A local’s guide to visiting Magnetic Island

When we moved to Townsville, the first thing that everyone told us was that we absolutely HAD to visit Magnetic Island, aka “Maggie” (the second thing was that we should make sure to lock our car while we were in Townsville, but that’s a tale for another time). As one of the locals emphatically put it: “If you haven’t been to Maggie, you haven’t been to Townsville!”

Magnetic Island is a gorgeous tropical island located just a 20 minute ferry ride away from Townsville. It really has it all – a national park teeming with native wildlife, unspoiled beaches, turquoise waters, and a fringing reef. It’s developed enough that you can go out for dinner and a drink or buy any essentials that you forgot to pack, but isolated enough to give you that “getting away from it all” feeling.

After living in Townsville for several months, we have to agree with them: Magnetic Island really is the best part of Townsville, and a quintessential Queensland holiday destination. To help you make the most of your trip, I’ve written a comprehensive guide on how to visit Magnetic Island, from the perspective of a Townsville resident. All prices are in local currency (AUD).

Best time to visit

• Peak season: June – August. This is the busiest time of the year in North Queensland, and Magnetic Island is no exception. The winter months are mild and sunny, with perfect temperatures and almost no rain – expect highs of 23C and lows of 14C. However, accommodation will generally be more expensive around this period, and swimming can get a bit chilly compared to the other months of the year (the water is still relatively warm if you are used to a cold climate, though!).
• Shoulder season: April – May and September – October (my recommendation!). These months tend to be cheaper, while still retaining many of the best parts of the peak season. We last visited in May and the weather was still pretty nice, with highs of 25C and lows of 16C. The water temperature in these months is warm enough to swim and snorkel in very comfortably.
• Low season: November – March. I would NOT recommend visiting during low season unless you are absolutely sure you know what you are doing. The heat and humidity is oppressive, rain is frequent, and tropical storms are likely. Midges will swarm you if you step outside without insect repellent for just a few minutes. Stinger season is in full swing, so you won’t be able to swim outside stinger nets unless you wear a stinger suit. This is also cyclone season, so you could experience flight cancellations, or worse. Perhaps the only benefit is that waterfalls are at their best during this time, but this island isn’t really known for its waterfalls.

Getting there

The nearest airport is in Townsville, which has connections to most major cities in Australia. From Townsville airport, Magnetic Island is just a short ferry ride away.

• Passenger ferry. This is the most popular way of getting to the Island, due to being the cheapest and the most convenient. Sealink runs services every hour or so from 5.30am to 10.30pm, and a return ticket costs $38 per adult when booked online. When you buy your ticket online, you don’t have to reserve a specific time – you can just show up at Breakwater Terminal with your ticket and take the next ferry. The trip takes 20 minutes on a fast catamaran that is equipped with toilets, a bar, and space to store your luggage or bike.
• Car ferry. Magnetic Island Ferries runs a car ferry for passengers who want to bring their car to the island with them. These ferries run a lot less frequently, and they only run from 5am to 5pm. Bookings are essential, and slots are frequently sold out if you book at the last minute. The ferry departs from Ross Street and takes 40 minutes. It costs $231 return when booked online – pricey, but fares for all passengers in the car are included. They also offer a discount for off-peak times, although the discounted times are rather inconvenient.
• Tour operators. Several tour operators offer day tours that include activities like snorkeling and fishing. In my opinion, a day tour would feel a little rushed, as there is more to see and do on the island than you can comfortably fit into one day. However, if you like action-packed days or only have one day to visit, then a tour operator would maximize the use of your time, as they will also shuttle you between attractions and provide all the equipment that you need.

Getting around

While Magnetic Island isn’t large, it’s still a bit too big (and hot) to get around completely on foot, and the attractions are spread out. Most people travel by car, but there is also a public bus servicing the island.

• Renting a car. This is a convenient and budget-friendly option if you are going to be on the island for a weekend. Car rental costs around $70 – $100 per 24 hours, which works out to be cheaper than the car ferry. There are several car rental operators on the island offering a wide range of vehicles from scooters to 4WDs to topless cars! We rented a standard car from Best of Magnetic and would recommend them. Bear in mind that most car rentals will not allow you to drive their car on unsealed roads, even if you are renting a 4WD. If you are planning on driving to West Point or Arthur Bay, you need to clarify this in advance.
• Bringing your own car on the car ferry. This usually works out to be cheaper if you are staying for more than 2 days and you want a car for the entire stay. If you bring your own 4WD, you can explore parts of the island that most people won’t be able to.
• Bus. Translink runs a public bus along the main road from Picnic Bay to Horseshoe Bay. I wouldn’t recommend this unless budget is your #1 concern – there is no other benefit to taking public transport, since there are no traffic jams on the island and parking is abundant and free. The bus runs roughly once per hour and takes 40 minutes to cross the island from north to south. With a car, you can cross the island in 15 minutes.

Accommodation

Like most holiday destinations in Australia, accommodation in Magnetic Island is expensive (albeit cheaper than many other island destinations in Australia). To reduce costs, try to visit during weekdays and the shoulder season, and avoid Queensland school holidays.

