OUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO MAGNETIC ISLAND, QUEENSLAND
Magnetic Island is a pristine slice of paradise in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Think golden sand beaches, swaying palm trees, and tropical wildlife! During our road trip around Australia, we said goodbye to Cooper the Van for a few days, jumped on a ferry and enjoyed the island life on Maggie Island.
We’d love to share our experience with you, so here's our ultimate guide to Magnetic Island. Check out our YouTube video below to see everything we got up to!
Regardless of whether you're here for a relaxing vacation or a short weekend escape, here are a few must-do activities you won't want to miss during your visit.
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How to Get to Magnetic Island
Situated off the coast of Townsville, Magnetic Island is only accessible by boat. You can take a passenger ferry, although a car ferry is also available if you want to bring a vehicle. The entire trip is only 40 minutes (if it’s warm, sit outside for gorgeous ocean views!).
Where to Stay
There are plenty of budget hotels, luxury resorts, and cozy vacation rentals on Magnetic Island. Picnic Town is your best option if you want to stay near shops and restaurants. Other villages like Nelly Bay, Arcadia, and Horseshoe Bay are also good home bases.
We opted for this adorable A-frame located right on Horseshoe Bay, just 10-minutes from the beach!
How Many Days Should I Spend?
You should plan to spend at least one or two nights on Magnetic Island. However, there are so many beaches, beaches, and outdoor activities that you could easily stay here for a week and not get bored!
How To Get Around the Island
The best way to explore the island is to hire a car and head out on your own. The island has super unique rentals including this tiny fiat convertible which we loved driving all over the island! You can also find scooter hire, bicycle hire, or join a day tour.
What to Do on Magnetic Island
Grab a Smoothie Bowl at Shaka
Shaka is more than just a food truck. This outdoor "café" on Nelly Bay whips up some of the best smoothie bowls and snacks on the island. They have carved benches in the trees and beanbags, although you can also grab and go if you want to relax on the beach.
Go Line Fishing
Line fishing is one of the most popular activities on the island. You can charter a boat or simply cast a line straight from the shores. Golden snappers, maceral, flathead, and mangrove jack are just a few species that you can catch if you’re lucky.
Enjoy the Friendly Rock Wallabies
Head over to Geoffery Bay to watch the sunset while also being greeted by the resident rock wallabies. The wallabies live on the rocky granite and are super curious & cute!
Visit the Bungalow Bay Wildlife Park
If you’re a fan of Austrian wildlife, then the Bungalow Bay Wildlife Park is a must. You’ll see pythons, crocodiles, wombats, and of course, cute and cuddly koalas! It’s also down the road from the Butterfly Forest, a breeding ground for blue tiger butterflies.
Spend the Afternoon Snorkeling
There are 23 little bays dotted around Magnetic Island, which means you'll be spoiled for choice when it comes to picking a snorkelling spot. Radical Bay and Florence Bay are a few favourites (keep your eyes peeled for green turtles). However, snorkelers love Arthur Bay for its colourful coral gardens and vibrant marine life.
Hike to the Fort Complex
The Fort Walk is one of the best hikes for history and nature lovers! Most of the trail is through a tropical forest, where you can see wild koalas resting in the trees. But once you reach the top, you’ll get to explore a historic fort complex built during World War II.
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