Sunferries is the main ferry service for passengers who wish to travel from the mainland (Townsville) to either Magnetic Island or Palm Island. Tickets can be purchased at the Ferry Terminal, if the Ferry Terminal is closed then you can buy tickets on board. An adult Return costs $29.00, a child Return costs $14.50. If you will be travelling to and from the island a few times, it is worth getting a 10 trip ticket for $93.00. For other ticket prices (OAP, Student, Family etc) see the Sunferries website. First ferry departs Townsville at 5:35am, (apart from Sundays, which is 6:30am) and there are regular ferries about once an hour throughout the day. The last ferry from Townsville to the Island is at 10:05pm on Sunday, 12:30pm on Friday and Saturday, and 11:30pm the rest of the week. Please double check times before travelling as they may vary year to year. Also be warned that the Ferries will leave exactly at their scheduled time, unless high seas or extraordinarily poor weather conditions prevent them.  For location see maps at bottom of this page, and for more info go to their official site.

Fantasea is the other ferry which services the Island, this is primarily a car ferry but passengers on foot can use the service too. It's worth noting that this Ferry departs from the OPPOSITE side of the river to Sunferries. Monday to Friday the first ferry is at 5:20am, with weekend ferries starting at 7:10am. Please check the website for exact times. Vehicle bookings are essential, also note loading time is 20 minutes prior to departure.  To book, phone: 07 4772 5422 or you can make an online booking. Passenger tickets cost $25 for an Adult Return, $15 for a child return, and there are other various fares for OAPs, Students, Family etc. A standard vehicle return ticket costs $113, a motorbike return costs $34 -$49 depending on number of passengers, there are other fares for trailers depending on size. For location see maps at bottom of this page, and for more info go to their official site.

 When you arrive on Magnetic Island your travelling options are as follows (unless you already have your own transport!) Please Note, if you are staying at either Peppers Blue on Blue or Mantra, its just a 20 metre walk away! There is also an IGA Supermarket at the otherside of the ferry terminal carpark in case you need supplies! It's worth picking up a free copy of the latest Magnetic Island booklet (there should be some in the Ferry Terminal or the IGA) which will tell you everything you need to know about the Island, all the local business, attractions, maps etc. Very very useful! 

Magnetic Island Bus Service 

The ferry will arrive in Nelly Bay and you will see there is a bus stop right outside the terminal. Bus trips are generally quite cheap and work out at about $1 per bay. So if you are travelling through 2 bays it will cost you approx $2. However, prices may vary. Its useful to have some spare change on you at all times as the bus drivers can't guarentee you change from large notes. $5 and $10 are generally fine. The ferries tend to coincide with the buses, so its worth being quick off the boat! There are two bus routes on the island:-

Towards Horseshoe Bay:- Get this bus if you are staying in Arcadia or Horseshoe Bay, (also Alma Bay, Bungalow Bay Koala Sanctuary, Noodies, Marlin Bar, Barefoot Gallery, Horseriding, Forts Walk, Radical Bay, Balding Bay, Florence Bay, Arthur Bay, Geoffrey Bay)

Towards Picnic Bay:- Get this bus if you are staying in Nelly Bay (X Base, International Resort, Foodworks, Doctors Clinic, Fish N' Fuel) or Picnic Bay (Police Station, Golf Club, Park Rangers Office, Jetty, Antonio Moran Restaurant, Picnic Bay Pub) or towards West Point (doesn't actually go to West Point but the beginning of the track). http://www.magneticislandbusservice.com.au/

Magnetic Island Taxi Service  

There is a taxi service on the island but it can be a bit costly (Taxi's usually are!) so I would recommend sharing a taxi with others if you can (and if they are going in the same direction as you.) For taxis call (07) 4778 5999.

