All the things it’s essential to know on methods to get to Magnetic Island in Tropical North Queensland – a spot so magical we made it our everlasting dwelling!
Positioned simply 8km from town of Townsville and proper within the coronary heart of the Nice Barrier Reef in Far North Queensland is the gorgeous Magnetic Island, some of the incredible destinations in all of Australia.
Through the years the island has change into a significant vacationer hotspot due to its pristine seashores, laidback vibes, various wildlife and adventurous actions.
The benefit of entry to get to Magnetic Island has additionally helped its latest growth in guests, with ferries going each 20 minutes from Queensland’s second-largest metropolis.
We beloved the island a lot once we visited that we ended up shopping for a block of land and constructing a house there!
Yep, after 12 years travelling the world, this place is simply that magical that we needed to remain perpetually. And after you go to we’re positive you’ll really feel the identical.
How one can Get to Magnetic Island – The Full Information
Right here is our full information on attending to Magnetic Island.
And when you’re at it, don’t miss out on these different nice Maggie Island articles we’ve put collectively:
Attending to Townsville
Very first thing, to recover from to Magnetic Island it’s essential to make your approach to Townsville in Far North Queensland so you’ll be able to bounce on the ferry, as there isn’t a airport on the island itself.
Townsville is properly linked by way of street, rail and air, so getting right here gained’t be a difficulty.
There’s additionally loads of epic things to do in Townsville, so be sure to have just a few days spare on both aspect of your Maggie journey!
Driving to Townsville
Townsville is positioned on the intersection of Queensland’s two main highways – the Bruce Freeway that goes from Brisbane to Cairns, and the Flinders Freeway that goes from Townsville inland to Mt Isa.
The drive from Brisbane takes about 16 hours, so must be damaged up over two days a minimum of.
From Townsville it is just 4.5 hours to Cairns, 4.5 hours to Mackay, placing it proper in the midst of Tropical North Queensland and with lots of incredible sights to see close by.
Flying to Townsville
For those who’re planning on flying to Townsville you’re in luck, as a result of it’s dwelling to a really well-connected airport.
Townsville has on common 7 flights per day coming in from Brisbane, and each day direct flights to Sydney and Melbourne.
There are additionally common direct flights between Gold Coast, Cairns and Darwin to Townsville, in addition to a variety of regional flights to Mackay, Cloncurry, Mt Isa, Rockhampton and extra.
Bonza Air, the latest ultra-budget airline hitting Australia quickly, will likely be launching direct flights between Townsville and Sunshine Coast. Watch this area.
Prepare to Townsville
There’s additionally a rail service between Brisbane and Cairns that stops off at Townsville. The Spirt of Queensland does this journey 5 instances per week.
Getting from Townsville to Magnetic Island
When you’ve made it to Townsville you’re prepared for the subsequent a part of your journey on methods to get to Magnetic Island – Leaping on the ferry!
The island has two ferry corporations that makes the brief 25-minute crossing from Townsville very day. SeaLink, the passenger ferry, and Magnetic Island Ferries, the automobile ferry.
Each ferry corporations have totally different terminals in Townsville, however they arrive on the similar Nelly Bay Ferry Terminal.
READ MORE: Don’t miss our locals’ information to the best beaches on Magnetic Island!
Most individuals who journey to Magnetic Island have a tendency to remain for simply someday, or a few days at most.
For that motive it’s usually extra economical to go away your automobile on the SeaLink ferry terminal in Townsville and are available over as a foot passenger.
However if you happen to’re staying for longer, or would relatively use your individual automobile than lease one on the island, then it’s properly price bringing your individual set of wheels throughout.
Airport Shuttle to the Ferry Terminal
For those who’re flying into Townsville and don’t have your individual automobile, we extremely suggest reserving the native shuttle bus to get from the airport to the ferry terminal.
You may e book it on-line right here: https://shuttletsv.com.au/
The costs are:
- $10 for one particular person
- $15 for a pair
- $5 per particular person for teams of three or extra
It’s cheaper than taking a taxi, which is able to value about $25, and you may e book it in both course (from the airport to the ferry, or from the ferry to the airport while you return).
Merely e book on-line and so they’ll meet you while you arrive. Cost is money or card on the day.
Passenger Ferry to Magnetic Island
For the foot passengers questioning methods to get to Magnetic Island, you’ll be able to bounce onboard with both firm.
The principle passenger ferry to Magnetic Island that most individuals take although is SeaLink Queensland, and so they solely takes foot passengers to and from the island.
The explanation most pedestrians take this one is that it’s a lot quicker (taking solely 25 minutes terminal to terminal) and has just a few extra common departures.
Their terminal in Townsville can be positioned nearer to downtown, making it a bit extra handy to get to.
The SeaLink ferry is a quick, fashionable and secure vessel, with clear amenities and wheelchair accessibility.
The worth for the ferry is AUD$39 return for an grownup and $19.50 return for a kid.
You can even take a bicycle onboard at no cost.
- Deal with: Breakwater Terminal, Sir Leslie Thiess Drive, Townsville
- Telephone: 1300 MAGGIE (1300 624 443)
- Instances: 5:30am by to 11pm
Automobile Ferry to Magnetic Island
For those who’re planning on taking your automobile over to Magnetic Island, then your solely choice is to go together with the corporate Magnetic Island Ferries.
Their giant ferry can transport bikes, vehicles, campervans, caravans, boats and even semi-trailers from Townsville to Magnetic Island and again once more.
Additionally they take foot passengers (for a similar worth as SeaLink), the place you stroll on and stroll off earlier than the automobiles enter the boat.
However this selection is just handy if you’re already in South Townsville, because the journey takes about 40-45 minutes relatively than the 25 minutes with the opposite firm.
This ferry firm is just not low cost, and can cost you by the burden and size of your automobile, so be cautious of this.
For instance, an ordinary automotive is $216 return (going as much as $240 return throughout peak seasons), and if you happen to’re taking an extended automobile comparable to a campervan or caravan, their return charges are $196 + $52 per metre over 5m.
However they’re the one choice you might have if you wish to take your individual set of wheels to the island, so there’s little you are able to do.
For those who’re planning on simply spending someday on Magnetic Island, it may be higher worth to park your automotive on the ferry terminal in Townsville and easily lease a automotive on the island for the day.
- Deal with: Ross Avenue, South Townsville
- Telephone: +61 7 4796 9300
- Instances: 5am by to 8pm
We hope this text answered all of your questions on methods to get to Magnetic Island, Queensland.
It’s the most effective locations in the whole state, and we sincerely hope you take pleasure in your time there.
Is there a bridge to Magnetic Island?
No, there isn’t a street or bridge to Magnetic Island. Whereas rumours of building have been circulating for quite a few years, Townsville Council have confirmed they won’t construct one because the island is reportedly drifting away from the mainland.
How lengthy is the ferry trip from Townsville to Magnetic Island?
The journey to and from Magnetic Island is 8km, and takes about 20 minutes one-way on the ferry in calm situations.
How a lot is the ferry to Magnetic Island?
The worth for the ferry to Magnetic Island is $34 return for a foot passenger, however there are particular offers obtainable if you happen to pre-book your ferry.
How a lot does it value to take a automotive to Magnetic Island?
The worth to take your automotive to Magnetic Island begins at $216 return for the standard size automobile, and goes up from there based mostly on size and peak season availability.
