Queenslanders have had a visit from space, and it's given them a thrill.

People in parts of the state have reported seeing a very large, flaming ball of light, with a blue and orange tail, tear through the night sky before crashing to earth in Townsville on Thursday night.

The ABC says residents from Cunnamulla, in state's southwest, to Townsville in the north, have reported seeing the object, which came down in the north Queensland city about 6.30pm.

Townsville resident Terry Robinson said it was an awe-inspiring sight.

"It was pretty big and this thing hit like a bomb. It was huge," he told the broadcaster.