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CONSIGLI ECO E GUIDA VERDE

Looking for things to do on Magnetic Island? Here are 40 great ideas in no particular order.
Have fun!

The Forts Magnetic Island, with beach, sea, hills, trees, and WW11 ruins

1. WALK THE FORTS

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Take the Forts walk to see the World War II ruins and the amazing views over the Coral Sea. It's also a great place to see a koala in the wild. Keep an eye out for stone and twig arrows on the ground where you may find koalas. PLEASE stay at least 1m away and don't disturb them, koalas are easily stressed - and for your own safety, check the 'no walk' zones getting to and from The Forts.

Photo: @stephhabes

Sailing Magnetic Island, sunset, bow of yacht, hills, clouds

4. CRUISE AROUND

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Learn more about Island life with a fun and informative bus tour, sail, cruise or jet ski around the Island to discover it’s 23 hidden bays and it’s best anchorages to make your own. If you need somewhere to moor your boat, it's free in Horseshoe Bay, or short term rental moorings are available in the Nelly Bay Marina.

Photo: Andrew Rankin

Woman sitting on high rock overlooking the ocean with Magnetic Island mountains

7. TAKE A HIKE

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Explore the endless walking and hiking tracks through Magnetic Island’s National Parks. 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 for where you'll find them.

Photo: @jamesvodicka

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10. GO WEST

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Hop on a guided 4WD bus tour and or hire an electric bike and take the track to West Point. PLEASE NOTE: Most car hire rentals do not allow their vehicles along this road. This is a 4WD track, so make sure you check the road conditions are passable during wet season (December to April).

Photo: InnesBellis

Dining Horseshoe Bay Magnetic Island with beach, sunset, table setting and yachts

13. DINE ALFRESCO

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Dine in or take away and discover a wide selection of cuisine for breakfast, lunch or dinner with ocean views and tropical gardens in our Island paradise.

Alma Bay beachfront with people picnicing, grass, ocean and trees with dappled light

16. BBQ BEACHSIDE

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Grab the crew, head to one of the great selections of grassy foreshore vistas and fire up the free BBQ at Horseshoe Bay, Alma Bay or Picnic Bay.

Photo: @consistantcam

Alma Bay basketball court with grass, palm trees and mountains

19. HIT THE COURTS

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You'll find tennis and basketball courts in Horseshoe Bay, and a basketball court in Arcadia behind the Surf Life Saving Club.

Photo: @haydendib

Horseshoe Bay Sunset with beach, palm tree, people walking and abandoned dingy

22. CHASE A SUNSET

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Catch a brilliant sunset at Horseshoe Bay, Picnic Bay jetty, the Presto Breakwater, West Point or on the deck at Peppers Blue On Blue.

Photo: Gary Nolan

Magnetic Island Bowls Club with bowlers on the green

25. TRY OUT THE GREENS

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Test out the greens and bar at the very friendly Magnetic Island Bowling Club located opposite Geoffrey Bay beach. It's a great place for a casual day out, birthdays and corporate events.

karaoke magnetic island with woman singing and people clapping in the background

28. SING YOUR HEART OUT

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Join the monthly Karaoke nights at the Arcadia Village Hotel from 8pm, on the last Friday of each month.

Rock Climber on Magnetic Island

31. CLIMB A ROCK

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Magnetic Island is a boulderers dream. Beachside bouldering and climbing next to hoop pines on a tropical island, what more could you want?

Photo: thecrag.com

Woman singing with microphone, comedy and cabaret night at Stage Door Magnetic Island

34. HAVE A LAUGH

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Take in a hilarious cabaret dinner at Stage Door Theatre Restaurant - the best in NQ!

Hands painting a colourful canvas on an easel, in a garden on Magnetic Island.

37. GET ARTY

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Visit the local art galleries or get inspired with a painting, weaving, mosaic, pottery class or any number of workshops.

close up guitarist hand playing guitar on Magnetic Island

40. FIND OUT WHAT'S ON

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Many of the Island’s restaurants and bars feature live music or laid-back afternoon sessions. Comedy cabaret, fundraisers, annual events, and workshops all add to the abundant entertainment on Magnetic Island. To find out the latest visit @whatsonmaggie Facebook page.

