Why go
- Island off the coast of Queensland, Australia.
- Served by Palm Island Airport (PMK).
History
Magnetic Island is an island 8 kilometres (5 mi) offshore from the city of Townsville, Queensland, Australia. This 52 km2 (20.1 sq mi) mountainous island in Cleveland Bay has effectively become a suburb of Townsville. The island is accessible from Townsville Breakwater to Nelly Bay Harbour by ferry. There is a 39.5 km2 (15.3 sq mi) national park and bird sanctuary, and walking tracks can be taken both between the populated bays and to a number of tourist destinations, such as the World War II forts.
Where to stay
11 Cook Rd, Arcadia QLD 4819, Australia · captainsmanoroncook.traveleto.com
20-21 Pacific Dr, Magnetic Island QLD 4819, Australia · lotusonmagnetic.com
27 Marine Parade, Arcadia QLD 4819, Australia · staysummerhouse.com
5 Trana Ct, Nelly Bay QLD 4819, Australia · magneticcommunitynews.com
6 Kelly St, Nelly Bay QLD 4819, Australia · islandleisure.com.au
13 The Esplanade, Nelly Bay QLD 4819, Australia · islandpalmsresort.com.au
13 Pacific Dr, Horseshoe Bay QLD 4819, Australia · sailsonhorseshoe.com.au
146 Sooning St, Magnetic Island QLD 4819, Australia · all.accor.com
61-79 Mandalay Ave, Nelly Bay QLD 4819, Australia · athotelgroup.com
1 Nelly Bay Rd, Magnetic Island QLD 4819, Australia · nomadsworld.com
9 The Esplanade, Nelly Bay QLD 4819, Australia · bestofmagnetic.com
7 Osborne Court, Nelly Bay QLD 4819, Australia
14 Yates St, Nelly Bay QLD 4819, Australia
18 Pacific Dr, Horseshoe Bay QLD 4819, Australia
57 Mirimar Cres, Arcadia QLD 4819, Australia
Indoor
1-3 The Cove, Nelly Bay QLD 4819, Australia · beachsidemagneticisland.com.au
123 Sooning St, Nelly Bay QLD 4819, Australia
Restaurants & places to go
Pub, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 10:00-24:00 Features: outdoor seating, vegetarian options, step-free access · 72-74 The Strand, 4810 · watermarktownsville.com.au
Fish And Chips, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-14:00,16:30-20:00; Sa 11:00-20:00; Su 11:00-19:30
Restaurant · Fish & Chips
Asian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Su-Th 17:30+; Fr-Sa 17:00+ · 67 Sir Leslie Thiess Drive, 4810 · the-ville.com.au
Japanese, Restaurant · Opening hours: 17:00-22:00 · ardohotel.au
Fish And Chips, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo,Th-Su 11:00-15:00; Tu-We off
American, Breakfast, Burger, Cake, Coffee Shop, Curry, Friture, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 06:30-23:00
Burger, Sandwich, Ice Cream, Grill, Seafood, Coffee Shop, Pasta, Fish And Chips, Diner, Italian Pizza, Cafe · Burger/Sandwich cafe · sandis.com.au
Restaurant · Opening hours: 11:00-23:00 · ardohotel.au
Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 06:00-11:15,12:00-15:00, Su-Th 17:30-21:00, Fr,Sa 17:30-22:00 Features: outdoor seating · cbar.com.au
Restaurant · Opening hours: 17:00-22:00 · 67 Sir Leslie Thiess Drive, 4810 · ardohotel.au
Restaurant · Opening hours: 11:00+ "closes late" · the-ville.com.au
Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating · shorehousetownsville.com.au
Sandwich, Donut, Ice Cream, Tea, Coffee Shop, Cafe · Features: outdoor seating
Chinese, Restaurant · Chinese restaurant
Italian, Restaurant · Italian restaurant
Mexican, Restaurant · Mexican restaurant · Warboys Street
Asian, Restaurant · Asian restaurant
Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating · longboardbarandgrill.com
Restaurant · restaurant
Cafe · Features: outdoor seating
Cafe · Features: outdoor seating
Restaurant · restaurant
Cafe · cafe
Cafe · cafe
Cafe · cafe
Ice Cream · ice cream
Cafe · cafe
Cafe · cafe
Restaurant · restaurant
Restaurant · restaurant
Restaurant · restaurant
Restaurant · restaurant
Restaurant · restaurant
Cafe · cafe
Restaurant · restaurant
Cafe · cafe
Cafe · cafe
Airports
Townsville Airport / RAAF Base Townsville (TSV) 14 km to the centre
Townsville, QLD, AU — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 6 airlines (Qantas, Jetstar Airways, Regional Express, Virgin Australia…) · direct flights to 10 destinations incl. Brisbane, Darwin, Mount Isa, Sydney, Cairns… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 6 airlines, 10 direct destinations
- Qantas QF (Dash 8-400, Dash 8-300, 737-800, Embraer 170) · 7 routes: Brisbane, Cairns*, Cloncurry*, Darwin*, Mackay*, Moranbah*, Mount Isa*
- Jetstar Airways JQ (A320, A321) · 3 routes: Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney
- Regional Express ZL (Saab 340) · 2 routes: Mount Isa, Winton
- Virgin Australia VA (737-800, Embraer 190, 737-700) · 2 routes: Brisbane*, Sydney*
- American Airlines AA (737) · 1 route: Brisbane*
- Trans Mediterranean Airlines TL (Embraer 170) · 1 route: Darwin
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
Palm Island Airport (PMK) 51 km to the centre
QLD, AU — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Getting there by ferry
Car Ferry Ramp - Townsville
Ferry terminal · 2.4 km from the centre · Riverside Marine
Magentic Island Ferries - Vehicle Waiting Area
Ferry terminal · 2.4 km from the centre · Riverside Marine
Quayside Terminal
Ferry terminal · 12 km from the centre
Magnetic Island Ferries - Townsville Terminal
Ferry terminal · 13 km from the centre · Magnetic Island Ferries
Magnetic Island Ferries
Ferry terminal · 13 km from the centre · Riverside Marine
Townsville – Magnetic Island
Ferry route · Sealink
Magnetic Island Ferry
Ferry route · SeaLink Queensland
Where things are
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping
base map © OSM
Photographs
credit: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons · See source page
When to go
Tourist season
October – March
The warmer, longer-day half of the southern-hemisphere year.
Shoulder season
April – May, September
Milder and quieter, with better value.
Worth avoiding
June – August
The southern winter — check local conditions before travelling.
Getting there & around
Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Palm Island Airport (PMK). Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By water: 5 ferry terminals within 20 km (nearest: Car Ferry Ramp - Townsville, 2.4 km); routes include Townsville – Magnetic Island, Magnetic Island Ferry.
Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Magnetic Island, Australia. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.
Local transit
Public transit · Schedules & GTFS data
Trains & rail
National rail
Coaches & shuttles
Intercity coach