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Magnetic IslandYunbenun

Magnetic Island.
Photo: Coekon, CC BY-SA 4.0

Give it 2–3 nights, not a day trip: the ferries stop in the evening and the Forts Walk, snorkel bays and koalas need a full day each.

Magnetic Island sits 8 km off Townsville and takes about 30 minutes by passenger ferry to Nelly Bay. Over half the island is national park, four small villages run up the east coast, and 25 km of walking tracks link the bays. Two or three nights covers the Forts Walk, a snorkel bay and Horseshoe Bay; one night is a rushed sampler.

basic guide: no trip line yet
More
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
AUD
Best months
May–Oct (dry, calm water)
avoid Nov–Apr (stinger season, heat, wet)
Airport
Townsville (TSV)
Nights
2–3

About Magnetic Island

Magnetic Island, also called Maggie Island, lies directly off the coast of Townsville in Central Queensland, about 8 km from the mainland. It measures roughly 7 km by 5 km and has around 2000 residents in four small villages: Picnic Bay, Nelly Bay, Arcadia and Horseshoe Bay. The villages run up the east coast, while the western part is national park. More than half the island is protected parkland, and 25 km of walking tracks connect the beaches and little bays. Nelly Bay is in the middle of a large redevelopment with high-end residential and tourism facilities on the water. Budget travellers tend to stay in Arcadia and Horseshoe Bay.

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide for Magnetic Island: no airport-to-bed path, walking clusters or day plans yet. Fares and schedules here are unverified. What this page does cover
Rules in force · 7
  • Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
  • Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
  • Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
  • Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
  • Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
  • Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
  • Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices

See

What is worth your time in Magnetic Island.

  • Horseshoe Bay — The island's largest bay, used for watersports, dining and sunset watching, with a stinger net in summer and calm water for swimming, kayaking and paddleboarding.
  • Florence Bay — A less crowded beach with clear water and coral close to shore, suited to snorkelling on calm days.
  • Radical Bay — A secluded beach reached by walking track or 4WD, known for snorkelling.
  • Alma Bay — A patrolled beach in Arcadia popular with families, with BBQ areas, toilets and grassy picnic zones.
  • Picnic Bay — A quiet beach with a long jetty used for fishing, a historic pub and calm swimming water.

Do

  • Walk the Forts Walk, a 1-2 hour return trip to the WWII fort ruins, watching for koalas in the trees above the track.
  • Join a sailing tour from Nelly Bay Harbour or Horseshoe Bay, or a trip on the Providence V tallship.
  • Take a sea kayak tour of Horseshoe Bay and nearby areas, offered in the morning and at sunset.
  • Go scuba diving or snorkelling, with gear hire and PADI courses available on the island and reef trips leaving from it.

Eat and drink

Specialities of this place.

  • Caffe dell' — An eating place named in the guide's Eat section.

Customs

  • The island is known as Maggie Island.
  • The villages of Arcadia and Horseshoe Bay mainly cater to pub-going and jetskiing tourists.
  • Walking tracks are scenic routes rather than direct paths between parts of the island, and some roads lack footpaths.
Emergency numbers for Magnetic Island000 ▾
  • Police, fire, ambulance000
  • From mobiles112

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Magnetic Island, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • CoffeeA$4–6 (≈ US$3–4)
  • SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM, about a week of dataA$15–30 (≈ US$10–20)
  • Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personA$35 (≈ US$25)
  • Mid-range bedMotel or resort double room, a night, per roomA$220 (≈ US$150)
  • High-end bedMotel or resort double room, a night, per roomA$400 (≈ US$300)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget A$90 (≈ US$60) · Mid A$170 (≈ US$120) · High A$320 (≈ US$250)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

The Forts Walk and WWII ruinsWild koalas in the national parkHorseshoe Bay and Alma BaySnorkelling at Florence and Arthur bays
Airports
TSV Townsville Airport (Shuttle or taxi to the Townsville ferry terminals, then about 30 min by ferry to Nelly Bay.)

Map of Magnetic Island

Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.

TownsvilleThuringowaPalumaAyrIngham

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

  • Magnetic Island
  • Basic guide

Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps

Guides nearby

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    31°C (88°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    31°C (88°F)

  3. Mar

    Avoid

    30°C (86°F)

  4. Apr

    Avoid

    29°C (84°F)

  5. May

    Best

    27°C (81°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    25°C (77°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    24°C (75°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    25°C (77°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    27°C (81°F)

  10. Oct

    Best

    29°C (84°F)

  11. Nov

    Avoid

    30°C (86°F)

  12. Dec

    Avoid

    31°C (88°F)

Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Apr. Month by month →

Warmest Jan (31°C (88°F)), coolest Jul (14°C (57°F) low), wettest Jan (15 rain days), driest Jul (3). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Magnetic Island: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

