16 of the best things to do on Magnetic Island

These are all the must-dos for a tropical island escape on Queensland’s Magnetic Island.

A beauty spot fetchingly positioned off the Townsville foreshore, Magnetic Island is one of North Queensland’s most rustic and alluring gems. ‘Maggie’, as the island is affectionately called, lives up to her namesake of generating an inescapable pull toward her soft, palm-shaded sands, granite-strewn coastline and sheltered bays all set within the Great Barrier Reef.

An escape to Magnetic Island is not a flop-and-drop deal. You’re not here entirely for the swim-up bar and buffet, although there is that, too. Instead, those who come to Maggie and who can’t stay away from her wild beauty are drawn into her endless drama of shipwrecks and jet skis, high-octane sunsets and neon-hued sea life. Come once and you’re almost certain to come again. Which is just as well, because there’s altogether too much adventure for a single trip.

From snorkelling to meeting koalas, here’s our shortlist of the best things to do on Magnetic Island.

How to get to Magnetic Island

Magnetic Island sits just eight kilometres off the coast of Townsville in North Queensland, making it a stunning presence from many aspects of the city. Its close proximity makes it easy to access via a 25-minute passenger ferry. Sealink (passenger) and Magnetic Island Ferries (car and passenger) both operate seven days a week.

1. Follow the snorkel trails

snorkelling at Nelly Bay, Magnetic Island — Go snorkelling at Nelly Bay, just 100 metres off the beach. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

As part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, it’s no surprise that snorkelling through the impossibly clear waters of Magnetic Island is a veritable treat for the oceanic adventurer. While you can grab your flippers and jump in just about anywhere to be treated to an underwater matinee of colour and activity, to get the best of the show, pick up a Swim Card from retail outlets onshore and head to Nelly Bay or Geoffrey Bay. Strap the card to your wrist and deep dive to follow the numbered white surface floats that will lead you to discover all manner of fish species, corals and even the Moltke shipwreck. If you’re going between November and April, a stinger suit to protect against marine jellyfish is strongly advised.

2. Meet local fauna

a wild koala resting on a tree branch, Magnetic Island — See wild koalas napping at Koala Park Magnetic Island. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Make acquaintance with some of the island’s furred inhabitants by enjoying breakfast with some agreeable koalas at Koala Park Magnetic Island . Every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 8.30am you can enjoy your eggs and pancakes while a wildlife ranger gives you the lowdown on these cute marsupials and a supporting cast of some other Aussie faves. After brekkie, make your way to the end of Old Jetty Road in Arcadia and along the Presto Breakwater to ogle some local rock wallabies. Feeding these sweet little guys is not recommended, as it can lead to sickness and even their death, but if you can’t resist, a small scattering of wallaby pellets is preferable.

3. Cruise into the sunset

an aerial view of a yacht sailing at sunset, Magnetic Island — Sail away at sunset. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

While it might seem counterintuitive to sail away from paradise, slipping toward the sunset as Magnetic Island shrinks behind you is a very agreeable way to spend the golden hours of the day. Rest assured, you’ll be returned to the island after a two-hour cruise into Cleveland Bay on a 58-foot yacht with Pilgrim Sail . While you’re drifting into the ebbing sunlight, enjoy unlimited beers and organic Aussie wines alongside a cheese platter. Or, if you happen to be on Maggie at the right time, embark on a mystical-sounding full moon cruise. Eco operator Big Mama Sailing will also take you into the sunset and beyond on their 60-foot ketch.

4. Bus about on a 4WD bus tour

On the lesser-visited western side of Magnetic Island, you’ll unearth even greater seclusions, along with extraordinary wildlife and jaw-dropping sunsets. Most tourists never make it to this part of Maggie, so for those with an intrepid spirit, join Mi Ride for an all-terrain bus tour. You can either hop on board for the two-hour sunset tour that spoils passengers with a natural light show of the Coral Sea and the mainland beyond or embark on an eco-adventure, where you’ll discover forests and all manner of waterways, including a thunderous waterfall, on a 3.5-hour guided tour.

