magnetic island koala tour

Selina Magnetic Island & The Koala Park

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SELINA MAGNETIC ISLAND & THE KOALA PARK (Horseshoe Bay) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

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Go walk about on ancient lands as you learn about an ancient culture that is still practised today. Top tip, don’t plan anything for after and be present as you listen in fascination to the abundance of stories that Tais tells so well.

Koala Wildlife park and Accomodation

Selina magnetic island.

Located on Magnetic Island, 8km offshore from Townsville, Queensland, Selina Magnetic Island is picture perfect tropical paradise. Sitting just a 5-minute walk from Horseshoe Bay, explore the breathtaking landscape by water with a snorkel or kayak or venture to one of the island’s other 23 bays. Take your trip to new heights on local hiking trails to admire the views or book a tour round our on-site wildlife park, learning about and meeting local Aussie animals.

Stingersuits, Skateboards and E-bikes available for hire.

Explore and Relax

Wildlife park Tour

The Koala Park gives guests the opportunity to learn and get up close and personal with our unique wildlife, a key principle in teaching important conservation messages. Daily tours conducted with onsite rangers offering local stories and personal experiences with our native Australian Wildlife.

You will get the chance to interact and learn about turtles, pythons, wombats, lizards, crocodiles and importantly Magnetic Islands Icon –  the Koala’s!

● Educational wildlife experience’s provided by knowledgeable rangers

● Suitable for all ages – please note children under the age of 16y years must be accompanied by a parent or guardian

● Small personalised tours

● Advanced Eco Tourism status and member of Australia’s Zoo and Aquarium Association

Departure: Mo-Sun

Duration:   10:30am-12:30pm and 12:30pm-14:30pm

Location: Main Deck Area in front of the bar at Selina

Breakfast with Koalas

We cant wait to welcome our guests to our ‘breakfast experience’ hosted our ranger team. Meet and greet with our Australian animals including some special ones you won’t forget including Harry the Southern Hairy nosed wombat and Pebbles our female koala.

You’ll also have the chance to learn about Amaroo our new addition who is a rescue koala from south east Queensland. Plus our other favourite animals.

This interactive experience is about education, sustainability principles and importantly connecting with our team of great people and their passion for the wildlife and Magnetic Island.

The ranger cooked breakfast is set within an outdoor area amongst native trees and a scene typical to outback Australia.

Seasonal Menu :

• Pancakes served with native jams
• Gourmet Brioche bacon and eggs roll with chutney and spinach / gf avail
• Garlic mushrooms served with Spinach and Tomato    *veg / gf
• house made beans   *veg  df gf
• Crispy bacon
• Fresh local fruits and yoghurt    *veg / gf / df avail
• Seasonal Bircher Muesli
• Cereals and toast
• Assorted Coffee and tea
• Fruit juice

Duration: 8:15am-10:30am

Location:   Meet at the Selina Reception Deck

Wildlife Park Tour

• Duration: 90 Minutes (approx.)
• Location : Magnetic Island, QLD
• Product code: KOALATOUR

The Koala Park   gives guests the opportunity to learn and get up close and personal with our unique wildlife, a key principle in teaching important conservation messages.

Daily tours conducted with onsite rangers offering local stories and personal experiences with our native Australian Wildlife.

Our Tour departs at 10:30am  and 12:30 noon  with your guide showcasing Magnetic Island's best wildlife experience. You will get the chance to interact and learn about turtles, pythons, wombats, lizards, crocodiles and importantly Magnetic Islands Icon -  the Koala's! 

● Educational wildlife experience's provided by knowledgeable rangers

● Suitable for all ages - please note children under the age of 16y years must be accompanied by a parent or guardian 

● Small personalised tours

● Advanced Eco Tourism status and member of Australia's Zoo and Aquarium Association 

Our commitment is to deliver an informative presentation with our Australian Wildlife. Koala Photos are also suspended due to social distancing expectations.

ONCE YOU ARRIVE AT SELINA - PLEASE TAKE A SEAT ON THE MAIN DECK AREA IN FRONT OF THE BAR. YOU DO NOT NEED TO CHECK IN WITH RECEPTION. 

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BUNGALOW BAY KOALA VILLAGE

Only resort in australia with it's own wildlife park onsite, description.

Bungalow Bay Koala Village is the only resort in Australia that can boast its own on site wildlife park. In-house guests, day visitors and island residents have the opportunity to learn and importantly interact with our unique wildlife, a key principle in taking away important conservation messages.

There are 3 daily tours conducted with onsite rangers offering up close and personal experiences with our native Australian Wildlife. The tour lasts approximately two hours and is within the wildlife park where you can wrap yourself in a python, hold a lizard, small saltwater crocodile and get to know the icon of Magnetic Island – the koala. Freshwater crocodiles can also be seen on display.

Tours depart daily at 10am / 12 noon / 2.30pm 

● Educational wildlife experience ● Suitable for all ages ● Small personalised tours ● Local rangers with local stories ● Breakfast with the koalas ● Family owned and operated

40 Horseshoe Bay Rd Horseshoe Bay

07 4778 5577

Adult $29pp

Breakfast with Koalas

• Magnetic Island

Tour Details

Keen to try something different? Breakfast in a bush setting might be just the thing you’re after!

This Ranger cooked breakfast is set in an outdoor area amongst native trees, a setting typical to outback Australia.

Meet and greet our Australian animals during this interactive experience. Be joined by a team of passionate people and learn why they love the wildlife and Magnetic Island.   

