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Magnetic Island offers annual sporting, cultural, fundraising and fun events throughout the year including ANZAC Day, The Great Island Trek, Mother's Day Classic, Magnetic Island Race Week, The Great Inflatable Race, NQ Ocean Paddle Series, Oktoberfest, Melbourne Cup celebrations, and of course New Year's Eve! You'll also find out about live music, workshops and more at What's On Maggie!

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Many of the Island’s restaurants and bars feature live music or laid-back afternoon sessions. Comedy cabaret, fundraisers, poetry readings and one-off community events all add to the abundant entertainment on Magnetic Island.

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The Island has an unusually large number of talented people working in a variety of artistic fields. Galleries on the Island display paintings, pottery, sculpture, printed silk and jewellery all influenced by the vibrant tropical colours.

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Whether you choose to take a private tour, casually self-sail in your own time, or join the Magnetic Island Race Week, Magnetic Island offers free moorings in most bays, or paid moorings in the Magnetic Island Marina.

VARIOUS BAYS

There are over 20 known shipwrecks around the Island, which have been integrated into a shipwreck trail which circles the island at the Maritime Museum (TSV). The trail guides visitors on a historical tour of the Island's rich maritime landscape utilizing land based display boards in each of the bays.

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Before you visit the easily accessible Self-Guided Snorkel Trails at Geoffrey Bay and Nelly Bay, we advise that you pick a $5 recyclable Swim Card which will show you which fish and coral you're likely to see at each location, including the giant clams. Your $5 donation supports the maintenance of these trails. You can purchase a card at the Sealink terminal, Magnetic Island Ferries, the Arcadia Newsagent and at Base Backpackers (Nomads) in Nelly Bay.

Some of the other best places to dive and snorkel on the Island are found in Florence Bay, Arthur Bay, Alma Bay, under the jetty in Picnic Bay, and at Bright Point. Five Beach Bay is also good, but it only has boat/tour access.

Apart from viewing the coral of the fringing reefs around the Island, there are many shipwrecks to explore as well. See more info below or visit our Maps page.

NB: To preserve these trails, please don't touch or stand on the coral when you are snorkelling.

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From easy bush and beach hikes to breathtaking panoramas, there is a walk for everyone. We've listed the main hiking trails on our hiking and walking trails page for easy reference. Take good hiking footwear, extra 1-2 litres of water*, sun smart clothing, sunscreen, sunnies, a hat and seek out shade between 10am and 3pm.
* Save buying that extra plastic bottle and refill your water for FREE at a number of places around Magnetic Island.

HORSESHOE BAY FORESHORE

9am to 2pm at the Horseshoe Bay beachfront every Sunday between Easter and late January. For more details visit ‘Magnetic Island Markets’ on Facebook.

HORSESHOE BAY

The the covered skate park is great fun for kids and those that are kids at heart. It provides sun protection while generating solar power, and plenty of space for skaters and BMX riders to perfect their skills. Located on Horseshoe Bay Road.

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Magnetic Island is definitely a unique tropical island destination surrounded by abundant wildlife and exotic flora. In addition to koalas*, echidnas, rock wallabies^ and other reptiles, the Island is home to over 186 types of birds including kookaburras, sulphur crested cockatoos, brahminy kites and the island's iconic bush-stone curlew.

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* Koalas are most easily found along the Forts Walk. Keep an eye out for stone and twig arrows on the ground, and please don't get too close - it stresses them.

^ Rock wallabies are most easily found at the end of the Old Jetty Road, opposite the Arcadia Village Hotel. We prefer if you don't, but if you have the 'need to feed' please read feeding rock wallabies, so that they don't become ill with the wrong food.

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Whether you throw a line in off the rocks, fish the rich waters off Magnetic Island, or take a trip out to the Great Barrier Reef, the local fishing is rewarding, providing fighting fish for sport and also excellent eating fish.

PLEASE NOTE! Fishing is NOT allowed in Geoffrey, Alma, Florence, Gowrie, Radical and Balding Bays or the Five Beach Bay area. These are Marine National Park Green Zones and large fines apply. Check/download the Eye On The Reef app to know your zones.

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All of the hiking trails on Magnetic Island lead to  spectacular panoramas, each with their individual character: The Sphinx, Hawkings Point, Picnic Bay, Arcadia, Rocky Bay, Horseshoe Bay, The Forts, Arthur Bay. See the hiking trails and map lookouts below for where you'll find them.

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Just over half of the island (2,790ha) is protected as Magnetic Island National Park and many of the hiking trails pass through the National Park, offering a wide variety of flora and fauna to enjoy.

PICNIC BAY & ARCADIA

Choose from a game of golf on the greens with the granite bush backdrop at the Magnetic Island Country Club in Picnic Bay, or seaside Lawn Bowls in Arcadia. Either way, you'll have a relaxing time with fantastic views!

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Magnetic Island is part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. The surrounding reefs and waters fall within the Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The seascape, flora, fauna and marine life in the surrounding waters, are protected for the enjoyment of visitors and the conservation of nature.