5. Get thrills on a jet ski

an aerial view of a jet ski on Horseshoe Bay — Speed away on a jet ski at Horseshoe Bay. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

If you prefer your on-water activities to have a little more get up and go, head to Horseshoe Bay to swing a leg over a jet ski. Magnetic Island Jet Ski will hire you one of theirs to take out for a spin by your lonesome or you can join them on a tour of the island and discover some of Maggie’s most enigmatic and secluded bays and beaches. Go for the 90-minute Five Beach Bays tour, the two-hour Top End Tour or the three-hour Full Island tour. It’s a self-drive thrill complete with intel from knowledgeable guides, access to places you wouldn’t find yourself, and plenty of sea life spotting ops.

6. Sip the island brew

The island might only occupy 52 square kilometres, but that’s certainly big enough to warrant its own nano brewery. The obviously named Maggie Island Brewery can be found in Seasalt Arcade in Picnic Bay brewing up some refreshing and inventive hops. Settle in for a session to sample pints and pots of Jetty Draught, Rob Roy Stout and the Holiday XPA. A tasting paddle will eliminate the tyranny of choice with four core range brews to sip on. To keep you on an even keel, pair your drinks with Latin-inspired tapas from the Amaroo food van.

7. Go for a hike

hikers atop Forts Walk, Magnetic Island — Soak up sweeping views of the island on top of the Forts Walk. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

While Maggie’s encircling waters hold deep allure, her interior and coastal trails are just as likely to fill you with rapture. There are many hikes where you’ll encounter absolutely no one, but will unearth remote bays and glittering vistas. Depending on your fitness level and how much of your day you’re willing to commit to it, choose to lace up for the two-hour, grade-two-ish Horseshoe Bay to Forts Junction, the short but sharp grade-four Heritage Track to Bright Point, or the easy grade-two undertaking of the Arcadia to Nelly Bay way that is done and dusted in just 20 minutes. Find a comprehensive listing of the hikes on the island here . History buffs and koala lovers alike should also follow the Forts Walk to check out the WWII relics of bygone gun emplacements, an observation tower and command post. There’s a chance you’ll be watched as you walk, not by enemies, but by nonchalant koalas lazily assessing your progress. So remember to look up!

8. Bring your binoculars

Birders be warned that arriving to Magnetic Island without your binoculars will result in bitter disappointment. Home-base to around 186 native bird species, you can spend all day twitching on Maggie. See if you can spot the brahminy kite, bush stone curlew or the brilliant-blue forest kingfisher among the ubiquitous brush turkeys. From January to March, during the wet season, Horseshoe Bay becomes a veritable stage for a chorus of birdsong, so head along the boardwalk with your Merlin Bird ID app at the ready.

9. Have a beachside barbie

Things to do on Magnetic Island — Enjoy a casual beachside picnic. (Image: Melissa Findley)

You can sail toward the sunset or hike closer to it, but one of the nicest ways to enjoy the warm brushstrokes of the diminishing sun on Magnetic Island is with a casual beachside picnic. There are plenty of grassy spots along the foreshore to set up for sundowners and a snag. Find free barbecues at Horseshoe Bay, Alma Bay or Picnic Bay and an IGA and a Foodworks at Nelly Bay to pick up provisions.

10. Search for shipwrecks

scuba diving at S.S Yongala Wreck, Magnetic Island — Get up close to the abundant marine life at the historic S.S Yongala wreck. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland/Scuba Diver)

Eager for a little underwater investigating? If you have your dive certification, join a tour from Magnetic Island to descend to the final watery resting place of S.S Yongala, which sank in 1911 and is now one of the world’s best dive sites. Or swim about the Moltke Wreck just 100 metres off the shore in Geoffrey Bay, which was scuttled in the same treacherous year. If you’d rather learn about the island’s 20-or-so shipwrecks from dry land, follow the shipwreck trail around the island, where you can read all about the demise of the doomed vessels from display boards. Deeper dives into the archives may warrant a trip to the Maritime Museum of Townsville back on the mainland.

11. Chase waterfalls

No tropical island is worthy of becoming a screensaver if it doesn’t have a cascading waterfall tucked into a forest somewhere. After heavy rains on Magnetic Island, just such a cliche can be found and beckons for frolics in the cool water. The popular Endeavour Falls in Arcadia are perhaps so because of their easy access, but equally beautiful are the Cockle Falls (great for families) and Huntingfield Falls. The latter is best accessed by boat from the beach, which really brings the castaway island fantasy to life.