Your seasonal breakfast experience includes:

• Pancakes served with native jams 
• Gourmet bacon and egg rolls with chutney and spinach                   
• Garlic mushrooms served with spinach and tomato
• Fresh local fruits and yoghurt                                                               
• Seasonal Bircher muesli
• House made beans
• Cereals and toast
• Assorted coffee and tea  
• Fruit juices.

Additional Information

• Days Operates each Wednesday, Friday and Sunday
• Start Time 8:15am (0815)
• End Time 10:00am (1000)
• Duration 1.5 Hours
• Location Selina Reception Desk
• Inclusions Find out what's included & what you need to bring

Tour Pricing

Children aged between 2 - 12 years

Children aged 2 years and younger

2 Adults + 2 Children

• Tour booking must be fully pre-paid at least 48 hours before tour date.
• Please read our COVID-19 travel updates and our latest terms and conditions.

Tour Inclusion & What To Bring

Inclusions (12 person charter).

• Meet and greet with Australian animals
• Breakfast in a bush setting
• Knowledgeable Ranger

What to bring

• A hungry tummy
• Camera or smartphone

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Get in touch with us to request a booking for this tour. We will contact you soon to confirm your details and reserve your place

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Selina Magnetic Island & The Koala Park

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Selina Magnetic Island & The Koala Park - All You MUST Know Before You Go (2024)

Where To Find Koalas on Magnetic Island

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please read the full disclosure policy here .

Searching for the best places to see koalas on Magnetic Island? As a semi-local, I’m here to share my insider tips so you can find a cute koala in the wild on Magnetic Island as well.

Updated February 2021

Koalas are awesome. Even more awesome than wombats, and that’s saying something coming from me. When you make it to Australia , you will inevitably go to a zoo sometime in your travels and see all of Australia’s beautiful animals. It’s a must-do. But if you visit my hometown of Townsville and its island suburb of Magnetic Island , you will get the chance to see a koala in the wild. I think this is a much more memorable experience. Koalas on Magnetic Island hid from me for a long time. But then we found THE place, where I see about seven every time I return home. So here’s my local’s tips for spotting koalas on Magnetic Island. Say hello to them from me 😉.

Here are my favourite places to visit on Magnetic Island to take picture-perfect photos

My first time seeing a koala on magnetic island.

As I said, Magnetic Island koalas did not play fair for a long time. After my parents moved to Magnetic Island, it took me over a year to see one in the wild. Even though my mum would go on walks and see four, I would come over from the mainland days later and see ZERO.

But finally, after a whole year, my mum went on one of her crazy bush walks and called me soon after to say there was a koala about 100 metres into her trek. So, like the crazy person I am, I got out of bed and drove up to the track to see my first koala in its natural habitat. He was sitting oh-so-cutely in the fork of a eucalyptus tree. This is when my love affair with koalas began.

Peek-a-boo!

The best places to see koalas on Magnetic Island

1. forts walk.

So the number one place people recommend visiting to see wild koalas on Magnetic Island is the Forts Walk in Horseshoe Bay. Keep your eyes up and see what you can find. When you are walking along always ask people you pass as well. They may have been fortunate to see one earlier and can advise you just where to look. It’s all about spreading the joy.

2. Koala Park at Bungalow Bay

If you don’t see a koala on the Forts Walk, I recommend visiting the Magnetic Island Koala Park at Bungalow Bay . The accommodation and adventure centre has wildlife tours a few times a day, where you can meet the three resident koalas. You can also hold a koala for an additional fee.

3. Keep an eye out in the different bays

Finally, I recommend keeping your eyes peeled as you venture around the island as you honestly never know where you’ll see a koala. For example, my dad has had to stop his car for koalas to cross the road in Picnic Bay and Horseshoe Bay, and I’ve spotted them in random trees in Nelly Bay, Arcadia and Horseshoe Bay. Not all is lost if you don’t see a koala on the Forts Walk, I promise!

Remember, koalas aren’t the only creatures you can see in the wild on Magnetic Island either. You will pass many kangaroos and rock wallabies along the way, plus some curlews and cane toads for good luck. You’ve got to love tropical north Queensland!

For more info on Magnetic Island, check out my guide HERE

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Reader interactions.

August 19, 2012 at 8:41 pm

Nice photos, the baby koala is soooooooooooo cute!

August 19, 2012 at 9:53 pm

It turned out well hey :) I am very happy with my photo! Thanks for reading mum x

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Selina Magnetic Island Wildlife Park Tour

Immerse yourself in the wonders of Australian wildlife on one of these daily tours led by knowledgeable, Magnetic Island rangers

Selina Magnetic Island Wildlife Park Tour Highlights

• Get up to 10% cash back per person when you book with us

2 daily tours led by knowledgeable rangers

Enjoy c aptivating local stories + personal experiences with native Australian wildlife

Wrap a python around you, pat Harry the wombat + meet an adorable Koala family

Gain important conservation insights

Suitable for all ages

Small, personalised tour

Why Do We Love This

The Koala Park proudly holds an Advanced Eco Tourism status and is a member of Australia's Zoo and Aquarium Association.

What to Expect

Adventure and wonder collide in this unforgettable experience with Australia's unique wildlife.

Immerse yourself in the magic of Magnetic Island as knowledgeable onsite rangers guide you through a tour filled with captivating stories and personal encounters.

Get ready for an up-close and...

Frequently Asked Questions about Selina Magnetic Island Wildlife Park Tour

Where does the tour depart from, reviews for selina magnetic island wildlife park tour.

Total review count and overall rating based on Backpackerdeals and Travello reviews.

All Reviews

Amazing tour with small group!

Awesome, even better than expected, loved everything about it.