Photo: freepik.com

Turtle swimming underwater around magnetic island

2. HOP ON BOARD

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Hop on board and discover the underwater world by taking a tour around our fringing reefs, or out to the Great Barrier Reef. You'll find a variety of on-water tours from eco adventures to fishing and family fun tours.

Rock wallaby Magnetic Island, close up of face

5. VISIT THE ROCK WALLABIES

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Visit the friendly rock wallabies  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 what to feed rock wallabies, so that they don't become ill with the wrong food.

Photo: travelnatureexplorer

Toad racing night on Magnetic Island iwth group of people cheering

8. RACE A TOAD

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Try your luck at the World Famous Toad Races on a Wednesday night at Arcadia Village Hotel. Place your bets and enjoy the fun!

Photo: londonerinsydney.com

Magnetic Island Horsehoe Bay markets, with beach, sun, sand, palm tree and glassware

11. SHOP TIL YOU DROP

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Pick up local arts, crafts and gifts from Island Living in Nelly Bay or from our local galleries, try on clothing from Tropical Daze in Arcadia, or meander the Sunday Magnetic Island markets from 9am-1pm (Easter to January) for a treat and locally made items. The RSL also hold markets on Friday nights from 5pm to 8pm with food and a bar available.

Jet Ski Magnetic Island at Lover's Bay with ocean, beach, rocks and hills

14. JET SKI FOR MILES

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Hop on board and enjoy the biggest jet ski area available on the east cost of OZ. Find a remote beach, or circumnavigate the Island.

Photo: BrilliantTravels

Woman lying down for a massgae on Magnetic Island with a flower in her hair

17. PAMPER YOURSELF

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Pamper yourself with a choice of massages and indulgence packages or join in on a yoga or wellness class.

Men writing for Trivia Magnetic Island night

20. TEST YOURSELF

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Test yourself at a Thursday Trivia Night (at Arcadia Village Hotel or Nomads), or at a Sunday Bingo session (at Arcadia Village Hotel).

Accommodation huts around a pool onMagnetic Island

23. BOOK IN THE TEAM

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Book your next special occasion with family and friends. With accommodation options for every budget, everyone will be happy!

Mooring a boat on Magnetic Island.jpg

26. BRING A BOAT

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If you're visiting Maggie by boat, there are free moorings in Horseshoe Bay and short term paid moorings at the Magnetic Island Marina. There are also boat ramps in Picnic Bay, Nelly Bay and a double boat ramp in Horseshoe Bay. PLEASE NOTE: Make sure you’re familiar with the zoning rules. Significant penalties will apply if you break the rules (i.e.: $2,100 if you moor or fish in a Green Zone).

Women riding trail bikes through the bush on Magnetic Island

29. GRAB THE BIKE

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Grab the bike and hit the trails. Magnetic Island has some excellent spots where you can enjoy your next ride.

Photo: Tim Hempstead

Couple celebrating a wedding on Magnetic Island with bubbling champagne.

32. TIE THE KNOT

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Choose a stunning beach or a tropical garden to celebrate your special occasion. Everything you need from marriage celebrants to caterers, beauty salons, musicians and charter buses are ready to make your day a special memory.

Magnetic island golf club fairway with golf ball on peg, grass, trees and hills in the background

35. PLAY A ROUND

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Play a round of golf at the Picnic Bay golf course and enjoy a cold drink and snack afterwards at the Club house.

Couple lying in hammocks smiling on Magnetic Island

38. HANG OUT

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Grab a good book or just sit back and relax on any of our truly spectacular 23 bays and beaches.

Photo: freepik.com

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DISCOVER MORE!

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Here are some more ideas for your complete enjoyment on Maggie. Have fun!

Koala Magnetic Island

3. GO WILD

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Hop on a guided bus tour, enjoy Magnetic Island's abundant wildlife and exotic flora on our many walks, or visit the Wildlife Park at Selina where the koalas, wombats, birds and reptiles will be waiting to meet you.

