Magnetic Island


View from Townsville out to Magnetic Island
Magnetic Island Magnetic Island is probably the only island on
the north Queensland coast with such a great blend of untouched
National Park, a small resident population and a variety of holiday
resorts.
It has a relaxed tropical lifestyle, quiet secluded bays with pristine
white sand beaches and abundant wildlife, located only 8 kilometres
off the coast in Cleveland Bay and only a 20 minute ferry ride from
Townsville. Although it is near the Wet Tropics, the Townsville
area is in a rain shadow which makes it the sunniest city on the
Queensland coast (Magnetic Island counts an average of more than
320 days of sunshine per year, with an average maximum temperature
of 28.7 C and a minimum of 19.5C).
More than half of the island's 52 km² is National Park, with
the 497 metre high Mt.Cook rising in the centre. At its widest point
it is 11 km across and there is about 40 km of coastline filled
with big granite boulders, hoop pines, eucalypt forest, pristine
beaches in small bays and small areas of rainforest.
To really appreciate the Island you need to stay at least a few
days.
Magnetic Island has over 24 kms. of walking tracks
through the National Park, which you also need to get to some of
the little bay beaches, quite a few beaches have no road access
and the only way in is to walk. There are also some spectacular
lookouts, and you can spot animals like koalas, rock wallabies,
possums, and all kinds of birds including bush stone curlews - a
bird with a eerie cry which is mainly active at night.
The small settlement of Picnic Bay has shops and take-aways
along the waterfront and here you will also find the police station
and the golf course. Ferries used to land here but now they arrive
in Nelly Bay where a rather monstrous apartment building has been
built, , the passenger ferry does up to 14 return trips a day, and
a car ferry does up to 7 return trips a day. There are two more
settlements on the island; Arcadia and Horseshoe Bay, which is now
the island's major residential area.
Like most of the east coast the island received its name from
Captain Cook, while he passed the island on 6 June 1770 his compass
went a bit wild and James thought it was because of the island's
strong magnetic field coming from the big boulders that make up
a lot of the shoreline, this was later found not to be the case,
there are no magnetic properties found in those boulders. A hundred
years later Europeans started arriving on the island, mainly for
leisure rather than economic development, and a few years later
the first guesthouse was built. In the 1920s the island became popular
as a tourism destination for a short while but it was only when
a ferry service started in more recent times that the tourism industry
really kicked off. Despite recent developments the island still
only has a population of 2500 residents and has a laid back unspoilt
feel to it, and thanks to half the island being National Park not
being allowed to be touched this is likely to remain so.

At Horseshoe Bay there are shady trees by the beach and
a stinger net for safe swimming in summer time.
Photo by Katrin Holsmsten
What to do on Magnetic Island:
Beach
Magnetic Island has lots of spectacular little beaches hidden
away in bays and coves. Many can only be accessed along walking
tracks.
Walking
The island has 24km. of walking tracks to explore the National
Park and to reach some of the more remote little bays.
Nelly Bay to Arcadia - a 6 km long track that
starts at the end of Mandalay Avenue and passes through a small
area of rainforest. The track then continues through the gully of
Gustav Creek and further along offers excellent views across both
Nelly and Horseshoe Bay. The track then continues to Arcadia. Birdwatchers
like this section of open woodland that is often filled with birds.
Above Arcadia there is another great lookout at Sphinx Lookout.
The Hawkins Point Trail offers great views of
Townsville, the track starts from Picnic Street in Picnic Bay.
The trail to the top of Mount Cook starts behind
Nellie Bay, a bonus on this walk is the refreshing pool 100 metres
from the top.
The Forts near Arthur Bay is a series of concrete
gun emplacements and observation posts built during the second World
War to protect Townsville in case of a Japanese invasion attempt.
The 1.4 km long walk starts at the Radical Bay turnoff but if you're
energetic you can also walk further to Arthur Bay, Florence Bay
and Radical Bay.
Picnic Bay to West Point - an 8 km walk from Picnic
Bay that travels up the south west coast of the island and rewards
the walker with sensational views of Cockle Bay, Nobby Head, Bolger
Bay and Young Bay. The track starts near the Picnic Bay Golf Course,and
is basically a bush road that runs along the coast.
Horseshoe Bay Lagoon - a short 700 metre track
starting from Horseshoe Bay Beach to the Lagoon Environmental Park
where you can spot a wide variety of birds including the brolga,
the jabiru and the Nankeen Night-heron.
Balding Bay - an unofficial nudist beach. It can
not be official as under the Queensland Vagrants, Gaming and Other
Offences Act of 1931, public nudity is an offence in Queensland
and a person charged with wilful exposure faces a penalty of $100
or six months imprisonment!
Miscellaneous things to do
Art
- visit Vonnie Van Bemmel's Fine Art Studio & Gallery.
Do a dive
course - learn to dive and dive the famous Yongala wreck.
Four
wheel drive tour - Tropicana Tours guarantees to show you more
in one day than you'd see in a week with your own 4WD.
Get
married - An ideal location with 300+ days of sunshine per year,
23 beaches and bays and a local resident celebrant.
Horse riding - beach and bush rides from Horseshoe Bay. Contact
via email
Jetski tours - the dive
shack organizes jetski tours around the island.
Sailing -
Jazza does a day trip with no more than 13 passengers.
Seakayaking
- explore Maggie's coastline in a sea kayak.
Scuba
diving - see the Great Barrier Reef in all its splendour.
Snorkeling
- Discover Magnetic Island's best reefs with marine biologist Dr.
Andy Lewis
Budget accommodation
Base
Magnetic Island |
|
WHY STAY AT BASE MAGNETIC
ISLAND?
To quote the Lonely Planet guidebook… “Magnetic
Island is a party place famous for it’s full
moon parties”
Spend some time staying with us and you will understand
why Magnetic Island is the place where the coolest
and funkiest people in the world hang out. Base is
situated in the heart of Magnetic Island, yet we are
only 20 minutes by ferry from Townsville. We are Australia’s
only backpackers situated right on the beach. More
info.... |
|
Maggie's
Beach House |
|
Maggies Beach House is
well appointed only 30 seconds from the beach at Horseshoe
Bay, one of the Islands most popular places, and offers
4 star budget accommodation for the traveler from
dorm accommodation to ensuited double rooms, most
rooms are air-conditioned. Gecko's Cafe & Bar
is open daily from 9:00am to late. More
info.... |
|
Tropical
Palms Inn |
|
Magnetic Island's Tropical
Palms Inn provides comfortable accommodation in a
garden setting just 100 metres from Picnic Bay Beach,
a shopping mall, jetty and children's playground.
The attractions of Magnetic Island are right on your
doorstep. You can swim, soak up the sun, stroll through
the mall, and explore the National Park. The Tropical
Palms Inn are studio style self-contained units sleeping
up to three adults or a family of two adults and two
children. The self contained, air conditioned units
include a kitchenette with limited cooking facilities
with microwave, air-conditioning, ceiling fans, television
and in-house videos.
The proprietors (owner occupied) pride themselves
on their friendly approachable attitude, their attention
to the smallest detail, and individual attention to
help create your ideal, perfect holiday.
More
info and reservations.... |
|
Hotels and resorts