Tour guide was great and can tell the animals are treated really well in there. A lovely activity to do if you’re visiting magnetic!

It was a very nice experience, I liked it to pet the Australian animals. The guides were very friendly too.

Loved it. Relaxed. And informative. Emma and Matt were excellent.

Fun and interactive tour, Ranger Fabian was very knowledgeable and entertaining. Def worth it to see and pet the wombat!

I would never thought I appreciate the chunkiness of Wombat. He was So CUTE! 10/10!!

The passion of our guide combined with the unique and tactile experience made this family experience unforgettable. Highly recommended for all ages.

So awesome! A must for animal lovers or anyone who wants to know what creatures make Magnetic Island special! I went by myself and had a great time meeting the animals and learning about them. Unfortunately, the island buses were running behind and I missed my tour time by 15 minutes. Thankfully, everyone working at Selina is super nice and helpful; they got me into the tour area quickly so that I wouldn't miss any more of it. It was really easy to purchase tickets and I enjoyed myself immensely!

The Magnetic Island Wildlife Park Tour was a tonne of fun! It was a memorable and exciting experience thanks to up-close interactions with cute koalas, cuddly wombats, and other local species. Learning was made enjoyable by the guides, and the park's dedication to conservation was inspiring. A wildlife lovers' must-try!

• Please arrive 15 minutes prior to departure at 8:15am at the Selina Reception Deck,  the ranger will collect you at 8:30am sharp for the start of your Aussie Breakfast experience.
• No koala photos are on offer through Selina's commitment to education and...

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund  

All customer cancellation & refund requests are also subject to our website’s own  refund conditions .

Tour Operator

Selina Magnetic Island & The Koala Park

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Selina Magnetic Island & The Koala Park - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024) - Tripadvisor

Selina Magnetic Island & The Koala Park

• See all photos

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SELINA MAGNETIC ISLAND & THE KOALA PARK (Horseshoe Bay) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Our Complete Guide to Magnetic Island

Magnetic Island, or Maggie as the locals call it, is a little piece of paradise just 20 minutes off the coast of Townsville, Northern Queensland. With twenty-three beautiful sandy bays, coral reefs, and a huge population of koalas, it’s a surprise Magnetic Island has somehow remained a hidden gem after all these years.

The first time I visited Magnetic Island was during my backpacking trip around Australia many moons ago (2003 if I am not mistaken). What I remembered of the island then, were the incredible deserted beaches and walking so much that my feet were covered in blisters.

A few weeks ago, Simon announced that he had to visit the island for work. Working on a tropical island kind of sucked for him but it was good for me! I decided I was going to tag along and explore while he worked. It’s a hard life for some of us I suppose!

I can now report that Magnetic Island has changed a little in the last 19 years. But some things didn’t change; the beaches are still absolutely breathtaking, and I once again walked so many miles that I was covered in blisters!

If you are planning a trip to Maggie, read on for our complete guide to exploring this Queensland gem .

How long should you stay on Magnetic Island?

On my first visit to Magnetic Island, I stayed for 3 days. This time around, I spent 4 days on there and did not get bored. There is so much to do and although many people only do a day trip from Townsville, I highly recommend staying at least a night or two to see more of what the island has to offer.

How to get to Magnetic Island?

Magnetic Island is just off the coast of Townsville. You can fly directly into Townsville Airport, or, depending on where you are coming from, you can drive.  Flights are quick; 2 hours from Brisbane, 2 hours, 45 minutes from Sydney or 3 hours from Melbourne.

Once in Townsville airport, it’s a quick 10-minute taxi ride to the Magnetic Island ferries. The taxi fare is approximately $20 . Uber is also available in Townsville.

Townsville City Shuttle  also operates from the airport to the Ferry Terminal and costs $10 for one person or $15 for a couple.

There are two types of ferry going to the island. There’s the Magnetic Island car ferry if you are bringing your own car, or the Sealink Passenger Ferry if not.

The cost to bring your own car is $216 return, so we wouldn’t recommend doing this unless you are staying at least a couple of days. Car hire is available on the island. The adult passenger return fare on the Sealink Passenger Ferry is $34 . However, you’ll need to purchase your tickets online to get those prices. Prices are a little bit higher if purchased at the terminal.

How to get around in Magnetic Island?

Although the island is quite small, the easiest way to explore it is by car. If you haven’t brought your own car with you, there are a few car rentals on the island.

The most popular cars to rent on Maggie are the Tropical Topless Cars ,  which look like a Barbie convertible. However, a few roads on the island can only be accessed by 4WD (including the road to West Point), so consider that also. There are car hire places across from the ferry but we would recommend booking prior to arrival.

If you don’t feel comfortable driving, you can also catch the public Sunbus. Click here for  fares, schedules and more information . If you are going to use the bus more than twice in a day, it is cheaper to get a day pass which is $7.60 .

And of course, walking is a good way to explore the island; just bring comfy shoes!!

What to do on Magnetic Island?

You are absolutely spoiled with how much there is to see and do on Magnetic Island! If you enjoy the outdoors, wildlife, swimming, and snorkelling, then Magnetic Island will blow you away. Here is a list of all the wonderful things you can do while visiting Maggie!

Snorkelling

Magnetic Island is located within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, so you can’t go there and not snorkel. There are two snorkelling trails right off the beach that you can easily follow on your own, one in Geoffrey Bay and one in Nelly Bay, right next to the Base Backpackers.

If you don’t have your own snorkelling gear, they can easily be rented on the island. You can also pick up a swim card with the trail details from one of the many retail outlets. These cards have useful information about the coral and fish you will see.

