Planning a Magnetic Island day journey? As Maggie locals (sure, we really reside right here!) now we have all the within info you’ll must take advantage of this magical place you probably have simply sooner or later on Magnetic Island!
When you’re travelling up and down the east coast of Queensland, or simply occur to be hanging out in Townsville, one of many best possible issues you are able to do is leap on a ferry and have a Magnetic Island day journey!
Truly, the most effective factor you are able to do is keep right here for per week. However if you happen to solely have sooner or later on Magnetic Island, now we have put collectively the right itinerary for you!
Magnetic Island, or ‘Maggie’ because it’s affectionately recognized, is an incredible tropical getaway within the Nice Barrier Reef Marine Park, only a brief boat journey away from Townsville.
With about 2000 pleasant locals calling the island residence (together with us) and a dimension of 52 sq. kilometres, there are tonnes of fantastic actions and sights right here.
Whether or not you’re into stress-free beneath a palm tree, swimming at beautiful beaches with pristine turquoise waters, mountain climbing to epic viewpoints, hanging out with unbelievable wildlife together with koalas or snorkelling and diving with turtles, you’ll discover a lot to do on Maggie.
We’d suggest staying a few nights on the island to get the complete relaxed tropical vibe. However we all know generally your time may be restricted so a day journey to Magnetic Island is the most suitable choice for you.
That’s why now we have put collectively this text. We obtain messages each single day from folks asking what they need to do in the event that they’re simply right here for sooner or later, and it’s our purpose to verify everybody falls in love with this place as a lot as now we have.
This information has all the data and recommendation you want to have an superior expertise and see as a lot as you possibly can in your Magnetic Island day journey.
Our Native’s Information to a Excellent Day Journey on Magnetic Island
There are some things we have to cowl earlier than you simply cruise on over to the island.
Must you e-book a tour? Do you want to lease a automobile (or carry your individual)? Let’s dive into it.
Getting Over to Magnetic Island
When you’ve made it to Townsville you’re prepared for the subsequent a part of your journey on easy methods to get to Magnetic Island – leaping on the ferry!
The island has two ferry corporations that go over to Magnetic Island. It’s a 20 minute crossing from the city of Townsville they usually go away each 30 – 45 minutes.
- SeaLink is the passenger ferry solely taking folks on foot and bicycles, and it’s the fastest and most convenient option.
- Magnetic Island Ferries is the automobile ferry take something from vehicles to automobiles to scooters
Take a look at our complete information on how to get to Magnetic Island for extra info.
The right way to Get Across the Island?
Whereas the island isn’t large, having your individual wheels actually does assist make your day so a lot better.
You will have three choices – Deliver your automobile over on the barge (costly, not likely price it for sooner or later until you’ve gotten just a few folks within the automobile to separate the fee with), lease a automobile, scooter or e-bike, or use public transport.
If you’re on foot you’re going to be fairly restricted with the place you possibly can go. You’ll solely see a small quantity of the island, and most of the people who simply stroll round Nelly Bay find yourself leaving saying they don’t perceive the hype of Maggie.
There are purple Beam scooters accessible, and these are unbelievable if you happen to simply need to get to your lodging in Nelly Bay or Arcadia (they’re geo-locked from Base Backpackers to Alma Bay).
However in our opinion the easiest way to get across the island is to lease an electrical motorcycle from Magnetic Island Roaming.
These e-bikes have a 120km vary, go as much as 50km/h and solely value $55 for the complete day.
They’re utterly zero-emissions (Tim and Pam cost them with solar energy) and haven’t any restrictions on the place you possibly can take them across the island.
Choose up is from Island Dwelling in Nelly Bay (reverse Scallywags and subsequent door to Granite) between 8-10am, they usually should be again by 5pm.
Belief us – on the very least, take the bus if you happen to’re on a finances, or lease an e-bike.
For extra info try our detailed information on getting around Magnetic Island.