Standbyrates.com.au
is a great place to shop for some last minute discounts,
find luxury accommodation for the price of budget accommodation
!
Magnetic
International Resort |
|
Magnetic International
Resort has all the facilities you would expect, surrounded
by ancient rainforests, secluded sandy beaches and
the sparkling waters of the Pacific. It is the perfect
vantage point from which to admire all that this region
of the Great Barrier Reef has to offer. Set amidst
lush sub-tropical landscaping and manicured lawns,
the resort's rooms and suites feature open breezy
living areas and spacious verandahs which capture
the essence of island living.
More
info and reservations.... |
|
Where to eat:
Tell us if you found some good place worth recommending
on this site.
If you have a bar or restaurant on Magnetic Island you might like
to advertise here.


How to get around:
Magnetic Island 4 Wheel Drive Hire- 34 Picnic St. Picnic Bay. Contact
via email
Magnetic Island Bus Service - 3 hour guided tours around the island
and free transport after tour.
Or drive yourself, nearly everyone that comes to the island seems
to hire a Mini-Moke at least once.
How to get there:
Sun Ferries
can get you there in only 25 minutes from Townsville.
Riverside
Marine runs a car ferry for those who want to take their own
wheels to the island.


Before and after your Magnetic Island holiday
you are likely to spend at least one night in Townsville;
Globetrotters
Townsville |
|
Globetrotters is a small,
clean, friendly family operated hostel next to the
bus station on Palmer Street. The staff are very helpful
and all have extensive knowledge of the local area.
Nothing is too much trouble! The hostel is bright
and airy with back friendly beds, tropical gardens
and a nice inviting salt water pool. The kitchen is
well equipped and is always clean. The tour desk offers
free dorm nights with diving courses and $10 discount
on diving day trips. All trips and tours can be booked
by the obliging staff. Globetrotters is a very nice
place to relax. Visitors to Palmer Street have a choice
of, historic pubs, the Maritime Museum, restaurants
and cafés that provide French, Italian, Mexican
and Australian cuisines in indoor and outdoor settings
overlooking Ross Creek.
A free pick up service in their courtesy bus is provided.More
info.... |
|
Base
Townsville |
|
WHY STAY AT BASE TOWNSVILLE?
To quote the Lonely Planet guidebook… “Townsville
has a lively scene and is close to Magnetic Island
and Great Barrier Reef.”
Spend some time staying with us and you will understand
why Townsville is the place where the coolest and
funkiest people hang out. Base is situated in the
heart of Townsville, minutes walk from bars, cafes,
entertainment and activities and 20 minutes by ferry
from Magnetic Island. More
info....
|
|


Feel free to add
something to our Magnetic Island page
|