Other than the two snorkelling trails, I found the snorkelling in Florence Bay and Arthur Bay to be fantastic as well. The coral was especially nice in Arthur Bay, and I even saw a turtle. Florence Bay has many huge fish, white tip reef sharks and stingrays.

Tackle the Fort Walk

For the best views across Magnetic Island and the chance to see a koala, the Fort Walk is a must. This walk starts at the Forts Walk carpark on Horseshoe Bay Road. There is a bus stop if you are using public transport.

It’s a very popular walk which leads up to some historic World War II fortifications and bunkers. The best views of the island are from the top of the large fortifications, which are accessible by ladder. 

The Forts Walk is also one of the best places on the island to spot the resident Koalas. We were told by locals that if we didn’t see a koala on this walk, we were either blind or not looking hard enough. They weren’t wrong, as about halfway to the top we saw a group of people pointing their zoom lenses up to the treetops. Funnily enough, a large koala was nearby, snoozing high up in the tree.

Visit the Rock Wallabies

You might have spotted koalas on the Fort Walk; Geoffrey Bay will guarantee you sightings of many small Rock Wallabies who live in the rocky hillside on the northeast headland.

The best time to see them is around 5.00PM in the afternoon or at sunset. The Rock Wallabies are right near the carpark so it’s super easy to see them and you don’t have to walk far. You are not supposed to feed them, however there were many people feeding them carrots and apples, which is probably why they turn up every night.

Take a boat trip with Aquascene

Another way to see the beauty of Magnetic Island is by taking a boat trip with Aquascene. Aquascene will take you to several of the island’s secluded bays and beaches where you can swim, snorkel, or paddle board.

I took their half day discovery tour which is their most popular tour. All tours are different and depend on the weather and water conditions. The tour I joined started with a snorkel in Arthur Bay, then one in Florence Bay and ended up going all around the island and visiting the 5 bays on the northern side of the island. I had an amazing morning with Aquascene and I highly recommend seeing the island from the water with them.

Take a hike to Balding and Radical Bay

Hiking to a remote beach is always rewarding, especially when you can take a dip in crystal clear water upon arrival. One of the most popular hikes to do near Horseshoe Bay is the hike to Balding and Radical Bay. Both bays are spectacular and almost deserted.

The walk down Balding Bay is a little harder than to Radical Bay, but I’d recommend doing both as both bays are worth the detour. Bear in mine that Balding Bay is a nudist beach, however you don’t have to go nude if you want to swim there.

Check out the view at Hawking’s Point

The track to Hawking’s Points starts at the eastern end of Picnic Street in Picnic Bay and follows a path that winds around large granite boulders and Hoop Pines to the top of a massive fenced boulder. There, you can enjoy spectacular views over the island and all the way south to Cape Cleveland and west to Townsville. Hawking’s Point is one of the best places to watch sunrise on Magnetic Island.

Take a walk along the Picnic Bay Pier

After your walk to Hawking’s Point, don’t forget to check out the iconic Pier of Picnic Bay. Take a stroll along the pier and look out for marine life. If you are lucky, you may spot a turtle or a dugong. The pier is a good spot to snorkel but also a very popular spot for fishing.

And of course, you need the obligatory under the pier shot!

Hike from Nelly Bay to Arcadia

If you are an early riser and enjoy a good hike, the Nelly Bay to Arcadia hike is great exercise! It’s a nine-kilometre loop that passes through a vine-thicket pocket, climbs gradually to the saddle between Nelly and Horseshoe Bays and then follows a ridge with views over Horseshoe Bay. The track then branches, with one track leading to Arcadia Bay and the other to Horseshoe Bay Road, where you can continue to other tracks.

It is best to start early because it gets hot and sweaty. Be prepared and make sure you bring a lot of water with you.

Relax on the beach

There isn’t any shortage of beaches on Magnetic Island, so take your pick. Alma Bay is the most popular swimming beach and it’s easy to see why. It’s stunning, patrolled and it has very easy access with a bus stop right next door.

However, if you’d rather have a beach more to yourself, you will need to hike a bit for it. Florence Bay, Radical Bay, Balding Bay and Arthur Bay are all a hike away from the main road but once there you won’t regret it. As mentioned earlier, Florence Bay and Arthur Bay are also great for snorkelling.

Of course, there are many more, Picnic Bay, Nelly Bay, Rocky Bay, Geoffrey Bay, Horseshoe Bay. And the best part is that they are all absolutely stunning. So, as I said take your pick! Or, if you have time, try them all and choose your favourite.

Lookout for birdlife

Magnetic island is heaven for wildlife. Besides the Koalas and Rock Wallabies, you will likely spot a lot of birdlife as well. The Island is home to over 186 types of birds including Blue-winged Kookaburras, Sulphur-crested Cockatoos, Brahminy Kites and the island’s iconic Bush-stone Curlew. These birds make a lot of noise and I personally loved hearing the sound of the birds every time I went for a walk. The sounds of the Curlews and Kookaburras are especially worth hearing!

Sunset at Horseshoe Bay

There are two spots on the island to watch the sunset. One, West Point, is on the western side of the island but it is only accessible by 4WD. The other is Horseshoe Bay which is the most popular spot thanks to its easy accessibility. Watching the sunset from this big sandy bay amongst the palm trees was certainly a beautiful end to the day.

Where to stay?

Peppers blue on blue.

Peppers Blue on Blue is right next to the ferry terminal in Nelly Bay and has a variety of rooms, including resort-style suites and 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments. Some offer beautiful marina and mountain views. Each room is equipped with an ensuite bathroom, private balcony, and flat-screen TV. The resort features a large outdoor swimming pool and a day spa offering an extensive menu of treatments. Find their latest prices here .

