Magnetic Island
Natural landscapes of granite boulders, pine and eucalyptus trees decorate the wondrous Magnetic Island,
located just 8km from the city of Townsville. Much of the island consists of national park where native wildlife such as rock wallabies, bats and brushtrail possums thrive. A series of walking trails are available for visitors to bushwalk and explore the fascinating land. As the largest natural koala sanctuary in Queensland, and possibly Australia, many tourists to Magnetic Island make it their mission to spot the adorable marsupials frolicking in their natural habitat. Closer to the coast, designated bays on the island have a resort and village-like feel and come with beautiful beaches adjacent to waters that make up part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. See our detailed Magnetic Island map. Orientation
Magnetic Island consists of a series of bays located along the coast including four main bays in Nelly, Horseshoe, Picnic and Arcadia, all located towards the eastern side of the island. Arriving ferries dock at the main Magnetic Island Harbour Terminal in Nelly Bay. A sealed road runs from Picnic Bay at the island's southern point and stretches 10km northwards to Horseshoe Bay. Another 8km track runs along the western side of the island from Picnic Bay to the beautiful and isolated beach at West Point.
Things to See and Do
Each of Magnetic Island's four main bays come with a collection of shops, accommodation and eateries as well as their own delightful beach and accompanying picnic areas with facilities and playgrounds for families and children to enjoy. Nelly Bay serves as the island's main activity and residential hub where shops, transportation and a variety of accommodation options are conveniently available near the ferry terminal. The largest of the main bays in Magnetic Island is Horseshoe Bay. Located at the island's north coast, it's a popular spot for indulging in a range of outdoor activities including horseriding, kayaking or fishing. Nearby Horseshoe Bay is the beautiful Balding Bay as well as Radical Bay where you can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding land and sea. The former ferry terminal for Magnetic Island is located at Picnic Bay whose old jetty is still an attractive site for fishing and strolling. A short walk east from Picnic Bay is the idyllic beach at Rocky Bay while towards the west is Cockle Bay where an old shipwreck has become a popular diving site. The smallest of the main bays is Arcadia Bay which includes the serene Alma Bay as well as the Marine National Park Zone that makes up Geoffrey Bay.
Getting to Magnetic Island
Passenger ferries to Magnetic Island are operated by Sunferries from their terminal in Townsville on Sir Leslie Thiess Dr. Alternatively, Fantasea Cruising Magnetic operates passenger and car ferries from their terminal just across Ross Creek. Getting Around Bicycles are a convenient and effective way of moving around Magnetic Island and you can rent them at various places on the island including most places of accommodation. Alternatively, you can also hire scooters (Ph: 07 4778 5317) at Horseshoe Bay or Mini Mokes (small, open-air cars) just across the terminal at Nelly Bay. The Magnetic Island Bus Service runs along the roads between Picnic Bay and Horseshoe Bay regularly during the day. Buses meet ferries, transport guests to their accommodation and also offer a fully guided tour of the island with commentary twice daily.
Tourist Information
For more information on Magnetic Island, Contact Us or the Flinders Mall Visitor Information Centre in Townsville.
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