CONSIGLI ECO E GUIDA VERDE
Looking for things to do on Magnetic Island? Here are 40 great ideas in no particular order.
Have fun!
1. WALK THE FORTS
ARCADIA VILLAGE HOTEL
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
4. CRUISE AROUND
ARCADIA VILLAGE HOTEL
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
7. TAKE A HIKE
ARCADIA VILLAGE HOTEL
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
10. GO WEST
ARCADIA VILLAGE HOTEL
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
13. DINE ALFRESCO
ARCADIA VILLAGE HOTEL
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.
31. CLIMB A ROCK
ARCADIA VILLAGE HOTEL
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
40. FIND OUT WHAT'S ON
ARCADIA VILLAGE HOTEL
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
2. HOP ON BOARD
ARCADIA VILLAGE HOTEL
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.
5. VISIT THE ROCK WALLABIES
ARCADIA VILLAGE HOTEL
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
8. RACE A TOAD
ARCADIA VILLAGE HOTEL
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
11. SHOP TIL YOU DROP
ARCADIA VILLAGE HOTEL
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.
14. JET SKI FOR MILES
ARCADIA VILLAGE HOTEL
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
23. BOOK IN THE TEAM
ARCADIA VILLAGE HOTEL
Book your next special occasion with family and friends. With accommodation options for every budget, everyone will be happy!
26. BRING A BOAT
ARCADIA VILLAGE HOTEL
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).
38. HANG OUT
ARCADIA VILLAGE HOTEL
Grab a good book or just sit back and relax on any of our truly spectacular 23 bays and beaches.
Photo: freepik.com
3. GO WILD
ARCADIA VILLAGE HOTEL
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
6. DISCOVER THE SNORKEL TRAILS
ARCADIA VILLAGE HOTEL
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
9. TASTE A BREW
ARCADIA VILLAGE HOTEL
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.
12. GET TWITCHING
ARCADIA VILLAGE HOTEL
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.
15. THROW IN A LINE
ARCADIA VILLAGE HOTEL
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.
30. MAKE A DATE
ARCADIA VILLAGE HOTEL
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!
36. GET WRECKED
ARCADIA VILLAGE HOTEL
Scuba dive, snorkel or take a tour to the 20 shipwrecks around the Island.
Photo: jeremy_celga
39. TAKE IN A WATERFALL
ARCADIA VILLAGE HOTEL
Check out the many waterfalls in wet season (December to April) for a great refresher!
Photo: vickie_tucker
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!
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.