Tropical Palms Resort & 4WD Hire 

Just 200 m from Picnic Bay Beach, Tropical Palms Inn offers air-conditioned rooms with a kitchenette and a private balcony or courtyard. Facilities include an outdoor swimming pool and a barbecue area set in lovely gardens. The very friendly owners at the tour desk can book fishing and sailing trips around the island. The resort also features laundry facilities, car rental and a safety deposit box. Free parking is available on site. Find their latest prices here.

Base Backpackers Magnetic Island

Base Backpackers Magnetic Island hostel is situated on the beach and right next to one of the snorkelling trails. The Base Backpackers Hostel dorm and private double rooms are cleaned daily, with all beds made up with fresh clean linen. Find their latest prices here .

Bungalow Bay Koala Village 

Bungalow Bay Koala Village is 5 minutes’ walk from Horseshoe Bay and the beach. It showcases open-air building designs and communal spaces for guests. Daily wildlife tours are conducted on site with onsite rangers offering an educational experience with Australian wildlife at Bungalow Bay Koala Village. Free bird feeding is offered daily is. Find their latest prices here.

Other Accommodation

If none of those work for you, use the search box below to search across all the major accommodation websites.

Where to eat?

This is a great little restaurant in Picnic Bay with delicious authentic Italian food. It’s a lovely setting with an undercover and an open seating area and it’s just over the road from the beach. It’s good value with delicious pizzas, pasta dishes, and antipasto. BYO alcohol but soft drinks are available to purchase and there is a bottle shop just 2 minutes walk away.

The Early Bird

This is a popular place, situated right on the beachfront in Horseshoe Bay. If you’re after some yummy food and great coffee to start your day, The Early Bird should be on your list.

Scallywags Café

Scallywags Cafe is in the very heart of Nelly Bay and offers delicious healthy meals and fairtrade coffees in a fun-filled, family-friendly atmosphere with a theatrical pirate crew.

Barefoot Art Food and Wine

Overlooking beautiful Horseshoe Bay, Barefoot restaurant offers visitors a relaxed, mouth-watering dining experience, and a wine list that will please even the most discerning palette.

SOS – Stuffed on Seafood

This is the place to come for the best seafood on the island. On the menu are fresh and affordable fish & chips, oysters, lobsters, sashimi, calamari, prawns, and everything in between!

Choose to dine in or take away and check out their great value seafood packs to get a taste of everything. It gets packed, so be prepared to wait.

Saltwater Restaurant

If you are after fine dining, Saltwater is one of the best places to eat on the island. They offer modern Australian & Asian fusion, with a focus on quality poultry and fresh seafood. Book ahead.

Smugglers Wine Bar

This little wine bar is very popular with locals and tourists alike. The bar offers up something a little different, with a selection of interesting and delicious tapas dishes, craft beers and quality wines, all which can be enjoyed on the peaceful front deck. The owner is super friendly and will tell you many stories.

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A Magical Day Trip to Magnetic Island

On a day trip to Magnetic Island, you’ll have a magical time relaxing on palm-fringed beaches, walking through the National Park and meeting koalas and wallabies in their natural habitat. Located within the UNESCO World Heritage Marine Park in the Coral Sea, Magnetic Island is surrounded by coral reefs and is one of many beautiful islands on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef .

If you’re wondering what to do on Magnetic Island for a day , you’ll be spoilt for choice with a fun selection of outdoor activities like hiking, swimming and snorkelling. It’s an easy place to visit for a day and offers a wide choice of activities whether you’re travelling alone in Australia or have company.

I spent several days exploring Magnetic Island on a solo trip to far north Queensland and on the same trip, I also discovered beautiful Fitzroy Island , the Low Isles , and stunning Green Island , a coral cay on the Great Barrier Reef near Cairns. Magnetic Island is around 300 kilometres south of Cairns and just a short ferry ride from Townsville in Queensland.

A Magnetic Island day trip is an opportunity to get back to nature. Highlights for me were the sweeping coastal views, gorgeous beaches and bushwalking in a landscape teeming with native wildlife. The island is the home of rock wallabies, endangered koalas, turtles and a variety of butterflies, and birds.

This Magnetic Island guide outlines the best things to see and do and includes a variety of activities so that you can tailor your Magnetic Island day trip itinerary to suit your interests.

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Table of Contents

What to do on a day trip to Magnetic Island?

Below are the best things to do on Magnetic Island if you’re there for a day or longer:  

Magnetic Island Beaches

On a day trip to Magnetic Island, visiting the island’s beautiful beaches, hidden coves and popular swimming spots is a pleasure. There are 23 bays and beaches to choose from if swimming and relaxing on the sand are a priority. Below are the most popular Magnetic Island beaches that are easily accessible by bus and car.

Alma Bay in Arcadia is the prettiest little beach you can imagine, and it’s the perfect place to visit on a Magnetic Island day trip. Considered one of Australia’s most beautiful beaches and lined with trees, Alma Bay beach backs onto a lovely lawn and park area and is the ideal spot for a picnic and a swim. Rock wallabies live on the rocky headland, and it’s a short walk to Geoffrey Bay to see them up close.

Horseshoe Bay on the other side of the island has a lovely big beach with golden sand and turquoise water. It’s one of the best beaches to visit on a day trip to Magnetic Island. You can swim here all year round in the netted area and be protected from stingers. The shoreline is shaded by ancient trees with huge root systems and there’s a good selection of cafes and restaurants at Horseshoe Bay. It’s a great place to stop for lunch and a swim.