Hire a Mini-Moke / Car / 4x4 / Scooter / Pushbike:-

Ok, so I don't expect you'll be strapping your luggage onto the back of a bike  (that would just be plain dangerous!), but its always useful to know that there are various hire options avaible for the rest of your stay. Many people enjoy hiring a Moke as they are quite fun to drive around, but whether you hire a moke, a scooter or a 4x4, please be careful and drive slowly as there are frequent accidents on the island steep and winding roads, and there are all too many cases of wildlife being run-over.

or Walk... obviously this depends how heavy your luggage is and where abouts you are staying! As the ferry terminal is located in Nelly Bay then technically you can walk to anywhere in the Nelly Bay area, although it just depends how much you like walking. Getting the bus is probably your best bet :-)

For more info on buses / roads on the island see maps at bottom of this page.

Tips and Hints - Magnetic Island

Magnetic Island differs from most other Tourist Destinations in that it is first and foremost a suburb of Townsville. With a permanent population of 2000 - 3000, most islanders commute to the mainland for work or have their own businesses on the island. There is also a primary school, police station, doctors clinics, supermarket, various shops, bars and restaurants. There are many resident artists such as Mel Williams (below) on the island and you can visit their galleries mostly free of charge.

 

A word of advice on eating out....

Tourism is very seasonal on the island and ranges from one extreme to the other - during school holidays and festivals the island will be packed full of families, tourists and daytrippers. During the 'low' season the island is generally quiet, with only the regular influx of backpackers and walkers - sometimes this can lead to restaurants having to shut for a few nights of the week, as many eateries are run by local families and it's simply not economically viable to employ staff when no money is coming in. I guess that the main thing to remember, if you are visiting in the low season, is just to do a little forward planning. Tourists will inevitably find themselves disppointed if they wait until 8pm and then wonder along hoping to find a table at a local restaurant. Therefore, booking is essential and will ensure that you have the best serice possible. Basically - in the 'Busy' season you should book because there will be a shortage of tables and the restaurants will be full up & in the 'Low' season you should book because it will be so quiet that the restaurants will be losing money for every hour they don't have any customers in, thus they are likely to cut their losses and shut up shop by 8pm (unless they have bookings!). 

This may seem inconvenient to hungry tourists but it must be remembered that the island is just like any other suburb, and indeed it is not intrinsically a tourist resort. This is both a blessing and a curse in some ways - on the one hand it's what attracts many people back to the island, the fact that it has not been spoilt by over-zealous tourism or corporate development (apart from one or two developments...) it therefore means that the island's primary attraction is uncrowded beaches, abundant wildlife (both in water and on land) wonderful walking trails, and a relaxing unpretentious vibe. On the other hand it means that due to the unreliable nature of the tourist trade, many local businesses really struggle to make ends meet, and an incredible 70% fail/go under within 2 years. Hopefully one day a balance can be struck which will benefit both the tourists and the island's businesses. I think that Magnetic Island is a bit like an onion, you have to peel back the layers to reveal more and more hidden gems - even some locals live for years on the island without realising that just up the road is a fantastically refreshing waterfall to swim in, a spectacular lookout, a picture-perfect lagoon, or even a century-old hidden tombstone half buried in a mangrove swamp. There are many adventures to be had on Magnetic Island, and the joy is in discovering them! But don't expect to discover Casino's, Prada/Gucci Boutiques or the Palazzo Versace (That's what the Gold Coast/Surfers Paradise was invented for...) you won't find any of that on laid back Maggie Island.

Walking and Hiking on Magnetic Island

 

The island is excellent for walking, with  a variety of walks catering to all levels of rambler; there are short walks, long walks, easy walks, challenging walks... and they all promise fantastic views and vantage points. Always bring a good supply of water (better too much than too little!), suitable footwear, suncream and stay on the tracks so as to avoid snakes. Be aware that boulders may be unstable, and it is advisable to bring a mobile phone with you in case of any emergency. Insect Repellent is highly recommended also! 

The Island's walks are as follows:

Hawkings Point track — 1.2km return (1 hour) Grade: Easy

From Picnic Bay, a track winds to the top of a large boulder, affording views over the island to Nelly and Geoffrey Bays and back towards Townsville. 

