With its choice of 23 sheltered bays and coves, unspoiled golden-sand beaches and pristine forest-clad hills, Magnetic Island (or ‘Maggie’ as it’s known to the locals), offers all the ingredients you need for a perfect island honeymoon or romantic getaway holiday.
In addition to its beautiful beaches and natural setting, Magnetic Island offers a choice of activities including wildlife spotting, hiking and a wide range of watersports.
Wander coastal tracks to view World War II vintage gun emplacements or choose from several hiking trails to explore the island’s national park, which covers more than two-thirds of the island.
The island is around 52sq km (20sq mi) of which 27sq km (10.4sq mi) is a National Park and bird sanctuary.
Spot diminutive rock wallabies, brushtail possums and the largest colony of koalas living in Queensland.
Experience the tiny east coast settlements of Picnic Bay, Nelly Bay, Arcadia Bay and tiny Florence Bay, exploring on foot or in a mini-moke. Along the way, discover a choice of golden-sand beaches that shelve into turquoise coves flanked by huge granite headlands.
Swim and snorkel the nearby coral reefs then relax with a picnic beneath shady beachside fig trees.
To the north is Horseshoe Bay, the island's longest and most popular beach, where you can go swimming, horseback riding, kayaking and jet skiing or get a different perspective of the island on a joy ride in an open cockpit bi-plane.
Just across the headland lies tiny Balding Bay, with good snorkelling above offshore coral gardens.
Cast a line from the island’s beaches and rocky points for coral trout, bream, flathead, whiting, queen fish, trevally and Spanish mackere.
Scuba dive the SS Yongala, which lies within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park near Townsville or savour a sunset island cruise on an 18m schooner.
Magnetic Island offers a range of holiday accommodation options, including the 4.5-star Peppers Blue on Blue, which sits on the water’s edge overlooking a private marina.
The best time to visit Magnetic Island is during the cooler dry season from May to September, when you can expect clear, blue skies and warm, sunny days with little or no rainfall.
For hot-weather activities, the best time to visit Magnetic Island is during October and November.
Magnetic Island experiences a tropical monsoon climate year-round, with a hot, rainy season from December to March and a dry season from April to November, during which there is relatively cool season from May to September.
Average high temperatures reach 32°C (89°F) in summer and 25°C (77°F) in winter.
More about Magnetic Island weather…
Magnetic Island is located in the sheltered waters of Cleveland Bay, about 8km (5mi) off the Townsville coast in tropical North Queensland.
Sealink (QLD) offers an hourly ferry service from Townsville's Breakwater Ferry Terminal to Nelly Bay Ferry Terminal on Magnetic Island, taking just 20 minutes on one of their high-speed catamarans.
Tickets are available online, at the terminal or onboard the boat if the terminal is closed.
Townsville Airport is a short 8km (5mi) drive to the Breakwater Ferry Terminal. Taxis meet all arrivals and departures. Townsville City Shuttle also operates from the airport to major hotels and the Breakwater Ferry Terminal.
Townsville Airport receives daily direct flights from Cairns Airport, taking 55 minutes; Brisbane Airport, taking 1 hour 55 minutes; Sydney Airport, taking 2 hours 40 minutes; and Melbourne Airport, taking 3 hours.
There’s a good choice of options to get around Magnetic Island, including walking, public transport, organised tours, taxis, hire cars and bicycles.
One of the best ways to explore Magnetic Island is on foot, with more than 26km (16mi) of walking trails linking bays and secluded beaches.
Or bring your own bicycle, or hire one on the Island. Magnetic Island offers a bituminised road network, as well as unsealed roads, making it easy to explore the many coastal bays by bike.
Latest update: Magnetic Island, Tropical North Queensland: 24 September, 2023
Advertising