Picnic Bay on the opposite side of the island has a lovely quiet beach that’s great for swimming. Fishing and snorkelling from the jetty are also popular here and across the water, you can see Townsville on the mainland in the distance.

There’s a short hike to a fabulous viewpoint at Hawkings Point Lookout on the headland in Picnic Bay with sweeping views across the island and over neighbouring Rocky Bay.

Nelly Bay has a snorkel trail on the Magnetic Island Reef and it’s the first place you’ll see when you arrive on Magnetic Island because it’s where the Townsville Ferry docks. Nearby Geoffrey Bay is also on the reef and has a snorkel trail that’s one of the best places for snorkelling on a Magnetic Island day trip.

Florence Bay and Radical Bay can be accessed in a 4WD via a VERY rough road but Arthur Bay and Balding Bay have beautiful, secluded beaches that can only be accessed on foot. Flat Back and Green Sea Turtles nest on this side of Magnetic Island and if you’re lucky you might see them in the water or on the beach in the summer months.

Magnetic Island Bushwalking

If you’re wondering what to do on Magnetic Island, bushwalking is top of the list. It’s one of the best ways to see the island and a network of bush tracks makes exploring on foot easy and fun. Discovering stunning viewpoints and less visited coves and beaches on a leisurely walk through the National Park is a real pleasure on a day trip to Magnetic Island.

The walking trails are well-marked and easy enough to follow but the island is quite hilly and there are some steep sections. You can walk to all the main beaches on the island. Start walking as soon as you get off the ferry in Nelly Bay or catch the bus from the wharf to the Forts Junction for access to many of the walking tracks in the National Park.

 The Queensland National Parks walking trails summary has all the information you need about the length, grade and duration of the various walks, and this Magnetic Island map shows the different trails around the island.

The most popular hike on the Island is the Forts Walk and it’s the pick of the walks if you’re having trouble deciding what to do on a day trip to Magnetic Island.

The Forts Walk & Koala Spotting

4 kilometres / 2 hours return / Grade 3

The remains of a heritage-listed World War ll military Fort can be found via a walking trail from the Forts Junction. The Fort is strategically located with sweeping views across the island and out to sea. You can see all the way north to Hinchinbrook Island and the Palm Islands from the Fort.

The best time to do the Forts Walk is in the early morning or late afternoon when it’s cooler and the koalas and other wildlife are most active. It’s the perfect way to begin a day trip to Magnetic Island.

As well as exploring the island’s history and what’s left of the WW ll Fort, the Forts Walk takes you through a eucalypt and acacia woodland where a colony of koalas live.

Koalas are now an endangered species and Magnetic Island is one of the best places in Australia to see them in their natural habitat. while you’re walking to the Fort, there’s a good chance of seeing a koala or two but they can be hard to spot sleeping in the trees.

If you’re unlucky and you don’t see one or you just want to spend more time with koalas, you can visit the Koala Sanctuary in Horseshoe Bay.

Magnetic Island Koala Sanctuary

At the Magnetic Island Koala Sanctuary, you’ll have the opportunity to get up close and personal with koalas and other native wildlife. And, for a small fee, you can hold a koala and have your photo taken as a souvenir. Magnetic Island in Australia is one of the few places where holding a koala is possible.

At the Koala Sanctuary, there are wildlife presentations several times during the day, and you can also join a tour with one of the rangers and learn all about the resident native animals. As well as koalas, the sanctuary keeps wombats, turtles, pythons and crocodiles. 

The Koala Sanctuary is in Horseshoe Bay at Bungalow Bay Koala Village, and you can catch the bus from the wharf in Nelly Bay.  

Another lovely and very accessible walk on Magnetic Island is the Gabul Way. You can begin this walk at the ferry wharf in Nelly Bay as soon as you arrive on your day trip to Magnetic Island. Walk to the main road then turn right and follow the road over the headland to Geoffrey Bay.

There’s an elevated walkway beside the road that’s safe for children and accessible for most people. On the pathway, there are places where you can stop to rest and admire the beautiful coastal views and it took me around half an hour to walk to Alma Bay Beach.

Walk to Florence Bay

Begin the walk to Florence Bay at the Fort Junction on the Fort Walking Trail or at Horseshoe Bay. The Fort Walk returns to Fort Junction but there’s also an option to continue to Florence Bay from the Fort.

I decided to walk on to Horseshoe Bay and followed the path down a steep set of stairs to lovely, secluded Florence Bay, Radical Bay and by mistake, Balding Bay. I got a bit lost on the trail there and eventually found my way to beautiful Horseshoe Bay which was a great place to stop for lunch at the popular Cafe Nourish.

Magnetic Island Rock Wallabies

A small colony of native Rock Wallabies live on the rocky headland between Alma Bay and Geoffrey Bay and the best time to see them is in the late afternoon or early morning. Walk around Geoffrey Bay to the old Arcadia Jetty Road and at the end of the road you’ll find the wallabies.

Alternatively, you can catch the bus to Alma Bay in Arcadia and it’s a short 10-minute walk from the bus stop by the beach to the colony of rock wallabies at the old jetty.

Magnetic Island Butterflies

In the winter months, from April to September, butterflies can be found in Horseshoe Bay. Blue Tiger Butterflies flit around and rest on the vegetation in the forest just off Horseshoe Bay Road. The best time to visit the butterfly forest is in the middle of the afternoon. Just follow the path through the trees.

I was enchanted by the pretty butterflies here, but the area was a bit swampy and there were lots of mosquitos as well.

Magnetic Island Snorkel Trail

Magnetic Island is in the Coral Sea on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and snorkelling is a popular activity. In fact, Magnetic Island is one of the top 10 spots to snorkel in Queensland.

