Magnetic Island

Magnetic Island has about 2000 residents spread among four small villages. It is popular with tourists to the region. The villages run up the east coast of the island, with the western part consisting of national park. The villages from south to north are Picnic Bay, Nelly Bay, Arcadia and Horseshoe Bay. Nelly Bay is in the middle of a large redevelopment involving high-end residential and tourism facilities right on the water. Most budget travellers stay in Arcadia and Horseshoe Bay, which mainly cater to the pub-going and jetskiing tourists.

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:

• Fantasea Magnetic Island Passenger & Car Ferry

  phone: +61 7-4772-5422
  address: Ross Street, South Townsville
  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.

Ferries take approximately half an hour to reach Magnetic Island. Some airlines can arrange transfers from the airport to Magnetic Island in a package including the flight to Townsville. Some resorts on the island will include a return ticket as part of your accommodation, so ask this when making a booking.
The Airport Shuttle service operates regularly between Townsville Airport, city, selected hotels and the Sunferries Ferry Terminal for $10 each way. Telephone +61 7-4775-5544 (8:30AM-6PM).

By bus

• Magnetic Island Bus Service

  phone: +61 7-4778-5130
  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.

By car

Magnetic Island mostly has good quality sealed roads, but there are some unsealed roads that require a four-wheel drive.
You can bring your own vehicle on the car ferry, or you can hire cars, four-wheel drives and minimokes on the island:

• Tropical Topless Car Rentals

  phone: +61 7-4758-1111
  address: 138 Sooning St, Nelly Bay (Call in opposite Nelly Bay Harbour and IGA Supermarket)

• MI Wheels Classic Moke Hire

  phone: +61 7-4758-1111
  address: 138 Sooning St, Nelly Bay (Call in opposite Nelly Bay Harbour and IGA Supermarket)

• Magnetic Island Auto Rentals & Repairs

  phone: +61 437-820-914
  Cars from $30/day (unlimited kilometres & insurance included)

By foot

All of the villages are small enough to allow easy walking within their bounds. In theory the entire island is small enough that you could walk from end to end in less than a day, but the paths are not designed for it. There are walking tracks through the National Park on the island, but they are scenic walking routes rather than a direct way to get to different parts of the island. The direct roads themselves aren't always pedestrian friendly; some roads lack footpaths so you have to share the sometimes narrow and winding roads with cars.

• Providence V

  address: marina Nelly Bay Harbour
  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)

Sailing

Sailing tours are available on the island, and usually depart from either Nelly Bay Harbour or Horseshoe Bay.

Diving

Scuba diving is available on the island, and there are trips out to the Great Barrier Reef leaving Magnetic Island:

• Adrenalin Dive

  phone: +61 7-4724-0600
  address: 121 Flinders St, Townsville
  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

  phone: +61 7-4778-5788
  address: 10 Marine Parade, Arcadia
  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.

Jetski

• Adrenalin Jet Ski Tours

  phone: +61 7-4778-5533
  address: 46 Gifford St, Horseshoe Bay

• Jet Ski Hire

  phone: +61 7-4758-1100
  address: The Boat Ramp, Horseshoe Bay

Sea Kayaking

• Magnetic Island Sea Kayaks

  phone: +61 7-4778-5424
  address: Horseshoe Bay
  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.

Walk

Ensure you take a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent and water for these walks around the island.

• The Forts Walk

  address: Radical Bay turnoff
  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.

• Hawkings Point Walk

  address: End of Picnic Street, Picnic Bay
  600 m, 30 minutes. One of the easiest and shortest walks on the island with views across to Townsville.

• Picnic Bay to West Point

  address: Track begins from the road past the Golf Course, Picnic Bay
  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.

• Nelly Bay to Arcadia6 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.

• Arcadia to Horseshoe Bay

  address: Track begins from Hayles Avenue
  3 km, 1 hour. This track crosses the road twice and continues along the main road to Horseshoe Bay.

• Horseshoe Bay to Radical Bay via Balding Bay

  address: Track begins from the eastern side of Horseshoe Bay beach
  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.

• Caffe dell' Isola

  phone: +61 7-4778-5540
  address: Shop 1 Arcadia Village, Marine Parade, Arcadia

• Marlin Bar Tavern

  phone: +61 7-4758-1588
  address: Horseshoe Bay
  Also has attached bottle shop

• Noodies Latin Bar & Cafe

  phone: +61 7-4778-5786
  address: Horseshoe Bay

• Cafe Sirocco

  phone: +61 7-4758-1883
  address: Nelly Bay
  Bar, Cafe and take away food. Gluten free options available

• The Island Tavern

  phone: +61 7-4778-5177
  address: 7 Marine Parade, Arcadia
  Bistro, Sports Bar and bottle shop. Toad races every Wednesday night.

• Restaurant Le Paradis

  phone: +61 7-4778-5044
  address: Corner Mandalay Ave and Sooning St, Nelly Bay
  Traditional French cuisine.

• Marlin Bar Tavern

  phone: +61 7-4758-1588
  address: Horseshoe Bay
  Bottle shop attached.

• The Arcadia Hotel

  phone: +61 7-4778-5044
  address: 7 Marine Parade, Arcadia
  Live music, poolside bar, bottle shop attached.

• R&R Bar

  phone: +61 7-4778 5166
  address: Yule St, Picnic Bay
  Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with view across to Townsville, Cleveland Bay and the Picnic Bay jetty. Bottle shop attached.

• Bungalow Bay YHA

  phone: +61 7-4778-5577
  address: 40 Horseshoe Bay Road, Horseshoe Bay

• The Arcadia Hotel

  phone: +61 7-4778-5177
  address: 7 Marine Parade, Arcadia
  Facilities including 2 large swimming pools, an internet cafe, 3 bars, a bistro and dive schools. Geoffrey Bay is across the road.

• Magnetic International Resort

  phone: +61 7-4778-5200
  address: Mandalay Avenue, Nelly Bay
  A luxury resort with facilities including a swimming pool, a cocktail bar, tennis courts, an internet cafe and wireless access.

• Island Leisure Resort

  phone: +61 7-4778-5000
  address: 4 Kelly Street, Nelly Bay
  Designed to accommodate families, with most rooms having a queen sized bed and a triple bunk. All rooms are airconditioned and have TVs. Resort facilities include a swimming pool, barbecue area, spa and tennis court.

• Bright Point Elite

  phone: +61 412-356-313
  address: 1 Bright Point, Nelly Bay
  Five star luxury apartment with three bedrooms, adjacent to Nelly Bay. Spacious open plan beach style living areas, fully air conditioned.

• Shambhala Retreat

  phone: +61 448-160-580
  address: 11-13 Barton Street, Nelly Bay.
  Self-contained cottages in tranquil Balinese garden setting. Quiet retreat policy, no steps, sleep 4-6, fully airconditioned, saltwater pool, bbq area, breakfast courtyards, Pension and Disability discount 10-30%, close to beach and facilities.

• Base Magnetic Island

  phone: +61 7 47785 777
  address: 1 Nelly Bay Rd
  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.