MAGNETIC ISLAND

Follow along for the charm of a weekend on Magnetic Island.

what to expect

Magnetic Island is a small, slow and relatively quiet island. You are constantly surrounded by jaw dropping natural beauty with stunning bays, rocky cliffs and blue crystal clear water. To be honest when we first got off the ferry and started driving to our accommodation we thought the place looked a little bit tired but so quickly this feeling is swept away by the slow paced charm of the island. Sure the restaurants feel a little stuck in the 90s, but when you realise you can still get a super delicious feed, this just adds to the place!

How to get there

Magnetic Island is located off the North East coast of Australia, just off the shore of Townsville.

The easiest way to get to Magnetic Island is to fly into Townsville. Then catch a ferry from Townsville to Magnetic Island. The ferry terminal is a short taxi ride from the airport (approx $20) or there is an airport shuttle too. The ferry leaves every hour, and takes approx 25 mins and costs $60 return. You do not need to prebook your ferry ticket, just buy it when you roll in!

Stay

We were gifted a three night stay at Magnetic Island by The Magnetic Group (unfortunately due to flight delays we only ended up getting there for two nights, but due to the relaxed nature of the island, we were still able to fully unwind!). The Magnetic Group own a number of different accommodation places on the island, catering for different sized groups and requirements.

We stayed at ‘Beached’ which was a beautiful house, that could sleep 10 people, located right on Picnic Bay.

Eat/drink

Mama Romas
- By all accounts the best restaurant on the island and it did not disappoint.
- Authentic Italian cuisine and super friendly service!

Shaka
- A food truck on Nelly Bay Rd serving acai bowls, avo toast and pancakes.
- Eat your breaky literally on the beach on their beanbags and repurposed drift wood.

Thai ‘pop-up’ at Arcadian Hotel
- Not too sure what this little place is called but its inside the Arcadian Hotel.
- When I say pop-up the Thai lady that makes all the food from scratch has been slinging food out of this set up every Friday and Saturday night for a couple of decades I believe!!
- Highly recommend the chicken satays and the Masaman curry!

Get some fresh local seafood from the van next to the Bottle Shop in Arcadia
- We bought some bugs and made sandwiches out of them but just ask whats freshest when you’re there!

We didn’t eat/drink here but we hear it’s good

Magnetic Island Pub
Scallywags in Nelly Bay (pirate themed, meant to do nice sandwiches and salads)
SOS Seafood in Nelly Bay for fish and chips

Do

Arthur Bay
- A beautiful, secluded and quiet bay. A short walk from the carpark.

Alma Bay
- The best beach we went to for kids. Really calm, there is a playground there too and showers to wash off after your swim! A bit busier than Arthur Bay though.

Hire a hot pink topless car
- We were provided a hire car through the Magnetic Group but if you are going over you need to hire a topless car!
- They are all over the island and so much fun!
- We just threw Poppy in the back of someone elses for some snaps so that we didn’t feel like we were missing out too much haha!

Go snorkelling
- There are snorkelling tour groups that you can do, or Nick just hired a snorkel and flippers from the dive shop next to the backpackers and went for a look around at Arthur Bay

The Forts
- Approx. 4km return hike through some ruins from WWII
- A moderately difficult walk (made a lot harder due to heat and lack of breeze… and infant and pregnancy haha) that took approx 1.5hrs
- Leaves from Horseshoe Bay, incredible views at the top!
- Take your time on the hike as we saw 3 koalas along the way!

Hawkings Lookout
- Approx. 2km return walk around at Picnic Bay
- Beautiful views out all over Magnetic Island
- Moderately difficult walk due to rocks/steps up to look out