There are 2 snorkel trails on Magnetic Island that begin at Nelly Bay and at Geoffrey Bay. For directions to the snorkel trail, and information about the coral and fish you’ll see when you’re snorkelling, collect a swim card from one of the shops in Nelly Bay. Strap the card to your wrist and when you’re in the water, look for the white numbers floating on the surface of the water. They’ll guide you around the snorkel trail.

Magnetic Island also has a shipwreck in Cockle Bay and the remains of a WW II plane, near the Moltke shipwreck 140 metres from the shore in Nelly Bay. It’s a fair way out from the beach and recommended for strong swimmers only.

Stay safe and book a snorkel discovery tour with a local guide if you’re not a strong swimmer and you’d like to snorkel or dive on Magnetic Island.

Magnetic Island Dangers

During the summer from November to April, dangerous Box Jellyfish and Irukandji Jellyfish can be found in the waters of the Coral Sea around Magnetic Island. To protect yourself make sure you wear a lycra stinger suit in the summer months or stay out of the water.

Dangerous Saltwater Crocodiles are sometimes seen in the waters around Magnetic Island but luckily they are not common. Get local advice about whether it’s safe to swim before you enter the water.

Other Magnetic Island activities

Other Magnetic Island activities include all kinds of water sports such as kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, diving, boat tours, jet ski tours, fishing and horse riding.

If you like fishing, head to Picnic Bay Jetty. It’s a popular fishing spot with a lovely view all the way across the water to Townsville on the mainland.

While you’re in Picnic Bay, call in at the History and Craft Centre or catch the bus to Arcadia and visit the local Art Gallery .

Where is Magnetic Island?

Magnetic Island is in Cleveland Bay, 8 kilometres offshore from Townsville in Queensland It’s one of many tropical islands of the Great Barrier Reef on the east coast of Australia.

How to get to Magnetic Island

To get to Magnetic Island in Australia, head to Townsville in Queensland and catch the ferry across to the island.

Magnetic Island Ferry from Townsville

There are 2 ferries from Townville to Magnetic Island and they operate from 2 different locations in Townsville.

The Sealink Passenger Ferry is the most frequent service, and it takes approximately 20 minutes to make the crossing from Townsville to Nelly Bay on Magnetic Island. The passenger ferries depart regularly starting at 05:30 am (06:30 am on Sundays). The last ferry leaves Magnetic Island at 11:00 pm (10:00 pm on Sundays).

The Car Ferry to Magnetic Island leaves from the Magnetic Island Ferry terminal, a different terminal to the Sealink passenger ferry in Townsville. The Magnetic Island Ferry takes around 40 minutes to reach the island from Townsville. The price for the car ferry rises as the boat fills up so it’s best to book the Magnetic Island Car Ferry in advance. Check the timetable for the Magnetic Island Car Ferry here.

Flying to Townsville

The quickest way to get to Magnetic Island is to fly to Townsville airport, get a taxi or a shuttle bus to the Sealink Passenger Ferry terminal and catch the ferry across to Magnetic Island.

Train to Townsville

The Spirit of Queensland train service operates 5 times a week between Brisbane and Cairns. If you’re travelling overland, catching the train is a comfortable way to get to Townsville. The train journey takes around 6 hours from Cairns and 18 hours from Brisbane’s Roma Street Station. You’ll need to catch a bus or a taxi to the Ferry terminal from the station in Townsville.

Bus to Townsville

Premier and Greyhound bus services operate between Brisbane and Cairns and stop in Townsville. The trip from Brisbane to Townsville takes around 25 hours on the bus and from Cairns, it’s around 5 hours. Coach travel is the cheapest and most convenient way to get to Magnetic Island and the bus will drop you right at the Sealink Ferry Terminal.

Car Travel to Magnetic Island

It’s a long way by road to Magnetic Island from Brisbane. If you’re driving to Magnetic Island, the road trip is around 1,400 kilometres and takes approximately 16 hours. And you can take your car across to Magnetic Island on the Magnetic Island Car Ferry or leave it safely in the Magnetic Island Ferry Car Park in Townsville.

How to Get around Magnetic Island

It’s easy to get around once you’re on Magnetic Island. A bus service operates regularly throughout the day and stops in many places of interest on the island. But if you don’t have a car and you’d like to drive, you can hire a car or a jeep in Nelly Bay.

I used the bus and found it a good way to get around the island. The bus picks up passengers at the wharf at Nelly Bay and the bus driver kindly stopped right outside my hotel when I first arrived which was very helpful with my luggage.

If you’re on a day trip to Magnetic Island, check the bus route on the Sunbus map . The Sunbus service connects Picnic Bay and Horseshoe Bay with the Magnetic Island Ferry at Nelly Bay.

You can buy a day pass and hop on and off the bus whenever you like. It’s a cheap and convenient way to explore the island.

Magnetic Island tours

Joining a Magnetic Island day tour is another great way to see the island and maximise the time you have. Here are some Magnetic Island tour suggestions:

Magnetic Island Accommodation

If a day trip to Magnetic Island is not enough for you and you’d like to stay longer, there are a wide variety of accommodation options on the Island to suit all budgets. Here are some suggestions.

Budget: Nomads Backpackers has a stunning location on the clifftops overlooking Rocky Bay and has dorms and private rooms. This hostel is a bit out of the way but the bus stops on the doorstep and there’s a walkway beside the road to Picnic Bay.