         

  

Above left & Above right: Amazing views from Hawkings Point

Picnic Bay to West Point — 16km return (5 hours) Grade: Easy 

Nelly Bay to Arcadia — 5km one way (2.5 hours) Grade: Moderate

From Nelly Bay, this walk passes through a rainforest pocket, climbs gradually to the saddle between Nelly and Horseshoe Bays and follows a ridge with views over Horseshoe Bay. The track then branches, with one track leading on to Horseshoe Bay, where you can continue on to other tracks, and the other to Arcadia Bay.

Above & Following Photos: Nelly Bay to Arcadia Walk

The Forts walk — 4km return (1.5 hours) Grade: Moderate

From the turn-off to Radical Bay, this track ascends, sometimes steeply, to follow a ridge behind the bays before arriving at the ruins of the Forts complex operated during World War II. Lookouts afford excellent views to the Palm Island Group in the north and Bowling Green Bay National Park in the south.

Arthur, Florence and Radical Bays — 1.4km-6km return (30 minutes-2 hours) Grade: Easy

From the Forts car park on the Horseshoe Bay Road, an easy track leads down to these undeveloped bays which provide excellent swimming and snorkelling.

• Arthur Bay walk — 1.4km return (30 minutes)
• Florence Bay walk — 3.6km return (1 hour)
• Radical Bay walk — 6km return (2 hours)

Horseshoe Bay Lagoon — 200m return (15 minutes)

Leading off the main road near Horseshoe Bay beach, a short track leads to the lagoon where a number of waterbirds can be seen.

Horseshoe Bay Road to Balding and Radical Bays — 3.4km return (1 hour) Grade: Moderate

From the eastern end of Horseshoe Bay beach, the track climbs through a steep gully of closed forest to a ridge with open eucalypt woodland. One branch of the track leads down to the secluded Balding Bay and the other continues on to Radical Bay. Both bays are good places for a swim.

(Map Courtesy of State of QLD Envirnmental Protection Agency)

Supermarkets

The biggest supermarket is the IGA, at the Ferry Terminal in Nelly Bay. However there are also smaller food convenience stores in Horseshoe Bay, Arcadia and other parts of Nelly Bay. There is no convenience store in Picnic Bay.

Fuel / Petrol Stations / Newagents / Post Office / Other

There is a petrol station in both Nelly Bay (Fish N' Fuel on Mandalay Avenue) and also in Arcadia in the shopping precinct. The Newsagents is located in Arcadia, this shop also has a good supply of art and craft materials. The Post Office is located in Nelly Bay at the junction of Sooning Street and Mandalay Avenue. In Nelly Bay you will also find a gardening centre, a DIY store / Mitre 10, a photo processing shop, two doctors clinics, a Video/DVD rental store, a vetinary clinic and a pharmacy.

Fishing / Boating / Snorkelling

Fishing and Snorkelling gear can be purchased at Fish N' Fuel on Mandalay Avenue. On the same road you will find Get Around Island Boat Tours for affordable boating daytrips around the island (tours/hire) - whether you want to snorkel, fish, or simply cruise from bay to bay, call Cliff on (07) 47 785 909 or Mobile 0448 434 292 

Pubs / Bars / Bottleshops

In each bay there is at least one pub/bar and bottleshop. Horseshoe Bay (Marlin Bar, Noodies, Barefoot)  seems to be the place for families and couples to watch the sun go down, with some stunning sunsets to be seen in the cooler months. Picnic Bay (Picnic Bay Pub) is the quietest part of the island, with some nice views over to the mainland. Nelly Bay (X-Base) and Arcadia (Magnums) generally attract the younger locals and the backpackers.

