If you want to sample the simple life and get away from it all, head on over to Magnetic Island where time really does seem to stand still. Just 8 kms and 20 mins by ferry from Townsville, ‘Maggie’ slays it by delivering an utterly uncomplicated holiday.
Smooth sailing on Sealink’s ferry
Content to fly under the tourist radar, Maggie delights with beautiful beaches, excellent hikes, beach view pubs and a smattering of decent cafes and restaurants.
I loved our week on this North Queensland island that is 70% national park, has 23 bays and beaches, 24 kms of hiking tracks, 800 koalas, a myriad of wallabies, butterflies, kookaburras, curlews and views so stunning you can never take a bad photo.
Walking Nelly Bay to Alma Bay. Magnetic Island has 40 kms of coastline.Some keys work, some don’t, but this piano at Geoffrey Bay can still deliver a tuneAlma Bay – Memories of Maggie Island childhood holidays stick like glue.So pleased to see the Bikini Tree is still front and centre at Arcadia Hotel. Horseshoe Bay – families love it hereSpied this cutie perched high in a gum tree at Horseshoe BayButterflies by the hundreds fly at breakneck speed in bushland behind the old Horseshoe Bay School. None wanted to slow down and star in my photo though.Somewhere in amongst these rocks, lies the hiking path from Horseshoe Bay to Balding BayBalding BayA short hike from Balding Bay is Radical Bay – voted travellers’ favourite beach.Radical Bay – fabulous beach for a swim. We were lucky to visit before the start of stinger season which is Nov 1. Deadly box jellyfish and irukanji frequent the warm waters until May. Stinger suits are the way to goFlorence Bay – water is crystal clearThe Forts Hike is a 4km circuit to observation towers, takes 2 hrs and spells out Townsville’s WWII role in defending itself from possible Japanese attacks. At the time, 50,000 US and Australian troops were stationed in Townsville.Gun emplacements. The guns on Magnetic Island were French 155 mm M3 guns on Panama carriage mounts. A number of Pacific islands used them during the war.Views over Arthur Bay from the first Observation Tower Views over Horseshoe Bay from the second Observation TowerCurtain figs at Nelly BayRocky BayPicnic Bay- nice swimming spot. Picnic Bay Hotel across the road- nice drinking spotJetty at Picnic BayThis is how I remember driving around Maggie in the 70s. 2020 mode of transport. If you don’t want to hire a car, consider the bus. It’s efficient and good value – day passes are just $8.We stayed at Peppers Nelly Bay, handy to the ferry and bus, 2 kms to Alma Bay and 3 kms to Picnic Bay. A couple of nice cafes and restaurants are in walking distance. There are also loads of holiday homes to rent. Check out visitmagneticisland.com.au and bestofmagnetic.com.auPeppers pool Rock wallabies at the ferry harbourGood coffee at Nelly BayDrop Bear Cafe Geoffrey BayMoreton Bay bug and scallops st Saltwater
In 1770, Captain Cook gave the island its name after the compass in his ship ‘Endeavour’ went awry. He was convinced a magnetic field existed. A magnet, Maggie definitely is. Its beaches, hikes and easy going lifestyle are enough to attract us to repeat the experience.
Note: We flew into Townsville airport on a Jetstar flight from Brisbane. Flight time is 1 hr 50 mins. Taxis and shuttle buses transfer passengers to the ferry terminal where you can buy tickets on the next ferry.
Your beautiful posts have got me thinking about visiting and revisiting some of these fabulous destinations that are mostly in my state. Happy Christmas 🎄 Lyn
I spent a week on Magnetic Island over 20 years ago. Looking at your gorgeous pictures brings it all back.
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You’re well and truly overdue for a Maggie holiday! I love that the island hasn’t changed too much.
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Yes I definitely am overdue! And since I’m Maggie, it seems I should definitely go back! Yes your pictures are great!
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Your beautiful posts have got me thinking about visiting and revisiting some of these fabulous destinations that are mostly in my state. Happy Christmas 🎄 Lyn
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Thanks Lyn. Consider myself lucky to be seeing some nice parts of our state during these torrid covid times.
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