Magnetic Island
Tourism

... More >

went wrong when he sailed past it in 1770. During the 19th C a number of small holiday resorts were established along the east coast; at the end of the century tourists began to come and a ferry service was started.

Access is from the landing stage in Flinders Street East, near the Great Barrier Reef Wonderland, ferries (including car ferries) take less than half an hour to reach Magnetic Island and its chief town, Picnic Bay. There are so many competing services that it is worth while shopping around for the best price. There are buses between Picnic Bay and Horseshoe Bay.

Accommodation Magnetic Island has a wide range of accommodation for visitors in all price categories.

The east side of the island is well developed, with tarred roads. From Picnic Bay a road runs along the coast to Horseshoe Bay. The north and west coasts can be reached only on walking trails. Within the national park itself a huge bird sanctuary, and occupying more than two-thirds of the island, is Mount Cook (497m), from which there are superb views. The island can be explored on numerous walking trails. There are beaches and resort complexes on Picnic Bay, Nelly Bay, Arcadia, Horseshoe Bay, Radical Bay and Alma Bay. There are also good diving grounds. A particular attraction is Shark World, a salt-water aquarium on Nelly Bay and there is also a Koala Sanctuary.