Photograph courteous of Tourism and Occasions Queensland
Magnetic Island Day Journey Itinerary
Now that you know the way to get right here and easy methods to get round, let’s dive into the precise itinerary!
How do you have to spend sooner or later on Magnetic Island? By following this schedule!
You’ll tick off all the principle sights, get to some distinctive spots that most individuals don’t get to see on a day journey, and we’ll even share our favorite sundown location.
We’re going to put in writing out this itinerary for individuals who are going to stay to public transport, however you probably have your individual automobile your day simply received even simpler!
Let’s go to paradise…
READ MORE: Really feel like extending the day journey to a weekend or extra? Take a look at our information on where to stay on Magnetic Island!
7am – Take the Ferry to the Island
We extremely suggest taking one of many early ferries to take advantage of your day right here!
Head right down to the Sealink Terminal in Townsville and leap on the 7am ferry (pre-purchase your ticket right here to avoid wasting cash), which can get you to the island at about 7:25am.
Once you arrive on the Nelly Bay Terminal, buy an all-day hop-on/hop-off native bus ticket to get you from one aspect of the island to the opposite.
In case you have your individual wheels drive straight right down to Jungle Membership and seize a brew from our favorite cafe on the island, Tiny Palm. In any other case you possibly can choose one up from the espresso cart on the ferry terminal.
Don’t get breakfast simply but although (however do choose up a light-weight snack). As a substitute leap on the bus and make your approach straight to your first exercise for the day.
8am – The Forts Stroll
After getting you bus ticket, catch the bus heading the course in direction of Horseshoe Bay.
Let the bus driver know you want to cease at The Forts. She or he will drop you off proper outdoors the trailhead, the place you’ll discover a model new, clear bathroom block too.
The rationale now we have stated to come back straight to the Forts is as a result of it might probably get highly regarded on the island (particularly in summer season), and also you’re about to tick off the primary hike on the island, which is best within the morning.
The Forts Walk is a 4km average spherical journey that goes steadily uphill to some historic World Struggle II fortifications and ruins.
The views alongside the way in which are good, and also you’ll get just a few glimpses out to the bays under. However don’t simply look out – search for!
The Forts is known for being residence to an enormous inhabitants of the island’s favorite animal, koalas!
These tremendous cute native animals lounge round in timber, typically very shut the mountain climbing path, and your greatest probability at seeing them is within the morning earlier than the path will get too busy.
Hold a watch out as you stroll to the summit, and if you happen to do see one, be sure to don’t get too shut, and positively don’t attempt to contact or feed them.
There are info indicators alongside the way in which to point out you the place the hike goes and a little bit of historical past.
The path is nicely maintained, however do put on correct strolling footwear as there are rock stairs in areas.
The views from the highest are beautiful, permitting you to see 360 levels across the complete island.
The entire stroll ought to take you about an hour. Once you’re completed stroll again right down to the carpark and leap on the bus to Horseshoe Bay.
Alternatively, you possibly can cross the street and observe the path down into city.
9:30am – Horseshoe Bay for Breakfast
Once you attain Horseshoe Bay on the bus you can be greeted by a stunningly calm seashore – that is the biggest bay on the complete island, and it’s attractive!
There are a variety of cafes and eating places with water views, so get your self some breakfast and a espresso. We suggest Cafe Nourish.
10am – Make Your Personal Journey: Kayaking or Mountain climbing
After you’ve gotten crammed your tummy, it’s time to make your individual journey over in Horseshoe Bay!
There are fairly just a few issues you are able to do right here, from jetskiing to stand-up paddleboarding, and even simply kicking again and taking a relaxation if you happen to’d like.
Our high suggestions on this Magnetic Island day journey although are to both lease a kayak for an hour, or go for a hike to Balding Bay and Radical Bay.
If you wish to go for a paddle (with a excessive probability of seeing inexperienced turtles), choose up a sea kayak from Magnetic Island Sea Kayaks.
You’ll must e-book one in every of their two-hour excursions, so be sure to give them a name first to see if they’ve availability.
