I think you will find that picture was taken from the top of quite a high hill behind the town.
You're quite right, LB, it was taken from Castle Hill. I would love to see some of your photos here, the thread says "Photos of Australia", and they don't have to be mine.
Townsville is quite a big city, with an estimated total population of 165,000 people in 2008. It's not my all time favourite place, far too hot for me, but the locals love it. One of the problems with north Queensland is the heat and humidity, and you can't go swimming in the ocean in summer, because if the marine stingers don't get you, the crocodiles will
The Great Barrier Reef is a magnificent place to visit, though.
The Atherton Tableland, inland from Townsville, is a beautiful place. It's much higher than the coastal areas, therefore considerably cooler.
Bunkerbarge, clear skies are the norm here but, having said that, some parts of Australia, particularly the coast, can get lots of rain. The heaviest rainfall is in the tropics in the wet season, you haven't seen rain until you experience the wet, or cyclone, seasons.
Peter.