We went here with members one evening and frankly it seems to be nought but a gambling venue. Yes, you can get meals and drinks but the evening we went it took ages to get served at the bar. I don't use pokie machines but have worked in the past at places with plenty of them so I know the rules and regs. An elderly lady at the table next to ours who has been a member for many years was complaining about the amount of people watching over her shoulder whilst playing various machines. Yes, the meals are fine and affordable (my fries were lovely, the steak cooked to my specs). But as I said it's first and foremost a place to raise money for a football team. They do this very well with gaming machines and raffles but I certainly wouldn't recommend it for a family outing. But then, I am a little old-fashioned when it comes to where youngsters should and should not be taken!

I am one of those who still regard a pharmacy as a place for medicines or first aid requirements - this pharmacy surpassed itself today. We visit fairly often for prescriptions and other medicines as it is next door to the supermarket I like. I've never really viewed it as anywhere other than a place I get good advice and prompt service, and the staff know their products. Last year we got some great advice as to deal with mossie bites, I have also often noted (whilst passing or waiting outside for a cab) that they deal with folk who need first aid. Anyway, I have bad injuries to both my knees and whilst shopping in the supermarket one of my dressings came adrift. I made it through checkout and then went straight to the pharmacy to purchase a 95cent replacement dressing. Checked my purse and had no cash. I said I'd go and get some but the pharmacy lady said it was more important to get the wound re-dressed so accepted an eftpos payment for 95 cents! (Almost all shops now have a $5 limit). This was caring service AND I had never encountered her before so she had no idea I was a fairly regular customer. I am so impressed, and grateful.

We've been here 3 times so far. It's not just a restaurant, it's also a pub and has bands. On our first visit last year we ate (well, just a small feed) mussels and a Greek salad between us and very pleasant it was too. Lovely to sit and look over The Strand and the beach. The next time was just to pop in and have a drink after shopping nearby on a Saturday afternoon. The bar itself is open either side but under cover and has pool tables. There is also a large open area which caters for us dreaded smokers. Now, we did't realise it's a cash bar until hubby had ordered his pint of tap beer. The barmaid directed us to an atm machine which was the most annoyingly complicated thing and took us quite a while to get the hang of, and eventually get money from. By the time we got back to the bar hubby's beer had warmed up bUT the barmaid was lovely. She said the atm machine can confuse new users, so she tipped out half his beer and topped it up with cold. Wonderful service. There are not many pubs in Townsville where you can just pop in for a relaxing drink, have a fag without hassle, and not be regaled by swearing, drunkenness or topless meat raffle ticket sellers - the Seaview is the exception.
I think the place is currently up for sale. I do hope the new owners don't turn it into some upmarket club.

We started driving up from Townsville to get away for a long weekend and somehow ended up as far as Cairns. It is nigh on impossible to get a good hotel rate without booking in advance but we struck lucky with "The Jack". We wanted a place in the city and got it at just $70 for a double room with en suite, tv and the usual. However, we were warned before before booking that the pub had a band that night and the stage was just a few metres from the accommodation which is predominantly young backpackers. We decided to have our evening meal at the Jack bistro but it was disappointing. I had the roast of the day in which some veg were cooked to mush and others were hard as nails. Hubby had steak, chips and salad and said it was "so so". Sleep proved impossible for me until about 4am due to a big banjo band followed by a disco of MOS anthems, but we had been warned. We had a couple of drinks at the bar earlier in the day and found the place to be quite convivial. Frankly, it was amazing to find a good room at a cheap rate at short notice on a Saturday. I think rates for backpackers/sharers are cheap as chips, and they also give you a plastic card giving you a cheap meal and a free drink. I would recommend this place if you find yourself in Cairns and need a place to stay, love loud music or have a pair of industrial-strength earplugs!

The Aussie "corner store" is a dying breed with so many driving everywhere for the least thing. Karibu will hopefully stay the distance. We recently moved to this area and struck it real lucky with Karibu Stores. They stock all the usual corner store goods but have also diversified:photocopy machine, internet, fabulous cooked chickens daily and more. I introduced myself as a new local, but they didn't stock my ciggie brand (yeah ok, sue me. They are legal) but said they would stock them just for me. Now, that's service and they didn't even ask me to prove I was actually local. It appears to be a family run store which I think adds to its charm and eagerness to please (they greet me now by name as they do many others). As I said they do stock most groceries and always a good selection of fresh veg. More expensive than the supermarket of course but that's to be expected. They are open early to late and so very convenient. And never once have I not had service with a genuine smile. BTW: their choc bar selection is reasonably priced and kept/displayed in a chiller cabinet. Brilliant!

