Just a short ferry ride from Townsville, discover an untouched paradise. A place brimming with idyllic beaches, an abundance of wildlife, friendly locals, world-class hiking trails, beautiful bays, and tropical vibes. Featuring the Great Barrier Reef at your doorstep, a galore of water activities to indulge in and warm Queensland sunshine. It's the ultimate holiday destination to experience quintessential Australia.
The traditional owners of the island are the Wulgurukaba Aboriginal people - they call the island Yunbenun. Captain James Cook re-named the island in 1770. The name was influenced when Cook believed the island had appeared to affect the magnetic compass on his ship. Magnetic Island also has a fort, constructed during World War II to protect the harbour.
"I lived in Australia for several years and I love to share my local knowledge and experiences. I am looking forward to getting to know you better and making your dream holiday to Australia a reality!"
Contact Ilona
Immerse yourself in island living during your visit to Magnetic: A tropical haven that showcases the Australian bush and beaches in style. Located eight kilometres offshore from the city of Townsville in North Queensland. The 52 square kilometre island is officially a suburb of Townsville and has approximately 2335 friendly locals living here.
With over 320 days of sunshine per year, over 20 stunning beaches, home to more than 500 koalas, and an abundance of water activities, you are spoiled for choice. Spend your days by the beach, sailing the Great Barrier Reef and wandering through 25 kilometres of spectacular hiking trails. Discover an array of bays such as Picnic Bay, Florence Bay, Horseshoe Bay and Geoffery Bay. Have close encounters with unique wildlife such as rock wallabies.
Known by locals as 'Maggie' start your journey on Magnetic Island in a town called Nelly Bay. Here, you can find the ferry terminal which links to Townsville. Discover a laid-back oasis that can be reached easily from Townsville for a day trip. However, it is highly recommended to stay at least three days and to enjoy the full experience, stay for at least seven days.
Visit Nelly Bay, one of Magnetic Islands' main residential areas. An ideal spot to snorkel and swim on the fringing reef. In Nelly Bay, you can also find a great selection of shops and other amenities. There are also plenty of delicious local cafes and restaurants to try. Nelly Bay is the main hub for access to the car and passenger ferries from Townsville.
You can reach Nelly Bay by ferry onboard, Magnetic Island Ferries. The terminal is located at Ross Street in Townsville and passengers are recommended to arrive at least 20 minutes prior to departure. The journey takes approximately 45 minutes on the car ferry and vehicle bookings are essential. Magnetic Island Ferries highly recommends booking your vehicle in advance. The passenger ferry takes approximately 25 minutes.
Are you a water sports enthusiast? Featuring three kilometres of beaches, Horseshoe Bay is a tropical paradise that offers plenty of exciting activities. Whether you prefer paddleboarding, kayaking, jet-skiing, swimming, sailing or fishing: it is all possible at Horseshoe Bay! Family-friendly, this part of Magnetic Island is perfect for soaking up the island vibes.
Located on the northside of Magnetic, Horseshoe Bay is nestled between Balding Bay and Lover's Bay. Enjoy a meal overlooking the sparkling Coral Sea at one of the local restaurants or cafes. Pack a picnic and take a wander through nature and choose from one of the fantastic picnic areas. If you enjoy horseriding, why not try a bush to beach horseriding experience? Be sure to watch the sunset at Horseshoe Bay.
Visit Koala Village, an eco accredited site where you can take a guided tour, learn about koalas, and have a close encounter with koalas. Here, you can also enjoy breakfast with the koalas! Meet Harry the Southern Hairy-nosed wombat and Pebbles the koala while you enjoy an Aussie brekkie in the outdoors.
"I will never forget seeing my first koala in the wild on Magnetic Island. No matter if you are 7, 37 or 70 years old - it will leave you grinning from ear to ear."
Nicole, Travel specialist
Townsville, the gateway to Magnetic Island is located in North Queensland, approximately 350 kilometres south of Cairns. Before you embark on your journey to Nelly Bay on Magnetic, why not explore this special slice of Australia? Renowned for being home to one of the country's largest army barracks, there are plenty of things to do and see.
Visit the world's largest living coral reef aquarium, Reef HQ Great Barrier Reef Aquarium. Pop over to the nearby Hinchinbrook Island or trek to the top of Castle Hill. Marvel at the amazing collection found at the Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA). This is the only underwater museum in the Southern Hemisphere.
Join one of our live and informative presentations, hosted by one of our travel specialists. And find out how to travel to Australia in a uniquely local way. There are also plenty of opportunities to ask questions!
Take advantage of our local knowledgeThere is a large assortment of great places to visit on Magnetic. Admire thousands of blue monarch butterflies on the Butterfly Forest Walk. It is best to visit between April and September in the mid-afternoon. To see koalas in the wild, it is recommended to do the Forts Walk. The walk takes one and a half hours and at the end of the day, you can watch the sunset at the top.
Surrounded by Geoffery Bay and Alma Bay, Arcadia is a small town located on Magnetic Island. At dusk, go and feed rock wallabies at the old barge jetty at Geoffrey Bay. Swim at Alma Bay and spark up one of the free barbecues! Or soak up the beautiful views overlooking Nelly Bay and Picnic Bay.
Make your trip extra special by experiencing a unique stay from our large collection of hand-selected accommodations located on Magnetic Island and beyond. Your travel specialist will match you up with Magnetic Island accommodation that suits your wants and needs. A journey where your accommodation is an experience in itself.
From the moment you are leaving for the airport to the moment you arrive back home after your holiday - we have your trip organised. Flights, car rental, transfers, activities, accommodations, meals and stopovers. We can design your personal holiday, so you don’t have to worry about anything in Australia.
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We'll take the time to get to know you to match your fully bespoke holiday with your pace, your interests, and anything you desire. Combined with first-hand, local knowledge, you'll receive a mapped out itinerary from us - but the process isn't done until you are 100% satisfied. We take care of every detail, so you can focus on relaxing, rejuvenating and reconnecting with yourself and the world around you. Get in touch to get started now.
At TravelEssence, we specialise in crafting custom-made holidays that take you off the beaten path and create memories to last a lifetime. We believe in connecting with the heart and soul of a place, introducing you to the locals who call it home. Engage in conversations with fascinating individuals who will share their stories, traditions, and way of life, leaving an indelible mark on your journey.
Questions? Speak to one of our specialists by phone Mon - Sat 0900 until 2100. You can discuss your travel plans in detail where and when it suits you, also in the evenings and on weekends on a no obligation basis.
020 36 95 95 69
