You’ll need at least a couple of days to explore when you visit Magnetic Island, and then you’ll fall in love and stay longer. There is so much to do on Magnetic Island with kids like hiking, koala and wallaby spotting, swimming, snorkelling, cruising around on the ocean and lots of  free things to do on Magnetic Island too like just enjoying the stunning nature. We moved to the island during the pandemic, and it was the best decision I could have made.

Where is Magnetic Island?

Magnetic Island is  just 20 minutes by ferry from Townsville in Northern Queensland, and around three hours drive from Cairns. It lies in the Great Barrier Reef and more than 75% of the island is national park. It’s surrounded by marine life and full of wildlife including the biggest colony of koalas in Queensland – you can see them everywhere. There are cafes and two small supermarkets, restaurants and lots of activities for families on Magnetic Island.

Where to stay?

There are four main bays on Magnetic Island, and they’re all very close.

Nelly Bay is where the ferry arrives and has super markets and a number of restaurants.

Arcadia has our favourite swimming beach, Alma Bay, a pub with a pool and restaurants and shops.

Horseshoe Bay has lots of activities like jet skis and biscuits, and a stinger net for swimming ding stinger season (November to May)

Picnic Bay has a pub, a stinger net, an historic jetty, a shipwreck and a cafe and Italian restaurant (and soon it will have a brewery!).

Find your accommodation on Magnetic Island.

Booking.com

Getting around

Magnetic Island has a regular bus service that crossed the island from Picnic Bay to Horseshoe Bay. You can find the timetable here.

You can also hire jeeps from Magnetic Adventure and Hire as well as the little mokes from Topless Car Rentals. If you want to get to West Point and the more inaccessible beaches you’ll need a 4WD – you can hire one at Magnetic 4×4 Rentals.

The best things to do on Magnetic Island:

Swim at Alma Bay

There are 23 bays and beaches on the island and we’ve been to a few now, but for an easy family beach you can’t beat Alma. It’s a beautiful little crystal clear bay with rockpools and palm trees, a park and playground, toilets and a change room. It’s also patrolled by the Arcadia Surf Life Saving Club and nippers is held there during the season.

It’s super easy to get there as it’s right next to a bus stop and has lots of parking, and it’s across the road from the Arcadia Hotel so you can grab lunch and a drink.

 

Visit Picnic Bay and walk the jetty

Picnic Bay has lovely little beach and fig tree-lined promenade at what used to be the main town on the island – the ferries used to arrive here at the beautiful white wooden jetty. The jetty remains – it was going to be knocked down but locals lobbied to have it kept as a piece of history and it’s now quite a tourist attraction in its own right. There’s a pub here, a fab café we love called Reef (excellent coffee) and Mama Romas that we haven’t made it to yet but will. The beach is lovely and shallow for swimming with kids, there’s a little shipwreck on the right hand side and both sides have granite boulders for shade and climbing.

 

Spot rock wallabies (and give them a carrot)

You can spot Wallabies at Arcadia – walk along the road to the boat ramp – or at the breakwall at Nelly Bay. Arcadia is definitely more touristy and the wallabies are willing to eat from your hand, while Nelly Bay is quieter and the wallabies are a little more timid.

 

Hike or 4WD to Arthur Bay, Florence Bay or Radical Bay

These beautiful bays are a little harder to get to but you will be rewarded with pristine water, relaxing vibes and hardly anyone around. Start at the Forts Walk and take the path to Arthur, next is Florence and if you continue you’ll get to Radical Bay (keep an eye out for the piano at the palm line), about 3km in. If you’re taking a 4WD do make sure you’re confident as the road is full of huge holes and requires skill to navigate.  

Jet Ski Hire Magnetic Island

Spend the day swimming and enjoying the watersports at Horseshoe Bay and book in for a ride on a jet ski at Jet Ski Hire Magnetic Island. It is SO MUCH fun and kids can drive when with a parent. Emmie and I loved it – plus this business is family owned by the sweetest local family. Make sure to book in advance so you don’t miss out.

Hike to Hawkings Point

This is a relatively easy hike up to a beautiful lookout with views over Rocky Bay to Nelly and Bay to the north and out over Picnic Bay to the south. It only takes around 20 minutes to climb it, and keep an eye out for the little wave rock on the way up. After you climb you can head back down into Picnic Bay for a day at the beach or coffee and breakfast at Reef Café.

Hike the Forts Walk and spot koalas

During World War 2 a fort was built on the top of the hill here to act as a lookout for Japanese forces approaching the area. Much of the forts remain and the walk up is dotted with information about their construction and the soldiers who were based here, including women from the Australian Women’s Army Service and visiting US personnel.

It’s also one of the most popular walks for spotting koalas in the trees – you’re almost guaranteed to see koalas on the Forts Walk. There’s a small parking area and you just take the bus to Horseshoe Bay and get off at The Forts Walk. When you’re finished you can wait for the bus or walk about 2.6 kilometres along the track and road into Horseshoe Bay.

 

Go cruising with AquaScene Charters

We had the most amazing day out with Aquascene. It’s a family run boat tour that takes you around the island and stops for swims and snorkels at some of its beautiful beaches and bays. They also have a SUP and a floating pontoon to laze on and provide snorkels, masks and fins – and stinger suits in the summer months.

What we loved was learning about the island from Captain Adam, seeing the eagles and Bahminy Kites, the welcome swallows and seeing two glorious whales as they made their way south. We took the half day Discovery Tour but Aquascene also offers an Explorer cruise and a Sunset & Shipwrecks cruise.

 

 

See a live fire show and get fab coffee and meals at Scallywags Café

We love this café in Nelly Bay and I get a coffee there every day. The meals are amazing (the burgers are huge and delicious but my favourite is the satay tempeh salad) and there is often live music – plus there’s an awesome pirate ship play area for kids. If you’re very lucky you’ll get to see Pete or Doctor Reubs perform a fire and circus show at dinner.

 

Walk down a butterfly path

Hundreds of blue tiger butterflies migrate to Magnetic Island for the winter and there are certain little paths where you can see them flitting and swirling around. The most popular butterfly path is in Horseshoe Bay at the old public school on Dent Street. It’s very easy to find – just take the first left as you walk out of Horseshoe and wander into the old school grounds. There is another lesser known butterfly path on the walk into Radical Bay. Keep watch for a small track to you right when you’ve past Florence and walked down the really big hill.