Magnetic Island
Only 8 kilometres by the fast “Cat” ferry from the mainland, tropical Magnetic Island is by far the prettiest and coolest of Townsville’s suburbs.
Named by Captain James Cook on one of his voyages from Sydney the story goes that he named the island Magnetic because his compass went slightly haywire, however, there is no basis for the theory that the island is “magnetic”. More than half of the Island’s 5,184 hectares is national forest with lots of wildlife (e.g. koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, possums, rainbow lorikeets and kookaburras). The walking trails throughout the island are well-known and particularly stunning scenery will surround you, whether it be sea, valley or plateau.
It’s only recently, with the recently established ferry terminal at Nelly Bay, that the Island has “discovered” itself with lots more tourists and home-owners buying and experiencing some of the best views “in the world”.
There are approximately 2,500 residents located here and although some of the western side of the island has no bitumen roads, as yet, the rest of the Island is serviced by regular buses, and taxis and should you want to bring your boat then you can choose one of the eleven bays to tie it up. If you prefer, there is lots of shopping available in all four main residential bays, including clothes boutiques, hair salons, newsagents, supermarket/convenience stores, sports store, service station, dive shops, video shops, chemist, souvenir shops, bakeries and butchers. Magnetic Island also caters for your night life with restaurants and bars but if you do want to be entertained over in Townsville for the evening at sports events, the casino or other activities just jump on the late ferry in Townsville and you’ll find a taxi waiting for you at the ferry terminal in Nelly Bay.
There are 14 daily round-trip ferry runs Monday to Sunday and five daily night runs. See timetable.
The accommodation ranges from budget to luxury. You can spend your holiday relaxing or "living it up" - it's all here.
Everyones’ kind of island holiday living. Come and see for yourself - join us soon!!