Bougainvillea spills over whitewashed walls framing a fiery sunset. A poolside panorama of striped umbrellas and designer deck chairs flows past palm trees to an azure ocean bristling with masts. Recent renovations at Townsville hub The Ville have created a restaurant worthy of this world-class view.

Alive with the overflow atmosphere of neighbouring drinking hole Quarterdeck, Miss Songs is vibrant in every sense. In the hands of head chef Arie Prabowo (ex Orpheus Island), classic Chinese dishes sing. The favourites – Peking duck; hissing, spitting and sizzling scotch fillet with Cantonese sauce; and Beerenberg honey and lemon Chicken – may be predictable, but there is nothing standard about their execution. If you’re taking the better-value banquet route, make sure your choice includes the addictive seafood san choy bau.

While not the broadest refreshment list, you won’t have any trouble choosing a sundowner from the tropical tipples. The themed Dragon Ball with Hendrick’s Gin and Chinese Hua Diao wine is among the more interesting on offer.

Must-eat dish: Seafood san choy bau