Yunbenun · Magnetic Island

A wild island with an easy rhythm.

More than a place to stay: Maggie is World Heritage nature, reef-fringed water, granite peaks and village life — all just a 20-minute passenger ferry ride from Townsville.

Shape your island days

Aerial view of a Dacha on Maggie pool and waterfront setting — View from the Nelly Bay waterfront

23Bays and beaches

⅔National Park

25 kmWalking trails

20 minPassenger ferry

Choose your pace

Six ways to spend a day on Maggie.

Plan one big adventure or let the day unfold. Most of the island’s essential experiences are connected by bus, walking trail or a short drive.

Bays & beaches

Choose from 23 bays and beaches: family-friendly foreshore parks, sheltered coves and long afternoons at Horseshoe Bay.

Swim · unwind · sunset

Reef & snorkelling

Explore fringing coral and marine life from shore-access snorkel sites around Geoffrey Bay, Nelly Bay and beyond.

Mask · fins · reef

Trails & The Forts

Walk sections of the island’s 25-kilometre trail network, including panoramic lookouts and historic WWII remains.

Views · history · bushland

Wildlife

Slow down and look up for free-roaming koalas, or watch allied rock-wallabies among the granite boulders.

Koalas · wallabies · birds

On the water

Paddle sheltered bays, book a sailing trip, join a guided tour or bring the day to a close from the water.

Kayak · sail · explore

Eat, drink & linger

Build the day around beachfront coffee, relaxed local eateries, island-made treats and a golden-hour table.

Coffee · local eats · long lunch

Waterfront bedroom looking across Nelly Bay

A Maggie essential

Walk The Forts. Keep an eye on the trees.

Magnetic Island’s best-known walk follows a ridge to sweeping Coral Sea views and heritage-listed WWII remains. It is also one of the island’s well-known places to spot koalas in the wild.

Read the official Forts Walk guide

Leave Maggie wild

Good guests make a gentler footprint.

Give wildlife space, never touch koalas, and let animals forage naturally.

Stay on marked trails, carry water and take your rubbish home.

Check current marine, weather and stinger advice before swimming or hiking.

Local knowledge

Go deeper with the official island guide.

Find current operators, snorkelling guidance, wildlife advice, seasonal travel ideas and more from Tourism Magnetic Island.

Browse things to do

Make it real

Choose the home you’ll come back to.

Explore the four stays