I stayed at the CStay Motel in Picnic Bay. My room was clean and compact with a shared bathroom. This motel has a pool, a pretty garden and a cute dog but there was no hot water in the shared showers. I liked the quiet location, away from the busier places on Magnetic Island and the motel was a short walk from the Picnic Bay beach, jetty and pub. It’s a good budget option on Magnetic Island.

Mid-range : The Arcadia Village Motel has a fabulous location near beaches and restaurants and gets excellent reviews.

Luxury : Peppers Blue on Blue is a 5-star resort that gets excellent reviews for its ideal location, just a short walk from the ferry, bus and shops in Nelly Bay on Magnetic Island.

Final Thoughts – What to do on Magnetic Island for a day

Magnetic Island in Australia is a gorgeous place to slow down and get back to nature. 70% of the island is a National Park and the 5 main beaches are easily accessible by local bus, by car or on foot.

I loved visiting Magnetic Island and enjoyed visiting Cairns. This Magnetic Island day trip itinerary has lots of things for solo travellers to do especially if you’re happy to go hiking and exploring on your own.  

There’s a World War ll Fort and a choice of walking trails and lookout points that deliver stunning views of the island and beyond. A colony of koalas live on the island and there are rock wallabies and butterflies in abundance on this pristine isle.

On a Magnetic Island day trip, you’ll be able to explore some of the main sights but with an extra day or 2, you can explore more of the hiking trails and coastal paths that connect the different parts of the island.

This Magnetic Island day trip itinerary outlines the best things to do but there are other beautiful islands to explore on a trip to Cairns in far north Queensland . I had trouble deciding if I should visit Green Island or Fitzroy Island so I went to them all.

The UNESCO World Heritage rainforests of far north Queensland are also worth visiting while you’re in the area. It’s around 360 kilometres from the ancient Daintree Rainforest to Magnetic Island and the rainforests cover 12,000 square kilometres of Queensland all the way from Townsville to the Daintree.

Is 1 day on Magnetic Island enough?

1 Day on Magnetic Island is enough time to get a taste of the Island and visit the best beaches. But 2 or 3 days is better for many people, and especially for wildlife lovers and walkers because you’ll have more time to explore the walking trails and viewpoints and discover secluded coves and pretty beaches away from the other visitors.

Do you need a car on Magnetic Island?

No, you don’t need a car on Magnetic Island. You can explore the island by bus or on foot. There’s a reliable bus service that meets the passenger ferry and connects the main beaches and suburbs on the island. There are also lots of walking trails and it’s a pleasure to walk around Magnetic Island.

Is Magnetic Island worth visiting for a day?

Yes, Magnetic Island is worth visiting for a day. Magical Magnetic Island is a stunning island in Queensland with beautiful beaches, coral reefs, bushlands and native wildlife. If you’re wondering what to do on Magnetic Island for a day, you’ll be spoilt for choice with a fun selection of outdoor activities like bushwalking, swimming and snorkelling.

Visiting Magnetic Island is definitely worthwhile, but if you only have a day, you’ll want to start early because there’s lots to do. A day trip to Magnetic Island is enough time to see the best beaches and meet some of the wildlife and it’s the perfect place for nature lovers. You can drive or catch the bus across the island to Beautiful Horseshoe Bay, and see koalas, butterflies and rock wallabies in their natural habitat.

Why is Magnetic Island called Magnetic Island?

Captain Cook discovered Magnetic Island when he first sailed around Australia in 1770. He experienced some problems navigating near Magnetic Island and thought there was a magnetic field around the island that was affecting his compass.

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Linda is a travel blogger and teacher from Australia. She loves to travel solo and over the years she’s visited around 50 countries on 5 different continents. Her recent trips include volunteer teaching in an orphanage in Uganda, swimming with sea turtles on the stunning islands of the Great Barrier Reef and a jaunt to Java and Bali climbing volcanos, visiting ancient sacred places and zipping around on the back of a motorbike.

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I didn’t know about this island in Australia! Looks like a fun day trip to try with friends or family. Thanks for sharing your tips!

I hadn’t heard of this place until now! Looks like such a fabulous place to explore😊

Ooooohh I have always wanted to go to Magnetic Island but unfortunately never made it that far! Love the info on the beaches and wildlife, will deffo be saving this for a future trip!

Magnetic island sounds wonderful as a (multi-) day trip. Would love to explore the beaches and spot butterflies, koalas and rock wallabies.

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Magnetic Island: MTB and Koalas

After Mission Beach we reached Townsville , the largest tropical city in Queensland. The place is lovely with its marina, its beautiful lookout from Castle Hill and also Magnetic Island you can reach by ferry. It was expensive ($32/person) but the island discovered by Captain Cook and his spinning compass crazy is a really nice paradise where lives the widest population of wild koala in all Australia.

The day before the trip, I called Sam, the owner of Outer Limits Adventure . He is a really nice person and he offered us a great deal: 7 excellent condition mountain bikes with 29 inches wheels (we call those mountain bikes “29er”) for $150. Usually to get a bike like that, you have to spend around $40 a day. It is the price I paid to Graham, owner of BikeStop Expresso, for my day trip in Smithfield Mountain Bike Park.

The island is hilly and you have a lot of trails to ride. We had a flat tyre after half an hour but after checked the pressure in every tyres we didn’t have any trouble. Florence Bay is my favourite spot with a really cool shelter on the sand near to the sea.

We rode all the day long without see any koala but on the way back to the ferry, we were lucky. A 4WD behind me on a steep road started to overtake me but then stopped. The reason? There was a wild koala looking the sunset from the top of its eucalyptus. Everybody was tired after a 40 km ride with the head looking down the floor. This unexpected meeting made everybody happy and gave us enough energy to finish our big loop to the ferry.

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