12. Chill poolside

boats docked at Peppers Blue on Blue Resort Magnetic Island at sunset — Peppers Blue on Blue is located opposite the ferry terminal. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Maggie is an adventure for sure. From biking to hiking, diving, snorkelling and boating, there’s so much to do on the island and she’ll absorb as much stamina as you can give her. But sometimes you just need a moment to recharge before your next expedition into tranquil bays and underwater worlds. Take that moment poolside at one of the island’s many accommodation options. From the cliff-hanging A-frames of budget-friendly Nomads to the luxe Peppers on Blue at Nelly Bay, where the lagoon-style pool promises cocktails sipped in serenity, there’s a hotel pool waiting to relax you. It’s a holiday, after all!

13. Cast away

Keen anglers who are angling for a fish are spoilt for places to cast off on Magnetic Island. If you’re bringing your own gear and going solo, make sure you know the zones where you’re permitted to fish by picking up a zoning map of the island. But to improve your chances of reeling in a big one, you may opt to join one of the fishing charter companies on Maggie, such as Magnetic Island Fishing Charters , who offer inshore and offshore tours and provide everything you need to land the catch of the day. 

14. Chat to locals

a family strolling at the beach on Geoffrey Bay — Take a stroll along the beach at Geoffrey Bay. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

One of the many charms of Magnetic Island is that she’s a safe harbour for creatives, mainland misfits and salty old sea dogs who’ve hung up their sea legs. You’ll meet many of them around town, so be sure to say G’day just as Australian Traveller writer Craig Tansley did when he spent a long stint on the island. Strike up a conversation at the Picnic Bay Hotel or the Marlin Bar Tavern and you’ll soon find that Maggie locals are full of the fascinating chronicles of island life.

15. Enjoy a meal

the Boardwalk Restaurant at Peppers Blue on Blue — The Boardwalk Restaurant offers contemporary seaside fare. (Image: Boardwalk Restaurant)

From easy-going fish and chips scoffed seaside to elevated, contemporary-leaning fare at Boardwalk Restaurant , there’s many a place to sit down to a delicious meal on Maggie. Breakfast pastries start the day at Arcadia Bakehouse , coffee at Tiny Palm keeps the caffeine-dependant managed and Island Burger knows what you need from a two-handed feast. Come sunset, The Island Bar at Nomad’s is the place to go full-troppo.

16. Go topless (in a car)

Touring is great for that in-depth perspective only a local guide can give you, but there are times when you just want to take the wheel and see where a map gets you. If you’re going to embark on a self-drive excursion of Magnetic Island, it’s only fitting that you do it in a topless and doorless Daihatsu Mira painted with a totally kitsch Maggie Island scene from Isle Hire . If that’s a little too much holiday cringe for you, you can opt for the demure lime-green convertible MINI, instead. Either way, getting around in a topless vehicle seems entirely appropriate here.

Before hopping over to Maggie, it’s worth exploring Townsville’s laid-back charm as well. 

Under wide-open outback skies, discover a fossicking gem that’s managed to slip under the radar.

While the name Clermont may feel new to even the most intrepid traveller, its gilded history stretches back centuries. You’ll find it just off the highway, humming quietly under the hazy veil of Queensland’s outback sun. It’s here, hemmed in by mountains and perched atop soil heavy with the earth’s treasures, that one of Australia’s most accessible outback adventures awaits.

Thanks to deposits of gold, copper and gemstones – souvenirs left by exploding supernovas and the heave of tectonic plates – Clermont became a centre point of Queensland’s Gold Rush. And now? Australia’s fossicking capital is yours to discover.

Getting there

car driving along Capricorn Way in queensland — Take a drive through Queensland’s Mackay Isaac region. (Image: Sean Scott/ TEQ)

You’ll find Clermont in Queensland’s Mackay Isaac region. To get here, it’s an easy three-hour drive over sealed roads from Mackay. Or, if you’re heading from the Sapphire Fields of Emerald, the drive will carve out just over an hour from your day.

