Magnetic Island also refered as Maggie’s by locals. Maggie is an amazing sub-tropical island with some of the most amazing beaches and with a coastline that reminds of the rugged coast of Norway without the fjords and cold weather.
The island is littered with small beaches and you can be lucky to have a beach for yourself the whole day. Beside beaches Magnetic Islands has the amazing hills and wildlife and you have to take the time see, while walking on the many walking trakcs on the island, like the one from Nelly Bay to Arcadia.
As far as nightlife goes the Marlin Bar in Horseshoe Bay can be worth a visit depending on the night, however Xbase is the known as the party spot in the island, especially when it comes to the full moon parties! Remember to book your accommodation in advance, if you want to stay there during the full moon parties, they can be very popular.
Xbase is also the place for backpackers to stay, there are a range of activities from Padi diving, snorkelling, kayaking, and moke. which look like a convertible mini car, hire situated right by the sea. Xbase offer packages including the ferry trip from Townsville for reasonable prices, but bare in mind the prices at the bar are not all that backpacker friendly!
Horseshoe Bay is also a popular destination on Magnetic Island and has a great hostel. On the beach there is Jet Ski and kayak hire and there are stinger nets when needed during the stinger season. Nearby is a wildlife sanctuary, where you can get up close and personal with some Australian wildlife.
Give yourself at least a few days out here to make the most of the amazing scenery and find some less travelled and hidden corners of Magnetic Island, like West Point, begging to be explored.
To get to Magnetic Island you need to take the ferries from Townsville. Either the
SunFerries from Breakwater Terminal, which only take passengers, or the FantaSea at Ross
Street, which also transports cars. Going by car with FantaSea you need to make a booking.
You can rent cars on Maggie, but rental cars are only allowed to drive on the main roads.
Driving your own car, you can also drive the side roads and experience more of the peculiar
and unique parts of the island. Driving west you can get no longer than to the West Point,
because the road stops. If you want to go north from there, you need to follow the walking
trails by foot. Maggies only bus route takes you on a beautiful trip along the east cost
from Picnic Bay to Horseshoe Bay.
Find your accommodation in Magnetic Island
Find your transport
