Magnetic Island, Australia: How to Get There, Where to Stay, and What to Do
- Mar 13
- 7 min read
Just 30 minutes by ferry from Townsville, Queensland, you’ll find Magnetic Island — one of the most visited islands by tourists, backpackers, and locals.
Magnetic Island is one of the most beautiful islands in Queensland and one of the best places in Australia to see koalas in the wild, relax on quiet beaches, and explore the island at your own pace.
In this post, we share our trip around Magnetic Island, with incredible beaches, scenic walks, and amazing wildlife.
What You’ll Find in This Guide
📍 Where Magnetic Island is and how to get there – ferry, location and tips
🏠 Where to stay – Nelly Bay vs Horseshoe Bay
🚗 How to get around the island – car, scooters and transport options
🐨 What to do in Magnetic Island – koalas, beaches and activities
🏖️ Best beaches – our favorites on the island
🍴 Where to eat – cafés and local spots
💡 Travel tips & practical info – how many days, transport and useful tips
Where Magnetic Island Is and How to Get There
📍 Location
Magnetic Island is located just 30 minutes by ferry from Townsville, in the state of Queensland, Australia.
At the time, we were staying in Mackay, Queensland, which is about 4 hours by car from Townsville. So if you're traveling around Queensland and have a car, it’s a perfect weekend getaway.
⛴️ Ferry from Townsville
The ferry runs several times a day, starting early in the morning.
The most commonly used company is Magnetic Island ferries, which connects Townsville with the island’s main port.
🚗 Taking Your Car on the Ferry
To reach the island you have two options:
Bring your car on the ferry (recommended)
Rent transportation once you arrive on the island, such as a bike, electric scooter, or car
We brought our own car, and it turned out to be a very convenient option, since the ferry price is per vehicle, not per person, which means up to five people can travel in the same car 😉
The ferry arrives at the island’s port in 📍 Nelly Bay, which is also the area we recommend most for staying.
Where to Stay in Magnetic Island, Australia
Nelly Bay (Our Recommended Area)
We stayed in an Airbnb in the Nelly Bay neighborhood, and we highly recommend it.
It’s the most practical area on the island because you’ll find:
The ferry terminal
Supermarkets
Pharmacies
Restaurants
Most of the accommodation options
In Nelly Bay you’ll also find everything from budget hostels to hotels and rental houses, so there are options for every budget.
Horseshoe Bay
Another great area to stay is Horseshoe Bay, located about 10 minutes by car from Nelly Bay.
It’s a beautiful area with plenty of restaurants, bars, and one of the best beaches on the island.
You can also reach it by bus, although we recommend checking schedules because service isn’t very frequent.
How to Get Around Magnetic Island
As mentioned before, there are several ways to get around the island depending on your budget and travel style.
🚗 Car (Recommended)
You can either:
Bring your own car on the ferry
Rent a car once you arrive on the island
This is the most comfortable way to explore beaches, viewpoints, and different neighborhoods without worrying about schedules
Approximate price: from 110 AUD per day (68€)
🚲 Alternatives Without a Car
Electric Scooters and Bikes
This is one of the most popular options among tourists, since it lets you explore the island freely without relying on schedules.
❗ You need a driver’s license to rent electric scooters.
Approximate price: from 55 AUD per day (34€)
Bus
This is the option we recommend the least, since buses run infrequently and you’ll depend heavily on schedules to move around the island.
However, if you’re traveling on a tight budget, it’s the cheapest option.
Price: 2.80 AUD per trip per person (1,70€)
❗ Cash only ❗
🚶♀️Walking
Although the island isn’t huge, it’s not small enough to explore entirely on foot. Distances between beaches and neighborhoods are long, so we wouldn’t recommend walking as your main way of getting around.
What to Do in Magnetic Island
The Forts Walk and koalas
One of the main reasons travelers visit Magnetic Island is to see koalas in the wild 🐨.
The best place to find them is the Forts Walk, a popular trail you can easily locate on Google Maps. It starts at The Forts Junction, about 10 minutes by car from Nelly Bay.