Whether you’re road-tripping through outback Queensland or just tracing your way through all that Australia has to offer, Clermont is remote but easily accessible.

Best accommodation in Clermont

Theresa CreekDam in clermont — Camp by Theresa Creek Dam. (Image: Riptide Creative/ TEQ)

All accommodation comes with a generous helping of country hospitality here. The choice is yours between modern hotels, parking up the camper or pitching a tent.

Theresa Creek Dam lies just outside town. Begin each day with crisp country air and bright outback sunrises. Spend the night under the sparkling country stars and your days out on the dam fishing or kayaking. Even if you aren’t camping, be sure to save space in your itinerary for an afternoon on the red dirt shore.

To stay closer to town, opt for a central hotel to base yourself between exploring and fossicking, like Smart Stayzzz Inn and Clermont Country Motor Inn .

Things to do in Clermont

three people on a tour with Golden Prospecting — Join a tour with Golden Prospecting.

One does not visit Clermont without trying their hand at fossicking. There are strict rules when it comes to fossicking, so stick to areas dedicated for general permission and make sure you obtain your license beforehand. Try your luck at McMasters , Four Mile , Town Desert, McDonald Flat and Flat Diggings . To increase your odds, sign on for a tour with the expert team at Golden Prospecting . They’ll give you access to exclusive plots and expert advice along the way.

Once you’ve tried your luck on the gold fields, head to the Clermont Township and Historical Museum . Each exhibit works like an archaeologist’s brush to dust away the layers of Clermont’s history. Like the steam engine that painstakingly relocated the entire town inch by inch to higher ground after it was decimated by flooding in 1916. See the tools that helped build the Blair Athol mine, historic fire engines, shearing sheds and all sorts of relics that make up Clermont’s story.

The historic Copperfield Chimney offers a change of pace. Legend has it that fossickers found a solid wall of copper here, over three metres high, kick-starting Queensland’s first-ever copper mine.

Bush Heli Services flying over clermont queensland — See Clermont from above with Bush Heli Services. (Image: Riptide Creative/ TEQ)

For hiking, nearby Dysart is the best place to access Peak Range National Park. Here, mountainous horizons stretch across the outback as if plucked from another world. Set off for a scenic drive along the Peak Downs Highway for access to countless geological wonders. Like the slanting rockface of Wolfang Peak. Summit it, and you’ll find yourself looking out across a scene surely conjured up by Banjo Paterson. Dry scrub dancing in the warm breeze, grazing cattle, eucalypts and the gentle creak of windmills. Don’t miss visiting Gemini Peaks, either, for one of the park’s best vistas, and a blanket of wild flowers after rain.

Then, take to the skies with a scenic helicopter tour with Bush Heli-Services . Shift your perspective and cruise above all the sights from your trip. Spots like Lords Table Mountain and Campbell’s Peak are best viewed from the skies.

Before you head home, be sure to explore the neighbouring townships. Spend a lazy afternoon in the shade of Nebo Hotel’s wrap-around verandahs . The hotel’s 1900s dance hall has since been replaced with one of the area’s biggest rodeo arenas, so consider timing your trip to line up with a boot scootin’ rodeo. Or, stop by a ghost town. Mount Britton was once a thriving town during the 1880s Gold Rush. It’s been totally abandoned and now lies untouched, a perfect relic of the Gold Rush.

Best restaurants and cafes in Clermont

meal at Commercial Hotel — Stop into the Commercial Hotel Clermont.

Days spent fossicking, bushwalking and cramming on history call for excellent coffee and hearty country meals. Luckily, Clermont delivers in spades.

Lotta Lattes Cafe is beloved by locals for a reason. Start your days here for the best caffeine fix in town and an impeccable brunch menu.

For a real country meal, an icy cold beer and that famed country hospitality, head straight to the town’s iconic hotel: the Commercial Hotel (known endearingly to locals as ‘The Commie’). It’s been a staple in Clermont since 1877. The hotel even survived the flood of 1916 when it was sawn in two and moved to higher ground.

Naturally, time spent in the outback must include calling into the local bakery. For delicious pies and a tantalising array of sweet treats, make Bluemac Bakehouse your go-to while in town.

Discover more of The Mackay Isaac region, and start planning your trip at mackayisaac.com.