Magnetic Island Things to Do

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Horseshoe Bay is located on the northshore of the island. You can find eveything here: shops, hotels, hostels, cafés and restaurants, and a very long and nice beach, in fact the island's longest beach. The atmosphere is very relaxed, which makes it a beautiful spot. You can see a lot of people doing watersports, walking with their dogs or just relaxing at the beach.
The island's bus runs from Picnic Bay to Horseshoe Bay, with stops in Nelly Bay and Arcadia/Alma Bay in between, so you can reach it easily from all the major places. As the busses do not run that often, it might be good to check times before you go.

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If you walk east of the beach, you can find a nice little walking track, Radical Bay and Balding Bay, leading to two smaller beaches with interesting bunkers and other remnants from World War Two. I didn't go that far and didn't see those, but even the beginning of the walks was very nice. If you go east, you cannot miss it. It first leads through a small forest where you can also find interesting boulders.

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Alma Bay in Arcadia is a very small beach. I didn't like it that much because it is so small, but I think it is very nice for children as it is much sheltered. There is a nice picnic lawn and a playground. There are als shops, cafés and restaurants.
You can reach Alma Bay by sunbus, but please check times in advance, as they don't go very often.

If you want to hold and cuddle a Koala then just visit Bungalow Bay Koala Village located at 40 Horseshoe Bay. This is a fab place to take the kids or if you have never experienced holding a Koala or snake, then hop into the Koala Village. Its very touristy but well worth a visit for some serious fun.

There are 3 daily shows 10am-12noon, 12-2pm, 2:30pm - 4.30pm

This island would be fabulous to sail around as most of the island is inaccessible by car. I would imagine you would get to see the BEST of the island by sailing around it.

Jazz Sailing Tours operate a days journey around the island. - Ph: 4758 1887

OR

Blue Parrot Sunset Cruise - departs from Horseshoe Bay 5pm. Costs AUD$60.00 - 3hrs.
Tel :47 581 336

OR

Providence - www.providencesailing.com.au (which to me looked fab).

You happen to enjoy a little fishing there are some excellent fishing tours available on Magnetic Island.

Please not fishing is not ALLOWED in Floence, Alma, Geoffrey, Radical or Balding Bays as these beaches are classified as Marine National Parks.

For getting the best advice about where to fish check out these tours.

All around Magnetic - 0413 697 820
Barnacle Bill - 4758 1837

For hire of fishing gear - Fish'n N Fuel'N - in Nelly Bay has all the gear required.

There are so many wonderful snorkeling and diving spots on Magnetic Island, you could say your in snorkel ling heaven !

The most popular spot being at Geoffrey Bay, for diving fans one can seek out the wreck of Moltke which sank in the 1900's. It's located approx 100metres off shore, I'm sure any of the locals will point the spot out to you.

Most water sport equipment can be hired at Alma Bay or at Coral Sea Sports in Nelly Bay.

Reef Ecotours - with local marine Biologist Dr Andy lewis. www.reefecotours.com

Pleasure Divers - Arkies Resort Alma Bay.

Ocean Dive Australia - at Nelly Bay.

There are numerous walking tracks throughout Magnetic Island. One could spend a week just walking the tracks !

Just pick up your walking maps from any tourist information centre in Townsville or Magnetic Island.

Here are a few walks worth mentioning.

Picnic Bay to West Point - 5hrs
Horseshoe Bay to the Lagoon - short 30mins
Horseshoe Bay to Balding Bay - 1hr return.