This place is called a "barber's" and it's time they changed that description as they offer so much more. It's a walk-in, no appt place. Sometimes a wait, sometimes not. I badly needed a cut and style last year, didn't want to pay a small fortune to a salon so tried Youssef's on a whim as it was early morning and empty of clients. I'd just shopped at Woolies so went in with my trolley of groceries which they were happy to accomodate in their air-con premises. I was a bit worried but....I was consulted on what I wanted, had my hair washed and conditioned in gorgeous smelling peppermint shampoo, a scalp massage and then got the best cut I've had in many years followed by a blow dry - and all for $30. Unbelievable! I've been back twice since (and wouldn't go anywhere else now) and am surprised to have never seen women clients in there - only men. But I guess if you call yourself a "barber" people assume it's men only. Well, I can tell you it isn't. I was also offered a colour, but declined as I like my grey hairs.

We moved to the North Ward area of Townsville recently and have used this fish n chip takeaway 3 times in the past 3 weeks.
Prices as are usual for such an establishment. However, quality is a bit up and down which I think has to do with whoever happens to be on duty, and how old the fat is. I've had 2 pieces of battered mackerel which were overcooked, and one piece of barra which was perfect. I've had potato scallops twice. The first was slightly undercooked and stodgy, the second was crisp and very good indeed. The chips are always great though. Slim (but not skinny like Maccas) and crispy. In fact, when I've been waiting there for my order folk have been in just to order loads of their chips (or fries). I mentioned the "fat" earlier...the first time I ordered battered fish, not only the mackerel was overcooked - also the batter. And I could also taste that the fat/oil in which it had been cooked needed to be changed. But I guess you get that a lot at takeaway places. Service is prompt and friendly enough although there seems to be a high staff turnover which perhaps makes for sketchy results all round. Overall I would say that I will continue buying fish and fries but am not yet confident enough about the staff's cooking ability to order any of the more expensive items like prawns and scallops. BTW: they do provide some chairs inside to sit and wait in air conditioned comfort. Would be nice if they replaced the 3 ancient and tatty magazines for customers to browse. Either that or chuck them in the bin!

You walk into this tiny shop and just want to dance to the pulsating African music rhythms (well, I do!). It's crammed with 1000s of handmade African craft items - rather like a Trade Aid shop but more sensorial. What I love the most are those who "man the till". They say "hi, how are you?" and then leave you to browse. And browse, you can, for ages. It's that sort of place. I purchased a necklace there but was short on funds - laybuy on my terms ($3 - $5 every few weeks) was not a problem. Last visit I tried on 6 dresses, couldn't make my mind up - again, no problem. It's just so laid back and hassle-free. It's the sort of place you just want to sit back with a coffee and soak up the atmosphere. But sadly, they have so little space. Pricing seems a little haphazard. Some items I think are quite expensive for what they are, but some things are so cheap you get the impression they've made a pricing error.

I stayed here for 2 days prior to Christmas. Lots of "hits", a few "misses" but nothing that would deter me from returning. The room was fine and clean. The shower was a bit strange. A handheld contraption in a wall bracket. I couldn't get the thing to point in the right direction at all! The wagyu burger and fries I ordered via room service were sublime. Reception staff: the young lady was delightful, couldn't be more helpful. The young chap was a little bit "snooty" and not so accommodating so I henceforth avoided him. The bar staff were great, the bar atmosphere was very "humming" and it's great the way it spills out to the pavement. The concierge was worthy of a position in London's top hotel. He didn't have to be told I was getting edgy as my transport had not arrived. He detected my body language and straight away made phone calls and got things sorted (and I was hardly a VIP guest!). Word to the wise: if you want to use the pool like I did in the evening, you can't because it has to be supervised by staff. I liked the place. It's not top-notch but it has flair.

The food is cheap and filling. The bar service however is a bit slack. In fact it seems that if you are a regular you will get served first. And if you are a solo female certain staff will find all manner of little jobs to do before even acknowledging your presence. Also, I don't recommend the place for youngsters. The swearing among customers is almost non-stop. That said, an okay place for the workingman to unwind with his mates and have a cheap feed.