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Magnetic Island (Wulguru: Yunbenun) is an island directly off the coast of Townsville in Central Queensland. Over half the land area of the island is a National Park. Magnetic Island is roughly 7 km by 5 km, with 25 km of walking tracks and several beaches and little bays. It is known as Maggie Island.
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The island’s largest bay and a hub for watersports, dining, and sunset watching. It has a stinger net during summer and calm waters ideal for swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding.
A secluded, palm-fringed beach accessible by walking track or 4WD (if permitted). Known for its pristine setting and excellent snorkelling.
A beautiful, less crowded beach with crystal-clear water and vibrant coral close to shore—ideal for snorkelling on calm days.
Located in Arcadia, this patrolled beach is popular for families and swimming, with BBQ areas, toilets, and grassy picnic zones.
Once the main arrival point for ferries, this quiet beach features a long jetty popular for fishing, plus a historic pub and calm swimming waters.
Providence V is the only tallship in the Townsville region. We run lunch, afternoon and sunset tours around the island. Learn how to belay a cleat, sweat the mainsail or chill on deck. Snorkelling and stinger suits provided. Largest boomnet on the island - operates outside of stinger season (May-Nov)
Adrenalin Dive offers 2-dive day trips to the Yongala departing Townsville and Magnetic Island. The base price is $179, equipment hire $35. Divers must have at least 6 logged dives, and divers with less than 15 logged dives will need to pay $30 for a guided dive. PADI certification courses are available via the Pro Dive Townsville liveaboard, see the Townsville article for details.
Pleasure Divers is close to Magnetic Island's shore diving and hires out snorkeling equipment and scuba. They also conduct PADI certification courses: introductory Open Water is $299 if shore diving, and certification including reef trips start at $469.
Offers both morning and sunset kayak tours of Horseshoe bay and surrounding areas of the island. The morning tour includes a simple breakfast (muesli and fruit). The owner Steve is bit of a character and is rather condescending, but the scenery and fresh sea air is worth it.
A 1-2 hour return walk to the ruins of a World War II fort that was designed to protect Townsville from attack. There are fantastic views of Arthur Bay and Horseshoe Bay along from track and from the Fort command post at the top. Also make sure to look for koalas in the trees above the track.
600 m, 30 minutes. One of the easiest and shortest walks on the island with views across to Townsville.
8 km, 2.5 hours. This walk is quite different to the rest of the walks on the island, passing through wetlands, mangroves and salt-waters swamps. Good walk for spotting native wildlife.
6 km, 2 hours. This walk passes through rainforest, alongside Gustav Creek and up a ridge. There are shops at both ends of the walk, and this walk is good for spotting local wildlife.
3 km, 1 hour. This track crosses the road twice and continues along the main road to Horseshoe Bay.
3 km, 45 minutes. Balding Bay is a nudist beach. Take note of the tide times, as the beach track becomes inaccessible (unless you swim!) when the tide comes in late in the afternoon.
Also has attached bottle shop
Bar, Cafe and take away food. Gluten free options available
Bistro, Sports Bar and bottle shop. Toad races every Wednesday night.
Traditional French cuisine.
Bottle shop attached.
Live music, poolside bar, bottle shop attached.
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with view across to Townsville, Cleveland Bay and the Picnic Bay jetty. Bottle shop attached.
Facilities including 2 large swimming pools, an internet cafe, 3 bars, a bistro and dive schools. Geoffrey Bay is across the road.
A luxury resort with facilities including a swimming pool, a cocktail bar, tennis courts, an internet cafe and wireless access.
Designed to accommodate families, with most rooms having a queen sized bed and a triple bunk. All rooms are air-conditioned and have TVs. Resort facilities include a swimming pool, barbecue area, spa and tennis court.
Five star luxury apartment with three bedrooms, adjacent to Nelly Bay. Spacious open plan beach style living areas, fully air conditioned.
shambhala.retreat@hotmail.com.au
Self-contained cottages in tranquil Balinese garden setting. Quiet retreat policy, no steps, sleep 4-6, fully air-conditioned, saltwater pool, bbq area, breakfast courtyards, Pension and Disability discount 10-30%, close to beach and facilities.
A range of accommodation including raised secluded campsites and waterfront bungalows on the beach. Swimming pool and deck. Closest hostel to the Nelly Bay Ferry. Home of a Full Moon party.
The ferry transports both cars and passengers from Townsville with seven or eight departures between 7AM and 7PM every day. It leaves from the wharf in Ross Street, South Townsville. Trailers and caravans can be transported.
The Magnetic Island Bus Service runs from Picnic Bay to Horseshoe Bay via the Nelly Bay Ferry Terminal. Buses are 40 minutes or more apart, depending on the time of day and day of week. The timetable is posted at the bus stop at the ferry terminal. The bus services are reasonably well synchronised with the Sunferries passenger ferry. A wheelchair accessible bus is available, call in advance to book.
Magnetic Island is only accessible by boat from Townsville, which is 8 kilometers away and which has a well-served airport. There are two ferry services, both arriving at the Nelly Bay Ferry Terminal:
Read in the guideBy car
Magnetic Island mostly has good quality sealed roads, but there are some unsealed roads that require a four-wheel drive.
By foot
All of the villages are small enough to allow easy walking within their bounds.
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Townsville · Regional · TSV
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