In any other case put your mountain climbing footwear again on and head up over to 2 of probably the most lovely bays on the island – Balding and Radical, which might solely be accessed by foot or boat.
These hidden bays are wonderful, with large granite rocks lining the shore, clear turquoise water and gentle white sand.
To get there stroll over the small pedestrian foot bridge between the final retailer and memento retailer, then flip left on the residential road. You’ll see indicators up forward with a mountain climbing path chopping by means of the forest.
It’s a brief however steep hike, so give your self about 90 minutes to get to the seashores and again.
As an alternative choice, if you happen to’re travelling to the island between April and September, go try the Butterfly Stroll, the place you’ll be surrounded by hundreds of vibrant butterflies. That is on Dent Avenue.
After you’ve gotten spent a while stress-free on one of many seashores and swimming within the water, head again to Horseshoe Bay to catch the bus to Arcadia.
BONUS ACTIVITY: When you love the concept of spending extra trip on the water and visiting secluded bays, then we suggest reserving in for a Snorkel Discover Tour of the island.
12pm – Go to Alma Bay in Arcadia
It’s time for a swim at Magnetic Island’s most picturesque bay!
Get off the bus at Alma Bay and dive straight into glistening water in entrance of you.
This sensational seashore is surrounded by large granite boulders, excellent for bouldering or rock hopping, and the water within the bay could be very protected (until the easterlies are up).
Alma Bay is a patrolled seashore with a pleasant sitting areas and some tables and grass patches to calm down on between swims. There are seashore showers and public bogs right here.
Undoubtedly cease off right here in your sooner or later journey to Magnetic Island for a swim.
12:30pm – Feed the Rock Wallabies at Geoffrey Bay
From Alma Bay stroll over to the final retailer to select up some wallaby meals, since you’re about to go meet the island’s second-cutest residents!
Simply on the opposite aspect of Alma Bay on the fringe of Arcadia and Geoffrey Bay is a slim street that twists its technique to the tip of an outdated marina, which is now residence to dozens of allied rock wallabies.
These curious, lovely marsupials wish to hop across the rocks, and the wallaby hospital on the island has ready meals for people to feed them.
There are a number of locations on the island that promote little luggage of wallaby-safe meals pellets for round $2, so be sure you purchase the correct meals and never feed them your individual snacks, as that may make the wallabies sick.
Don’t overlook to get a photograph of 1. They’ll get actually near you and they’re so cute. However like all wild animals, please chorus from touching them.
12:45pm – Go for a Snorkel on the Geoffrey Bay Snorkel Path
When you introduced your snorkelling gear you possibly can head out to the Geoffrey Bay Snorkel Path which is positioned close to the rock wallabies.
Simply off Magnetic Island is a good fringing coral reef within the Nice Barrier Reef Marine Park. There isn’t any fishing right here so there are many fish to be seen.
The snorkel path begins 390m off the seashore of Geoffrey Bay on the finish of the bay closest to the Arcadia Resort.
OUR TIP: Stroll down in direction of the outdated jetty the place the rock wallabies are and go down the boat ramp and begin from there. It’s a lot simple and can prevent time.
If you need you possibly can choose up a snorkel map from a number of shops on the island for $5 or simply observe the white buoys out within the water.
Across the buoys, you will note lovely coral and quite a few fish. That is the place you will note these Large Large Clams, that are superb to observe!
There’s a shipwreck on the finish of the path that may be seen on a transparent day. It’s the wreckage of the Moltke, which was a German passenger and cargo ship that was intentionally sunk (scuttled) off Magnetic Island in 1911.
If you want to rent some snorkel gear in Acadia, you may get it from the dive store, Pleasure Divers. To lease an entire snorkel set is about $10 for half a day (8.30-12.30 or 12.30-4.30).