31°C (88°F)

24°C (75°F)

15 rd

Feb

31°C (88°F)

24°C (75°F)

15 rd

Mar

30°C (86°F)

23°C (73°F)

13 rd

Apr

29°C (84°F)

21°C (70°F)

8 rd

May

27°C (81°F)

18°C (64°F)

6 rd

Jun

25°C (77°F)

15°C (59°F)

4 rd

Jul

24°C (75°F)

14°C (57°F)

3 rd

Aug

25°C (77°F)

15°C (59°F)

3 rd

Sep

27°C (81°F)

18°C (64°F)

3 rd

Oct

29°C (84°F)

21°C (70°F)

5 rd

Nov

30°C (86°F)

23°C (73°F)

8 rd

Dec

31°C (88°F)

24°C (75°F)

11 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

The island bus runs Picnic Bay–Nelly Bay–Arcadia–Horseshoe Bay, roughly every 40 minutes and timed to ferries; pay the driver. Hire a car or moke in Nelly Bay if you want the western bays. Walking tracks are scenic routes, not shortcuts, and some roads have no footpath.

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Townsville

go

Door to door: About 1 h

Passenger ferry from Nelly Bay to Townsville, about 30 min, then walk or shuttle

The only mainland link; the Strand and Reef HQ fill a half day.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Nelly Bay

Ferry terminal, IGA, cafés and the bus hub; best for a short stay without a car.

Arcadia

Between Nelly and Horseshoe; Alma Bay and Geoffrey Bay within walking distance, hostels and a pub.

Horseshoe Bay

Largest bay, watersports and sunset; budget beds and the bus terminus.

Picnic Bay

Quietest village, jetty fishing and a pub; 10–15 min by bus from Nelly Bay.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
A$90–140 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
Mid
A$160–260 (≈ US$110–180) excl. bed
High
A$300 (≈ US$200)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Motel or resort double room1 × 3 nights × A$220A$660
Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × A$170A$1,020
Passenger ferry, return2 × A$40 · checkA$80
Island bus day pass2 × A$8 · checkA$16
Moke or small car hire, one day1 × A$80 · checkA$80
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeA$186
Trip total≈ A$340 per person per day, bed includedA$2,042≈ US$1,400

2026 estimate in Australian dollars; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

CoffeeA$4–6 (≈ US$3–4)
Pub mealA$20–35 (≈ US$14–25)
Ferry, one way, adultA$17–20 (≈ US$12–14) (check)
Snorkel gear hire, one dayA$20–40 (≈ US$14–30) (check)
Kayak tourA$69 (≈ US$50)+
eSIM, about a week of dataA$15–30 (≈ US$10–20)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Very safe for tourists; the real risks are marine stingers in summer, sun and dehydration on walks, and wildlife on the road at dusk.
  • Stinger season roughly Nov–Apr: swim inside the net at Horseshoe Bay or at patrolled Alma Bay, and follow local signage.
  • Book the car ferry well ahead in school holidays; passenger ferries are easier.
  • Some beaches (Radical, Balding) are reached by rough 4WD tracks or walking tracks only.
  • The last ferries leave in the evening: check the timetable before a late beach day.
  • Carry water on walks; the Forts Walk has little shade.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
000
From mobiles
112

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

Magnetic IslandYunbenun

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To Nelly Bay ferry terminal, pleaseTo Nelly Bay ferry terminal, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance000
  • From mobiles112

Embassy

No consulates on the island; US, UK and Canadian consulates are in Sydney, with a US consulate in Melbourne. Check your country's list before you travel.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Townsville → Nelly Bay ferry: about A$17–20 (≈ US$12–14) one way, about 30 min (check)
  • Island bus, single: about A$4–8 (≈ US$3–6) (check)
  • Moke hire: from about A$70 (≈ US$50) a day (check)

Say or show

  • One adult return, please — One adult return, please
  • Does this bus go to Horseshoe Bay? — Does this bus go to Horseshoe Bay?
  • Is it stinger season? — Is it stinger season?
  • Where is the stinger net? — Where is the stinger net?
  • Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
  • What time is the last ferry? — What time is the last ferry?

Island phone coverage is patchy in the national park; download the ferry timetable and a map before you go.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Magnetic Island. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: May–Oct (dry, calm water) · avoid Nov–Apr (stinger season, heat, wet) · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 1 day-trips, door to door
  6. 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Ferry timetable and last-departure fixtures for Nelly Bay, both operators.
  2. Four village pages with verified bus stops, water taps and shade.
  3. Walk pages with distances, tide notes and stinger-season rules for each bay.
  4. Eat pages with last orders for Arcadia and Horseshoe Bay.

Meanwhile

Back to Australia

Sources

Ask about Magnetic Island

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