Photo: Tim Hempstead

Snorkel trails Magnetic Island, couple underwater with snorkel masks

6. DISCOVER THE SNORKEL TRAILS

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Discover the Nelly and Geoffrey Bay Snorkel Trails to see giant clams, coral and fish. If you buy a Swim Card from Pleasure Divers or the Arcadia newsagency, you'll be supporting their upkeep. Other places to dive and snorkel are found at Florence Bay, Arthur Bay, Alma Bay, under the jetty in Picnic Bay, and at Bright Point. Five Beach Bay is also good but only has boat access. NB: To preserve these trails, please don't touch or stand on the coral when you are snorkelling.

Photo: @tellustotravel

Various glasses of beer on counter at the Maggie Island Brewery

9. TASTE A BREW

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Taste quality, hand crafted beer, local spirits, wine and food at our very own Maggie Island Brewery, or visit our many restaurants and bars for a refresher.

Blue winged kookaburra sitting on a brand close up on Magnetic Island

12. GET TWITCHING

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Try and spot the 186 species of birds that call the Island home including kookaburras, sulphur crested cockatoos, brahminy kites and the island's iconic bush-stone curlew. Selina's in Horseshoe Bay also have free bird feeding everyday at 4.30pm.

Woman fishing magnetic island, horseshoe bay foreshore with beach, ocean and yachts.

15. THROW IN A LINE

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Fishing on Magnetic Island can be very rewarding, providing fighting fish and excellent eating fish. Join a tour, or hire your gear, then throw a line in off the rocks and foreshores, off the Picnic Bay jetty, or take a fishing trip out to the Great Barrier Reef with one of our tour guides.

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 up to $2,100 apply.

Magnetic Museum Picnic Bay school house in a garden setting

18. STEP BACK IN TIME

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Step into the Island’s colourful past by visiting the Magnetic Museum, the heritage listed Picnic Bay School and Butler's Hut in Picnic Bay.

Horseshoe Bay Skate park with skaters

21. DROP IN FOR A SKATE

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Drop into the Skate Park in Horseshoe Bay Road and meet the crew. The solar panels on the roof provide light for skating at night.

Magnetic Island Muso Jam with musicians on a stage

24. JOIN A JAM

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Join the jam at the monthly Muso’s Club nights (second Saturday of the month) at the Horseshoe Bay Recreation Oval.

Egret and water lillies on the lagoon at Horseshoe Bay Magnetic Island

27. VISIT THE LAGOON

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Discover the Horseshoe Bay lagoon for visiting bird life (best December - April). Walk along the boardwalk from Henry Lawson Street, or walk to the lagoon area from Horseshoe Bay Road, just opposite Dent Street.

Photo: Gary Nolan

Rowers as part of the Magnetic Island Beer Can Regatta in Picnic Bay, with crowd

30. MAKE A DATE

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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!

Nemo fish at the aquarium on Magnetic Island

33. FIND NEMO

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Find ‘Nemo’ and his friends plus giant clams at the Aquasearch Aquarium and chat with resident Dr Rick Braley - the 'Giant Clam Man'.

Overhead the City of Adelaid wreck at Cockle Bay on Magnetic Island with sea, ocean, mangroves, sky and hills

36. GET WRECKED

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Scuba dive, snorkel or take a tour to the 20 shipwrecks around the Island.

Photo: jeremy_celga

Woman in waterfall pond with granite boulders and trees

39. TAKE IN A WATERFALL

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Check out the many waterfalls in wet season (December to April) for a great refresher!
Photo: vickie_tucker

Magnetic Island Guide Feedback

Did we miss something?

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Have we missed one of your favourite things to do on Magnetic Island? If so let us know and we'll include it in this list.

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Afrekete Cuban Festival
Magnetic Island Edition
2025 dates coming soon!

Afrekete the annual Afro-Cuban dance, music and culture festival will be on Magnetic Island once again in 2025.

 

From the official Friday Opening Ceremony and Welcome Party, through to the Sunday Closing Ceremony. Includes all dance and drumming workshops on Saturday and Sunday, PLUS a social dance night on Friday, and  themed night with Cuban band and DJs on Saturday night. Afrekete 2025 will be another amazing taste of the real Cuba!

Afrekete Magnetic Island-sml.jpg

TIDE TIMES

Whether you're wanting low tides for snorkeling or finding shipwrecks, or the best tide times to throw a line off the jetty, your boat or the foreshore, view the 2024 tide times.

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