Magnetic Island, or “Maggie” as the locals like to call it, is a small island off the east coast of Australia near Townsville. Those who love beautiful nature, a laidback atmosphere or like to see koalas should not miss Magnetic Island. Located in the Great Barrier Reef, a trip to this piece of tropical paradise is something you absolutely must do during a road trip in Australia. And with 300 sunny days a year, there is very little chance of bad weather. Here you can read about the best things to do on Magnetic Island, how to get there and more tips to make your day trip unforgettable.
Where is Magnetic Island located in Australia
Magnetic Island lies off the east coast of Australia, in the Tropical North Queensland region. The best way to reach Magnetic Island is to take the ferry from Townsville, a coastal town about a four hours drive from Cairns. Daily ferries from SeaLink or Magnetic Island Ferries leave to the island every half hour and the crossing takes only 20 minutes. We chose SeaLink Ferries because it is a pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly ferry, which is more affordable than the car ferry. You can park your car or camper at the port for $8AUD for 24 hours. Book your ferry ticket here!
How to get around on Magnetic Island
The island is not very big and it is definitely not necessary to bring your own car or camper to Magnetic Island. When you take the ferry from Townsville, you will arrive at Nelly Bay Terminal and from there you can take public transportation. There are buses that run continuously all day past all the major attractions on the island. A ticket for a whole day costs only $7.60 AUD per person and you can get on and off as much as you like. We discovered Magnetic Island this way and found this to be a great! Alternatively, you can choose to rent bikes or scooters at Nelly Bay to explore Magnetic Island.
TRAVEL TIP: Sleep in Townsville the night before your visit to Magnetic Island so that you can catch the first ferry and make the most of your day trip. Aquarius on the Beach is close to the ferry and has views of Magnetic Island!
7 best things to do on Magnetic Island, Australia
Now that you know how to get there and how to get around Magnetic Island, you’re ready to go! Despite being a small island with only 2,000 residents, there is a lot to see on Magnetic Island. This travel guide is perfect for a day trip and follows the bus route. This way you can explore the highlights of Magnetic Island in a logical order and finish with a drink at sunset. Just make sure you take the earliest ferry out and the last one back so you have enough time to do everything at a leisurely pace.
1) Feeding rock wallabies at Geoffrey Bay
We start right off with one of the best things to do on Magnetic Island: seeing the rock wallabies. When you arrive by ferry in Nelly Bay you get on the bus up to Geoffrey Bay. From here it’s a short 1km walk until you reach the shoreline where at some point you will see large boulders. Among all these boulders you will find several rock wallabies. The locals have been feeding these cute animals with carrots or other vegetables for years. Chances are that you will see leftovers lying around that you can feel free to pick up in order to attract a wallaby to you. The wallabies are not very shy and with some luck one might hop over to say hello!
Don’t forget to treat the animals with respect, they are and always will be wild animals in their natural habitat! In addition, only give them something to eat like carrots or other vegetables, but definitely not your own snacks. After Geoffrey Bay, you may want to have a coffee or breakfast at Tiny Palm before continuing on to the next stop.
2) Koala spotting along the Forts Walk
One of the most popular things to do on Magnetic Island is spotting koalas. In fact, the island is home to a large population, so here you have a great chance of seeing koalas. Take the bus to the start of the Forts Walk. This relatively easy 4 km hike takes you through the nature of Magnetic Island and past stunning, azure bays. During the walk, keep your eyes on the treetops, where you can see koalas sleeping high in the branches. The walk forms a loop, taking about 1 to 2 hours to complete, and conveniently ends back at the bus stop.
3) The best view at Arthur Bay
If you are feeling active, you can extend the Forts Walk with the Three Bays Walk that takes you past stunning, secluded bays. Magnetic Island has pristine beaches that border on azure water which gives a spectacular view. These bays are often deserted and changes are you have them all to yourself. Just know that swimming is off-limits between November and May (Australia’s summer). During this period there are very poisonous jellyfish (jellyboxfish) present in the ocean in this part of Australia. Still, it is definitely worth extending your hike, and especially to the viewpoint at Arthur Bay! Plan for an additional hour and be sure to pack plenty of water—it can get quite hot during the day, but the scenery makes every step worth it!
4) Have lunch at Cafe Nourish
After an active hike, it’s time to refuel, and there’s no better spot than Café Nourish on Magnetic Island! Hop on the bus to Horseshoe Bay, home to the island’s largest beach and a lively selection of restaurants and bars. Right on the beach you will find plenty of cozy restaurants and bars. We found Cafe Nourish to be the best option for lunch because of its healthy and fresh menu! Just be aware that they are only open from 7am to 2pm.
5) Snorkeling or sea kayaking
After lunch, you can get back to doing something active on Magnetic Island. From Horseshoe Bay, you can explore more scenic hikes like the one to Florence Bay. If you do want to get out in the sea, you can go snorkeling or sea kayaking. On these tours, you get a special “stingersuit” that protects you from the poisonous jellyfish. Since Magnetic Island is in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, it is definitely worth considering a snorkeling tour. The underwater world here is beautiful and with any luck you may even see turtles!
6) Sunset at Horseshoe Bay
Prefer a more relaxed afternoon? Bring your towel and swimsuit and stretch out on the sandy beach at Horseshoe Bay lined with swaying palm trees. Here you can also go safely for a swim, as you will find a special “stinger net” in the water. This giant net keeps the jellyfish out, and in this part of sea you can therefore swim completely safely without having to wear a special suit. We stayed in Horseshoe Bay until the last bus before heading back to the ferry. It’s the ideal place to end your day, especially since it’s where we witnessed one of the most breathtaking sunsets in all of Australia!
7) Stay in a koala park
If you just can’t get enough of Magnetic Island, we would recommend spending one night here. This is because sleeping at Roamer Magnetic Island Koala Park is quite an experience in itself. Not only is this a very cozy accommodation with a pool, it is also a koala park. The friendly volunteers are eager to show you around the park during your stay. Along the way, you’ll encounter more koalas and learn fascinating facts about these adorable creatures and the island’s unique wildlife. It’s an experience that brings you even closer to the magic of Magnetic Island!
Best time to visit Magnetic Island
With 300 days of sunshine a year, Magnetic Island in Australia is a year-round destination. However, the best time to visit is from May to November, which is the dry season. This is also when there are no poisonous jellyfish in the sea, so it is safe to go swimming. However, always keep in mind the signage on the beaches before diving into the sea!
Still have questions about what to do on Magnetic Island, Australia? Let us know in a comment below! Looking for more information about your next trip? Please do not hesitate to contact us or send an email to info@snoezelsontheroad.com
Did you know...
When you make a purchase through our links, we receive a small fee. What you pay remains the same, and you support us with it too. A win-win for everyone!
Activities
Book here inexpensively via Getyourguide
Support us with coffee
Support us with a virtual cup of coffee
