Best of Townsville
Magnetic Island Guide: Beaches, Wildlife and the Ferry from Townsville
Magnetic Island (Maggie) sits 8 kilometres offshore from Townsville and is accessible by a 25-minute passenger ferry from the city's South Townsville terminal. The island is roughly half national park and has a permanent resident population, making it feel less like a tourist resort and more like a relaxed island community. Key beaches include Picnic Bay, Nelly Bay, Geoffrey Bay and Horseshoe Bay, the latter being the largest and most popular for swimming and water sports. Koalas are commonly spotted in the national park sections, particularly in the area around Forts Walk, which also passes WWII gun emplacements with panoramic views. Day trips are easily managed, and a range of accommodation exists for overnight stays.
The Daily Townsville brief
Love Townsville? Get the daily briefing, free.
- 1
Arcadia and Geoffrey Bay
The main village on Magnetic Island, with a reef-edge snorkelling site at Geoffrey Bay where you can walk among wild coral from the beach.
- 2
Horseshoe Bay
The island's largest beach and social hub, with watersports hire, a pub, restaurants, kayaks and the island's only koala colony visible from the north-western walking tracks.
- 3
Nelly Bay Ferry Terminal and Frenchman's Beach
The main ferry arrival point on the island, with a calm, sheltered beach at Nelly Bay and bicycle and 4WD hire for exploring the island independently.
- 4
Magnetic Island National Park Walks
A large national park covering 52% of the island, with tracks to Hawkings Point, the Forts (WWII gun emplacements) and the Radical Bay lookout.
- 5
Sealink Magnetic Island Ferry
The 25-minute vehicle and passenger ferry from the Townsville terminal to Nelly Bay, operated by SeaLink, with multiple daily sailings.
Missing from this guide?
Suggest a Townsville business
Sponsored placements