For convenience, especially if you won’t have a vehicle, I’d recommend staying in Nelly Bay. Most of the bigger hotels are located there, as is the ferry terminal and the “town center”. If you want more boutique accommodation, there’s a surprisingly large number of options sprinkled across the island, including a beach house at Arthur Bay, which is accessible by hiking or 4WD only.

• Budget: Nomads Magnetic Island (Base) (price per night: $100 – $170 per couple). This backpacker hostel has dorms and cabins overlooking the ocean, some with ensuites. They are located right next to a snorkel trail and beach, in a relatively quiet part of the island. Not easy to get to if you don’t have a car, however.
• Mid-range: Peppers Blue on Blue (price per night: $200 – $300). We stayed here in a studio apartment overlooking the marina, and had a fantastic stay. The resort is well-maintained, the views are gorgeous (if you book a marina view), and they have the biggest pool I have ever seen! The restaurant is very pricey, but you can easily eat elsewhere. It’s right next to the ferry terminal and car rentals.
• Luxury: Penthouse on Bright Point (price per night: $400 – $500). This is on our bucket list for a splurge trip! The views are second to none and they have an infinity pool overlooking the ocean.

Where to eat

Like accommodation, food on Maggie is somewhat expensive, even moreso than in mainland Australia. You can save money on food by renting a holiday apartment with a kitchenette, or buying food from IGA.

• Budget (<$20 pp):
  • Adele’s Cafe. A little gelato parlour by the sea that sells more than just gelato – you can have crepes, waffles, and wraps for less than $15. The waffle that I ordered was pure buttery goodness!
  • Fruit N Scoops. An all-day pancakes/waffles/crepes place that opens til 8pm! They have a pleasant interior design, a wall full of toppings, and the crepes are legit. I had a strawberry and nutella crepe for $11.50.
  • IGA. The IGA supermarket stocks a decent selection of hot food (rolls, pies, chicken balls, roast), as well as sandwiches and wraps. You could conceivably get a decent feed for $10 if you were really strapped for cash.
• Mid-range ($20 – $40 pp):
  • Mamma Roma. I highly recommend this lovely Italian restaurant in Picnic Bay! The pasta dishes were fairly authentic (based on our experiences in Italy) and reasonably priced, and the tiramisu was divine. We weren’t able to try the pizza, but they have a woodfired oven, so it’s next on our list. If you order a pasta and drink, it’ll be roughly $35. For a non-alcoholic drink, ask for the aranciata (an Italian orange drink).
  • Granite. A tapas bar that serves pizza as well. They are the only restaurant other than Boardwalk ($$$) to still be serving food after 8pm. When we arrived at 8.20pm, their kitchen had just closed, but they generously reopened it for us.
  • SOS Stuffed on Seafood. You can have fish, chips and garden salad for $26. We ordered the mixed seafood grill instead, which scored great on taste but not so good on quantity.

Attractions

This deserves a whole post in itself – check out my guide to the best things to do in Magnetic Island.

Safety

Magnetic Island is generally a very safe place. Unlike in neighbouring Townsville, people who live here don’t seem to mind leaving their house or car unlocked. However, there are a few safety considerations that you should be aware of:

• Marine stingers. November to May is stinger season, where there is a higher chance of box jellyfish and Irukandji being present in the waters. If you are visiting during that time, you should swim inside stinger nets (at Picnic Bay and Horseshoe Bay) or wear a stinger suit.
• No-walk zone. The road between Arcadia and Forts Junction is designated a “no walk” zone, because it lacks appropriate sidewalks. It is a winding road with blind corners, vehicles will NOT be able to see you! We came across a few people walking there and had to swerve around them – so incredibly dangerous and an accident waiting to happen. For the sake of your own safety and that of others’, please take the bus or use an alternative walking route.

Travel tips

• Get a Magnetic Island Guide booklet when you arrive. This booklet is available for free just about anywhere – in cafes, hotels, car rental offices, etc. It has a ton of useful information, including a detailed map of the island and its hiking trails. Alternatively, you can read the online version here.
• Keep an eye out for native birdlife. This island is absolutely teeming with birdlife. We saw more kookaburras here than we did anywhere else in Australia. While they don’t always vocalize, once you hear their call, you’ll recognize it anywhere.
• If you are prone to seasickness, take medication before your ferry ride. While it is a short ride and most people are fine, it can be rough if the seas are choppy. We had a mixed experience – our trip there was rough, but the trip back was smooth. It helps to travel during the daytime and sit abovedeck looking out.
• Most restaurants on the island close their kitchen at 8pm. Plan ahead for dinner if you are arriving on a late ferry. The only exceptions are Granite, which closes their kitchen at 8.15pm, and Boardwalk (in the Peppers resort), which closes at 9pm but is expensive.
• You can’t get petrol after 6pm. There are two petrol stations on the island, and the one that opens the longest is Arcadia Store, from 8am to 6pm daily. Plan ahead and make sure you aren’t caught out.
• There are no storage lockers large enough to fit suitcases or large backpacks anywhere on the island. While there are lockers in Nelly Bay Terminal, they are only large enough for a small backpack, and they are only available until 6pm. If you are staying in a hotel and taking a late ferry out, ask your hotel to store your bags for you.

Enjoy your trip!