I like to view Magnetic Island as Hamilton Island’s more low-key, laid-back sister. Both islands are located on the Great Barrier Reef a short ferry ride away from their parent township; both are tropical wildlife havens with lush rainforest-clad hills; both have fringing reef for you to snorkel and beaches galore; both enjoy a wide range of accommodation and restaurants, a supermarket, and other conveniences.
But where Hamilton Island (“Hammo”) is posh and glamorous, Magnetic Island (“Maggie”) is casual and low-maintenance. With (relatively) affordable accommodation and food, and more locals than tourists, I’d consider Maggie to be one of the more underrated destinations off the Queensland coast. And being able to pop around any time… that’s one of the best parts of living in Townsville.
Here’s my quick list of the best things to do in Magnetic Island, from the perspective of a Townsville resident.
Are you looking for a comprehensive guide on where to stay in Magnetic Island, or how to get there, etc? Check out my guide to visiting Magnetic Island instead!
Beaches
Beaches are the star of the show at Magnetic Island, and you will be spoilt for choice. I’ll list the more accessible beaches first – those which can be visited by most people regardless of mobility issues and whether or not you have a 4WD.
Alma Bay
Alma Bay is the prettiest little beach in Magnetic Island, in my humble opinion. A small curved bay nestled in between rocky outcrops, picturesque Alma is the perfect spot for a picnic and a relaxing afternoon. There are public toilets and a BBQ, a news agency, and a couple of eateries nearby (if picnics aren’t your thing). You can drive right up and park nearby, or take the bus to the Hayles Ave at Cook Road stop.
Geoffrey Bay
Just down the road from Alma Bay, Geoffrey Bay is part of the Magnetic Island snorkeling trails. The snorkel trail is marked by floats, and you can view a map of it in one of the Magnetic Island guestbooks. For those who don’t snorkel, you can walk down to the reef at low tide and peek at the tidepools. They are deceptively full of life – hermit crabs, small fish, algae, and coral can all be seen without needing to get wet above the ankles. Do watch where you put your feet, and make sure to only walk on sand and not reef.
Picnic Bay
You want to view a magnificent sunset from Magnetic Island, but you don’t have a 4WD to drive to famed West Point and you don’t want to hike to a lookout. What do you do? Answer: Head to Picnic Bay jetty. While most of the inhabited part of the island faces east (and is therefore not great for over-the-water sunset views), Picnic Bay jetty allows you to look west and see the sun setting over Cockle Bay.
There’s also a stinger net for swimming in the warmer months, and a small arcade with pubs and restaurants. Head over to Mamma Roma after watching the sunset for authentic Italian pasta and pizza.
Horseshoe Bay
Located on the northern side of the island, Horseshoe Bay is where the hip cafes and restaurants are. It’s also the perfect place for a swim – the bay is sheltered from strong currents, there’s a lifeguard patrol (during limited hours of the day), and a stinger net for safety during stinger season. Have brunch at Cafe Nourish or lunch at Barefoot Art Food Wine looking out over the gorgeous bay, then jump into the calm blue waters or explore the long sandy stretches next to rainforest-clad hills.
West Point Beach
If you have a 4WD – either your own, or you rented it from a rental company that explicitly allows you to drive to West Point with it (check with them beforehand!) – lucky you, you’ll get to see some of the best sunsets on the island. The road to West Point Beach is uneven dirt and there may be some water crossings depending on rainfall. There are no facilities there, so bring everything you need (which almost certainly includes a picnic and drinks).
Alternatively, there are tours that will bring you to West Point.
Arthur Bay
A beautiful secluded beach, Arthur Bay is only accessible either by foot from the start of the Forts walk, or by 4WD via Radical Bay Rd. This road is in poor condition and potholed, so most rental companies (even if they will rent you a 4WD) will usually not allow you to take your vehicle there, and sometimes the road is closed completely to vehicles. Therefore, most people go on foot – the hike isn’t too long, roughly 1km each way, but it’s steep in places. Stop by the lookout for gorgeous photos before you head down to the bay!
Hiking trails
Hawkings Point Lookout
Stunning 360 degree views of the island’s bays, watching the sun go down over the mainland. In terms of reward vs effort, Hawkings Point Lookout probably has the best ratio of all the trails on Magnetic Island.
Park at the eastern end of Picnic Street, and be prepared for a short but steep climb. You will be climbing rough steps, uneven ground and rocks, some of which can be loose and slippery, so make sure to wear proper shoes – hiking this in flip flops is a bad idea! For inexperienced hikers, give yourself 30 minutes to ascend and 20 minutes to descend, and you’ll want at least 15 minutes to take in the views at the top. Sunset is especially spectacular, but make sure you either give yourself enough time to descend before dark, or bring a torch.
The Forts Walk
Featuring WWII fortifications, beautiful views of the surrounding islands, and the possibility of seeing koalas in the wild, the Forts Walk is probably the most popular walk on Magnetic Island. It’s a bit less steep than the Hawking Point trail, but considerably longer. Give yourself around 2.5 hours for the basic circuit, and 3.5 hours if you intend to descend to Florence Bay and spend a bit of time there.
Due to the length of this trail, it can be difficult to avoid the heat of the day, especially if you are visiting in non-winter months. Make sure you pack ample water and wear a hat and sunscreen. Similar to the Hawkings Point trail, this isn’t a flip flops endeavour – wear good shoes.
Wildlife spotting
Allied rock-wallabies
Magnetic Island, alongside Townsville, is one of the few places in the world where you can find allied rock-wallabies in the wild. There are a couple of spots on the island teeming with these adorable little marsupials.
Drive to the end of Armand Way, and take the walkway around the side of the rocky cliffs. We were there around dusk, and we saw literally dozens of them, hopping effortlessly over the enormous boulders. They are pretty shy and quick to startle, so try not to make loud noises or sudden movements.
Official signage states that you are allowed to feed them, but only very small amounts of specific foods. Please avoid feeding them anything that isn’t on the green list, as it can cause them health issues. When we went, most people were offering carrots, so that seemed to be their least preferred food. The entire path was strewn with rejected chopped carrots! We brought chopped apple instead, which turned out to be a pretty big hit.
As the area is marked on Google Maps (and literally titled “rock wallabies”), it was fairly crowded around sunset. However, we waited for half an hour, and just as the sun dropped below the horizon, most of the humans left… and as if on cue, the wallabies sprang into action. Be patient and wait for just a bit longer after darkness falls. It’s a magical place after dusk.
Alternatively, we also saw a few of them at Nelly Bay, hopping around the rocks next to the ferry terminal. If you don’t have a car or want a spot with easy access, I’d try that instead.
Kookaburras
Catching sight of a kookaburra in the wild is always special, and if you like these quirky little kingfishers, you’ll be in for a treat! We saw more kookaburras in Magnetic Island than anywhere else in Australia, and this was the only place where we saw blue-winged kookaburras.
You’ll often find them on powerlines, fences, and wide tree branches. If you hear their distinct “laughing” call, look up.
I hope you enjoy your trip to Maggie as much as we did!
Leave a Reply