✔️ The trail is easy and relatively short (4 km)
✔️ It takes around 2 hours to complete
✔️ Wear comfortable clothes and good walking shoes
✔️ The best time to go is early in the morning, before the heat gets too strong
Along the way you’ll find incredible viewpoints overlooking the island, as well as World War II bunkers built when the U.S. military used the island as a defensive base.
🤫 Important tip: ask people you meet on the trail where they’ve spotted koalas. They often hide high up in the trees and can be easy to miss. We were lucky enough to see one near the end of the hike.
The Best Beaches on Magnetic Island
These were our two favorites:
🔴 Picnic Bay
You can reach it by car or by bus. It’s very close to Horseshoe Bay and the island’s main restaurant area.
It’s a beautiful beach with calm water, perfect for spending a relaxing day.
🔴 Florence Bay
You can only reach this beach on foot via the Forts Walk, so we recommend visiting it the same day you do the hike.
It’s one of the most beautiful and peaceful beaches on the island.
Feeding Wallabies in Nelly Bay
Another great experience is feeding wallabies, which are often found near Nelly Bay Beach.
We recommend buying carrots or apples at the supermarket to feed them.
They’re small, friendly animals and are very used to people.
❗ The best time to see more wallabies is around sunset.
Kayak Tour Around the Island
Kayak tours depart from Horseshoe Bay, and you can choose between morning or sunset tours.
Duration: about 2 hours
Price: around 75 AUD (46€)
There’s also the option to rent kayaks without a guide, which is usually cheaper and can be arranged directly on the beach in Horseshoe Bay.
Snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef
If you’re staying on the island for a few days, it’s worth taking a snorkeling tour in the Great Barrier Reef.
⏱ Duration: around 5 hours
Includes:
Snorkeling equipment
Boat transportation
Drinks
Approximate price: 155 AUD (95€)
Where to Eat in Magnetic Island 🍽
The areas with the most restaurant options are Nelly Bay and Horseshoe Bay.
Perfect for the morning. A small takeaway café with pastries and excellent coffee.
Great for the afternoon. We tried the acai bowl, which is very popular in Australia and super refreshing.
For dinner, this restaurant sits right in front of the ocean. We ordered pasta and it was delicious.
Travel tips & practical info – how many days, transport and useful tips
If you’re planning your trip to Magnetic Island, here are a few things we think are worth knowing before you go.
How many days do you need?
Magnetic Island is small and easy to explore:
2–3 days → enough to see the main beaches, do the Forts Walk and relax
3–4 days → ideal if you want to add snorkeling or kayak tours and take things slower
It’s more about relaxing than rushing from place to place.
Should you bring a car?
We would say, definitely yes. We brought our car on the ferry and it made everything much easier: faster access to beaches, more flexibility, no need to depend on bus schedules (which is not really good)
But if you don’t bring a car scooters or buggies are the best alternative.
Ferry tips
Book in advance if you’re traveling in high season
If you’re bringing a car, check availability early
Try to take an early ferry to make the most of your day
How to spot koalas
Go early in the morning and LOOK UP! they’re usually high in the trees
Ask other people on the trail (this really helps us)
They’re not always easy to find, so be patient.
Costs & planning
Accommodation varies depending on the area
Food is mid-range
Tours (like snorkeling) can be more expensive but it is not an expensive islands.
Staying in Nelly Bay is usually the most practical and gives you more options.
Our Experience in Magnetic Island
In our opinion, Magnetic Island is a perfect weekend getaway if you’re already near Townsville or traveling through Queensland.
3–4 days is more than enough to explore the island, enjoy the beaches, do the main hikes, and relax without rushing.
It’s a destination more focused on slowing down, enjoying the ocean, and good food, making it a great stop during a road trip along Australia’s east coast.
If you’re not traveling around Queensland, it might not be worth flying there just to visit the island.
But if you’re exploring Australia’s east coast, it’s definitely a beautiful, accessible, and highly recommended stop.
🇦🇺 Keep Exploring Australia
Magnetic Island is part of our trip around Australia.If you're planning your route, you can explore all our guides here:
And if you're traveling along the east coast of Australia, these destinations pair perfectly with Magnetic Island:
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