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Magnetic Island National Park

  • Nature, culture and history

    • Park alerts and park summary

    Getting there and getting around

    Magnetic Island can be reached by passenger and car ferry services from Townsville. The 8km trip to the Nelly Bay Marina on the island takes about 30 minutes. The island can also be reached by private boat from Townsville.

    Once on the island, there are local bus services, and bicycles, motor bikes and small cars can be hired to get around. The national park, which covers more than half of the island, can be accessed via a network of walking tracks from various parts of the island.

    See the tourism information links below for details of ferry and bus services, and vehicle rentals.

    Wheelchair accessibility

    There are no wheelchair-accessible facilities or tracks in the park.

    Park features

    The park features spectacular natural landscapes and seascapes including boulder-strewn headlands, hoop pines, high quality sandy beaches and fringing coral reefs. A continental island composed mostly of granite, it was once part of the mainland before the sea level rose about 7500 years ago.

    Just over half of this large continental island (2533ha) is protected as Magnetic Island National Park. The island is mostly covered with open eucalypt woodland of bloodwoods, stringybarks and grey ironbarks. Hoop pines and native kapok are found on the headlands, and rainforest is found in sheltered gullies. The island is surrounded by sandy beaches (including some turtle nesting areas), fringing reefs, mangrove communities that are important as fish nursery areas and seagrass beds which support a significant dugong population. On the island, the allied rock-wallaby is found on steep slopes while koalas can be found in most areas. A variety of seabirds, waterbirds and forest birds can also be seen here. The bush stone-curlew is still common on Magnetic Island.

    The Wulgurukaba people, the "canoe people", lived on the island and nearby mainland for thousands of years. Shell middens, stone tools and art sites are physical reminders of their strong connection with the island. The island was named by Lt. Cook during his 1770 voyage when he believed the island's landmass was affecting his compass. The island's interesting past has included hoop pine logging, a quarantine station for the port of Townsville, early tourism in the 19th century, pineapple farming and coastal defences during World War II. Magnetic Island's WWII forts are listed on the Queensland Heritage Register and are among the best examples of such fortifications on Queensland's east coast.

    Camping and accommodation

    Camping

    There is no camping in Magnetic Island National Park.

    Other accommodation

    There is a range of holiday accommodation in and around Townsville on the mainland, as well as on Magnetic Island. For more information see the tourism information links below.

    Things to do

    Walking

    One of the best ways to explore Magnetic Island is on foot. A network of walking tracks allows you to appreciate the island's natural environment protected within the national park. Walking tracks range from easy, short walks to longer tracks with a moderate level of difficulty. Wear a hat and sunscreen. Take drinking water. Be careful exploring around cliff edges and the defence ruins.

    Stay on the tracks. Be aware that boulders may be unstable.

    Hawkings Point track — 1.2km return (1 hour) Grade: Easy

    From Picnic Bay, a track winds to the top of a large boulder, affording views over the island to Nelly and Geoffrey Bays and back towards Townsville.

    Picnic Bay to West Point — 16km return (5 hours) Grade: Easy

    This walk follows a bush track that links the bays on the western side of the island. The track passes a tidal wetland, mangroves, paperbark swamps and savanna grasslands.

    Nelly Bay to Arcadia — 5km one way (2.5 hours) Grade: Moderate

    From Nelly Bay, this walk passes through a rainforest pocket, climbs gradually to the saddle between Nelly and Horseshoe Bays and follows a ridge with views over Horseshoe Bay. The track then branches, with one track leading on to Horseshoe Bay, where you can continue on to other tracks, and the other to Arcadia Bay.

    The Forts walk — 4km return (1.5 hours) Grade: Moderate

    From the turn-off to Radical Bay, this track ascends, sometimes steeply, to follow a ridge behind the bays before arriving at the ruins of the Forts complex operated during World War II. Lookouts afford excellent views to the Palm Island Group in the north and Bowling Green Bay National Park in the south.

