Welcome to paradise!
Just 8km from Townsville within the UNESCO Great Barrier Reef World Heritage area in tropical North Queensland, you’ll find Magnetic Island - a very beautiful and special place, and a 'must do' on your bucket list trips!
Break free from the resort-style holiday and discover the natural beauty and unique landscape of what we call 'Maggie'.
Most of the Island’s 5,184ha land area is protected - 78% is national or conservation park.
With 23 stunning beaches and bays, a wide array of wildlife, and a small and friendly residential population of over 2,300, you'll find you'll nestle into "Island Time" in no time!
Our World Heritage Island
An Island of beautiful bays
There are more than 23 bays and beaches around Magnetic Island, each one has its own special appeal ... and it's not uncommon to have a beach to yourself.
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The four main residential beaches and bays on Magnetic Island are Nelly Bay, Arcadia, Horseshoe Bay and Picnic Bay (see below for more information on each bay). These four main bays include:
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This is where you'll arrive from either the passenger ferry or the vehicle barge. Nelly Bay is the main shopping and service centre for Magnetic Island. In addition to the above list, you will also find two supermarkets, a doctor's surgery, a petrol station, two bottle shops, a clothing store, a gift store and art galleries.
NELLY BAY
One step over the hill to the east and you come to Geoffrey Bay with Alma Bay (a favourite for families) at the furthermost end. Both bays fall under the suburb of Arcadia. Here you will find a delicatessen and petrol station, a pub with a bottle shop, the bowling club, a clothing store and art galleries.
ARCADIA
Horseshoe Bay is the biggest bay on the Island, and water sports central. With a number of restaurants within easy walking distance of each other, it also has a small supermarket, a bottle shop, a home and giftware store, and a clothing store. Horseshoe Bay is often a buzz especially on Sundays when the markets are on from 9.00am to 2pm (Easter to mid January).
HORSESHOE BAY
At the other end of the Island from Horseshoe Bay you'll find Picnic Bay. This is a great place for a spot of fishing off the iconic jetty, or a quiet stroll down the beach. It also has breakfast and dinner dining options, a bottle shop, the Maggie Island Brewery, the Golf Club, the Magnetic Island Museum, and easy access to Hawkings Point, Rocky Bay and Cockle Bay.
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PICNIC BAY
Lose yourself for a day, a week, or forever on Magnetic Island. You will notice that it's like no other island getaway.
Yunbenun (Magnetic Island) - Wulgurukaba Country
We acknowledge the Wulgurukaba people as the traditional custodians of Magnetic Island. We recognise their continuing connection to the land and waters, and thank them for protecting this coastline and its ecosystems since time immemorial. We pay our respects to elders past and present, and extend that respect to all First Nations people present today.
A sincere thanks to the advertisers who make the free distribution of this publication possible.
PLEASE MAKE THEM YOUR PRIORITY WHEN MAKING YOUR HOLIDAY CHOICES.
“Not all those who wander are lost.”
J.R.R. Tolkien
For more information about live music and Magnetic Island events visit: facebook.com/whatsonmaggie