Swimmers on the beach at Alma Bay

Magnetic Island
Fascinating tropical island easily accessible from Townsville.
Located 8 km from Townsville and easily visible from the city, Magnetic Island covers 5184 ha and rises to 497 m at Mount Cook. It is 11 km at its widest point and there is approximately 40 km of coastline.

The eastern side of the island has four small settlements at Horseshoe Bay (the island's major residential area), Arcadia, Nelly Bay and Picnic Bay. Some 2533 ha of the central area and western side of the island are now national park.

The island was first discovered by Captain Cook who called it Magnetical Island because he believed that the ores on the island had affected his compass. Cook's concerns seem to have been unjustified as subsequent tests have shown no magnetising qualities in the island's predominantly granite boulders.

When Cook passed the island he noted in his journal on 6 June 1770: 'This bay which I named Cleveland Bay appear'd to be about five or six miles in extent every way; the East point I named Cape Cleveland and the West Magnetical Head or Isle as it had much the appearance of an island and the compass would not travis well when near it. They are both tolerable high and so is the Mainland within them and the whole appear'd to have the most ruged, rocky and barrenest Surface of any we have yet seen.'

The great botanist, Joseph Banks, was briefer: 'Land made in Barren rocky capes; one in particular which we were abreast of in the morn appear'd much like Cape Roxent at noon 3 fires upon it.'

The fires that were seen by Banks were undoubtedly those of the local Aborigines. Aborigines were regularly moving from the mainland to the island at this time. They would have come for the excellent supplies of crustaceans (there are a number of shell middens on the island), the fish in the surrounding waters, and a range of animals, fruit and vegetables.

View from the walk to 'The Forts'

Europeans did not settle on the island until the 1870s. The early settlers were attracted to the island by its peacefulness rather than any economic value it may have had. By the end of the century a low level of 'tourism', encouraged by the construction of a guest house and hotel, had started.

There was a brief flurry of tourism and Magnetic Island became a popular destinaton in the 1920s but this died away and was not renewed until regular ferry services were established between the island and the mainland.

It is likely that in the next decade the island will change beyond recognition. As it exists now it still has an unspoilt feel about it but the islanders are eager for more development. The sense of it being an untouched weekend retreat and place where fishing, bushwalking and swimming are the main activities is likely to give way to a more aggressive, upmarket 'tropical paradise' image.

While the National Park, which covers about half of the island, will remain untouched the rest of the island will move into a more intensive tourist mode.

Access to the island is by a regular ferry service which leaves from Marineworld in Townsville. There is also a barge which transports vehicles to the island and various charter vessels can be arranged in Townsville.

Things to see:  

Walking around Magnetic Island
The Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service have established six walking trails on the island. About 24 km of track winds through the park allowing visitors to see a variety of flora and fauna, from the hoop pine to the introduced koala.

1. Nelly Bay to Arcadia - This track is 6 km long. It starts at the end of Mandalay Avenue (which runs northwest out of Nelly Bay) and first passes through a small area of rainforest. The track then moves through the gully of Gustav Creek and rises to offer excellent views across both Nelly and Horseshoe Bay. The track from the top of the hill continues to Arcadia. It is ideal for birdwatchers as this section of open woodland is often alive with birds. Above Arcadia there is an excellent vantage and viewing point at Sphinx Lookout.

2. The Hawkins Point Trail offers exceptional views of Townsville and starts at Picnic Street in Picnic Bay.

3. The trail to the top of Mount Cook which starts behind Nellie Bay rewards walkers with a refreshing pool which is located only 100 metres from the top.

4. Near Arthur Bay are 'The Forts' a series of concrete gun emplacements and observation posts which were built during World War II to protect Townsville in the event of a Japanese invasion. The walk to the site begins at the Radical Bay turnoff and is 1.4 km long. It can be extended to Arthur Bay, Florence Bay and Radical Bay.

5. Picnic Bay to West Point - This 8 km walk from Picnic Bay is outside of the National Park. It travels up the south west coast of the island and offers excellent views of Cockle Bay, Nobby Head, Bolger Bay and Young Bay. The track, which starts near the Picnic Bay Golf Course, is a bush road which runs along the coast. Walkers (the walk takes about 2.5 hours) have an opportunity to explore the island's coastline. This is probably the best place on the whole island to see the diversity of live in a tropical wetland mudflat. There are numerous wading birds, crabs dart across the low tide beaches and mud skippers and mangrove snails abound.

6. Horseshoe Bay Lagoon - there is a short track which is about 700 metres long which leads from Horseshoe Bay Beach to the Lagoon Environmental Park which is often frequented by a wide variety of birds including the native companion or brolga, the jabiru or black necked stork and, occasionally, the Nankeen Night-heron.

Vital Information About the Island
1. The Island Itself
Location
Located 8 km from Townsville and easily visible from the city.

Description of the island
Magnetic Island is a mountainous and thickly wooded island covering 49 sq kms and rising to 497 m at Mount Cook. This small island is only 11 km at its widest point and there is approximately 40 km of coastline. 23 bays and beaches, over 300 days of sunshine a year. 24 kms walking tracks.

The eastern side of the island has four small settlements at Horseshoe Bay (the island's major residential area), Arcadia, Nelly Bay and Picnic Bay. Some 2533 ha of the central area and western side of the island are now national park.

Activities on the island
25kms walking tracks with native animals and fauna (most popular track is to the disused WWII gun emplacements known as 'The Forts'), self drive tour, swimming, picnicking, whale watching mid-August, snorkelling.

	Motels
	Magnetic Island Tropical Resort Yates St Nelly Bay Magnetic Island QLD 4819 Telephone: (07) 4778 5955
	Hotels
	Arcadia Hotel Resort Marine Pde Arcadia Magnetic Island QLD 4819 Telephone: (07) 4778 5177 Rating: **
	Picnic Bay Hotel The Esplanade Picnic Bay Magnetic Island QLD 4819 Telephone: (07) 4778 5166 Rating: **
	Resorts
	Island Leisure Resort 4 Kelly St Nelly Bay Magnetic Island QLD 4819 Telephone: (07) 4778 5000 Facsimile: (07) 4778 5042 Rating: **
	Magnetic Island Tropical Resort Yates St Nelly Bay Magnetic Island QLD 4819 Telephone: (07) 4778 5955 Facsimile: (07) 4778 5601 Rating: **
	Magnetic International Resort Mandalay Ave Nelly Bay Magnetic Island QLD 4819 Telephone: (07) 4778 5200, 1800 079 902 Facsimile: (07) 4778 5806 Rating: ****
	Apartments
	Tropical Palms Inn Serviced Apts 34 Prince St Picnic Bay Magnetic Island QLD 4819 Telephone: (07) 4778 5076 Rating: ***