    Arthur, Florence and Radical Bays — 1.4km–6km return (30 minutes–2 hours) Grade: Easy

    From the Forts car park on the Horseshoe Bay Road, an easy track leads down to these undeveloped bays which provide excellent swimming and snorkelling.

    Horseshoe Bay Lagoon — 200m return (15 minutes)

    Leading off the main road near Horseshoe Bay beach, a short track leads to the lagoon where a number of waterbirds can be seen.

    Horseshoe Bay Road to Balding and Radical Bays — 3.4km return (1 hour) Grade: Moderate

    From the eastern end of Horseshoe Bay beach, the track climbs through a steep gully of closed forest to a ridge with open eucalypt woodland. One branch of the track leads down to the secluded Balding Bay and the other continues on to Radical Bay. Both bays are good places for a swim.

    Guided tours and talks

    Commercially operated guided tours are available on the island. See tourism information links for further information.

    Picnic and day use areas

    Many picnic and day-use areas are provided on Magnetic Island but not within the national park. See tourism information links for further information.

    Boating

    Boating around Magnetic Island National Park is a popular activity so it is important to take steps to reduce your impacts.

    Dugong Protection Area

    The waters surrounding Magnetic Island have extensive seagrass meadows that attract dugongs. Because of this, Cleveland Bay and all the waters around Magnetic Island are a declared Dugong Protection Area. Look out for dugongs especially in shallow areas and reduce your boat speed if you see a dugong, turtle or other large marine animal.

    Fishing

    Fishing is popular with boaters and beach fishers but restrictions apply to certain areas of the marine parks surrounding the island. Magnetic Island lies within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Fishing is not allowed in the Marine National Park (green) Zone in Geoffrey, Alma, Florence, Gowrie, Radical and Balding Bays, as well as Five Beach Bay. Limited fishing is allowed in the Conservation Park (yellow) Zones in Arthur Bay and on the western side of Hawkings Point to West Point.

    For more detailed zoning maps and information for State waters see Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park and for Commonwealth waters see Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.

    For details of bag and size limits for popular fish species see Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries.

    Viewing wildlife

    Birdwatching

    Over 180 species of birds can be seen on Magnetic Island. Visitors will be sure to hear and see rainbow lorikeets, currawongs, helmeted friarbirds, laughing and blue-winged kookaburras, orange-footed scrubfowl and the sulphur-crested cockatoos, and may also see yellow-bellied sunbirds, figbirds and spangled drongos. At night the haunting wail of the bush stone-curlew can be heard as well as calls of boobook and mowpoke owls. Visitors to the beaches will see silver gulls, crested terns, sandpipers and dotterels and, soaring over the rocky headlands, magnificent white-bellied sea-eagles, brahminy kites and ospreys. Near fresh water, visitors will encounter black ducks, grebes and swamphens.

    Wildlife viewing

    Look for the allied rock-wallaby in the early morning or late afternoon, on rocks near the edge of settlements such as the Geoffrey Bay jetty. Look for koalas in trees around the island, particularly along the Forts walk. They rest motionless amongst eucalypt branches during the day and feed in the late afternoon. Listen for common brushtail possums at night as they feed on flowers, fruit and leaves. During the day they hide in hollow branches or fallen logs so they are more likely to be heard than seen. In the forest and woodland areas, look also for green tree frogs, echidnas, black flying-foxes, little bentwing bats and harmless green tree snakes. From the beach or your boat, look for sea turtles and dugongs as they feed in the extensive seagrass meadows surrounding the island. Sea turtles also nest on the island's beaches during the summer months. Please remember that all animals on the island are protected. Feeding them (in the park or elsewhere) can harm them. Feeding animals in a national park is an offence.

    Dangerous animals

    Keep to the walking tracks to avoid disturbing snakes, in particular the venomous death adder. With its distinctive broad triangular head and short fat body with reddish brown to grey bands, it hides under leaf litter or sand.

