three-bedroom house costs $190 to $260 a week, and homestay costs $160 a week.

Campus descriptions

James Cook University has two campuses. In Townsville, the campus is situated at the base of Mount Stuart near the Ross River. It is a landscape of tropical gardens, natural bushland, and local wildlife. The campus is approximately 12 kilometres from the central business district and the Strand (the inner city beach). The largest shopping centre, ‘Stockland’, is approximately four kilometres from the campus. There are regular bus services from the campus to Stockland and the city centre.

The Cairns campus is located in Smithfield, which is about 15 kilometres from the city centre near the attractive northern beach suburbs. The campus is set on a 50-hectare site surrounded by rainforest- covered mountains. It is a short distance from the main shopping centre with its supermarkets, cafes and specialty stores.

The James Cook University Sport Office caters for social sports in both Townsville and Cairns. It has a swimming pool, tennis and squash courts alongside various sporting ovals.

International student population

James Cook University in 2003, there were 1,300 international students. Of these, approximately 80 were from East Asia, 50 were from Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands, 150 from South Asia and the Indian Ocean and 10 from Africa. Approximately 700 overseas students were from countries that do not receive ADS awards such Scandinavia, the USA and Malaysia.

Family and community services

Townsville and Cairns both have a range of government, independent and Catholic primary and secondary schools.

As a regional centre, Townsville has employment opportunities in a wide range of industries, including healthcare, mining and agriculture. Cairns offers a wide range of jobs in tourism, fishing and environmental areas. Townsville and Cairns both have a Migrant Resource Centre, which provides support and other services to families of various ethnic origins.

Childcare facilities

There is a childcare centre located in the grounds of Townsville campus with baby units (childcare for children under two years old) available (for children under two years of age). There is a Parenting Room available at Townsville and Cairns, with a nursing mothers area (Townsville only) and baby changing facilities. All partners/carers are welcome. There is also a Women’s Room offering tea, coffee, a fridge and microwave, as well as access to information and resources in a relaxed, air-conditioned, female-only environment.

Day care centres for young children (up to five years) can be found throughout Townsville and Cairns suburbs, offering full-time and regular part-time care.

Facilities for special needs

James Cook University has a Disability Resources Centre based in the main library on each campus. The centre includes the office of the Disability Resources Officer, an Assistive Technology Room and a rest room.

A full range of services is available to students with disabilities including aids and equipment, advocacy, assistance with special examination arrangements, and a notetaker service.

There is a limited amount of accessible accommodation available on campus in Townsville, and very close to the campus in Cairns. A booklet detailing services is available upon request from the International Student Centre.

Foods for different cultures

In Townsville there are Asian food and grocery specialists shops at the corner of Bayswater Road and Charters Tower Road. In Cairns, Asian stores are located near Rusty’s markets along Graften Street.

Larger grocery supermarkets also sell a wide range of food items, including oriental and South East Asian foods. There are a wide variety of restaurants that serve food from around the world. Halal meats are available from selected butcheries in both Townsville and Cairns. Availability of kosher food is very limited.

Religious facilities

James Cook University offers a free Chaplaincy Service. There is a Mosque six kilometres from campus in Townsville, and other Muslim facilities such as a halal meat butcher, prayer and study groups. Synagogues and Buddhist, Hindu or Sikh temples are not available in Townsville.

In Cairns, there is a Buddhist centre, the Islamic Society of Cairns and the Queensland Sikh Association. All major Christian religions are represented in Townsville and Cairns

Public Transport

From the airport: The international airport for North Queensland is in Cairns, with domestic flights to Townsville (it is also possible to arrive at Brisbane airport and transfer to Townsville). Qantas and Virgin Blue both operate regular flights. James Cook University offers a free airport meeting service for students.

Getting around: The main method of transport for students in Townsville and Cairns is by bus. The buses are reliable, and regularly service both campuses.

In Townsville, the Sunbus service provides a bus every quarter hour between Stockland (main shopping complex), the university and the hospital. On other routes, buses are available every hour on Monday to Friday and two-hourly on Saturday. On Sundays a bus is available hourly to the university and hospital and Townsville city centre. Tickets cost $3.15 from Townsville City to the university, or $1.70 from Stockland Shopping Centre to the university. This includes a 25 per cent discount for students who show their student ID card.

In Cairns, the Sunbus service provides a bus to Smithfield and Cairns city centre, half hourly on weekdays and hourly on weekends. Other routes offer variable services to northern beach suburbs and the Kurunda skyrail.