Simply watch out within the months of November to April (moist season) as that is Stinger Season right here on Magnetic Island. You must solely enter the water with a stinger go well with, which may be employed on the retailer additionally, or don’t leap in in any respect
Have an additional day and need to go on a snorkelling tour?
Photograph courteous of Tourism and Occasions Queensland
1:30pm – Lunch in Nelly Bay
After your snorkel you’ll have constructed up fairly the urge for food! So leap on the bus (observe the Gabul Approach pedestrian path) to Nelly Bay for lunch.
There are many choices to eat lunch in Nelly Bay.
Our two private suggestions are to go to SOS Seafood for the most effective fish and chips on the island, or stroll on right down to Scallywags Cafe for a next-level burger and good vegetarian and vegan choices.
Take a while to get your power again for the remainder of your day on Magnetic Island.
3pm – Head over to Picnic Bay
After you’ve gotten loved an important lunch, catch the bus over to Picnic Bay. Identical to all of the bays on the island, that is actually lovely, and an actual native favorite.
The waters are calm and guarded, and probably the most outstanding function is the massive historic jetty.
Picnic Bay was the primary settlement on the island, and the jetty in entrance of you was the principle level of entry for folks coming over from Townsville, earlier than the brand new terminal was constructed on the marina in Nelly Bay.
Go for a stroll out to the tip of the jetty, and leap off the tip if you want to quiet down.
Alternatively there’s a pleasant, sheltered and protected space on the finish of the seashore.
When you really feel like a drink cease by the Magnetic Island Brewery, which is the latest place-to-be on the island. When you time your day journey to be a Sunday you’ll even be handled so some native reside music right here.
This can be a good spot to calm down and unwind after all of your early mountain climbing and swimming in your sooner or later on Magnetic Island.
4:30pm – Possibility 1: Head as much as Hawkings Level for 360 Diploma Views
After you’ve gotten relaxed within the bay, head to Hawkings Level for an additional epic 360-degree view of the opposite aspect of the island.
That is our private favorite spot for sundown on the complete island, so choose up a bottle of wine from the liquor retailer in Picnic Bay if you happen to’d like and settle in for the sunshine present.
Head to the tip of Picnic Avenue and begin the step climb to the lookout. It’s lower than 1km from the trailhead to the highest, so no must rush.
Relying in your tempo it ought to take about 20-Half-hour to succeed in the summit.
When you stand up the highest you can be greeted with beautiful panoramic views trying over Magnetic Island Nationwide Park and two bays – Picnic and Nelly.
Relying on the time of the yr, you need to be up right here simply in time to relax out and catch the final of the solar’s rays earlier than it dips under the horizon.
Watching the sundown from Hawkings Level Lookout is the second greatest technique to finish your Magnetic Island day journey! (Take a look at the ultimate level under to see the most effective)
Head again down the identical path and catch the bus from Granite Avenue again to Nelly Bay Ferry Terminal.
4:30pm – Possibility 2: Sundown Boat Tour
If you’re having such a good time on Magnetic Island and need to keep for sundown, a ship tour is a good possibility.
We extremely suggest you to go on one in every of these excursions earlier than you head again to Townsville.
All excursions go away at 4:30pm and are round 2 hours. All costs under are for adults.
- Aquascene Charters: Sundown and Shipwreck Tour – Bookings
- Pilgrim Crusing: Stress-free Sundowners and Sundown Crusing on Magnetic Island – Bookings
- Massive Mama: Sundown Sail Magnetic Island – Bookings
All these sundown cruises above begin and end in Nelly Bay
Happening a sundown tour is an effective way to complete your 1 day on Magnetic Island.
Our private favorite and suggestion is Aquascene, primarily as a result of the proprietor Adam is likely one of the most passionate and informative tour guides on the planet, however all three are good choices.
Conclusion
As you possibly can see there’s a lot to do on a Magnetic Island day journey. There’s much more than the listing above however it is a nice begin if you happen to solely have a day.
READ MORE: If you’re heading again to Townsville and are staying there the night time, try our article on Things to do in Townsville.
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