    Swimming and snorkelling

    Many beaches — Picnic, Alma, Florence, Radical, Balding and Horseshoe Bays — are suitable for swimming except from November to May when stinging jellyfish are present. By taking a few precautions you can minimise the risks associated with the potentially dangerous jellyfish. Where possible, swim at stinger resistant enclosures provided at Picnic and Horseshoe Bays, usually from November to May. Keep in mind that while these enclosures provide a high degree of protection, they are not stinger-proof. On the day, check with the lifeguard and wear protective clothing such as a wetsuit or lycra suit. Lifeguards patrol Horseshoe Bay every day. Alma and Picnic Bay are patrolled at weekends and during school holidays from September to May. It is advisable to swim at the patrolled beaches, between the red and yellow flags. Look for and observe warning signs and don't swim when beaches are closed. Read more about marine stingers.

    Snorkelling is good in several bays, particularly the northern sides of Florence and Arthur Bays. The reefs in Nelly and Geoffrey Bays are also suitable.


    Other things to do

    Discover the island's heritage

    The island's fascinating past is explained in interpretive signs located in Picnic, Cockle, Nelly, Arcadia, Horseshoe Bays and West Point. Visit the Magnetic Island History and Craft Centre in the old Picnic Bay School, listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, for more information about the island's heritage.

    Shipwreck trail

    Stories of some of the many shipwrecks in the waters around Magnetic Island are presented on signs located around the bays. These shipwrecks reflect the local maritime history that has seen boats plying between the mainland and the island for more than 100 years and their stories reveal much about the island's history and development.

    Other activities

    A wide range of other activities including scuba diving, paraflying, small boat hire, horseriding and windsurfing are available around Magnetic Island. For more information see the tourism information links below.

    Things to know before you go

    Essentials to bring


    Opening hours

    The national park is open all year round. The park office is open 7.30am to 4pm Monday to Friday, park duties permitting. Visitors should check weather conditions as the island may be inaccessible if strong wind warnings, gales or cyclonic activity prevent ferries from operating.

    Permits and fees

    Permits are required for all commercial activities or group functions within the park.

    Pets

    Domestic animals are not permitted in Magnetic Island National Park.

    Climate and weather

    Magnetic Island has a tropical climate with a wet season usually from December to April. The dry season, from May to November, is the best time to visit. Daytime temperatures vary between 25 and 32 degrees Celsius throughout the year. The high humidity, especially during summer months, can be very tiring for visitors unaccustomed to the tropics. For more information see the tourism information links below.

    Fuel and supplies

    Fuel and supplies are available on the island and in Townsville. For more information see the tourism information links below.

    Staying safe

    For more information, please read the guidelines on safety in parks and forests.

    Looking after the park

    See the guidelines on caring for parks for more information about protecting our environment and heritage in parks.

    Park management

    Magnetic Island is part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. Just over half of the island's 5184ha is protected as national park. The surrounding reefs and waters fall within the Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The seascape, flora and fauna of the island, and marine life in the surrounding waters, are protected for the enjoyment of visitors and the conservation of nature.

    Tourism information links

    Flinders Mall Information Centre (Townsville Enterprise Ltd)

    For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see www.queenslandholidays.com.au.

    Further information

    QPWS Magnetic Island
    • 22 Hurst Street, Picnic Bay, Magnetic Island QLD 4819
    • ph (07) 4778 5378
    • fax (07) 4778 5518
    EPA Reef and National Parks Information Centre
    • Old Quarantine Station, Pallarenda
    • PO Box 5391, Townsville QLD 4810
    • ph (07) 4722 5224
    • fax (07) 4722 5222
    • email tsv.infocentre@epa.qld.gov.au
    • Open 8.30am–5pm Monday–Friday, except public holidays and Christmas to New Year

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    Last updated: 08 December 2008