If you are looking for a tropical break away from the hustle and bustle, then look no further than Magnetic Island
With “Maggie” lying just 8 kilometres off Townsville, and only a quick ferry trip away, the island is the perfect retreat. With 23 beautiful bays and beaches, you are sure to find your own little piece of heaven. Magnetic Island is known for its laid-back vibe, and you will experience the welcoming community from the moment you step off the boat. With so many activities on offer, you will struggle to decide what to do first. Getting around is easy, you can choose to either hire a vehicle on the island or take advantage of the Sunbus regular bus service.
Magnetic Island is two-thirds protected National Park, offering you plenty of opportunities to unwind and explore its rugged nature and abundant wildlife. There are a number of walks of differing lengths and difficulty, from the shorter Butterfly Walk and Horseshoe Bay Lagoon Walk, to the famous Forts Walk (approximately 4km) which takes about 90 minutes return. It is an easy to moderate walk that offers 360-degree views of the coast and the Coral Sea, as well as providing the opportunity to see Australia’s largest population of koalas in the wild.
Being situated in the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, you have the opportunity to explore the reef, whether it is snorkelling off a bay, or taking in a fishing or dive tour. Add to that the exhilarating water sports options available at Horseshoe Bay such as kayaking, kneeboarding, wakeboarding, waterskiing and jet-skiing, and your day is sure to be filled with fun.
If your interests are more cultural, then Magnetic Island still has you covered with the Magnetic Island History and Craft Centre and the Magnetic Museum both offering the opportunity to explore the island’s colourful past. The art scene on Magnetic Island won’t leave you wanting either, with numerous galleries and opportunities to see artists at work in their studios.
After all this exploring, you are sure to have worked up an appetite and satisfying your hunger will not be a problem. You can choose to enjoy the free shore side BBQ facilities, get your supplies from one of the two supermarkets, or sit back and indulge at one of the many restaurant options available across the island.
Getting to Magnetic Island couldn’t be easier with SeaLink operating up to 18 daily high-speed catamaran services, crossing the sheltered waters of Cleveland Bay in only 20 minutes.
Tickets are available at the terminal or on-board the boats, so there is no need to pre-book (though if you prefer to you book ahead, you can book online). The terminal is located within the Breakwater Terminal on Sir Leslie Thiess Drive in Townsville.
You can contact SeaLink on 1300 MAGGIE (1300 624 443) or to book online visit SEALINK