Restaurants / Food Outlets

As mentioned above, whether in the busy season or the low season, booking is highly advised for evening meals. Each bay has at least one place to eat;

Horseshoe Bay offers Marlin Bar (Pub Grub 47 581588), Noodies (Mexican/Latin food 47 785786), Barefoot (Gourmet Posh Nosh 47 581170) Swensons @ Bungalow Bay Koala Sanctuary (Various Cuisine 47 785577) There is also a good Fish and Chip shop and a Sandwich/Panini Cafe on the beachfront.

Arcadia offers Island Bistro @ Magnums (Cheap & Cheerful 47 785177) Bannisters (Fish and Chips 47 785700) and also Alla Capri Stage Door (Cabaret Show & Dinner 47 785448).

Nelly Bay offers Restaurant Le Paradis (French Cuisine, French Chef 47 785155) Man Friday (Mexican & Australian  47 785658) Macarthurs @ International Resort (Seafood / International Cuisine 47 785200) Pizza Tonite (Eat in or Take out 47 581400)  Boardwalk @ Peppers Blue on Blue Resort (Modern Australian Posh Nosh) There is also the Fat Possum Cafe serving up a tasty daytime menu and a good cooked brekkie, the Kiosk @ Restaurant Le Paradis serving up daytime snacks and great value meal deals, aswell as ice-creams and milkshakes, next to this is Bell Harbour Bakery, serving up bread, sandwiches, pies and pastries etc. X-Base, on the beachfront, is also serving cheap and cheerful meals, day and night.

Picnic Bay offers the R & R Cafe @ Picnic Bay Pub (Pub Grub 47 785 166),  there is also a Chinese Takeaway.

Beaches

Stinger nets are located at Horseshoe Bay and Picnic Bay. Most tourists flock to Horseshoe Bay beach for swimming however this (in my humble opinion) is the least attractive out of all the Island's beaches for swimming. Alma Bay in Arcadia is popular for families with young children, the prettiest in my opinion is Florence Bay, with some lovely coral reef to explore, but Balding Bay and Radical Bay are great for swimming and snorkelling too. Nelly Bay also has a nice stretch of beach for swimming, and Rocky Bay is secluded and picturesque.

There are quite a few other beautiful beaches on the Island which can only be accessed by boat. Get Around Island Boat Tours will be able to take you to these secluded and empty beaches, for swimming, snorkelling or even to explore some hidden waterfalls and creeks.

Swimming at West Point Beach, or in the Marina, is not advisable, as they are known to be hang-out spots for crocs and sharks!

Townsville City - Things to do...

Townsville (below pictures), together with its twin city Thuringowa is Australia's largest tropical city. Declared a city in 1903, it is north Queensland's administrative, commercial and manufacturing centre. The Strand has waterfalls, tropical parks and hanging bougainvillea gardens. There's also a rockpool where you can enjoy swimming all year round - even in marine stinger season. Reef HQ is an aquarium which features displays of the marine life found in the tropical waters offshore. The ocean off Townsville is famed for its game fishing, especially black marlin.

  

The Strand Rockpool - A nice alternative to swimming in the sea, this artificial rockpool (pictured below) offers both shallow and deeper water, aswell as nearby playground and adjacent cafe.

Reef HQ - If you sadly don't manage to see the reef for real (for whatever reason!) then this is the next best thing, with various tropical fish and corals on display, and a walk-through aquarium with some local shark species and sting rays etc (pictured below).

  

Walk up Castle Hill - Take a walk (or the less arduous option is to drive) up to the top of Castle Hill (pictured below). Visible from Magnetic Island and from the Townsville area itself, the views are spectacular and you can see for miles around.

Restaurants - There are many Restaurants in Townsville, particularly in the Strand area and along Flinders Street.

Cinema - If the weather is really that bad then theres always the cinema! There are a few cinemas to be found in Townsville, the nearest one to the Ferry Terminal is about a 10 to 15 minute walk.

Shopping - the two main shopping complexes in Townsville are "Castletown" and "Stocklands" where you will find medium sized indoor air-conditioned shopping malls offering the usual brands aswell as food courts etc. You can get buses to eithers of these malls.